By JOHN GOMES

BORN AT PRINCESS Street, Mumbai, on June 27, 1916, Antonelio Conceicao Fernandes, was later given the stage name of Tony Fernandes. He is the son of late Joao Agostinho Fernandes (Pai Tiatrist) and Luiz Maria Collaco. Tony celebrated his marriage with Ana Maria Carolina Quadros in April 14, 1964 when Byculla's Gloria Church chimed its bells solemnizing the matrimony.

Upon the sudden demise of his first wife from Rachol, Joao Agostinho entered into a second marriage with Luiza Maria from Seraulim. Luiza Maria gave birth to Anthony, Rosy, Tereza and Gilbertina. Tony is the only surviving member of the Fernandes' family living at Modsai, Borda, Margao.

Tony has acted in a number of tiatrs of other directors of yore, which include tiatrs of his father, the late Joao Agostinho. HMV records released his album in 1910 with the song ‘Mog Mirmireancho', a hit followed by ‘Goencheo Zati' and ‘Gupit Mog' in the company of his Dad and foster sister Sofia.

So also Tony's voice can be heard on the following Columbia Gramophone Company's records: ‘Dotiche Pottle' with Minguel Rod and Master Vaz and ‘Poskotto Zavn Fulonaka' and ‘Mixio Futtler Puro' with A.R.Souza Ferao. This one had music by Joe Perry and his orchestra. He also made ‘Hoklant Fottoile' with Anthony Mendes.

Tony was not only a tiatrist but a gifted artist too. One of his paintings of ‘Pai Tiatrist' portrait is still adorning the visiting hall of his Borda residence. Fittingly, over the last three years, as an acknowledgement of ‘Pai Tiatrist's contribution to art and culture, Goa Konkani Akademi had been observing ‘PAI TIATRIST DAY' annually (Tony was the Chief Guest at the first function at Gomant Vidya Niketan, Margao). This was the only honour bestowed upon the Father of Tiatr thus far.

But at the recent three-day Taitr Festival organised by Kala Mogi, Candolim this year (as part of its silver jubilee celebrations ) at Kala Academy in Panjim, the Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar agreed to implement the suggestion of Kala Mogi President Tomazinho Cardozo of naming the open air theatre after the ‘Pai Tiatrist'.

We understand that 88-year-old Tony Fernandes, the ‘Put Tiatrist', is convalescing at his Borda residence. We wish Tony – the senior most tiatrist from the fraternity - to live to a 100! And good health to his wife Ana Maria Carolina who has undergone an eye operation recently.

(Goan Observer)