Pic: Vincent Braganza
For 19-year-old Shane Da Costa the comedy genre has always occupied a special place in his heart right from the beginning. “I was motivated to try my hand in acting after watching my seniors performing a comedy skit in school. So when I was given a chance to put up a skit for my catechism class I quickly grabbed that opportunity!” recalls Da Costa. “I played the comic role of an uncle and bagged the first place.”
Not only that, the performance also got him the attention of the tiatr director Peter Vaz who invited him to be a part of his next tiatr. “I didn't watch too many tiatr at that time but one thing that always fascinated me about this art was comedy. In fact I feel that if there is no comedy or masala in it, then the tiatr is not well written,” he states.
With Vaz being a family friend, Da Costa's parents had no qualms about sending him up on stage, provided he also be given a chance to showcase his singing talent. Thus at the age of 13, Da Costa made his his tiatr debut with 'Mhaka Tumcher Viswas Nam' where he played the comedy role of a driver working for an advocate.
Since then as part of the Taleigao Dramatic Troupe, Da Costa has acted in several other tiatrs including 'Poxchattap', 'Visa', Fulanim Bhorat', Mhoji Maan Bhagoita', 'Veson', 'Dakhoita Ti Vat', 'Aavhan' and 'Jivit Vo Moronn?'
He has also bagged quite a few awards for his splendid acting and singing performances including Best Quartet at the Children's Tiatr Competition and Best Duo and Audience Choice for a music competition held in Caranzalem called Suadik Tallo. He also secured the second place for Best Acting for Children's Tiatr Competition where he played a serious role for a change. “At first I thought only comedy roles got appreciation but after this award, I realised that I can do serious roles equally well and now do these a lot more,” says Da Costa.
His recent tiatr Portuguez Passport was awarded the first place in the second group B tiatr competition held in February this year. “This tiatr tells the story of a family who is settled in London where the father tries his best to do what he can to survive but the mother and children are living a life full of fun and enjoyment. They sell whatever properties they have in Goa to buy a bungalow there but in the end are duped by a false person,” narrates Da Costa.
Being in this field for a fair number of years already has also taught Da Costa a few vital lessons. “One needs to keep a check on his or her attitude. If for instance you act in one tiatr and become the hero of it, it won't help to go around with a superior attitude. 'Udta to Budta' is a popular saying after all. So it's good to stay down to earth and keep working hard as hard work alone pays off,” he says, adding that he is thankful to his parents for never stopping him from doing tiatr, his theatre teacher in school Anagha Deshpande, and to Father Xavier from Taleigao Parish for helping him develop his voice in the church choir.
As for other youth pursuing tiatr today, Da Costa, who is currently doing his second year in B Com, states that there is a fair amount of interest. “One of the reasons for this is the children's tiatr competition as it gives youngsters the opportunity to showcase their talents,” believes Da Costa,who is now looking forward to the release of a new film in which he has acted titled, 'Padrik Nanv Na' . “The film has been directed by Viraj Salkar and should be out in December,” he says, adding that Konkani will remain the language through which he pursues his acting further. “I am a person who loves to act and sing mainly in Konkani as it gives me a taste that I am truly Goan.”
