Francisco Almeida, popularly known as ‘Shahu’ in the tiatr field, hails from the serene village of Macazana, in Salcete taluka. Born on January 18, 1975, his father, late Pedro Almeida, who was a seaman by profession, penned and staged ‘Zomnivhele khell’ during the Carnival festivities.
Since childhood, Shahu instilled the desire to become a tiatrist, but his father never permitted him to get involved in the cultural activities that he so loved. “Whenever his tiatrs would be staged in Macazana, Curtorim and Chandor, he would never encourage us to watch and enjoy them,” he recalls.
Primarily due to the lack of support or permission from his father, for quite some time Shahu’s desire to become a tiatrist and musician remained unfulfilled.
However, he soon poured his enthusiasm, zeal and dedication into another desire and decided to learn the nuances of drumming from late Erol Perry, son of noted musician and legendry, Chris Perry.
He seemed to have done well, as after one year of rigorous training, Shahu got various offers to play for popular local bands. He then joined various bands popular in Goa, including ‘Ultimates,’ ‘Magic Touch,’ ‘Human Status,’ ‘The News’ and ‘Black Lace,’ thus proving his caliber as an acclaimed and talented drummer.
Shahu enjoyed himself and performed continuously for almost five years for weddings, social parties, beat shows and anyone who wanted the services of a band and a pulsating drummer.
After gaining mastery over drums, Shahu’s desire to learn another instrument grew stronger and soon he took to mastering keyboards. Incidentally, he had the instrument lying at home, but did not know how to play it effectively.
During his pastoral visit to the parishioners, the then parish priest of St Francis Xavier Church, Macazana, Fr Livio D’Melo encountered Shahu and asked him to join the church choir. He readily agreed.
“During that period, there was nobody to play the organ in the church,” he revealed.
His inherent talent, self-study and continuous practice helped Shahu pick up the skills and musical intricacies of the keyboard and soon he was a regularly induction in the church to lead the congregation as the choir master.
“The first step towards God led to a flow of success in tiatrs and musical shows at a later stage in life,” he confesses proudly.
Shahu’s first entry in tiatrs as a keyboardist came about in Filipe Almeida’s tiatr ‘Soirim’. After performing for three shows, he tasted rejection from the director, but a little later continued as a permanent troupe member for two years. Next to follow, was Lawry Travasso’s tiatr ‘Dhaag,’ where he was rejected soon after one show.
However, rejection did not lead to discouragement and depression; instead Shahu seemed all the more determined and took up the challenge to prove himself as a noted musician. He practiced hard and learn new techniques. His rigorous practices and never-say-die attitude helped him find entry in comedian Sally’s tiatr ‘Soglle Roste Ugtte,’ which crossed over 80 shows.
After that there was looking back for Shahu and soon he served as substitute for many tiatr directors. He also received invitation from Rosario Rodrigues and performed in tiatrs ‘Hea Ghorak Nanv Dovorlem,’ followed by ‘Sogllech Kantte Nhoi,’ where he served as substitute and became the band leader in tiatr ‘Hanv Kallokant Sanddlim’.
Soon Shahu became the go-to man and was much sought-after in time of crises and eleventh-hour disasters. However, he always helped in whatever he could and many a time also innovated with any practice or prior rehearsal.
There were instances wherein Shahu’s timely assistance was sought by various directors in dire consequences. “When Milagres de Chandor was staging his tiatr ‘Lisanv’ at Kala Academy at 10.30 am,” he informs, “his drummer met with an accident and my presence there helped save an untoward situation.”
When Rosario Rodrigues was staging his tiatr ‘Hea Ghorak Nanv Dovorlem,’ the lead guitarist ditched the director at the eleventh hour and Shahu managed to take the show forward with the keyboard.
In 1999, when Shahu decided to fly to Kuwait for better prospects, Mini Mario faced hardships with his tiatr ‘Ho Bazar Koslo?’ and due to visa problem, artistes got delayed for the show and musicians could not make it abroad. Without any rehearsals and without the assistance of the blowing instruments, he managed only with the keyboard and saved the director from the tight situation.
Since 2000, be it in Goa or abroad, Shahu has been performing as one-man band for musical shows, thus winning the hearts of the audience. In Kuwait, he has played for directors Laurente Pereira, Michael D’Silva, late Rosary Ferns, Salu Faleiro, Utorda Club, United Friends, Jose Rod, Mario de Majorda, Kuwait Goans Tiatristanchi Sonstha and others.
Shahu’s presence has also been felt with the Goan directors, whenever they have travelled to Kuwait with their productions. Till date, he has also staged two musical shows in Kuwait, with the third ‘Tumkanch Lagon Ami’ underway on October 13, two in London and one each on Doha, Qatar and Bahrain.
Shahu also has three VCDs to his credit, namely ‘Musician’, ‘Tiatrist’ and Hea Musicak Lagon.’ It’s difficult to shoot in Kuwait and strictly prohibited with camera,” he says, but somehow he managed to go ahead with his plan and create a mark for himself.
Besides his contribution towards tiatrs and musical shows for the past 18 years, Shahu continues to render his yeomen service to the Holy Family Cathedral in Kuwait. He has also recently picked up the saxophone and played for musical shows in Kuwait and Bharain.
Happily married to Clemmi, daughter of noted tiatrist, Cajetan de Sanvordem, Shahu’s son Aerosmith assists his father on the drums, while daughter, Acacia helps in singing.
Rehearsals of tiatrs and musical shows to be staged in Kuwait are mostly held at his residence, and “hard work always leads to success,” he believes, “dedication and practice will take you to greater heights and help to support your family financially.”
