In sync with the stage

J.P. PEREIRA

He may have etched his name in the Konkani world today, but Avers Pereira did not come from a tiatr background. However, his love for the art form can be traced back to his childhood days. “I used to love acting in school plays while studying at
St. Anthony High School, in my village,” he recalls. Alongside this, his father used to work with some top tiatrists like late Roam Tony, Nelson, Conception, and Tony Sax, at the Mormugao Port Trust.

“Fortunately, they encouraged me, and at the age of seven, I made an entry on stage in ‘Chondrim’ by the late Paulo”, he says. Roam Tony gave him his commercial break in the tiatr ‘Piso Police Inspector’ in which he sang and acted. After that, there was no looking back. After shifting from Vasco da Gama to St Estevam, he began acting in the tiatrs staged in the village. Under the banner ‘Antvers Productions’ they staged their own plays like ‘Girestkai’, ‘Ixtagott’ and ‘Jib’.

When Pereira moved to Muscat for work, his work in tiatr carried on only whenever he came to Goa. From 2022 onwards, however, he has been acting regularly for Prince Jacob beginning with ‘Apunn Apnank, Dev Somestank’ and now the latest, ‘Dev Dita Tedna’. He has also acted for Irineu Gonsalves, in his monsoon shows, including ‘I am Sorry’ and
‘Patkachi Savlli’.

Pereira writes his own songs for the tiatr he is part of.  “I also do minor roles in some tiatr, and I am glad the audience has accepted me and my performances,” he says. He has released four audio albums – ‘Soro’, ‘Tin Buttam’, ‘Devacho Ghutt’, ‘Konkani Uloi’, and ‘Posko Put’. Besides this, he also releases tunes on social media. His lyrics tell of social issues, give good advice, and hit hard at the illegalities of the authorities. The latest is a touching tribute to the late Fr. Bolmax Pereira.

“It is tiatr and our tiatrists, who are keeping our Konkani alive,” he states, adding that many newcomers are also getting an opportunity to showcase their talent, be it in the field of singing, acting or playing any musical instruments. Sharing his advice for youngsters, he says, “Be punctual in everything. Come on time for rehearsals and learn your songs and dialogues in advance. Let there be discipline, give your 100%, and always respect the seniors.”

Looking back at all his work so far, Pereira states that he has been blessed. His daughters too have been making their own mark on the stage. His elder daughter Velrose has acted in tiatr and is a noted trumpet player. His younger daughter, Velriza, has made her debut in Konkani films. She did a guest performance in ‘Just Married.Com’ and is the lead actress in the new release ‘Toxench Zanv’. His wife, Suzie, also appears in many amusing reels that he uploads on Facebook. “I am grateful to God for my family and all the wonderful gifts He has bestowed on me,”
he says.