A lifetime of entertaining Goans with his tiatrs

Antonio Constancio Francisco Pires de Menezes alias ‘Babit’ popularly known as Anthony de Telaulim on the Konkani stage, was born on January 3, 1944 at Telaulim-Navelim. His love for tiatr grew when he was given the opportunity to step on stage during catechism classes. “It was a cultural programme of song and dance presented by the village children,” he mentions.

During the Portuguese rule in Goa, Anthony’s father, late Jose Minguel Pires de Menezes used to compose songs and would take pains to teach tiatr to the village youth. His mother, Martha Gomes from Sinquetim, was equally a good singer.

At the tender age of 22, Anthony made his entry on stage when the village youth under the guidance of Joao M Ferrao staged a tiatr ‘Liplolo Ghutt’ for the annual feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, in the month of October. “Besides rendering a song, it was a comedy role as well,” he says. Thereafter, Anthony received invites to act and sing in several tiatrs staged in the village. He was enthusiastic and acted even in two tiatrs annually.

When C D’Silva decided to stage one of his tiatrs ‘Dennem’ at Kala Academy’s annual tiatr competition, Anthony found an entry there and was provided a lover’s role. Next in line was Ligorio Fernandes, who invited him to act in his khell tiatr ‘Julius Ceasar’ which continued and completed 80 shows, throughout Goa, Mumbai and Pune.

“In Ligorio’s tiatr, it was late Christopher Leitao who approached me seeking help and requested me to take up father’s role and act as a substitute,” says Anthony. He was provided with three cantos, which he rendered with gusto. The same director roped him in another of his new production thereafter.

Availing of every opportunity knocking at his door, Anthony acted in three tiatrs staged by E Ferrao from Telaulim, besides 7 tiatrs presented by G M Ferrao. He was also part of the Joaquim Fernandes’ troupe during the staging of tiatrs ‘Fokir’, ‘Devachi Kheast Konnank Chukona’ and ‘Bheiman Ixtt’. “The dramatic troupe of Telaulim was the first in Goa to bring a car on stage in E Ferrao’s tiatr ‘Visvaxi Konn’ in 1971,” he informed.   

Anthony also made his appearance in Zacharias Boys tiatr ‘Kazarache Ratri’ and Issac Fernandes’ tiatrs ‘Kumsar Mornnachea Vellar’ and ‘Vesonn’. He acted in Lepseyra’s ‘Uzvadd’, Petersan’s tiatr ‘Kaido To Kaido’ and Juju Baretto’s tiatr ‘Ekvott’.

When C D’Silva presented his tiatrs ‘Boreponn’, ‘Pixem’, ‘Zonel’ and ‘Khot’, Anthony was part of the troupe. And when Menino de Bandar scripted and directed his tiatr ‘Vizmit’, Anthony was provided with the inspector’s role. As a singer and actor, Anthony has brushed his shoulders with noted directors like Premanand Sangodkar, Anil Kumar, Premanand Lotlikar, Frank de Santa Cruz, Fr A Bonamis and Seby Bannalkar. His co-artistes at the village level included Milagrin, Clara, Annie Quadros, Diana and Preeti Lotlikar.    

During his tryst with tiatrs, Anthony de Telaulim also served as a laboratory technician for Dr Tito Vaz Laboratory in Margao and continued with his dedicated services for almost 49 years. Till date, he continues with his service in his village by collecting blood samples and delivering them at the laboratory.

Anthony’s last entry on stage was in C D’Silva’s tiatr ‘Zonel’. Due to ill health, he had to step down, but that enthusiasm and love for tiatrs continued in his heart thereafter.

For his immense contribution towards tiatr, Anthony was bestowed with Kala Academy’s Lifetime Contribution Award in 2004. In 2011-12, he also received the prestigious Kala Gaurav Award at the hands of then art and culture minister, Dayanand Mandrekar, in the presence of then KA’s chairman, Vishnu Surya Wagh.

In 2017, when tiatr completed 125 years of its existence, the 125th Tiatr Celebration Committee felicitated Anthony at Gomant Vidya Niketan, Margao, at the hands of noted cardiologist, Dr Francisco Colaco. On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Lucasinho Ribeiro, Tiatr Academy Goa (TAG) presented him with ‘Lifetime Contribution to Tiatr Awards 2018’, in the non-commercial category.

Anthony’ sons Armstrong, Avito and daughter Alfa are involved in various cultural activities. “In 1990, my elder son Armstrong (tenor) along with younger son Avito (bass) formed a choir group ‘Serenades of Telaulim’, by getting together some singers from the village,” he informs, “my daughter Alfa (alto) later joined them and the group continues existing, with performances for weddings, anniversaries, funerals across Goa.”

The group dominated the state-level carol singing competitions held all over Goa in the 90s, thus creating history by winning the most prestigious Kala Academy award for 3 consecutive years in 1994, 1995 and 1996. Avito Pires de Menezes comperes for Konkani musical programmes by Lorna, Norman Cardozo, lenoy Gomendes, Lawry Travasso, YMCT entertainment and others.