A natural flair for comedy

Paul Romy mesmerised the audience with his natural flair for comedy, especially in yesteryears films 'Bhuierantlo Munis' and 'Bhoglant'. Considered to be a comedian of high stature, he was loved and respected by the audience, of tiatr as well as films

A natural flair for comedy

Romaldo D'Souza, popularly known as Paul Romy on the tiatr stage, was born on October 5, 1946 in Mumbai though he originally hails from Anjuna, Vagator in Bardez. At the tender age of seven, when his father, Francisco Salvador D'Souza, passed away, his mother, Maria Santan, and aunt Conceicao brought him to Mumbai.
After his primary studies at St Xavier's Night School, Mumbai, followed by a job at Bombay Telephone, Paul Romy stepped onto the Konkani stage with the tiatr 'Goribank Okman', written by late Arthur D'Souza and directed by himself; he also wrote the comedy for this tiatr.
'Goribank Okman' was staged at Indra Bhavan, where noted singer and melody king Alfred Rose resided. He also had the opportunity to direct another tiatr, 'Soteanas', written by late Rio Rose and staged at St Xavier's College, Mumbai, in 1966.  
After 'Goribank Okman' and 'Soteanas' became instant hits, when Seby de Parra staged his tiatr 'Koddko Millionaire' at P T Bhangwadi Hall, Mumbai, contractor Kistu Dias introduced Paul Romy in the tiatr as a singer and that was his first entry on the commercial stage.
Thereafter, when Valent Mascarenhas staged his tiatr 'Inam Rogtacho' at Andheri, Paul Romy was roped in as a comedian and as a substitute to late M Boyer. When Alfred Rose introduced him in his tiatr 'Natalanchi Bhett' as a comedian, late John Gomes (Kokoy) mentioned in his write-up that he resembled Hollywood comedian Jerry Lewis. "So the title 'Jerry Lewis of the Konkani stage' was bestowed on me by Kokoy," he informs.
"While staging his tiatrs, Alfred Rose decided to push me into lead roles," Paul Romy reveals, "saying that if I was successful in winning the audience over, he would take me as a regular artiste in all his future tiatrs."
When musical show 'Director Saib' was presented with 25 songs and a revolving stage, Paul Romy had the privilege of being a part of it, imitating late Anthony Mendes. Gradually, he was noticed by noted directors like Prem Kumar, C Alvares, Robin Vaz and Seby Coutinho; he performed as a comedian in their tiatrs as well.
He was a comedian in Prem Kumar's tiatrs 'Dukh' and Konnank Mhonno Mai'. Thereafter, he acted in Alfred Rose's tiatrs 'Rogtak Tanel'lo’ and 'Lakhpoti Novro'. In the latter, he rendered a solo, 'Baba Made Susu', and it was an instant hit, with 30 shows in Goa.
During his service at the Telephone Department, Paul Romy met Souza Ferrao, who also worked for the same department, and they became good friends.
After proving his calibre as a comedian and singer, in 1964, Paul Romy decided to try his skills in writing and staging his own tiatr. He scripted his first tiatr, 'Tuji Dhuv Mhoji Bail' with many noted artistes from Mumbai. "It was a hit and people accepted me as a writer and director," he adds.
Paul Romy's other tiatrs include 'Map Bhoron Votlem', 'Akrekh Tench', 'Zaunchem Aslem Zalem', 'Ti Chukon Uloili' and 'Tum Jiklo Hanv Harlo', which were staged in Mumbai and Goa.
Besides writing, directing tiatrs and composing songs, Paul Romy has acted in tiatrs 'Vauradi', 'Rinn', 'Kanteantle Ful', 'Director Saib', 'Mosteponn', 'Sao Pedro', 'Mhoji Unni', Goenkaranchem Rogot', 'Soddvonddar', 'Sonvsar Sudhorla', 'Inam Rogtacho', 'Quavadis', 'Mother Teresa', 'Portugez Kolvont', 'Londoncho Mog', 'Peleachi Vostunchi Axea Korumnaye', 'Vonni ani Dher', '23 Vorsam', 'Konkani Advocate', 'English Madam', Tamdi Mati', 'Nirmileli Sun' and several others.
Paul Romy has also acted in many films, TV serials, ad films and videos, some of which include 'Bhuierantlo Munis', 'Bhoglant', 'Girestkai' 'Faxi Mogachi' and TV serials of late Romeo Mendes on Doordarshan. He has also sung for Konkani music albums, such as Rico Rod's 'Baba Made Susu', Peter Fernandes' 'Cazari Jivit', 'Teen Baccha' and maestro A M Alphonso's 'Sobit Kens'.
Despite his advanced age, Paul Romy is still passionate to act as a comedian and sing on the Konkani stage. He is working on his new tiatr 'Az Kal Cheddvam Borim' which he plans to stage in Mumbai. With regard to his new release, he wishes to highlight how boys just enjoy life with no aim in life and how girls slog to make their future and take care of their aging parents simultaneously.
Till date, Paul Romy has composed around 40-45 songs and set them to the tune of English oldies. "Most of my songs have been penned with a pinch of humour in them, except for two, which are more sentimental," he says.
His first tiatr, 'Tuji Dhuv Mhoji Bail' that was staged way back in 1967, was re-staged in November 2016, with four shows in Mumbai. Commenting on it, he says, "It was a tribute to my wife, Mary, and daughter, Dona Maria, who were curious to see my first tiatr. Earlier, my sister, Ludovina Fernandes, had acted as the second heroine, but she passed away three years ago. This time around, Rita Rose enacted the lead role."
As a comedian and singer, Paul Romy has been fortunate to travel across India and overseas to places such as Kolkata, Pune, Mangalore, Ahmedabad as well as Bahrain, Dubai and Qatar. For his contribution towards the tiatr stage, he has received the Great Goan Performer Award, Coco Cola Award, Kala Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award 2005, Tiatr Academy of Goa's Lifetime Contribution to Tiatr Award 2010 and lately, the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award on the occasion of tiatr's 125 years of celebration in Mumbai.
With regard to present-day comedy on the tiatr stage, he says, "More stress has to be laid on natural comedy. Exaggeration has to be avoided. I would not like to praise myself; it has to come from the audience. I always consider tiatr fans as my directors and their applause as appreciation. I salute the audience, because the power lies in them. It is their applause that helps us come up in life." He wishes to thank all the contractors as all tiatrs are held on account of them as he considers them as his financers. "Secondly, the media deserves a mention as they bring us into the limelight and their criticism can help us improve." 

  • By Pio Esteves | 26 Feb, 2017, 12:15AM

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