Recognising the growing contribution of young talent to Konkani performing arts, the Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG) has announced four recipients of its Younger Achievers Awards, instituted in the name of late Regina Fernandes.
Simran Jerusha Vas, Maverick Tomston Alvares, Madonna Fernandes, and Benny Anjelo Mendes have been selected for their achievements in tiatr, music, acting, and direction.
Congratulating the awardees, TAG President Anthony Barbosa said their accomplishments reflected the dedication and artistic potential of the younger generation. He appreciated their efforts in promoting Konkani language and culture and said their achievements would encourage other young artistes to contribute to the growth of tiatr.
Vas has emerged as a recognised young voice in Konkani music. Born into a family of tiatrists, she started singing kantaram at the age of three and entered the professional tiatr stage in 2011 through Ignatius de Xelvon’s ‘Pausacher Pateun Bebuk Rodlem’. A singer and composer, she has worked with several established directors and won prizes in Kala Academy’s B-Group and A-Group competitions. She was the first runner-up in Nightingale of Goa and won Mhozo Swadik Tallo in 2020 for her original composition. Her popular songs include ‘Tho Goemkar Visorlo?’ and ‘Taxi Mafia Konn’. After performing internationally in Dubai, Kuwait and London, she made her acting debut in Rosario de Benaulim’s ‘Dobazo’ in 2026.
Fernandes has combined theatre with instrumental music. The Santa Cruz artiste won Best Actress at the 2017-18 B-Group Tiatr Competition and First Merit for Best Female Comedian in the 2019-20 A-Group competition. Trained in saxophone by the late maestro Luis Cota, she has performed in several tiatrs and musical programmes, including in the U.K. She is also an accomplished violinist.
Alvares represents the emerging generation of multi-skilled tiatr artistes. His journey began as a child performer, winning the All-Goa Children’s Tiatr Festival for four consecutive years under Marciano Noronha between 2014 and 2017. He later earned recognition in intercollegiate competitions for comedy and acting. At the 6th Intercollege Tiatr Competition in 2026, he directed, acted and sang in his college production, which won first place for Best Performance. He also secured first places for Best Director, Best Comedy Solo and Best Duet.
Mendes, popularly known as the ‘Chocolate Hero of the Konkani Stage’, has built a career as an actor, director, producer and singer. The Ponda-based artiste has featured in more than 15 tiatrs, four short films, a feature film and a web series. His stage credits include ‘Ulounk Sopem’, ‘Korun Dakhoy’, ‘Dev Borem Korun’ and John D’Silva’s ‘Bessaum & Mogall’. He has also directed short films, produced music videos and performed across Goa, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.
