07 Jun 2020  |   05:25am IST

Cortalim's star balances acting and singing with equal elan

Some of the tiatrists enjoy acting on stage, while others consider singing as their forte. But Neville Soares is comfortable with both, thus proving his caliber on the Konkani stage.

Cortalim-based Neville Soares was born on September 21, 1973. During his childhood, he would be a part in the Christmas celebrations in his village. As a parishioner of St Philip and St James Church, Cortalim, he said “three wards would come together and put up a programme for Christmas,” and he would always get a chance to perform in the cultural activity at the village level.

Soares’ friend, Judson Fernandes from Cortalim penned a one-act play ‘Kumpar’ and got him involved in it. Thereafter, with the assistance of Dr Mariano Godinho, a physician at the primary health centre, Cortalim, Fernandes penned another one-act play in order to create awareness about AIDS and Soares was part of the troupe.

“Judson’s enthusiasm did not remain restricted to one-act plays,” Soares informed, “but he went ahead and staged 3 plays at Goa Doordarshan.” This initiative created a golden opportunity for Pereira to be part of all the three plays and thus showcase his theatrical talent.

Next, it was his villager, Manuel Fernandes, who decided to stage a musical play on All India Radio (AIR), and Soares received another offer to be part of the play. “It was sheer enthusiasm that helped me accept offers knocking at my door and acceptance only initiated further growth of the artiste in me,” he said.

When the Kala Academy (KA)’s annual tiatr competition dawned, Rodney Severes from Majorda decided to stage his tiatr ‘Ek Sonvsar Konvcheacho’ and Soares was part of the troupe along with Sylvester Vaz, Jessica, Shruti Naik, and others. “The tiatr bagged the second prize at KA,” he said, “and when the same tiatr was staged at a competition conducted by the Vandana Productions, Borim, it picked up the first prize.”

The following year, at the same competition by KA, when late Charles Fernandes from Sancoale staged his tiatr ‘Fottkiro’ at Sanvordem, Soares was invited to be part of the troupe. Natty and Soares won a prize for ‘best duet’ in singing. “When Reggie Fernandes staged his tiatr ‘Rater’ for the said competition at Kala Academy, with cast which included C D’Silva, Sabina, late Inas de Canacona,” he revealed, “it won the first prize and the prize-winning tiatr was later presented at various places in Sikkim.”

Soares’ entry on the commercial-stage came about when Mini Mario invited him in one of his tiatrs as a substitute. Later, his stage presence and confidence only invited more offers from other tiatr directors like Salvador Afonso, Teotonio D’Costa, Jack Rodson, Dominic Carvalho and others.

During the Carnival festivities, when ‘zomnivhele khell’ was on in Salcete taluka, Soares was part of late comedian Marcus’ troupe for three consecutive years. He also acted in folk plays presented by comedian Succor, Anthony de Verna and late Inas de Canacona.

Soares also formed a part of Ali Correia’s troupe in tiatr ‘Ugddas Dhorat’ and late Inas de Canacona’s tiatr ‘Mhaka Tumchi Goroz Na’. “Participation in tiatrs and folk plays only helped to develop his confidence on stage and brushing shoulders with several senior tiatrists helped him become a mature tiatrist,” he revealed.

During the season of Lent, Soares was invited to be part of late Sr Agnes’ troupe in Lenten shows which included ‘Orombh and Xevott’ and ‘Magnnem’. He was part of the same troupe for four consecutive seasons.

A tryst with commercial tiatr directors continued with the entry in Pascoal Rodrigues’ tiatrs ‘Faleam Udetelem?’, ‘Hem Tujem Munisponn’ and “Tallnni’. The cast included Mita, Jaju, comedian Jane, baba Cielo and Samuel Carvalho. When Samuel Carvalho stepped on stage as tiatr Director, Soares was part of the troupe in tiatrs ‘Hanv Patki Kiteak?”, ‘Tin Horancho Raza’, ‘Goodbye’, ‘Khoro Tiatrist’, ‘Chukloleank Bhogxita’, ‘Susegad Goenkar’ and  ‘Daddy-2’. When tiatr ‘Susegad Goenkar’ was staged in Dubai and ‘Daddy-2’ was staged in UK, including Paris, he was fortunate to be part of the troupe and visit foreign countries and is grateful to the said director for the opportunity.

During the monsoon season, when Oldrin Sequeira staged his tiatr ‘Tsunami’, Soares assisted the director as a substitute to Willy only in the villages. He continued with the same Director in tiatr ‘Tujem Dukh, Mhojem Sukh’.

Soares’ long innings followed in Elvis/Carmin’s troupe where he served for 5 seasons by joining the director in tiatr ‘Girest Bhikari’ and continuing in tiatrs ‘Nimanno Podd’ddo’, ‘Tisro Dollo’, ‘Kallem Mazor’, ‘Tankam Suttka Diat’, ‘Dhanv Re Ghoddea Dhanv’, ‘Aache Din Ayenge’, Maiemogacho Ievkar’ and ‘Besanv Tumcher Poddom Re’.

Though Soares would love to stay consistent with his theatrical art, it is not feasible for him on account of his job commitment. “Shifts at work deprive me of regular tiatr practices, apart from the shows that follow in cities and villages,” he complained. 

Soares was last seen in Calado de Verna’s Lenten show ‘Devacho Munis’, where he had the opportunity to brush his shoulders with noted artistes like Roseferns, Wilmix, Sharon and others. “It is totally a different experience as Lenten shows help provide a message to the people who watch them in a different perspective,” he said.

Apart from tiatrs, folk plays during Carnival and religious shows during Lent, Soares has also been part of VCDs

When on the Konkani stage, Soares is comfortable as an actor and singer. “But acting is my forte,” he reveals, “and it helps me to bring out my best on stage with fellow artistes.” Over a period of time, he has garnered confidence in singing and finds himself at ease in singing duets, duos and trios.

Roles enacted on stage by Soares include that of a priest, inspector, hero, brother, and others. He also received negative roles in one or two tiatrs presented by Elvis/Carmin and he seems to enjoy them the most. “Negative roles help to bring out the best in you,” he shared, “and they are equally challenging.”

Despite his commitment at the workplace, Soares would like to play a balancing act with job and tiatr tactfully and co-operate in the tiatr field with all the directors, who offer him opportunities to showcase his talent. **