Actor, writer, singer and composer from Arlem-Raia leaves behind over 1,000 songs and tiatr legacy
Margao: The Konkani stage lost one of its stalwarts on Saturday evening with the sudden demise of Roque Antonio Dias, a veteran tiatr actor, writer and singer from Arlem-Raia. He was 73.
Born on May 16, 1952, Dias began his journey with the Young Stars of Bardez group, making his debut in Joe Perry’s Bomboican. Over the next seven years, he captivated audiences as both singer and actor, before collaborating with respected tiatr directors including Joe Perry, Agnel de Carona, Pio Ping Pong, Patrick de Sangolda, C Alvares, Prem Kumar, Jacinto Vaz, Rozario Dias, Ligorio Fernandes, Premanand Sangodkar, Jose Rose, Anil Kumar and Alexinho de Morjim.
Apart from acting, Dias made his mark as a writer and composer. His tiatrs included Kednai Punn Sampoddtoolo, Jurament, Hanv Ekloch, Tukach Lagon, Cheddo and Cheddum, Govai Nam and Tum Mhojea Jivitan Ek Nagain. He also released several audio cassettes and CDs and composed nearly 1,000 songs, many broadcast on All India Radio Panaji and Goa Doordarshan.
Dias was recognised with multiple awards at Kala Academy tiatr competitions and honoured by several cultural associations, including the Tiatr Academy of Goa.
Expressing grief, Tiatr Academy of Goa president Anthony Barbosa said, “He was from my village Raia and we had witnessed some of his great performances on the tiatr stage since our childhood. He was truly a great composer and singer with a melodious voice. He inspired several singers, and his death is a great loss to the Konkani tiatr stage.”
Tributes poured in from tiatrists across Goa and abroad, with many taking to social media to remember his artistry and lifelong dedication to Konkani theatre and music. Dias’ sudden death has left a deep void in Goa’s tiatr fraternity, silencing a voice that inspired generations.
