Carmona-based Pravesh Benzer Fernandes, popularly known as Benzer on the tiatr stage, was born on January 12, 1999. His parents, Peter and Roshan, were into acting and singing much before he was born.
Being involved in the production of CDs and VCDs, at the tender age of 3, Benzer found an entry in his guardians’ VCD production ‘Mog’ in 2002 as an actor and singer. Being blessed with godparents, Ben Evangelisto and Antonette de Maina, also tiatr stage artistes, at the age of 6, he found an entry on the professional stage in Ben Evagelisto’s tiatr ‘Pez’.
And since then, the journey in the tiatr field continued for Benzer with openings in late Seby de Majorda’s tiatr ‘Bim Toxem Bhat’, Remedios’ Lenten show ‘Patok’ and George/Anthony’s tiatr ‘Rochnar Dev’. “It was a golden opportunity in acting and renditions, which only initiated further growth as a tiatrist,” he informs.
Benzer was part of Menino Mario’s tiatr ‘Kiteak Bhurgim Amchi Girestkai’, which had all child artistes, including the musicians and the show celebrated its golden jubilee. In the show, as it carried a trio by Seville, Mindroy and Benzer, which was a tribute to late M Boyer, Derick D’Melo welcomed it in his tiatr ‘Kallokhi Uzvadd’ staged at Kala Academy’s annual tiatr competition.
When Menino Mario’s tiatr ‘Kiteak Bhurgim Amchi Girestkai’ was presented at the TAG’s first Popular Tiatr Festival, Benzer picked up two prizes, namely ‘best child artiste award’ and ‘best child singer award’. When his parents were part of Roseferns’ troupe beginning with tiatr ‘Gorv’, he would minutely observe everything on and off stage, taking keen interest in artistes and music.
Sitting amidst musicians James (keyboard) and Ivo (drums) off stage, Benzer admits that he learnt a lot from artiste Ulhas Tari, his dad Peter, who was noted for character roles and mom Roshan applauded for tragic characters.
Simultaneously, blessed with the gift of singing, Benzer took keen interest in music and learnt the keyboard from Vinayak at Varca. After the basics from the tutor, he tried to progress with the instrument through self-practice with Konkani songs.
Benzer also featured in Menino Mario’s tiatr ‘Loztat Te Fattim’, with comedy role and renditions. When Roseferns came up with the concept of children, Benzer found himself in the lead role in tiatr ‘Bhurgim Tim Bavlim Nhoi’, which crossed 60 shows. “In this tiatr it was a negative role,” he conceals, “and it was like a dream come true with appreciation from the audience.”
In 2010, when Benzer’s parents Peter/Roshan returned to stage as tiatr directors with tiatr ‘Goem Soddun Pavlem Ghanttar’, he was fortunate to make a trip to Dubai and continued with the same group in tiatr ‘He Anink Goem Sambhalltole?’ (2011), with a second trip to Dubai. He also featured in Anil/Olga’s tiatr ‘Mhozo Hixeob Chuklo’.
In 2012, in Peter/Roshan’s tiatr ‘Zanvoim Raza’, apart from acting and renditions, Benzer ventured into background music from backstage and continues till date. With three consecutive productions from his
Beginning with Peter/Roshan’s tiatr ‘Social Worker’, Benzer projected himself as a hero on stage and continued with productions ‘Godmother’, Kallim Kupam Dovo Paus’, ‘Fest Korta Ganv Pirjenti Nanv’ and ‘Hero’, a non-stop show, which touched 118 shows, with tour to Mumbai, Poona and UK.
Benzer also featured in Conception de Tuem’s tiatr ‘Answer’, Amar Sawant’s tiatr ‘Ek Istor’ presented at Kala Academy’s tiatr competition and winning a merit prize for his own composition, followed by Reggie Colaco’s tiatr ‘Hoch To Mog’, where he played the keyboard and background music with the band.
In 2017, Benzer appeared in Mini Mario’s tiatr Khellpachim Baulim Nhoi’ as a villain, followed by Constantino Crasto’s tiatr ‘Argham Tuka Somia’, Willy Silveira’s Lenten show ‘Kakut Mhoji Kor’, Jr Reagan’s tiatr ‘Happy Easter’ as a hero and villain. In 2018, he made an entry in Francis de Tuem’s Easter release ‘Konnak Patieupachem’ and comedian Joana’s tiatr ‘Ghorchim’.
Although in 2016 Benzer’s first official YouTube channel was created, on February 14, 2017, he released his love song ‘Mogachim Sopnam’, followed by song ‘Oh Moga’ in 2019 and song ‘Tarvotti’ in 2020. In-April 2020, during the lockdown due to corona virus, he featured in Jerson Fernandes’ short film ‘Amcho Salute Tumkam’, a tribute to police team and CRPF personnel.
Besides contributing towards 16 audio/VCDs, Benzer has also featured in Konkani films ‘Connection’ by Christ D’Silva and Sylvester, Joywin and Rocky Willz’s film ‘7 Dayz’, Aggie Rod’s film ‘Sasnank Mog’ and a Mangalorean film ‘Zanvoim No. 1’, assisting in voice dubbing as a villain. Realizing the potential of Konkani films and YouTube channel being a good platform, Benzer met Nazario Fernandes (bank employee), who shared the concept of garbage and helped as the producer of short Konkani film ‘Tum vo Hanv’ released on August 16, 2020.
