Master Vaz confered Goa State Award
The Directorate of Art & Culture (Goa) recently
presented the State Cultural Awards of the year to the personalities in the
field of drama, music, literature and craft in recognition to their outstanding
contribution and services rendered in the field of art and culture in the state.
The awards were presented by the Chief Minister, Mr Francisco Sardinha and the
function was presided by The Art & Culture Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat at
the Institute Menezes Braganza, Panaji - Goa.
Among the artistes honoured by conferring the state awards was Mr. Jose Lourenco
Vaz alias Master Vaz for Drama (Teatro).
- Goa-World Team congratulates Master Vaz on behalf of the Goan community in the
Gulf region and wishes him good health.
MASTER VAZ H0NOURED IN KUWAIT
Recently, when the Goa Government bestowed the State Cultural Award for
1996/97 upon senior Goan artistes, including once famed Konkani stage artiste,
Jose Lourenco Vaz, alias Master Vaz, the news was received in Kuwait by
the Konkani and Tiatro lovers with delight.
Master Vaz is the only living disciple of late legendary Minguel Rod. Originally
from Aldona, Bardez but settled in Majorda where he presently resides with his
wife. Among his 9 children, only his son, Marcus Vaz acquired the art of
his father. Marcus is presently
working in Kuwait and very popular in composing and singing solos and trios.
On 18th August 2000, Konkani Heritage Kuwait (KHK) organised a felicitation
function in one of the city hotels in honour of Master Vaz. The function
was attended by Master Vaz's 2 sons, daughter-in-law and 2 grandsons besides the
well-wishers of Master Vaz.
In appreciation of the contribution of Master in the promotion of Konkani and
Tiatro, KHK presented Marcus Vaz with gold plated Plaque to be given to his
father Master Vaz. The 2 hour function was attended by the members of KHK,
Fr. Gabriel Dias who is the spiritual director of KHK, Deacon Sylvester and his
wife and some of the well-known members of Konkani community from Goa, Mangalore,
Karwar and Mumbai. The chief guest of the function was Xavier Mendes - one
of the Mendes Bros.
In his address, Xavier Mendes depicted the true colours of Master Vaz by
describing his acting prowess. Mendes said while acting along with Master
Vaz he learnt some of the finest points of stage art. When his father Anthony
Mendes died, it was Master Vaz who showed more sympathy and concern for the
Mendes' family, he remarked.
While thanking the organizers, Marcus Vaz in his speech delivered with knowledge
and historical background, which was listened with rapt attention by the
audience, analyzed his father's contribution in the promotion of Konkani stage
along with Minguel Rod and others of yesteryears. When Marcus Vaz
elaborated the close contact of his father with Mendes family, he choked with
emotion. By delivering such a beautiful speech Marcos Vaz proved that he
is public speaker as well too.
(Click On The Thumbnail Images For
Larger Ones)
Photos By Olav Joao
On behalf of KHK, Fidelis Fernandes welcomed the gathering and handed over the
mike to A. Veronica Fernandes to compere the proceedings.
Present also was well-known Mangalorean journalist Johnny Mesquita (Suratkal).
In his brief speech he highlighted the salient features of Konkani stage
and requested the Konkani people to support Konkani and embrace it more
vigorously.
Francis de Verna, one of the senior most Konkani stage artistes in Kuwait, also
spoke and described the greatness of Master Vaz as an actor, director, writer,
singer and producer.
Fr. Gabriel Dias in his short speech praised the gathering for supporting
such events in honour of great Konkani protagonists. He said Master Vaz
propagated the cause of Konkani through Konkani Tiatro and wished him all the
best.
Befitting this occasion, cultural items were performed in which Rosary Ferns
rendered a newly composed solo in praise of Master Vaz and all those greats of
yesteryears. In this song he appealed to the Government of Goa to confer such
awards on all those
Tiatrists who served Konkani stage for long time and currently residing in
Bombay. A newly composed Mando by Rosary Fernandes, beautifully rendered
together with Ms. Cecilia from Socorro (on visit to Kuwait) who is gifted with a
beautiful voice. She captured the attention of the entire gathering. Fidelis
Fernandes, Marcus Vaz and Francis Shahu joined in too for the mando and dulpods.
As a mark of respect, Marcus Vaz rendered a beautiful solo which Master Vaz
composed and sang in honour of the late Minguel Rod soon after his death.
A young Mangalorean couple Roney and Jasmine entertained the gathering with a
melodious romantic duet which was richly applauded. The beautiful musical score
for the cultural items was provided by one man band Francis Shahu who is
creating lot of ripples in musical circle in Kuwait. Rosary Ferns took lot of
pains to organise the cultural items.
During the function KHK announced the institution of annual KHK Awards for the
Konkani Stage Artistes performing in Kuwait.
KHK also obtained consensus from the entire audience to send a petition to Goa
Government to consider Goan Tiatrists from Bombay and other parts for the Goa
State Cultural Awards. Presently only those tiatrists domiciled in Goa for
minimum of 10 years are eligible for such awards.
Report conceptualized from input by:
ANTHONY VERONICA FERNANDES
http://www.goa-world.net/tiatr&tiatrist/
|
A brief profile on Master Vaz: |
KONKNNIK JIVONTH DOVOR
Konkananthyla Ye Konknni Kunvora
Nidhenth Thaun Zago Zaa
Firngi Chor Ravla Darar
Dhaumdavunk Thaka Aytho Zaa
Konknni Mayek Kelam Vingem (Vingllem)
Ticho Maan Dhampounk Thoyar Zaa
Sonskrothi Tuji Fharlya (Chorlea) Thane
Suadin Korunk Aytho Zaa
Adle Tiatr Ashen Polounk
Konknno Baab Salak Pavtha
Poun Konknni Palkar "Disco Break"
Konknno Baavdo Dukam Goloita
"Ghumat, Dhol" Pavlam Khoimsor?
Haanv Chinthan Podlam Malhyar
"Maando, Dulpod" Gavpak Palkar
"English Band" Asa Thoyar
Ad'dhose (Upkar) Magtham Konknni Bhava
Gorjek Khoimchii Bhas Vapor
Bhik Magtham Tujelagim Bhava
Konknnik Amchi Jivonth Dovor
* Johnny Mesquita (Surathkal) from Mangalore is one of
the well known Kannda script Konkani writer
representing a number of newspapers and magazines as
correspondent from Kuwait. He has written 2 books of
collection of short stories. Besides he is also a
playwright and actor himself.
Report prepared by Goa-World Team (Gaspar Almeida)
with input from Anthony Veronica Fernandes/Konkani Heritage Kuwait
Photos by Olav Joao
and profile based on Fausto V. Da Costa's Tiatr &
Tiatrist publication
http://www.goa-world.net/tiatr&tiatrist/
Born
on September 6, 1927 in Mapusa, today Master Vaz is the only living disciple of
late legendary Minguel Rod. Presently, he lives in Utorda, Salcette. At
the age of six he was introduced to the Konkani stage by Ernest Rebello in his
drama "Bomboiche Istil" as a