With theatrical skills under their sleeve and rendition in the form of solos, duos, the Azossim sisters have created a mark on the Konkani stage
In the serene village of Azossim in Tiswadi taluka, Anneli Pereira was born on October 5, 1990 and Avila Pereira was born on June 16, 2005. Since childhood, the siblings were fond of singing and when the eldest made an attempt to listen to hymns in the church and songs from the CDs and learn them, the youngest would keenly follow in the former’s footsteps.
Anneli and Avila’s father, Augusto Pereira, who is a musician by his own accord, with knowledge of keyboard and the guitar, would compose songs occasionally. Under the banner ‘Young Star Production’, he penned around 17 tiatrs and staged them in the village, either for the patron feast of St Mathias or feast of the Holy Cross in the New Year.
As teens and singers, Anneli and Avila made an entry in Efifanio Mendes’ tiatr ‘Amkam Hich Mati Favo’, which was staged in the Goa Velha village. Later the same director participated in the Tiatr Academy Goa (TAG)’s Children’s Tiatr Festival and presented his tiatr ‘Oxench Cholta’, with Anneli rendering 3 songs and picking up a prize in the quartet category.
When John Fernandes from Azossim presented his tiatr ‘Rogtachi Nixanni’ in his village and staged it later at Kala Academy’s annual tiatr competition, the siblings found entry in the tiatr, with Anneli singing and acting and Avila rendering two solos. When Agnelo Lobo from Carambolim participated in the TAG’s 3rd Children’s Tiatr Festival with his tiatr ‘Duddvanim Viktem Mellona’, Anneli was an actor and singer in the troupe, while Avila rendered a song and won a prize for lyrics penned by her father.
In 2013, Anneli and Avila stepped on the commercial stage in Peter/Roshan’s tiatr ‘Pilot’, where both were invited to act and sing on stage. “But it was my first act on stage,” confesses Avila, “and that too in a special physically and mentally challenged role, which enabled me to prove my theatrical skills and win cash prizes from the audience.”
When comedian Aston presented his tiatr ‘Nove Kolakar’ in the TAG’s 4th Children’s Tiatr Festival, the Azossim sisters participated and the twosome won the first prize for singing in the duo category. At KA’s annual tiatr competition, when Derick D’Melo staged his tiatr ‘Tumcho Sangat’, the siblings found a place in it too and Avila picked up the ‘best child artiste’ award.
In commercial tiatr ‘Bentin’ by Dolphin Rodrigues, Anneli and Avila were invited and the latter had a tragic role to play. “The storyline and plot was too good,” the duo confesses, “and the troupe was equally awesome.” The sisters also made an entry in Joaquim Rodrigues’ tiatr ‘Doyall Kallzachi Ostori’ presented in the village.
In 2015, when Dolphin Rodrigues presented his tiatr ‘Kimos’, Anneli and Avila were invited to be part of the troupe, where the latter rendered two songs. They were also seen in Marques Pereira’s tiatr ‘Ollokh Korat’.
At KA’s annual tiatr competition, the siblings were part of Anil/Olga’s tiatr ‘Mojea ani Sojea’, with the twosome picking up the first prize in the duo category. Avila also acted in Anil/Olga’s tiatr ‘Open Jail’, winning the ‘best child artiste’ award.
In 2015-16, at TAG’s Children’s Tiatr Festival, when Menino Mario staged his tiatr ‘Kiteak Lozta’, the siblings were seen on stage, winning a prize in the ‘Best Choral’ category. The duo also made their appearance in Vilton Coutinho’s tiatr ‘Atam Kiteak Roddta?’
When Menino de Bandar re-staged his popular tiatr ‘Succorine’, Anneli and Avila made their presence felt on stage. And when the same director presented Rosario Rodrigues’ tiatr ‘Hanv Kallokant Sanddlim’, the latter was part of the troupe.
Avila was also seen acting and singing in Conception de Tuem’s tiatr ‘Bailek Dukh Kumarik Sukh’. During the season of Lent, the siblings were seen in Anthony de Ambajim’s tiatr ‘Jezu Monxeachea Rupan’.
At KA’s tiatr competition, when A M Araujo staged his tiatr ‘Ami Khoim Vetat?’, Anneli and Avila participated and won a prize for singing in the ‘duo’ category, while Avila picked up the ‘best child artiste’ prize.
Anneli and Avila also made their presence felt on stage in Menino de Bandar’s tiatrs ‘Love is Blind’ (2016) and ‘Devak Xinonaka’ (2017). They also featured in Jose de Benaulim’s tiatr ‘Hem Kalliz Mogachem’.
Avila was also part of Menino de Bandar’s troupe in tiatr ‘Khuris Tujea Noxibacho’ in 2016. In Rony Succor’s tiatr ‘Dev Borem Korum’ at KA’s tiatr competition, Avila picked up the ‘best solo’ prize, while the sisters also won a prize in the ‘duo’ category.
In 2017, while Anneli participated in Elvis/Carmin’s tiatr ‘Khuris Moddlo Bhavart Toddlo’, Avila was part of comedian Dominic’s troupe in tiatr ‘Adhar Card’. Anneli along with Jain D’Silva was also the participant of Herald’s ‘Goencho Avaz’ in the same year, thus winning the first runners up prize in the duet category.
During the season of Lent, Anneli also acted in Calado de Verna’s show ‘Good Friday’ and tiatr ‘Menache Paktte’ by Elvis/Carmin and tiatrs ‘Citizen’, ‘Khell’ and ‘Sorry’ by Aleixinho de Morjim. In 2019, she was part of Osvi Viegas’ troupe when Patrick Dourado’s folk plays were staged during the Carnival festival.
Avila acted in comedian Dominic’s tiatr ‘Housewife’ in 2018, winning a prize in solo singing at the Popular Tiatr Festival organized by TAG. In 2019, she made an appearance in the same director’s tiatr ‘Bhailean Butter Bhitorlean Gutter’. She was also part of Aleixin de Morjim’s troupe in tiatrs ‘Khell’ and ‘Sorry’.
Avila also featured in Peter/Roshan’s audio CD ‘Eksurponn’ in 2013. “Though my entry on stage came about through renditions,” she conceals, “the extra-ordinary role in ‘Pilot’ helped me to consider acting as my forte.” “Through his compositions, our father has always been a guiding force and great support to scale greater heights on stage. We are indebted to him,” the siblings concluded.