PRINCE JACOB : The Doctor of Laughter
By Wellington Dias
As the adage goes that "laughter is the proverbial best medicine" and who better to administer the daily dose than the Doctor of Laughter himself.
Thirty seven year old Jacob Fernandes also referred to as "Prince Jacob" is a stalwart of the Konkani theatre, being associated with it for over a decade having produced, directed, written a number of plays besides composing songs for the same at a prolific rate. Nicknamed Prince, his razor sharp wit has konkani drama enthusiasts in stitches.
During his recent visit to Kuwait he spoke exclusively - about his career, his ambitions, role models and the future of the Konkani drama & Khell Tiatr.
Ofstage Prince Jacob is cosiderably more serious than his on-stage alter ego. A self-confessed "God-fearing" man, he is scrupulously honest and he believes in the truth regardless of the consequences. He is also a teetotaller, this having been likely instilled in him by the Friars at his school Don-Bosco's in Fatorda,Goa. Prince Jacob has fond memories of Don Bosco's and recalls how the Friars spotted his talent early on, and would encourage his penchant for acting by encouraging him to take part in the School Socials and plays. These early experiences convinced him to make acting his full time career.
As regards his royal "moniker" "Prince" he owes it to Fr. Antonio Pereira, a respected Konkani writer and an an ardent fan of his, who would come to see him perform and prior to the Show’s commencement coming backstage used to comment that he had come to have a hilarious time and did not want to be disappointed.
It was after enjoying his performances as a comedian that he dubbed him
"Prince" as "Jacinto Vaz" a famed comedian then was known as the King of
comedians and Fr. Pereira viewed Jacob as the natural successor.
Prince Jacob considers Jacinto Vaz as his ultimate role model and a
constant source of inspiration. He humbly demurs, stating that
even years of aacting would allow him to reach the stature of Jacinto Vaz.
About his dramas, opined that "Kagot" (Paper) was one of his best plays, but it was here that he tried to dictate terms as to what the people should see. The audiences were not ready to stomach this which resulted in the drama not doing very well. Learning a lesson through this experience he decided to undergo a complete metamorphosis and produce dramas to cater to the public’s tastes resulting in his being successful and also sent his popularity ratings soaring higher.
Prince Jacob dreams of making either the Guinness or the Limca Book of World Records as the first Goan Stage artiste to have produced 25-plays beginning with the letter "P". He has already produced an astonishing 23-dramas that begin with the letter "P" and the 24th & the 25th are already in the offing. He intends to stage the maiden performance of his 24th play PEDDO (Gravedigger) in Kuwait this September and hot on its heels hopes Prince Jacob will be his 25th production PADDRI (Priest).
Clarifying the difference between Khell Tiatr and non-stop dramas. Prince Jacob explains that basically both are alike but in a non-stop drama the songs are relevant to the play's plot while in a Khell Tiatr the songs are not necessarily central to the storyline.
Unfortunately the Konkani Khell tiatr has fallen on hard times and performances are increasingly infrequent. He holds the older tiatrists for sounding the death knell for the Konkani Khell tiatr as they kept their work & talents to themselves and with their passing away they took these talents with them. He believes that the entire Konkani drama industry is dying a slow death due to lack of Government support talented artistes are being forced to turn to alternative professions because there is no guaranteed income, no incentives and consequently little future in acting.
Prince Jacob bemoans the fact that Konkani non-stop drama artistes could only raise about one fifth of the total value required to acquire a place where they could come together to exchange views and rehearse. The artistes are hoping to raise the balance of the funds through charitable donations from the State government and the Gulf Goans but so far no help was forthcoming. HE feels that the future of konkani drama is severely threatened and insists that every effort should be made to keep this valuable art alive.
Prince Jacob saves his most bitter vitriol for Goa-Doordarshan. He rages about the substandard konkani programmes being telecast and how Doordarshan does nothing to improve quality of the programmes. Citing an instance at the shabby treatment meted out to him, even after producing a song on National Integration at his own expense the same was not telecast by concerned authorities citing non-availability of suitable telecast time.
Prince Jacob already having contributed a lot to the konkani theatre wants fervently to produce a Konkani film, but regrets that insufficient Govt. support and public interest renders his ambition not coming to fruitition.
On the other hand he rates his appearance on Radio Mid-day F.M. India's GOENCHO SAAD (Voice of Goa) show as the zenith of his career to date. He considers the invitation to be a great honour and recognition of his service to the drama industry in Goa.
Prince Jacob, a firm family man has two daughters, the oldest of whom Jewel has shown glimpses of her talent while acting in one of his dramas.
He also works with his brother and together they form a highly
entertaining comedy double act. He modestly credits his brother Schubert
with being a better comedian. Schubert's comedy is more of slapstick nature
while Jacob relies on words to make his audience laugh.
Prince Jacob attributes the duo's success and longevity to their contrasting
styles, their lack of inflated egos, their willingness to support each other
at all times and he (Jacob) not taking credit for Schubert's work.
There is, Prince Jacob insists plenty of talent on the Konkani stage. Of the current crop of young comedians on offer, considers Agostinho, Ben, Ambo and Dominic amongst the best. He believes their enormous promise and potential bodes well for the future of konkani comedy.
He advises young actors to dedicate themselves to their work and allow no distractions. Prince Jacob himself did not come from a moneyed background. He now takes his place among the greats of the Konkani stage singularly because of his single mindedness, dedication and sheer effort that he's put in for the Konkani drama.