Tiatr world loses 'Star of Curtorim' Seza Pai .... (Times of India)
Vincent Florencio Fernandes, also called the Star of Curtorim and popularly known as 'Seza Pai' after his tiatr by the same name became a hit, expired under tragic circumstances on Wednesday at his Curtorim residence.
Seza Pai contributed a lot for the preservation and promotion of tiatr during his almost five decade stint on the Konkani stage. He wrote, directed and staged many hit tiatrs including 'Ismol', 'Maim Dukhi Sasumaim Sukhi', 'Put Mhozo Bekar', 'Nirmilolem Jivit' and 'Seza Pai'.
A perfect gentleman, he always recognized the help given to him by the tiatr artistes, he always spoke very highly of the late Nelson Afonso, a popular tiatr artiste of the yesteryears, who helped him stage 'Seza Pai'.
'Seza Pai' was the true story of a beggar who used to seek alms in front of St Andrew's Church, Vasco. From the money he collected he would buy fruits and chocolates and distribute it among the children who used to attend catechism in the church.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauktiatr5/4606609739/sizes/l/in/photostream/
State Cultural award in 2010
Fernandes would stand on the road and observe the beggar. Using the incident as the focal point of the story, he wrote a tiatr entitled 'Seza Pai' and staged it across Goa with the help of Afonso. The tiatr achieved such success that tiatr lovers started calling Fernandes 'Seza Pai'.
Although he achieved fame, Fernandes remained proud of his background and did not hesitate to express his feelings publicly. He came from a very poor family and as a young boy was sent to the bhatkar's house to work. This was a common during the Portuguese era but in this case the bhatkar was cruel and one day Fernandes was compelled to sleep in the cowshed along with the cattle. Although afraid, Fernandes took courage and ran from the place in the night.
He did what most Goans did and went to Mumbai in search of a job. Just as he was settling down comfortably, diplomatic relations between the Portuguese, who then ruled Goa, and Indian government began deteriorating. With the possibility of the sea and road routes being blocked, Goans in Mumbai turned panicky and Seza Pai returned to Goa.
In Goa, he was helped to get a job with a Portuguese family whose head was the director of 'Estaleiro Navais de Goa', presently known as Goa Shipyard. Finding Fernandes sincere in his work, the Portuguese officer found work for Fernandes in Goa Shipyard where he worked till his retirement.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk6/130639820/sizes/z/in/photostream/
Honoured on Tiatr Day 17 April 2006
Fernandes was very enthusiastic about Konkani tiatr and song and wrote his first tiatr 'Put Mhozo Bekar' in 1959. This was followed by 'Nirmilolem Jivit' for which he was congratulated by Afonso. It is due to this gesture that Fernandes went to him for help in staging his hit tiatr 'Seza Pai'. Afonso did not only guide him but himself acted in the tiatr, which made Fernandes eternally grateful to him. Fernandes was a good composer and his forte was composing the 'cantos' of the tiatr. He was humble and always showed his new compositions to Patrick Dourado, a veteran tiatr artiste who would guide him whenever necessary.
Fernandes' contribution to the tiatr stage has been recognized by numerous institutions and the Goa government too. He was felicitated by Curtorim Jaycees in 2010, Kala Academy in 2008 and the Goa government bestowed upon him the Goa State Cultural Award in 2009
TOI, Goa
Mr. Vincent Florencio Fernandes popularly
known as Star of Curtorim passed away this morning. His last tiatr was in 2010 ' Maim dukhi sasmaim sukhi' also fame of Seza Pai, Jevonnachi Butti, Izmol ..He was felicitated by Kala Academy in 2008. In 2009 Government of Goa bestowed upon him the prestigious Goa State Cultural Award 2009 and Curtorim Jaycees Club also felicitated him in 2010...May his soul rest in Peace
Edward Verdes
Vincent Florencio Fernandes (Xeza Pai) was a nice person . A Tiatr fanatic who wrote Konkani Tiatrs just for the love of Tiatrs. He put all his hard earned money into Tiatrs. He never made money from Tiatrs. He was a very loveable person. Never hurt anyone. A very rare breed of Tiatrists. May his soul rest in peace.
Wimix (Wilson)
Star of curtorim was very close to my father, late Nelson
Afonso and as a kid I remember they used to rehearse at my place. I used to
call him xeza pai. sad, the generation of genuine tiatrist is fading away. Gregory Afonso
Star of Curtorim (Xeza Pai) was really a gentleman, thats what I have gathered from many fellow tiatrists and some neighbours.
After long time I saw a funeral procession (from home to the Church).
I took part in it too including carrying the coffin (over my shoulder).
There was a time, we did that for journeys upto 5 kms (sharing in-between)
Some tiatrist carry his coffin to the Cemetery
Cony M, Osvy Viegas, A friend etc
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauktiatr16/8747926108/in/photostream
The Lake, the Pond and the Church
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauktiatr16/8746813613/sizes/l/in/photostream/
Family members
Son, Son-in-law etchttp://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauktiatr16/8746819215/in/photostream/
Precession – Carrying Coffin
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauktiatr16/8750481851/in/photostream
Cemetery AMFT
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauktiatr16/8750459151/in/photostream/
Copel marann, Cemetery
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauktiatr16/8750445021/in/photostream/
A memorial outside the Cemetery
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauktiatr16/8750442093/in/photostream/
Obit advt
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauktiatr16/8750225266/Some tiatrists spotted at the funeral are:
Prince Jacob
Joe Rose
Felcy
Annie Quadros
Diana
Philip de Orlim
A friend
Jr. Rod
Cajetan de Curtorim
Wilmix (Wlison)
Sharon
Minin de Bandar
Roseferns
Tari
Oswy Viegas
C D Silva
Connie M
Tita Pretto
etc
Curtorim MLA Reginald Lourenco also attended the funeral.
Video - The last journey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiccjD0tEys
TAG's Condolence Meet on 10th June
With family members - daughter, sister, son-in-law
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