Apart from the regular Marathi ‘nattaks’ staged during the Ganesh Chaturthi, Martin de Ponda is the first tiatrist to present tiatrs during the festive season organized by various Sarvajanik Mandals in various villages, and thereafter many tiatr directors followed.
Ponda-based Joe Martin Mendes, popularly known as Martin de Ponda, was born on August 6, 1968. His father, late Anthony Mendes would often sing in village tiatrs and in 1986 he along with his sisters, Rudolfina and Rita, participated in tiatrs organized by the village youth.
While studying at Pope John Boarding, Quepem, Martin made his first entry in folk plays (zomnivhele khell) held during the Carnival festival. He first joined the troupe of Xavier de Sanguem, followed by troupes of Dada de Maina, Milagres de Chandor, comedian Succor, Anthony Bhobe, Jack Rodson, Peter de Nuvem, Jack de Colva, Piety de Navelim and Peter de Colva.
Since 1986 till date Martin continues with his active participation in Carnival’s folk plays across the Salcete taluka. He was last seen in ‘zomnivhele khell’ presented by Jack de Colva and his troupe in 2018.
In 1991, Martin decided to tie the knot and after getting married to Antonette, popularly known as comedienne Antonette on the tiatr stage, he formed his own troupe under the banner ‘M A Mendes Arts’. He penned and staged his first tiatr ‘Dev Asa’, followed by ‘Munis vo Zon’var’, ‘Sopon’, ‘Dubhav’, ‘Muttbhor Mati’, ‘Xirap’, ‘Thikann’, ‘Biradd’, ‘Besanv’, ‘Noxib Tem’, ‘Atam Konnank Roddta’, ‘He Roste Chukiche’, ‘Tujea Mogak Lagon’, ‘Tuji Hokol Mhoji Bail’, ‘Ulounk Sompem Korun Dakhoi’, with all commercial tiatrists in his troupe.
Unlike other tiatr directors who pen and stage their productions in various cities and villages across Goa, Martin tried to stage all his 15 tiatrs only during the Ganesh festival in various villages, thus enabling the Hindu brethren to enjoy the flavour of tiatr, besides the Marathi ‘nattaks’, which they enjoy annually. “Presentation of tiatrs by other noted tiatr directors during the Ganesh festival came about only in 2000 and they were all well accepted by the Hindu audience” he said.
Martin’s regular musicians for the success of his productions included Cruz de Sanvordem, Vitorin, Augusto de Panchwadi, Piety de Navelim and late C P Dias, late Agnelo Dias and late John de Nuvem. “The musicians would be overjoyed to perform during the Ganesh festival and they would always look forward for the shows during that auspicious season,” he marveled.
Martin’s first entry on the commercial stage was in tiatr ‘Il’lixi Chuk’ by Wilmix/Sharon, followed by tiatr ‘Padri’ by Prince Jacob, Albert/Roma’s ‘Vadoll’, comedian Ambe’s ‘Dant-ui Mhoje Vontt-ui Mhoje’, Anil/Olga’s ‘Kalliz Ek Zhor’, C D’Silva’s ‘Serial’, Pascoal Rodrigues’ ‘Maim Bori vo Pai Boro’, Milagres de Chandor’s three tiatrs, namely ‘Mhataro Zaina’, ‘Mhaka Rosto Dakhoi’ and ‘Tuje Vengent Dhor’, comedian Dominic’s ‘Sonvsar Buddla’, Succor de Santa Cruz’s ‘Hanv Porot Ietelim’, Peter/Roshan’s ‘Kallim Kupam Dhovo Paus’, three tiatrs of son of Anthony de Velsao, namely ‘Jivit Dilam’, ‘Kednanch Borem Zainaka’ and ‘Girestkai’, four tiatrs of Ives Tavares, namely ‘Bhitorlea Monacho Munis’, ‘Don Tonddancho Munis’, ‘Dusreanchem Padd Ghalpi Munis’ and ‘Padr Agnel Sant Kedna Zatolo?’.
While staging his own productions during the Ganesh festival, Martin has rendered all the opening songs in his 15 tiatrs. In 1991, when Wilmix/Sharon staged tiatr ‘Il’lixi Chuk’, he was fortunate to render a trio with Robin Vaz and his sister, Rita.
Apart from staging his own tiatr ‘Tuji Vokol Mhoji Bail’ at Kala Academy’s annual tiatr competition, Martin has also participated in tiatrs ‘Osmitai’, ‘Kazar Sorgar Ghoddta’, ‘Dhirvem’ and ‘Mhovall Vikh’ of other tiatr directors. He also has five DVDs, namely ‘Puro Anink Naka’, ‘Bhogos Saiba’, ‘Godmother’, Dev Borem Korum’ and ‘Don Kallzam Ek Jiv’ to his credit.
Martin has also acted in Hindi serials ‘Goa Crimes’ and ‘Khawaish’. “It has been a different experience altogether, with exposure to a different language and sets,” he states.
Acting is Martin’s forte on the tiatr stage and all along he has handled mostly negative roles. Character roles have also crossed his path and he has handled them tactfully, refraining from singing on stage as they tend to cause distraction to the role enacted, in terms of make-up and costumes.
Martin enjoys negative roles as he believes that he can give his best in those unique characters on the Konkani stage. “The negative remarks sometimes overheard from the audience for some of those negative roles only come as an added compliment,” he says.
Running his own business of painting and serving as a civil contractor, the pandemic has brought entertainment through tiatrs to a standstill and Martin does not foresee its return on the Konkani stage till the end of 2021. “It is not just the presentation on stage through story, songs and comedy that matters,” he quips, ‘but the audience support is equally crucial, which will take some time to win over. Entry in city auditoriums may come about gradually, but shows in villages can face a big setback due to fear of the pandemic.”
When tiatrs make a comeback on the Konkani stage, Martin hopes that the tiatr directors will rope in raw talent and promote new, young blood as tiatr’s future lies on the amateur artistes. “Their presence and showcase of varied talents will only help in the growth and enrichment of tiatr,” he signs off.
