PANAJI: The Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG) has announced the recipients of the prestigious Rosario Rodrigues Khell/Khell-Tiatr Awards for the year 2025, honouring two stalwarts of the Konkani stage — Maria Cleffy Antonieta Gomes, popularly known as Cleffy, and veteran actor-director Maxcy J. Pereira.
The awards, instituted in memory of the late Rosario Rodrigues, one of Goa’s most celebrated khell-tiatr writers, recognise individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the traditional form of Konkani stage. The selection was finalized by a jury panel comprising noted tiatrists Roseferns, Jesus Antao, and Vital Furtado, following a recent meeting of the Academy.
The award presentation ceremony will take place on 24 th October 2025, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Rosario Rodrigues, at the Conference Hall, Ravindra Bhavan, Margao.

Maria Cleffy Gomes:
Born on December 28, 1960, in Cusman, Quepem, Maria Cleffy Gomes — affectionately known as Cleffy — has spent over four decades dedicated to the Konkani stage. Beginning her journey in the 1970s, she worked with several icons of tiatr, including Conception, Sabina, Prem Kumar, Felcy, Sunny Vaz, and Daniel Goes.
Her early performances in classics such as Ghatki Titiu (1975), Meenakxi (1976), Aga To Etolo (1977), and Mhojem Kitem Kortat (1978) marked the start of an illustrious career. She later appeared in acclaimed productions like Thapott, Dev Vo Deuchar, and Uzo, directed by Roseferns, and won the Best Actress Award for Chondrim (2006) by Ben Evangelisto.
Beyond acting, Cleffy has been a singer for All India Radio, and continues to entertain audiences through her YouTube channel, featuring songs such as Dothi Vinnem and Divorce Naka. Her legacy continues to inspire new generations of tiatr artists.

Maxcy J. Pereira:
Maxcy J. Pereira, born on September 12, 1962, began writing at just 16, debuting with Chikol (1979). A versatile performer, writer, and director, Maxcy has written and staged 18 non-stop dramas, including Kitem Hanvem Kelem, Amche Aundde, and He Arxe Funttlele. Having acted in over 100 khell-tiatrs and performed internationally in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Muscat, Dubai, and London, Maxcy’s contribution to Konkani stage and theatre,
including films Moriad and Zulum, is widely acclaimed.

In 2023, he was felicitated with the title of ‘Evergreen Hero’ by former Chief Minister Churchill Alemao, acknowledging his decades-long dedication to Goa’s cultural heritage.