THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
The Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG) has selected noted Konkani tiatr artistes Antonio Sebastiao Xavier Rodrigues, popularly known as Jack Rodson, and Felipe Norman Fernandes, known as Normandez, for its Lifetime Contribution to Khell/Khell-Tiatr Awards, recognising their contributions to Goa’s traditional performing arts.
Instituted in memory of late Rosario Rodrigues, the awards honour artistes who have contributed to the development and promotion of Khell and Khell-Tiatr. The awards will be presented at a special function to be organised by TAG.
TAG president Anthony Barbosa congratulated both awardees and acknowledged their contributions to Konkani theatre and the preservation of Goa’s cultural heritage.
A resident of Benaulim, Jack Rodson began his Konkani tiatr career at the age of 12 in 1977, performing in Jose Roque’s Orixtt Tufan. He later began writing one-act plays before venturing into non-stop tiatr productions. His first non-stop tiatr, Tuzo Hat, was written in 1984, followed by Mevonk Nam and several other productions.
Rodson has made a significant contribution to Khell-Tiatr, writing Carnival khell tiatrs every year since 1987. His first was Dekh, Aicho Somaz, Korunk Nam. Over the years, he has written 117 folk plays, besides acting and singing his compositions in productions staged by prominent Konkani tiatr directors. His work also includes Konkani video productions.
Born in Assolna on March 29, 1966, Normandez has worked as a writer, director, lyricist, singer and actor across Konkani theatre, music and cinema. His interest in performing arts developed during his school years, when he acted, sang and wrote short plays. He received acting guidance from Br Felix Fernandes in 1981.
Normandez made his professional debut in 1986 through the late Anil Kumar’s production OTMO. He subsequently performed in productions selected by noted tiatrist Roseferns and went on to stage tiatrs across India and abroad. His writing credits include Rag Vo Mog, Mochea and Mhoje Dhage Tuttlele.
In 1992, he established Hillary’s Production and released several Konkani music albums, composing their lyrics and tunes. He also contributed to Konkani video cinema through Bhavachem Dennem in 1994 and later appeared in Hindi films, including Drishyam 2. His Konkani song Bhavarti Dotor was broadcast on an American Asian radio channel in 2008.
