MARGAO
Noted Konkani stage artist from Benaulim, Joaquim Fernandes popularly known as Jaju passed away on early Tuesday morning, sending shock waves amongst the tiatr fraternity.
He was 62 and is survived by wife, three sons and a daughter. The funeral will take place on Thursday.
Family members informed that Jaju had returned home at around 2 am on Tuesday after performing at the Tiatr staged by his brother Roseferns at Arambol. Sources said Jaju had tea and chapattis before going to bed. At around 6.30 am, however, he is believed to have complained of chest pain and breathlessness and was rushed to the South Goa district hospital at around 7 am, where he breathed his last.
The Tiatr Academy of Goa had conferred on Jaju the Lifetime contribution of Khell/Khell Tiatr Award in 2021 for his immense contribution in the field of Tiatr.
Born on September 29, 1960, Jaju had started his professional acting career on October 29, 1980 in his brother Roseferns tiatr ‘Thapott’.
Since then, he is believed to have acted and sung in more than 121 Khell Tiatr/Tiatr, written and directed by different directors such as Roseferns, Agostinho, Pascoal Rodrigues, Simon Gonsalves, Fr Milarges Dias, Tony Dias, Comedian Selvy, Seby de Divar, Mario de Vasco, Vithal, Willy and others.
Some of the super hit tiatrs he has acted are “Thapott, Dev vo Devchar, Ghantt, Arso, Baulem, Xazari, Bebdo, Mai-Pai ani Bhurguim, Jem Tujem Tem Mhojeam, Xinxe, Mhoj Bhett Tuka, Kaklut Mhoji Kor, Interview, Police, Advogad, Public, Pai, Fight for Right, Mera Bharat Mahan, Godfather and many more.
TAG sources said Jaju has also sung in many CDs by Roseferns, Pascoal, Seby de Divar etc and also acted in video films such as Ek Vatt Menachi, Vankdho Tinkdho Mog, Old Age Home, Public etc.
He has produced a CD ‘Xim’ and has performed all over Goa, Mumbai, Pune and internationally in Kuwait, Bharain, Muscat, Qatar, Dubai and UK.
Jaju had also won the Dr Jack de Sequeira award for acting in “Mahanand Mhonis Vo Soitan”. He was also felicitated with Lifetime Achievement Award at the 125th Anniversary of the Tiatr Celebration Committee.
Tiatr Academy of Goa President Menino de Bandar expressed his shock over the sudden demise of Jaju. While condoling his death, he said Jaju’s contribution to tiatr will be remembered in the years to come.
