Xavier de Moira hails from Attafondem in Moira, Bardez and is a drummer by profession. He joined the tiatr bandwagon as a drummer in 1986. His friends in the tiatrist fraternity rarely address him as Xavier. He is better known as ‘Paklo’ which means a person with a fair complexion like a European.
In 1987-88, Aniceto Lourenco a tiatrist from Santa Cruz nearPanjim was to stage a tiatr in his village on the feast day and Xavier was toattend the band practice on a given day at St. Cruz. Xavier requested Anicetothat he should be picked up along with with his drum set to which Aniceto, inturn, requested his brother to do the same. When Aniceto’s brother asked himfor a physical description of Xavier de Moira, Aniceto in an instant told himthat Xavier resembles a ‘Paklo’.
Aniceto’s brother went to the instructed place and beganlooking for ‘Paklo’ the drummer. Since there was no ‘Paklo’ (a faircomplexioned person) anywhere in sight he asked Xavier who was standing therefor a fair complexioned drummer. Xavier de Moira tried pulling his leg andsaid, “Oh yes, he was here a short while ago, he has now just gone to thenearby bar for a drink.”
Hearing this, Aniceto’s brother began to curse the drummerunder his breath. At this point seeing him upset and fuming, Xavier de Moiraoffered to help him by telling him that if he has come to pick the drum set, hewould not mind accompanying him with the same.
Aniceto’s brother instantly agreed. On reaching thedesignated place where the rehearsal was to take place, Aniceto Lourenco immediatelywelcomed Xavier de Moira with the drum set and asked him to set it up for therehearsal. Aniceto’s brother was shocked to know that the man whom he hadbrought along, was actually Xavier de Moira. But his physical appearance wastotally in contrast to the description. Xavier de Moira was neither fair nor a‘Paklo’ by any counts. On the contrary he was dark complexioned.
All the other artists including Xavier himself had a heartylaugh and from that day onwards he was nicknamed as ‘Paklo’ by his tiatristfriends and the same nick name is stuck to him till today.
