A well rounded contribution to tiatr

Samuel Edward Carvalho hails from the picturesque village of Majorda in Salcete taluka. Born on March 1, 1967, he developed an interest for tiatrs at a tender age and would be part of every village tiatr staged for the village feast of Our Lady of Miracles. "The villagers would put a tiatr for the annual feast, which is celebrated prior to the season of Lent," he informs, "and I would always act in those tiatrs with enthusiasm."

After garnering confidence in village tiatrs for almost 15 years, Samuel Carvalho stepped onto the professional stage when noted tiatr director Patrick Dourado introduced him in his tiatr, 'Noketr', and offered him the role of a villain. Then, Jose Rod welcomed him in his tiatr 'Punn Kiteak?'. "Jose Rod took on the lead role and the role of a villain was gracefully offered to me," he reveals.

Thereafter, it was no turning back for Samuel and he started getting offers from noted directors like A M Pacheco, who introduced him in his tiatr 'Rekad', followed by C D'Silva's tiatr 'Munis'. He also acted in two tiatrs by Milagres de Chandor, followed by F Cardozo's tiatrs 'Mother Teresa', 'Duddu vo Kaido' and 'Arxeant Poi'.

When Samuel worked with Anthony San in his tiatr 'Ekuch Ghor', he had the opportunity of meeting popular artistes like Jose Rod, Alfred Rose, Rita Rose, Young Chico, comedian Filipe, Dominic and several other tiatrists. After a gradual climb in the world of tiatr, he had the chance of acting in comedian Agostinho's tiatr 'Sorg', followed by 'Sir' and 'Police'.

Between 1991 and 1997, Samuel relocated to Kuwait in search of greener pastures. After spending six years overseas, he decided to return to his roots and started his own restaurant in his humble village. Tasting success with his own business for almost five years, he expanded his business by starting a guest house.

But his business pursuits did not hamper his passion for tiatr and the Konkani stage. Past experience as an actor helped Samuel to kick off with his own productions. In 1998, he staged his first tiatr, 'Hem Tumkam Soglleank', which included a rich cast of noted directors like Roseferns, Prince Jacob, Jose Rod, comedian Agostinho, Peter/Roshan, Lawry Travasso, Francis de Tuem, comedian Humbert, Roma, late Meena, Jr Nelson and others.

Samuel's second production was 'Portugez Goenkar', followed by ladies show 'Bhogsonnem', ‘Daddy’ (Part I & II), 'Mhaka Sangat', 'Mummy', 'Tum Feliz Zaum', 'Susegad Goykar', 'Tin Horancho Raza', 'Hanv Patki Kiteak?', 'Tarvotti', 'Sekar', 'Xezari Mornank Soirim Jevnnank' and the latest, 'Meulelem Naka, Sanddlolem Zai'. Till date, he has staged around 15 tiatrs, with the prime focus on stage setting, besides the actors and musicians.

Since his business does keep his busy, Samuel usually releases only one tiatr annually, except this one year when he released one for Easter and then one in October. He also has 11 VCDs and five audio CDs to his credit.

Samuel has made six Gulf tours to places such as Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Dubaiwith his tiatrs 'Daddy', 'Portugez Goenkar', 'Bhogsonnem', 'Mhaka Sangat' and 'Susegad Goykar'. he also visited the UK with his tiatr ‘Daddy’ (Part II), which was released in the UK and Paris, before coming down for shows in Goa, and tiatrs 'Tarvotti', 'Serkar' and Xezari Mornnank, Soirim Jevnnank'. He his now planning another UK tour with his tiatr 'Meulelem Naka, Sanddlolem Zai', with six shows booked in advance.

Samuel has carved a niche for himself as a writer and director on the Konkani stage, but he is more known among the tiatr audience for his outstanding role as a villain and other character roles. "In my tiatr 'Tarvotti', I had the main role of a father and had a powerful message for seamen. But the tiatr fans could not accept me in that role," he recalls. He is more comfortable in villainous roles and believes that a particular message can be conveyed in some way or the other.

With regard to the ladies shows he staged with all noted artistes like Betty Ferns, Betty Naz, late Meena, Aplon, Fatima, Clara, Janet and Anju, Samuel informs that, earlier, there used to be ladies shows and they were well accepted. Then after a gap of 35 years, it was this director who tried to revive it by staging 'Bhogsonnem' and it was staged only in the cities, completing 40 shows. He also took the show to Qatar and Kuwait later.

Speaking about stage sets, Samuel has a valid statement to make. He says, "Merely stating verbally that someone lives in a palatial bungalow does not have the necessary impact. It is important to show it on stage, and hard work to get that desired effect will always yield good results. Besides good casting, good stage sets and musicians will help draw a good audience for any tiatr. The tiatr fans need to get value for their ticket."

Samuel, who has acted with almost all the directors, except John D'Silva, is of the frank opinion that survival of tiatrs and raising its standard depend more on the stage settings, lights, musicians, besides good artistes and singers. With every new production, Samuel is proud to say that he has never compromised on the stage sets, and it has paid rich dividends.

When it comes to upcoming new directors, Samuel believes that they should give equal importance to the stage sets, lights as well as the the acting talents. "You need to give your audience something different, only then will your tiatr draw a larger crowd and you will be satisfied with your own stage contribution," he asserts. Although many directors consider tiatrs as their business, for Samuel it is only a hobby and he follows it with passion. "No doubt, in business there is profit and loss. But when it becomes a hobby, love follows and one will always give equal emphasis to various aspects of tiatr. And it's only then that the standard of tiatr will remain high," he adds.

Blessed with a loving family with wife, Henriqueta, daughter Selfia and son, Sanford, Samuel knows the art of striking a balance between business, passion and family. For the last eight years, he has been touring with his family, both in India and abroad, thus creating time for them and strengthening family ties.