MARIO MENEZES.
By Wellington Dias.

Mario Menezes aged 39 years from Chinchinim, a B.Com Graduate having majored in Accounts, mentioned about his attempt to study law but giving up after 2-years had to say that he was still continuing his studies attempting for a Diploma in Business Management & Administration as well as studying Computers while presently working for a Govt. concern.

Mario mentioned that he started acting from his childhood, but with regards to professional acting, he spoke of his bagging the Best Actor award at a One Act Play competition where Fr. Freddy J. D'Costa was the Judge and thereafter, being offered a role by Fr. Freddy in his drama "Doxxea".

Mario further added that he has acted for all the topmost directors like Rosario Rodrigues, Roseferns, Prince Jacob, Jose Rod, Pascoal Rodrigues, Patrick Dourado, Menin de Bandar and others.

When asked about his co-stars, Mario had to say that Rosario Rodrigues was a good writer due to the literary contents of his writing. Amongst the other directors he stated that Prince Jacob and Roseferns were his favourite due to the changes and positive influences that both have brought to the Konkanni stage with their direction. Considers Jose Rod as his favourite and Best Actor due to his versatility to handle any role and Ophelia as his favourite actress because of the tragedy roles that She plays. Amongst the Singers, considers Lorna as the best.

Talking about his family, Mario married with a kid mentioned about receiving good support from his family but had to say that his Father wanted him  to graduate first and then go into acting.

About his achievements, he mentioned about: receiving the Best Actor Award at Kala Academy and also the Best Director Award for the play "Goa Bandh" at the same venue. Bagging the Best Supporting Actor at the All India Major Ports drama
competition and it seems his play got the second place amongst the other plays. According to Mario, he was crowned the "Tragedy King of the "Konkanni Stage" by the Ex-Mayor of Panjim, Mr. Francisco Branco.

Mario mentioned of his directing about 18-one act plays and producing 2-Konkanni audio albums entitled 'Xezari' and 'Ostorecho Valor' (in which Jose Rod, Prince Jacob, Rosy Alvares, Annie, Menino Mario and others have sung) and had plans to bring out his third album entitled 'Fotkiro Mog', shortly. Mario also mentioned about singing in about 25-albums produced by his other co-stars.

His other plans are to take up direction (though not so soon) and also dreams of writing a book on the history of the non-stop drama for which he's on the hunt for a sponsor.

When queried on the Konkanni stage as a whole, Mario had to say that more literate people should come on stage and added that there was no unity amongst the dramatists and about crab mentality prevailing. He also spoke about the lack of Government support for the artistes and the Konkanni stage and requested the people to support the dramas as it was our tradition and needed to be kept alive.

Mario also mentioned about his writing for the press on a part time basis.

At the time of our tete-a-tete, Mario spoke about his presently being the Gen. Secretary of the Konkanni Non-Stop Tiatristanchi Sonvstta and also of his being the Ex-Vice President of Chichinnim Jaycees and the Ex-University Representative of MES College.

@ 2001
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