M. BOYER.
By Wellington Dias.

Mr. M. BOYER (as he is popularly known on the Konkani stage or otherwise, born on 11th October, 1930 in Ponda as Manuel Santan Aguiar) whose with  presence on the Konkanni stage has made a significant impact for over half a century.

With his in-born acting talents being apparent very early on, it seems at the age of 15, he composed and sang his first song which gained him all round appreciation.

While in School on account of his School Principal (at the Catholic Education Institute, where he studied upto the Xth Standard), being a strict disciplinarian, who would not allow his students to go into acting lest, they neglect their studies, made Manuel Santan Aguiar take on the pseudonym of M. Taylor (while acting) at first, but was to be caught once by his Principal and being accordingly reprimanded. But this did not deter him as his love for acting prevailed and thereafter, he took to the stage with the name of M. BOYER, a name by which he was to become well known and is being referred to, till date.

It seems that M. Boyer wrote & presented his first play "Rinkari" at the age of 18 and over the years he, with his talents as a composer, singer, script-writer, actor, director and producer by Writing, directing & producing more than 25-plays, participating in more than 5000 performances, Composing & Singing over a 1000-Songs, as well as performing in major Indian cities, in London, East Africa and the Gulf Countries, Mr. M. Boyer has contributed a lot to the Konkanni stage thereby, enriching the same and leaving his special mark on the same. He also has been a source of inspiration for a lot of other artistes.

During the course of our tete-a-tete, he mentioned about the late Mr. Anthony Mendes, who, he considers as a very good comedian as well as a kind hearted person and the one who was instrumental in giving him his initial break & also guiding him. But had to say that Mr. Anthony Mendes may have shown him the initial way, but he, himself, with his hard work was reponsible for making his main way in life and become what he is today.

Citing an example of staging a drama in the early days, wherein a lot of hassles were encountered and due to this, it seems many of the directors used to contract out their shows to contractors, but about himself, mentioned about his doing all the ground work and staging the shows by himself specially in the main centers and attributes this, as the main reason for he & his family being able to lead a comfortable though not a luxurious one.

M. Boyer mentioned that his relationship with the other artistes was very cordial and remembered the early days (when he was one of the youngest artistes) about his Seniors admiring him and also recalled the late Souza Ferrao, who, after listening to his songs, guiding him by offering him tips and and even pointing out his mistakes which he greatly appreciated then, and had to say that even today, if somebody was to point out any of his mistakes he would not mind, as constructive criticism does help one to do better and also as no one is perfect. Further added that the present day artistes may not take criticism very sportingly.

M. Boyer recalled of the time when he was taken to Bombay to act in Kamat de Assolna's tiatra "Mai Ho Guiniam Tujo" in 1948, wherein it seems he played the main comedian's role and also remembered an instance when he sang 7-songs in one tiatra which according to him was a record as it seems the most number of songs that any artiste would sing, were three.

HIS PROWESS :

About himself, mentioned that he is one of the few artistes who can sing a serious as well as a comedy song at the same time and stated that he could compose encores for his songs based on the surroundings.

About his acting prowess, he mentioned about his playing only comedy roles so far and when queried as to why he never played a lead role in any of the dramas, had to say that there were better actors than him who could play lead roles.

HIS TIATRS :

A man who believes that drama should not be just mere entertainment but should be an instrument to educate & inspire people to a better life, mentioned about always emphasizing the message of morality, peace and harmony in his plays, some of which include "EKUCH ROSTO", "CHINTNAM ZALIM SOPNAM", "SOUNSAR SUDORLO", "BHURGIM ANI BHANGAR" "ADIM TEM ATAM HEM", "GHOR DUKHI GAUM SUKHI", "MOG, KAZAR, DIVORCE".

RECOGNITION & AWARDS :

While speaking to M. Boyer, he mentioned about his awards and pointed out some which were displayed in his showcase and  added that he had to shift some to another place due to paucity of room in the same.

Some of the awards & recognitions that he has received for his meritorious & distinguished work, are :-

- Honoured for his Distinguished Services at the hands of   Mr. Giani Zail Singh (then President of India) on the ocassion
  of the Silver Jubilee Celebration of Goa's Liberation in 1986.

- In the year 1984-85 was conferred with the coveted State Cultural  Award by the erstwhile Govt. of Goa, Daman & Diu.

- In 1977,  "Man of the Year" Award in Bombay.

- Goa Post Award (for his distinguished career as a singer) in 1991 at the hands of Amitabh Bachan

- The 1994/95 Prestigious SANGEET NATAK AKADAMI" Award at the hands   of the then President of India, Shri Shankar Dayal Sharma   (the first Konkanni stage artiste to receive this award).

- Was also honoured by Gulab, Goa Hindu Association (Bombay),   Kullagar Prakasham, AITUC, Samraat Club International Goa (for his   50-year dedicated service to the theatre), etc.

- Remembered being specially honoured in Kuwait, a place which he has   visited a few times and acted in Comedian Philip's musical show  "Hem Kazar Koslem", staged in Kuwait.

It seems that he, sang with emotion & feeling at the Silver Jubilee Celebrations' inauguration at Panjim and receiving appreciation for the same from the late Rajiv Gandhi and considers this as a great moment of his life.

ABOUT HIS CO-STARS, TIATRS, the NON-STOP DRAMAS :

Speaking about the late Souza Ferrao, M. Boyer mentioned about his talents and also about his versatitlity to play any type of role.

Also spoke of the late C. Alvares's more than 6-decades of service to the Konkani stage.

With regards to the late Jacint Vaz, had to say that till today nobody has been able to fill the void left by him and considers
him very talented, a born comedian and according to him there was no need for him to act or even utter a word while on-stage,
had to say that his mere presence on stage was enough to make people laugh.

On the vocals side had to say that Lorna was a very good singer and also spoke about Antonette Mendes and about his composing songs specially for her.

The TIATR :

When reminded of the tiatra's gradual demise over the years and queried if the older generation tiatrists should perhaps have done something,say like passing on their skills to the younger generation, he mentioned that the Kala Academy should do something to revive the tiatra.

On NON-STOP DRAMAS, he credited the non-stop dramatists for their efforts and good work. One important thing that he spoke on was about, the non-stop dramatists doing away with the Prompting, had to say that on account of prompting the TIATRISTS were able to put up a show within 3 to 4-days, while the non-stop dramatists, in order to do away with the prompting, had to by-heart the lines which involved a lot of sacrifices and efforts (in terms of more rehearsals, etc.),  but was quick to point out that just by, by-hearting the lines itself was not fully enough, as one  needed to deliver the lines with the right feelings (which he considers as being the most important) for the audience to appreciate the same.

With regards to the non-stop dramatists, he singled out Sylvester Vaz as being quite talented, in terms of singing & acting.

When queried about the present day comedians, had to say that all were equally good.

He was of the opinion that all scripts & plays should have good morals in them.

HIS FAMILY :

M. Boyer, mentioned about his marrying Maria Efrezinha in 1966, from which 5-Sons ensued.

FUTURE PLANS :

When queried on his future plans, he mentioned about his last tiatra "Chintnam Zali Sopnam" (which was staged more than 6-years back), had to say that he may not be able to stage another one as most of the artistes of his time have passed away and now he may not be able to get the cast of his choice, i.e. know, which artiste of the present generation would fit what role and further added that the present day dramatists may not take constructive criticism (even if it came from him) graciously, as he did so, in the beginning of his career.


@ 2001
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Wellington Dias.
E-mail: wellydias@hotmail.com