In the recent past in the field of tiatr, there has been a girls’ band for Ladies Show. And it was always a treat to watch them all performing on and offstage with different instruments. This time around, it’s again young girls with two blowing instruments, bass and the drums. And with them, there’s a ‘maestro’ on the keyboard to lead and guide them along throughout the show.
In Sammy Tavares’ tiatr ‘Tuminch Mhaka Sangat’, there’s Jeslyn on the trumpet, Madonna on the saxophone, Stecy on the bass and Fevila on the drums. Norman Cardozo on the keyboard has been instrumental in training, leading and guiding these youngsters.
Sharing varied, rich experience about their entry in the field of tiatr, trumpeter Jeslyn Rodrigues from Sanvordem said that it has been a wonderful experience to step in the band and perform for tiatrs. “The journey is good, exciting and the sailing along with the other musicians is smooth as well,” she says.
Granddaughter of Goa’s noted drummer, Abdonio Rodrigues, Jeslyn is presently pursuing her higher secondary studies in Guardian Angel, Sanvordem in the Arts stream. Initially, her grandfather has been her guiding force and rectified the wrongs as and when required. Jeslyn’s guardians, Savio Rodrigues and Jane Fernandes have equally been quite supportive to her as far as music is concerned. Tutored by noted musician, Jerome Rodrigues from Paroda, she has completed her third grade in music and wishes to study further in the future.
Jeslyn’s entry into tiatrs came about when she was welcomed by comedian Dominic in tiatr ‘Sunneachi Xempddi’ last year and she performed with Francis on the trumpet, Fevila on alto saxophone, Robin on the drums, Micky on keyboard and Seban on the bass. She continues with the same director in tiatr ‘Morche Adim Jie and plays with Agnelo Lobo and team.
Jeslyn started learning music when she was in class 5 and has been in the process of learning for the past 6-7 years. As she is still pursuing her studies, she has not made up her mind as far as her career is concerned, but would definitely wish to continue with her passion.
Santa Cruz-based Madonna Fernandes plays the saxophone and this is her first performance as a musician in commercial tiatrs. Earlier, she acted in Willy Silveira’s Lenten show ‘Kor Mhojem Kalliz Tujea Kallza Sarkem’. After the violin, Madonna picked up the trumpet and took tutorials from the late Luis Cota for almost nine months. “But difficulty in blowing the instrument prompted me to switch over to saxophone,” she reveals that she mastered the art within 4-5 months.
Madonna completed her BEd in 2018 and simultaneously learnt the saxophone. She started teaching in various schools. “After being guided by the band leader, it is fun and equally challenging,” Madonna shares, "but the enjoyment continues with my co-partners.” “Except for the travelling, it is totally a different experience offstage,” she adds.
Shiroda-based Stecy D’Cruz, a bass guitarist in the tiatr is a self-taught musician and composer. Initially, she started performing in ‘zomnivhele fell’ during the Carnival festival and then showed up in Peter/Roshan’s tiatr ‘Atam Tem Mhojem’. BCom graduate, Stecy drew inspiration from bassist Colin D’Cruz and continued following her passion. Her only wish is to play for Lorna’s musical show and release her own audio/video album.
“Invitation from Norman Cardozo helped me grab the opportunity and perform in Sammy Tavares’ tiatr. Content with the performance and feedback received from the listeners, for every show it’s giving our best,” states Stecy.
Drummer Fevila Fernandes is a multi-talented musician, who first laid her hands on the drums and then moved on to the bass guitar and alto saxophone. Her father, Francis Fernandes plays for the Police band and has been her inspiration. An Arts graduate in Psychology, Paroda-based Fevila wishes to pick up music as her career. A self-learner with the drums, one of her dad’s friends guided her with the bass guitar and with online tutorials from Rui Lobo from Panjim during Covid-19 helped her to pick up the nuances of alto saxophone.
Fevila has completed her third grade in alto saxophone and is studying for her fifth grade. She is presently receiving tutorials from Jerome Rodrigues in theory. Fevila’s entry in the tiatr field came about through folk plays during Carnival in 2011, followed by tiatrs by Patrick Dourado and Mini Mario in 2012. She also performed in comedian John D’Silva’s tiatr in 2013, followed by Ladies Show by late Wilma Pacheco in 2014.
Before joining Sammy’ tiatr as a drummer, Fevila performed on alto saxophone in comedian Dominic’s tiatr ‘Sunneachi Xempddi’ and Dominic Carvalho’s tiatr ‘Rest of My Life’. “Invitation from the band leader Norman Cardozo and inspiration, guidance with three rehearsals helped us to give our best,” says Fevila.
Norman Cardozo, who has been instrumental in getting all the girls together and rehearsing, said that he wanted to bring in some novelty offstage. “After the invitation all the musicians were very co-operative and their parents very supportive and with merely three rehearsals, they are giving their best at every performance,” says Norman.
“Another aim of getting the girls in the band is to motivate the youth and newcomers to come forward and display their natural talent. Seeing the girls performing today, many more will definitely be motivated to come and showcase their musical talent as well,” concludes Norman.