ANTONETTE MENDES.
By Wellington Dias.

Mrs. Antonette Mendes needs no introduction to Konkanni drama lovers, having captivated the audience's and her fans' hearts with her voice.

Antonette remembers her initial foray on to the Konkanni stage in the year 1960, wherein She rendered a solo song (Nanv Mojem Eskolans) in her Father's (A.K. D'Souza's) drama and according to her, her Father  was well known as he used to work with the late Minguel Rod.

After this, She recalled going to Nairobi-Africa in Kid Boxer's tiatras "Fuddar" and "Bankrut ani Bankrut" and it seems after this She was into full time acting but mentioned that mostly She used to be a Singer.

Antonette mentioned about knowing all the well known directors and it seems her full fledged role was in M. Boyer's tiatr
"Sonvsar Sudorlo" and "Mog, Kazar & Divorce".

Antonette mentioned acting mostly in tiatras but also in non-stop dramas of Rosario Rodrigues and her Son-in-law's (Jose Rod's) dramas including "Mauli", which did 200-shows.

When requested to speak about her co-stars, Antonette mentioned about the late C. Alvares for his having a good knack to compose duets and also mentioned M. Boyer and the late Jacint Vaz.

Antonette has also acted in the Konkanni films :-
"Amchem Noxib" ,  "Nirmonn" by Frank Fernand and "Sukachem Soponn" by Jerry Braganza.

A query on her late husband Romeo Mendes struck a sentimental chord in her heart as She with a lot of emotion replied that her husband was her full support and had to say that he was the one who encouraged her to go ahead in her career.

When queried on her future plans, Antonette stated that She will resign from the Konkanni stage on the day She breathes her last.

@ 2001
Copyrights Reserved.
Wellington Dias.
E=mail: wellydias@hotmail.com