31 Dec 2018  |   06:36am IST

The versatile, multi-talented star: Agnelo Lobo

UK-based Agnelo Lobo has proved his calibre on the Konkani stage, both in acting and singing. In the past, having doled out performances in tiatrs of several directors in Goa, he now accepts offers coming his way overseas.
The versatile, multi-talented star: Agnelo Lobo

Pio Esteves

Agnelo Vailantonio Lobo was born on September 15, 1987. During his stay in Ribandar as a child, he encountered several local tiatrists and watched numerous tiatrs staged for the annual village feasts.

During his secondary studies, Agnelo was fortunate to receive an invitation from Ribandar-based Dominic Fernandes to be a part of his dramatic troupe. He performed in Fernandes’ tiatrs ‘Doxir’, ‘Daiz’, ‘Vatavoron’, ‘Zagrut Ravat’, ‘Dev ani Dhorm’ and ‘Devachem Utor’.

When the same director staged his tiatr ‘Dev ani Dhorm’ at the annual Kala Academy’s tiatr competition, it won the third prize and Agnelo bagged the merit certificate. When the same tiatr was presented for the tiatr competition by Vandana Productions, it bagged the first prize.

Agnelo’s entry on the professional stage came about when late William de Curtorim roped him in tiatr ‘Avoin Kelem Pap Putan Dili Zap’, followed by other productions ‘Panch Bailancho Ghorkar Bhurgeank Posta Serkar, ‘Ghat Chintlo Mhaka Mevlo Tuka’ and ‘Don Bailo Kopela Koddem’.

Agnelo also received offers from Menino de Bandar in tiatr ‘Dha Lakh’, Menino Mario’s tiatrs ‘Ami vo Tumi’, ‘’Maim Pai’ and ‘Joker’. He also acted in Kistu de Calangute’s tiatrs ‘Kristanvponn’ and ‘Visvas Dovorcho Konnacher’.

Agnelo also made an entry in tiatr ‘Mahanand Dev Nhidonk Na’ by Tony Dias, Jenny de Germany’s tiatr ‘Atam Mhaka Konn Asa’, Milagres Carneiro’s tiatr ‘Ghov Asa Kuwait Bail Khata Sweet’ and Francis de Tuem’s tiatr ‘Nivar Amkam’. He also featured in Lenten shows staged by Cruz Pinto, which include ‘Xik Aikpak, Aik Xikpak’ and ‘Munisponn ani Devosponn’, besides Rons Tavares’ show ‘Dev Podvedar’.

Offers also poured in from directors Dominic Carvalho in tiatrs ‘Ti Odik Bhagi’ and ‘Tujea Ekach Utran’, Lawrence Mascarenhas’ tiatr ‘Hem Oxem Kiteak?’ and Peter/Roshan’s tiatr ‘Pilot’. He also showcased his talents in Inacio Dias’ tiatr ‘Tin Dis’, which was staged in Madras, besides Tousif de Navelim’s tiatr ‘Ami Kosle Kristanv’, Eleuterio D’Costa’s tiatr ‘Mog Diat’ and Dominic Fernandes’ tiatr Amchem Khoim Chukta, Sodhun Kadd’.

When Milagres de Chandor welcomed Agnelo in his tiatr ‘Maim Putank Tagddent Zokta’, he continued with the same director for quite some time in tiatrs ‘Tum Roddtolo’, ‘Tunttlolo Patang’, ‘Valentine’s Day’, ‘Xirap Magonaka’, ‘Friendship Day’, ‘Aramanchem Ghor’, ‘Bhurgim Kortat Pap Maim Pai Ditat Zap’.

As an actor and singer, after giving a fine performance in Menino Mario’s tiatr ‘Joker’, Agnelo pulled out his theatrical shoes and packed his bags to head UK for greener pastures. During his stay there, he acted in Lawrence Camilo’s tiatr ‘Thoddech Dis and Mary Perry’s tiatr ‘Ugddas’.

Agnelo was also fortunate to make USA and Kuwait tours in Joicelon Furtado’s tiatr ‘Lifetime Award’ and Dominic Fernandes tiatr ‘Vanvak Chuklear Ganvak Chukta’ respectively. He also made his appearance in Cio Marques’ tiatr ‘Suknnim’ and Zina Dias tiatr ‘Nimnnea Darvontteachi Chavi’.

During Carnival festivities in Goa, Agnelo did not miss out the popular ‘zomnivhele khell’ and acted in folk plays presented by Bobet de Quepem, comedian Marcus and Anthony de Ambajim. He was also part of the musical shows by Lenoy Gomendes, Rons Tavares, Lawry Travasso, Jaison Dias, P Agnelo, Jr Reagan and Mini Mario, besides performing for V-Events, Mumbai as a tribute to Anthony Mendes.

Love for songs prompted Agnelo to produce and release 5 audio CDs, which include ‘Bhurgim Fuddarache Dive’, ‘Jivitant Ghoddom Ieta’, ‘Aikon Dadoxi Zaiat’, ‘Tujea Mogan’ and ‘Jessica’.  His sixth audio CD ‘Mog Palkacho’, a tribute to his departed mother, will be released shortly.

Although Agnelo is comfortable in singing and acting on stage, he is more confident in acting and has taken up lead roles of hero, besides villain and negative roles till date. He is also into composition of songs, but would prefer seeking help from those experts in the field, for fine tuning.

For his contribution towards the tiatr stage, Agnelo was picked up by the Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG) for the ‘Young Achiever’s Award’ in 2014. He was also felicitated by the 125th Tiatr Celebration Committee during the year-long ceebrations across Goa.

Years back, at the 3rd Children’s Tiatr Festival organized by TAG, Agnelo’s tiatr ‘Duddvamni Viktem Mellona’ bagged the third prize, besides winning prizes at the TAG’s and Kala Academy’s kantaram competitions, in solo, duo, trio and quartet categories.

Although Agnelo misses out on tiatrs staged in Goa, he says there’s no dearth of tiatrs in UK as several Goan tiatrists have already migrated there and many are inspired to present their own productions with the help of Goan as well as UK artistes.

IDhar UDHAR

Iddhar Udhar