Josephine Francisca D’Costa was born and brought up in the picturesque village of Colva in South Goa. During the time when her father Casean D’Costa, a noted tiatrist of yesteryears, would conduct tiatr rehearsals with other noted tiatrists like Manuel Rod, Japsis Hitler, Tony Sax, Jerome, Jose Luis Rod, Anton Luis and a few of the village artistes at his residence, Josephine would keenly watch them.
Despite being just 8 years of age, little Josephine would not only watch the rehearsals but would also pick up all the elements of that particular tiatr, including acts, cantos and songs. “And whenever the actors would forget a line in the act or the tune of a particular song, they would hunt for me to remind them about it and I would oblige with gusto,” she reminisces.
There’s an interesting incident behind Josephine’s debut as a tiatrist. This one time, Josephine’s father was staging his tiatr, ‘Ti Mhoji Zau’, in the village, with the help of the village folk. He cast Pedrin and Milagrin to play two important roles in said play. “But due to stage fear and nervousness, Pedrin withdrew from the cast. That’s when everyone recommended my name and I enacted that role with confidence and style. I sang the cantos in the acts with my brother Diogin D’Costa. When the same tiatr was being staged at ‘Chear Rosteam koddem’, we had noted tiatrists Jacint Vaz and Anton Soferian in the audience,” recalls the talented artiste.
Piedade, who used to stage tiatrs of tiatrists from Mumbai, had brought one of C Alvares’ tiatr to Goa and the troupe took up residence in Borda. “In the presence of Souza Ferrao, he introduced me and my brother to that famed director. He assured us that he would introduce us in his future tiatrs,” Josephine relates.
When Anton Soferian staged his tiatr ‘Maim Tum Asli Zalear’, Josephine was offered the role of a daughter. Thereafter, she continued accompanying her dad and brother for several tiatrs and picked up the nuances of Konkani theatre.
In John Claro’s tiatr ‘Gupit Karann’, Josephine enacted the role of a sister alongside tiatrist Clara. Next, it was in Aristides’ tiatrs ‘Doya’, ‘Divors’, ‘Xegunni Ogunni’, ‘Patlavdar’, ‘Ganv Ghor’, ‘Bhav Bhoinnam’ and ‘Amchem Kalliz’ where this tiatrist got better exposure on the Konkani stage.
Having garnered confidence in acting and singing skills, Josephine was introduced by C D’Silva in several of his tiatrs and on most occasions, they would render duets on stage. She was last seen rendering duets with noted singer Jr Rod. This singer has also rendered duets and trios with Luciano and Aristides.
Josephine says she was mainly seen on stage as an actor, but would simultaneously sing on the Konkani stage. With regards to the character on stage, she informs, “I am comfortable with any role. I have taken up roles of a villain, heroine and several others,”
When C Alvares learnt that Josephine was the daughter of tiatrist Casean D’Costa, he immediately introduced her in his tiatrs. “During that period, Rom-Rem-Rod was a popular trio. When Remmy went abroad, Rom Tony introduced me in the trio and labelled it as ‘Rom-Jos-Rod’. This new trio made its first appearance with the song ‘Moskoreo’ in John Claro’s tiatr ‘Purtugez Kolvont’,” she says.
Recipient of the State Cultural Award, this versatile tiatrist has acted in several tiatrs staged by M Boyer, besides tiatrs staged by Mumbai directors D’Sa, Andrew, Young Menezes, Young Mendes and Goan directors Rom Tony, Master Vaz, Valent Mscarenhas, Prem Kumar, Remmie Colaco, Anil Kumar, H Briton, Greg, Nelson, Jr Nelson and Jacint Vaz.
Josephine has also featured in Premanand Lotlikar’s tiatr ‘Loz ani Dukh’ and Chrostopher’s tiatrs ‘Gulfantli Girestkai’ and ‘Rinn’.
Josephine recently made a trip to London as she was felicitated by her nephew Caetan Braganza for her contribution to the Konkani stage. She was felicitated there in Constantino Crasto’s tiatr ‘Amchem Panvl khoim Chuklem’. “I also rendered a comedy solo, ‘Adlim Kazaram’, after a gap of several years. It was delightful to receive several encores and cash prizes on account of my unique character,” she informs.
Residing at Santa Cruz for the past 6 years, Josephine is happily married to Francis Xavier Jose Dias. Having resigned from the Konkani stage, Josephine is now a leader of the Charismatic Renewal group has been serving as a Eucharistic minister in her parish for the past 10 years.
Today, although this artiste is less seen on stage, all her brothers – Diogin, Peter Camil, comedian Peter D’Costa, Joaquim and David – are involved in theatre as tiatrists. With regard to present day tiatr, she says, “Keeping aside all other aspects aside, the dress code should be like the character on stage as it prevails in all nattoks. This is less seen in several of today’s tiatrs.”
Signing off, she adds, “Humility and love for each other and respect for directors should be present among all the tiatrists. Only then tiatristponn will move forward.”