MARGAO
The Goan tiatr stage has lost one of its most celebrated personalities. Samuel Edwards Carvalho, an acclaimed tiatrist known for his significant contributions to the Konkani tiatr stage, passed away on Friday. He was 58.
His passing has left a profound void in the tiatr fraternity. In a statement of condolence, Anthony Barbosa, President of the Tiatr Academy of Goa, expressed deep sorrow. “He was a legend and contributed immensely to the tiatr stage. His work left a remarkable impact and won the hearts of tiatr lovers. His death is a huge loss to the tiatr community,” Barbosa said.
Born on March 1, 1967, to Agostinho and Emiliana Carvalho, Samuel’s journey in tiatr began with the local production 'Tuka Kiteak Podlam', written by Menino Fernandes and directed by Carvalho himself, where he portrayed a villain – a role that became an instant hit.
In 1985, renowned director Patrick Dourado offered him a major role in his professional khell tiatr 'Noketr', marking Carvalho’s formal entry into the professional tiatr circuit. Over the years, he worked with several iconic directors, including AM Pacheco, Anthony San, C D’Silva, Jose Rod, Milagres de Chandor, Pascoal Rodrigues, Jr Nelson, and Comedian Agostinho.
In 1998, Carvalho launched his own production banner 'Samhèn' with the tiatr 'Hem Tumkam Sogleank', which featured some of the top directors and actors from the Konkani stage. He went on to write and direct 17 tiatrs, with notable works including 'Purtugez Goenkar', 'Bogsonnem', 'Daddy', 'Mhaka Sangat', 'Mummy', 'Tum Feliz Zaum', 'Susegad Goenkar', 'Tin Horancho Raja', 'Hanv Patki Kiteak', 'Daddy 2', 'Nhoi Mogache Punn Rogtache', and 'Dogui Bodmas', etc.
Beyond the stage, Carvalho also made his mark in video films and music. He directed 13 Konkani video films, including 'Khoro Tiatrist', 'Maim Zanna Chedvam Ami', etc., and released five music CDs such as 'Pai', 'Tum Ogi Rau', 'Ghorabho', 'Dev Boram Korum', and 'Purtugez Goenkar'.
His talent took him beyond India – he performed in Pune, Mumbai, across the Gulf, the UK, and Paris. Notably, he staged seven shows in just three days in the UK and organised a unique all-women show 'Bhogsonnem' in the Gulf, featuring 13 women flown specially from Goa.
Carvalho’s excellence was recognised with numerous accolades, including a prestigious award from the Tiatr Academy of Goa, certificates of appreciation from international venues like Bahrain, and felicitation by the 125th Anniversary of Tiatr Celebration Committee.
