Pio Esteves
Filipe Pereira, popularly known as comedian Filipe on the tiatr stage, hails from Majorda, a village that has helped many to showcase their theatrical talent on stage and become noted tiatrists. Born on December 20, 1958, he first appeared in zomnivhele khell presented by Antonio Pascoal Estibeiro alias Epa de Paroda in various villages during the festival of Carnival.
“During the three-day festivity, zomnivhele khell were quite popular in the south and village folk would eagerly wait to watch them at every nook and corner as they were presented in the form of three different one-act plays,” informs Filipe. He continued his commitment to the same director for almost a decade and would mostly enact the role of a girl or a comedian.
As his school mate, late Peter D’Costa, knew Filipe was quite a brat during their school days, in 1976 he introduced him to A M Pacheco, who welcomed him as a comedian in his non-stop tiatrs ‘Odruxtt’ and ‘Mr Romeo’.
Thereafter, Filipe continued with the same director for non-stop tiatrs ‘Don Roste’, ‘Fator’, ‘Visvasghat’, ‘Lolo’, ‘Ghor’ and ‘Tan’ till 1979.
In 1980, when Roseferns was staging his tiatr ‘Thapott’, Baker and Jacob were comedians in the production. When Baker decided to call it quits and proceed overseas, garnering confidence as a comedian, Filipe was roped in and he teamed up with Jacob and helped continue with the remaining shows.
Till 1987 Filipe remained loyal to Roseferns’ dramatic troupe and continued as a comedian for almost 13 productions, ‘Tuttlole Dhage’ being the last one. In between, he also served as a substitute in Patrick Dourado’s tiatr ‘Ostori’ and comedian Dias’ tiatr ‘Tin Fogotteanchem Marann’.
Later, Filipe proceeded to Kuwait to make his living and during his service there, he encountered Rosary Ferns and assisted him in his productions in 1988. In 1989, when he returned to Goa for the holidays, he had the opportunity to act in Menino de Bandar’s tiatrs ‘Kortubam’ and ‘Duddu ani Ginean’, besides late Rosario Rodrigues’ tiatr ‘Kumarak Faxi’.
In 1990, when Jose Rod and Anthony San presented their tiatr ‘Bhindul’, Filipe made his appearance as a comedian and continued with Jose Rod and his dramatic troupe in tiatrs ‘Punn Kiteak?’, ‘Konnachem Aikom’, ‘Tumi Jikle’ and ‘Mauli’.
In the same year, Filipe also acted in late Bab Peter’s tiatrs and even toured Bahrain. He also acted in Anthony Araujo (Lawrence) tiatr ‘Ek Chimtti Bhor Mati’, besides tiatr ‘Uzvaddan Sanddlim’ written by Anthony Araujo and directed by Filipe.
In 1992, when Filipe returned to Kuwait, he acted in Jose Rod’s tiatrs ‘Devan Dilem Devan Vhelem’ and ‘Mauli’, besides tiatrs by Rosary Ferns. He also had the opportunity to present three musical shows: ‘Hem Kazar Koslem’, Tum Vhoir Hanv Sokol’ and ‘Ani Anink Zaiem?’.
Filipe also featured in two tiatrs by Laurente Pereira. In 1992-93, during the vacations, he acted in Pascoal Rodrigues’ tiatr ‘Tin Khille’, comedian John D’Silva’s tiatr ‘Chuklole Roste’ and in one of comedian Ambe’s tiatrs.
In 2006, Filipe was introduced in Jr Nelson’s tiatr ‘Good Bye London’ when the director took him to London from Kuwait. In 2009, he again made a trip to the UK when Shau Almeida’s musical show ‘Tiatristponn Devachem Dennem’ was staged there.
In 2012, Filipe was seen in Mini Mario’s tiatr ‘Mai Pai’ and in one of comedian Agostinho’s tiatrs where he served as a substitute to comedian Selvy. Thereafter, he proceeded to London in Mariano Fernandes’ tiatr Ek Ghor Chear Vantte’ and stayed back for better prospects.
In 2015, Filipe assisted in the joint production by Anthony Araujo in Goa with the tiatr ‘Uzvaddan Sanddlim’. He also featured in T-Bush Konkani film ‘Black’ which was shot in Kuwait. He also has an audio CD ‘Sir’ to his credit, which was produced by Manfa Music and released in 1997.
“In comparison to the comedy of yesteryears, a lot of vulgarity has crept into today’s comedy,” opines Filipe. “When the comedy goes off track, the attention of the concerned artiste or director should be called for in order to maintain the sanctity of the stage. And this is the duty of the audience. The audience may laugh at that absurd comedy at the spur of the moment, but later criticise it,” he adds.
“It’s also important for actors and directors who showcase moral messages through their work to practice before they preach. Today, some of the noted directors have a lot of jealousy hidden under a veil. Since they are trying to convey a message to the audience, they should improve first and then work to send a message across. Among the directors, there are a handful who merely work on tiatr stage to earn their living at the cost of others,” he reveals.
