Fr Nevil Lourdes Sacramento Gracias, son of late Climaco A N Gracias and of Gemira A A Gracias was born in Velim, on February 11, 1964. He did his basic education in St Xavier’s High School, Velim and his BCom at Damodar College Margao. He played volleyball and was a qualified football referee.

He began writing Konkani tiatr at the young age of 12 years with ‘Ek Rukachine Tin Follam.’ 

When in college he joined the patriarchal seminary of Rachol and was ordained a diocesan priest on April 30, 1991, and has served in parishes of Taleigao, Piedade Divar, Loutolim and Chaudi Canacona. He has also served at Utorda Diocesan Catechetical Centre, Old Goa and Lar de Santa, Borda. Presently, he is the assistant to the Director, Dicocesan Centre for Lay Apostolate, Panjim and is the Editor of ‘Jivitacho Prokas.’ 

In tiatr circles he is known as Vellekar and has written 39 tiatr, more than 300 Konkani songs and over 100 Konkani one-act plays. He has also released a Konkani cassette ‘Tumi Mhoje Govay,’ and has three telefilms. 

He also contributes to Vavraddeacho Ixtt, Amcho Avaz, Dor Mhoineachi Rotti, Gulab, Jivit, Porzoll, Nirop, etc. His work has earned him many awards and laurels including the Maria Afonso Konkani Puroskar-2013 award by Thomas Stephens Konkani Kendr. 

Today, on his 50th birthday, Manfa Music will release his audio album ‘Tuzo Bhavart Zagoy’ a collection of Konkani songs on ten commandments and on Ash Wednesday, He is coming out with his 39th Lenten show ‘Hi Porza Ontannim Vakhannta.’ 

The members of Konkani Songit Somajik Kala Kendr Caranzalem-Taleigao have planned a surprise birthday get-together on this occasion after the 6.45 am morning mass at Our Lady of Rosary Chapel Caranzalem.