Building on life’s chances

Hard
work and taking advantages of the opportunities presented helps one to gain
polish and eventually make an entry on to the Konkani stage. Utorda-based
Francisco Fernandes, popularly known as Francis on the tiatr stage, was born on
September 29, 1994. After seeking admission at Chubby Cheeks, Porvorim, he
joined St Anthony’s High School, Majorda, to complete his primary education. During
his tenure in school, the All Goa inter-school skit competition helped Francis
to explore his hidden talent. His teacher, Filu Gonsalves picked him up for the
skit and with the participation of 25 schools at the contest and presentation
at Fr Agnel Multipurpose High School, Verna, he bagged the best actor award. After
four months, to commemorate World AIDS Day, the primary health centre at
Cansaulim organized another skit competition for all the schools in south Goa.
At this contest too, Francis picked up the best actor award. “There
were many commercial tiatrists in my village,” informed Francis, but regretted
that none of them gave him an opportunity to showcase his talents on the tiatr
stage. “Enthusiasm was always there to hop on the stage, to perform and excel,”
he said, “but chances never crossed my path.” “When
Fr Nevil Gracias was the then parish priest of Our Lady of Lourdes Church,
Utorda, during the catechism classes, he spotted my potential and picked me up
in September for his Lenten show to be staged in March-April 2006,” Francis
revealed. “But unfortunately he fell ill, was operated and he moved out from
our parish,” he added. Taking
note of the potential and theatrical skills, Francis’ parents approached many
tiatr directors for an entry in tiatrs, but none took cognizance of this
upcoming artiste. He continued with his active participation in skits staged
during the Christmas programme in the village. Finally,
Jose Fernandes from Majorda desired to tap Francis’ potential and introduced
him in his tiatr ‘Nanv’ staged at the Kala Academy’s annual tiatr competition.
“It was on October 1, 2013, my debut on stage” he recalls. Later,
Menino Mario introduced Francis in his commercial children’s tiatr ‘Faleam
Ravonaka’. Pleased with his performance, the same director took him in his next
productions, namely ‘Joker’, ‘Blackmail’ and ‘Kiteak Lozta’. In
2015, Francis found an entry in re-production of the Konkani film ‘Nirmonn’ by
Armand and Nilesh Newalker. “It was a lead supporting role and a different
experience all together to be on the big screen,” he mentioned. Substitution
came about in Mario Menezes’ tiatr ‘To Porot Ietolo’, followed by full-fledged
participation in the same director’s tiatrs ‘Goem Konn Sambhalltolo’, ‘Moronk
Pasun Suseg Na’, ‘Ghor Nhoi Ghorabo’, ‘Dev Konn?’, ‘Don Roste’, ‘Bhurgem Tem
Bhurgem’ from 2016-2019. And a little later, he came back again as a substitute
in tiatr ‘College Life’. When
it has come to substitutions, Francis has always come handy to many tiatr
directors, namely Irineu Gonsalves, Milagres de Chandor, Peter/Roshan, comedian
Joana and Constantino Crasto. During the season of Lent, he featured in Calado
de Verna’s show ‘Plan’ in 2019, including Ives Tavares’ tiatr ‘Sot Khoim Asa?’
during the monsoon season. Francis
joined Roseferns’ dramatic troupe as a substitute in tiatr ‘Tempa Pormonnem’
and continued with the same director in tiatr ‘It’s My Life’. The director’s
new Easter release ‘Dev Tuka Bhogsum’ was scheduled on April 12, 2020, but on
account of the pandemic and the lockdown that followed in Goa, it was
cancelled. In
order to create awareness of Covid-19, Francis featured in a short film by
Jerson Fernandes, followed by another short film ‘Noxibacho Khell’, where he
presented himself as a villain. He has also rendered voice for audio CD ‘Istor
Mogachi’ Francis’
upcoming projects include music videos by Rons and Teotonio D’Costa, which
includes rendering his voice and videography. “When opportunities dawn,” he
believes, “one should never miss them. Instead, all golden opportunities should
be grabbed at the earliest as they only help you to grow and excel.” Apart
from acting and singing on the tiatr stage, Francis is also sought as master of
ceremonies (MC) for various festive occasions such as weddings and
anniversaries. When asked about how it came about, “It was Jerson Fernandes and
Fr Britto who gave me a push and it clicked” he quips. When
it comes to stage art, acting is Francis’ forte, but he is equally comfortable
in renditions as well. Till date, he has displayed lead and villain roles,
hopping equally into the shoes of a comedian. In
2019, when Milagres de Chandor released his tiatr ‘Let’s Go’ and he needed a
substitute for a houseful show in Pai Tiatrist hall, Margao, Francis was
introduced as a comedian. “It was a replacement for Nato,” he said, “as he had
prior commitment with director Roseferns. Nobody in the troupe believed in my
potential. But the role was picked up with a challenge in mind and the smooth
deliverance of the Bardez dialect mesmerized the audience.” With
bachelor’s degree of engineering in information technology (BEIT) under his
sleeve, Francis was supposed to fly abroad for greener pastures. “Soon after
the performances in Calado’s Lenten show, it was a trip to Kuwait for
employment in a software company,” he confessed. “The company had already hired
me and only the visa process was to be cleared. The company backed off stating
that it needed more months to hire the employees.” Due
to his commitment abroad, Francis had taken a break from Mario Menezes’ troupe
during the monsoon season. But stars being in his favour, leaving aside two
tiatrs, he found substitution in almost 6 monsoon tiatrs, thus staying tuned to
the Konkani stage. Keeping
in mind his striving journey on the tiatr field, “never give up in life,” is a
humble advice to all upcoming artistes from this dashing hero of the tiatr
stage. “And when you get an opportunity, give your best. Your inborn talent
will definitely help you to grow, scale higher and bloom into a fine tiatrist,”
Francis signs off.