Veteran tiatrist Pedro Caitan D’Silva, popularly known as C. D’Silva, will be felicitated on March 26 at 3.30pm on the occasion of his 90 th birthday for his lifelong contribution to the Konkani tiatr stage, along with two others noted tiatr personalities, at a special programme organised by the Tiatr
Academy of Goa in collaboration with Ravindra Bhavan Margao, at the Conference Hall of Ravindra Bhavan, Margao.

The event is being held to honour C. D’Silva for his decades of dedication as an actor, singer, writer, and director in the tiatr field. As part of the celebration, his non-stop drama Pixem will also be released in book form, marking an important milestone in his career.

Alongside him, Menino Fernandes, popularly known as Menino de Bandar, will also be felicitated for his remarkable contribution to tiatr and Khell, including the achievement of over 300-plus shows of his production Succorina. Another distinguished artiste, Antonio Edwin D’Costa, will be honoured for his significant contribution to Konkani music, having produced more than 100 albums.

The programme will be graced by Chief Guest Digambar Kamat, PWD Minister of Goa. Peter Quadros, former Sarpanch of Village Panchayat Raia, will be present as guest of honour, while Rajendra Talak, Chairman of Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, will attend as special invitee. A Konkani musical show of award-winning songs by child rtistes, led by Edwin D’Costa and musician Norman Cardozo along with other artistes, will also form part of the event.

The function will take place at the Conference Hall of Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, at 3:30 PM. Organisers have invited the public to attend and witness the felicitation of these stalwarts of Konkani tiatr and music.

C. D’Silva:

Pedro Caitan D’Silva, popularly known as C. D’Silva, is a distinguished actor and singer in Konkani tiatr. Born on 26 March 1936 in Seraulim to Joaquim Thomas D’Silva and Maria Rosada Fernandes, he developed a passion for the performing arts at a young age. He began his stage career as a child artiste in the tiatr Apounnem in 1951, directed by Felicio Cardozo. Guided by his mentor Antonio Sinforiano Fernandes, he honed his skills in acting and singing. Over the years, he performed in numerous tiatrs and also wrote and directed successful productions such as Hench Tuka Favo, Mog, Buniad, and Pixem. Known for his versatility, he portrayed a wide range of characters, including comic, female, and villain roles, with authenticity. His role as a villain in Doulot remains one of his most memorable performances. He also contributed to Konkani films, audio albums, and video productions, and has received several prestigious awards for his contribution to tiatr.

Menino Fernandes (Menino de Bandar):

Menino Fernandes, popularly known as Menino de Bandar, was born on 17 February 1957 in Benaulim, Goa. Influenced by his father, he developed an early interest in Zomnivoile Khell. He first performed on stage while in school, singing the Konkani song Dukache Dis. Encouraged by the appreciation he received, he staged his first Khell titled Bhikari during Carnival. Later, he entered tiatr and gained prominence during the era of Non-Stop Drama. His early productions Noxib ani Tufan and Duddu ani Ginean established his reputation. His landmark production Succorina completed over 215 shows in a year and later crossed 300 shows, earning him titles like “King of Double Centuries” and “King of Triple Centuries.” He has toured widely in India and abroad and produced several VCDs, contributing significantly to Konkani theatre.

Edwin D’Costa:

Antonio Edwin D’Costa, known as Edwin D’Costa, was born on 13 December 1963 in Margao, Goa. After completing his education and obtaining a diploma in electronics, he worked at Goa Shipyard and later in Mumbai. Alongside his job, he pursued his passion for tiatr and Konkani music. After returning to Goa, he started a cold storage business in 1986 and later entered music production. In 1995, he created a record by releasing 12 Konkani cassettes in one year. He later moved to Dubai, where he continued composing and performing despite professional commitments. Known as the “Fastest Composer,” he has produced over 110 albums and is widely regarded as the “King of Konkani Albums.”