Her physical disability notwithstanding, Antonette’s spirit is indomitable, as she works towards her comeback on stage
Antonette de Calangute’s first performance in a populartiatr with professional cast was ‘Sangati’ (Companion), written and directed byVitorino Pereira. It was in this tiatr that she met Bonifacio Pereira aliasBonny and later he eventually went on to become her companion for life.Antonette and Bonny Pereira are blessed with two sons, Clifton and Collin.
“I am glad that after me there is someone on the Konkanistage who can act tragedy roles to perfection,” Mumbai based tragedy queenOphelia D’Souza once said to Antonette de Calangute, when she saw her act atragic role in Rose Ferns tiatr ‘Maim Tuzo Put Hanv’ in Mumbai. This complimentbrought Antonette immense joy, for it came from one of the most adored andadmired senior artists of the Konkani stage. Incidentally, Ophelia had oncedisclosed to Joe Rose too, “If there is one artist amongst us who can do tragicroles like me than that is surely Antonette de Calangute.” Joe Rose the VicePresident of TAG stated this at the ‘Meet the Artiste’ function to the surpriseand satisfaction of all.
In the tiatr ‘100 Vorsam’ by Menino de Bandar Antonetteplayed a role of a 100 year old lady and the portrayal of the character won heraccolades from hundreds of her fans wherever the show was staged. There was oneparticular scene wherein she had to move from the hall to the dining roomwithout even uttering a dialogue, but, her mere walk depicting a centurionbrought thunderous applause. Similarly, her tragic character role of a motherwho is at the mercy of her children in the tiatr ‘Dha Lak’ by Menino de Bandaralso fetched her immense appreciation from her fans and felicitation at 25different venues where the show was staged.
She has also rendered her melodious voice for severalKonkani audio albums, and acted for a numerous VCD films. She and her husbandBonny Pereira produced their own audio album ‘Sukhnnim’. As a professionalartist, she has travelled the globe, from the Middle East to Europe onprofessional assignments. An artist of exceptional talent in enacting characterand tragic roles, fate played a cruel game when misfortune struck her, withboth her kidneys suffering irreversible damage. She is now awaiting a suitabledonor for a transplant. She is confident of winning her fight against thedebilitating disease, and making a strong come back once again triumphantly tothe stage.
