Way back
in the early 70s, when Anthony San happened to accompany his father to watch M
Boyer’s tiatr ‘Atam Konn Ghatki’ and was seated just behind the musicians,
Alfred Rose came on stage to render the opening song. It was at that moment
that his father whispered in his ears, “Will you be able to sing like Alfred
Rose?” From then onwards, there was no turning back for this versatile singer
who has come a long way, lending his melodious voice to several tiatrs and
musical shows across Goa.
Anthony
San, born Jose Antonio Agostinho Fernandes (Anthony San), is originally from
Sanvordem but presently residing at Gogol, Margao. He took to singing when he
was seven years old when he got the opportunity to sing for cultural programmes
at Guardian Angel High School. “I picked up Alfred Rose’s popular song ‘I love
Esta, Lovely Esta’ and sang it with gusto and passion. The standing ovation
that followed motivated me to pursue singing,” recalls Anthony.
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Unfortunately,
during those days, there were no music schools in the villages where Anthony
could be groomed in singing. A passion to learn music came along only when he
started working at a bank. “When I got my first salary, my first thought was to
buy a guitar. I went ahead and purchased one in 1978. That prized possession is
still with me,” Anthony reveals proudly.
In his childhood,
his paternal uncle would purchase gramophone records, especially of Alfred
Rose, and when they used to be played at home, Anthony would learn all the
songs by heart. As his uncle was also a great lover of tiatr, Anthony San would
accompany him for several shows and that’s how his interest and love for tiatrs
developed.
Anthony
San’s first entry on stage came when he acted in Remmie Colaco’s tiatr ‘Don
Kallzam’ at the early age of 19. During that period, he was known to the tiatr
fraternity as Anthony Fernandes. The stage name came in when the stage manager
of Aristides Dias’ troupe Mr Fellow (Felcy’s uncle) pasted the summary of his
tiatr ‘Koidi’, referring to him as Anthony San (shorter word for Sanvordem) in
the line-up. “I somehow liked the name and took to it immediately. And so I
decided to stick to that name on stage,” mentions Anthony.
At the
age of 22, Anthony San, the youngest member in the tiatr fraternity then,
released his first audio album ‘Mog’ in 1980 with the help of his brother
Vincent and sisters Luiza and Felly. He dedicated it to his parents on their
silver wedding anniversary. The album included the popular song ‘Silver
Jubilee’ and it was supported by music director Emiliano da Cruz and backed by
topmost Hindi film musicians. Bansai Club in Sanvordem took the initiative to
felicitate him for this venture.
He has
several awards under his belt, for singing as well as acting. His first award
came in 1977 when the Goa Cultural and Social Centre decided to felicitate him
with the Best Singer award. Till date, with every alternative year, he has been
receiving several awards for singing.
His bungalow
‘Anlieta’ in Gogol is a testimony to his immense contribution in singing, be it
in tiatrs or musical shows. A special showcase in the sitting room displays an
array of trophies and awards with due recognition from various groups and
associations.
Presently
serving as Branch Manager in Dena Bank at Loutulim, Anthony San has less time
on hand to mesmerise the crowds with his irresistible voice. “Additional
responsibilities deprive me from dedicating myself whole heartedly to singing
in tiatrs. But as and when the opportunity knocks, I never fail to grab it and
give my best to my fans,” says Anthony.
In 1984,
Anthony San staged his first tiatr ‘Darvontto’ followed by ‘Falleam Euchonam’,
‘Ekuch Ghor’, ‘Moddko’, ‘Novem Jivit’, ‘Paktte’, ‘Ghor vo Ghorabo’, ‘Mhaka Tuji
Goroz’ and ‘Sot’.
His
audio/VCDs include ‘Goa’, ‘Tik Tik Typist’, ‘Ekvott’, ‘Rakhnno Boddvo’, ‘Ami
Goenkar’, ‘Goencho Saib’, ‘Goenchi Xitkoddi’, ‘Goenchea Saibacho Bhavarth’,
‘Axirvad’ and the latest ‘Mog’. In his opinion, devotion to tiatrs demands full
time for direction, rehearsals and marketing strategy as well.
Anthony
San was born on June 13, the feast of St Anthony, and he was fortunate to play
the lead role of St Anthony in a tiatr staged by Prince Jacob’s troupe. He has
also performed in Irineu Gonsalves’ tiatr ‘Goy Goykaranchem’ and rendered his
theatrical skills in several religious plays staged over the years, recently in
Calado de Verna’s ‘Family of the Year’ .
In a
year and a half, this prolific singer will be retiring from his dedicated
services in the bank and while speaking about his future plans pertaining to
his talent and passion for the local theatre, Anthony San says, “If everything
goes well, I will cultivate more time for Konkani – stage and film. I have
every intention of producing a good Konkani film and a Hindi pop album. I have
already composed songs for the film.”
