MARGAO: A rising star in tiatr, 14-year-old Laneesa Melanie Mascarenhas is a resident of Curtorim and currently a Class IX student at Our Lady of Carmel High School in Curtorim. “Inspired by my parents, I began acting when I was just eight years old,” says Laneesa. “Watching other actors perform on stage with confidence and style from a young age, I was also motivated to act,” she says. When acting, she prefers being part of funny skits. In addition to acting, Laneesa also sings songs that are both serious and comic.
It is noteworthy that in just six years, she has participated in fifteen theatre performances. “My costumes are taken care of by my parents, who help select them with love,” she says, pointing out that her entire family is involved in Konkani tiatr and has always been very supportive of all her endeavours. “The number of hours I invest in practice depends on the director I am working with,” she elaborates.
At times, tiatrs finish late at night, and Laneesa must attend school the next morning. This is quite a challenge for her, but she has never missed her classes to date. “No matter how late a show ends, my parents come to pick me up at the auditorium and I ensure I make it to school the next day,” she says. Further, she mentions, “I thank God for this opportunity to contribute to the Konkani stage at such a young age and feel very proud because, at this tender age, people recognise me as a tiatrist.” Laneesa expresses heartfelt gratitude towards her mother Priscilla Mascarenhas and father Xavier de Maina, stating that she owes all her achievements to them.
“As a teenager, I would like to say something to young children out there: if you love to act in a tiatr, please go ahead and follow your dreams. However, at the same time, concentrate on your studies and do not neglect them in any way. I want to emphasise that Tiatr is part of intangible Goan heritage, and I will always give my best to continue and support its upkeep,” says Laneesa. Goan tiatr may have originated during the Portuguese colonial era but has since become an integral part of Goan culture, she explains. Tiatr performances typically feature a combination of music, dance, drama, and satire, often focusing on social and political issues. The music in tiatrs is usually lively and incorporates elements of Goan folk music, Laneesa elaborates.
She has secured several awards over the years, including the Best Child Artist Award in the Amar Sawant competition show called ‘Kanvllea Kiteak Rodtai Daran’ and comedian Domnic’s tiatr called ‘Housewife’, where she played a serious role.
In addition to participating in tiatrs, Laneesa is also part of her dad’s carnival khell tiatr as a comedian. In a competition organised by the Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG), she has won first place in the Best Comedian category, three times.
In her free time, Laneesa loves singing and cooking.