MARGAO
T o mark the birth anniversary of Pai Tiatrist, the late Joao Agostinho Fernandes, the Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG) has announced its Lifetime Achievement Awards in the commercial category.
This year, the Academy has selected three well-known artistes — Santano Pereira, Joaquim Lourenco Fernandes (Jack Ferry) and Leslie Pereira — for their long and valuable contribution to the Goan tiatr stage. TAG President Anthony Barbosa congratulated them and praised their lifelong commitment to Konkani theatre.
Santano Pereira
Born on 6 February 1965 in Cuncolim, Santano Pereira began learning music at the age of 11, inspired by his father, an accomplished musician. He developed a strong interest in drumming and, by the age of 12, was performing for khell-tiatrs. This early start helped shape a career closely linked with music and tiatr.
Over the years, Santano has contributed his musical skills to many khell-tiatrs, tiatrs, musical shows and stage shows. He is known as one of the most dependable musicians in the field. His first professional work was for Chris-Meena’s tiatr Rinn Ani Sukh. He later worked on several popular productions such as Somdir, Mhoji Bhett Tuka, Rekad, Ticket, Futtleli Boxi, Sogle Roste Ugte, Maim Paichem Besanv, Chitrailolo Fator, Olmem, Gulam, Soiro, Bhogos Mhaka and Bhailean Butter Bhitorlean Gutter.
He has collaborated with leading musicians including C P Dias, Josinho, Agust de Panchwadi, John de Nuvem, Domnic de Arambol, Cruz de Sanvordem, Seby Moraes and Anthony de Velim.
Joaquim Fernandes (Jack Ferry)
Born on 20 June 1970 in Nuvem, Joaquim Lourenco Fernandes — widely known as Jack Ferry — is a writer, director, actor and filmmaker. His interest in writing began in school after reading Konkani periodicals like Vauraddeancho Ixtt and Novem Goem, where many of his early poems and stories appeared.
Jack Ferry entered the performing arts with his 1989 All India Radio one-act play Mennvat. In 1990, he took part in the All Goa One-Act Play Competition, where his play was staged 35 times and won 32 awards — a major achievement that marked him as a promising talent.
In 1992, he staged his first non-stop tiatr Devak Sangat, completing 25 shows. This was followed by Jevonn in 1993, which travelled across Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra. He later delivered several big hits, including Vollkhonk Visorlo, Mog Di — which completed 88 shows — and Pormoll, which crossed 100 performances.
Leslie Pereira
Lesley Peter Pereira, known on stage as Leslie, was born on 29 June 1962 in Curchorem. He began his journey in tiatr as a light designer for Telles Moraes’ play Faleam Euchonam in 1989.
His lighting work won multiple awards at competitions in Goa, Udupi and Mangalore for six consecutive years while working with Sankalp Theatre and the Konkani Kala Sahitya Kendra.
Leslie later moved into acting and singing in commercial tiatrs.
His first major performance was in Jose Rod’s Bhiradd.
He went on to act in several well-known productions including Tumi Jikle, Punn Kiteak, Mauli, Tujem Nanv Vhodd Zaum and Devan Dillem Denvcharan Vhelem.
He has worked with respected directors such as Tommy Afonso, Menino de Bandar, Mariano Fernandes, Comedian Domnic, William Fernandes and others.
He has also appeared in many audio albums and VCDs, and has performed across India, the Gulf and the United Kingdom.
