Marking the birth anniversary of Pai Tiatrist, the late Joao Agostinho Fernandes, the Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG) has announced its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Awards in the commercial category.
This year, the Academy has selected three celebrated artistes—Santano Pereira, Joaquim Lourenco Fernandes (Jack Ferry) and Leslie Pereira—for their remarkable and enduring contributions to the Goan tiatr stage.

TAG President Anthony Barbosa congratulated the awardees and acknowledged their lifelong dedication to enriching Konkani theatre.

Santano Pereira: 
Born on February 6, 1965, in Cuncolim, Santano Pereira began his musical journey at the age of 11, inspired by his father, who was himself an accomplished musician. His early fascination with drumming soon led him to master the instrument, and by age 12 he was performing for khell-tiatrs. This early exposure set the foundation for a career deeply rooted in music and the tiatr tradition.

Over the decades, Santano has lent his musical expertise to countless khell-tiatrs, tiatrs, orchestras and stage shows, earning recognition as one of the most reliable and accomplished musicians in the field. His first professional assignment was with Chris-Meena’s tiatr Rinn Ani Sukh. His long list of credits includes several popular productions such as Somdir, Mhoji Bhett Tuka, Rekad, Ticket, Futtleli Boxi, Sogle Roste Ugte, Maim Paichem Besanv, Chitrailolo Fator, Olmem, Gulam, Soiro, Bhogos Mhaka and Bhailean Butter Bhitorlean Gutter.

Santano has collaborated with some of the finest names in tiatr music including C. P. Dias, Josinho, Agust de Panchwadi, John de Nuvem, Domnic de Arambol, Cruz de Sanvordem, Seby Moraes and Anthony de Velim. 

Joaquim Lourenco Fernandes (Jack Ferry): 
Born on June 20, 1970 in Nuvem, Joaquim Lourenco Fernandes—popularly known as Jack Ferry—is an accomplished tiatr writer, director, actor and filmmaker. His interest in writing was sparked during his school days, influenced by reading Konkani periodicals such as Vauraddeancho Ixtt and Novem Goem, where many of his early poems and stories were published.

Jack Ferry entered the performing arts with his 1989 All India Radio one-act play Mennvat. A year later, he participated in the All Goa One-Act Play Competition, where his play was staged 35 times and won 32 awards—an extraordinary achievement that established him as a rising creative force.

In 1992, he staged his first non-stop tiatr Devak Sangat, completing 25 shows. This was followed by Jevonn in 1993, which travelled across Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra. He delivered several major hits in the years that followed, including Vollkhonk Visorlo, Mog Di—which completed 88 shows—and Pormoll, which crossed 100 performances.

Leslie Pereira: 
Lesley Peter Pereira, known on stage simply as Leslie, was born on June 29, 1962, in Curchorem. He began his journey in tiatr as a light designer for Telles Moraes’ play Faleam Euchonam in 1989. His exceptional lighting skills soon earned him multiple awards at competitions in Goa, Udupi and Mangalore for six consecutive years while working with Sankalp Theatre and the Konkani Kala Sahitya Kendra.

Leslie later ventured into acting and singing in professional tiatrs. His first commercial performance was in Jose Rod’s Bhiradd, after which he acted in several notable productions including Tumi Jikle, Punn Kiteak, Mauli, Tujem Nanv Vhodd Zaum and Devan Dillem Denvcharan Vhelem. He has worked with acclaimed directors such as Tommy Afonso, Menino de Bandar, Mariano Fernandes, Comedian Domnic, William Fernandes and others.

He has also featured in numerous audio albums and VCDs, and has performed across India, the Gulf and the United Kingdom.