On Friday 20th of this month, at 7.30 p.m., in Kuwait City, a condolence meeting was held to mourn the sudden and untimely death of comedian Luis Dias who is one of the well known Konkani stage artistes. Inheriting the rich tradition of his great father the late Airistedes Dias, Luis was very popular with his fans not only in Goa but also in the Gulf especially in Qatar where he was employed since last 8 years. As a visiting artiste he came to Kuwait more than once and performed along with local artistes and earned good name for his comedy roles and solos. Among the 6 children � 5 boys and one girl � of the late Airestedes Dias, only one, Luis, followed into the foot-steps of his father but unfortunately he did not last for long to carry forward the incomplete job his father left behind. The late Luis Dias was a very bold tiatrist like his great father. When Dr. Barbosa along with Churchill Alemao of Benaulim, Farrel Furtado of A.V.C., J.B. Gonsalves of Panjim and others disgracefully defected from Congress and formed PDF government with the help of anti-Goa/anti-Goan/anti-Konkani/anti-Christian Maharastrawadi Gomantak Party, Luis Dias sang a very beautiful but very hard hitting solo all over Goa against all the rascals who betrayed Congress and their voters. Such a hard hitting song nobody rendered in Goa during that time because many of the known hard hitting tiatrists were purchased by the PDF �Bamtte�. But Luis Dias was unique who inherited genuine qualities of his father Airestedes Dias of fighting boldy for justice. Our present day tiatrists especially from Kuwait should emulate the example of Luis Dias and fight for justice and not surrender to crooks who are all out to disgrace Konkani stage in Kuwait.
The condolence meeting was attended and addressed by Goans as well as Mangaloreans. The meet started with the prayer conducted by Tiatrist Sylvester Vaz who prayed to heavenly father to give eternal peace to the departed soul. The president of Konkani Heritage Kuwait Fidelis Fernandes in his speech highlighted the good qualities of Luis not only as a tiatrist but also as a human being. Fidelis even disclosed how Luis confided in him during their last meeting that he will organize a musical show in Qatar and will take from Kuwait some of the best tiatrists namely Querobina Carvalho, Rosary Ferns, Marcus Vas and Michael D�Silva. Querobina Carvalho in her brief address showed her admiration for Luis Dias and disclosed how Luis was helpful for the promotion of Konkani Stage. Sobbing uncontrollably while delivering her speech she said in Luis death not only Konkani Stage lost a great stalwart of golden heart but also she lost a very good colleague and friend. Marcus Vaz the son of renowned yesteryears Tiatrist Master Vaz, in his speech not only praised the good work of Luis Dias as a comedian but also praised the great work his father did for the promotion of Konkani stage. Marcus Vas also said that Luis Dias was ready to listen to any good advice given to him for the betterment of Konkani stage. Elvino Rodrigues � the president of Kuwait Konknni Kendr in short but impressive speech admired the Konkani and Tiatro lovers role in organizing such meetings to keep the memory of tiatrists like Luis Dias alive. While concluding he said any time and anywhere any cooperation is required to organize such meetings, KKK will always come forward. Sylvester Vaz who is known to have been closely associating with Luis Dias on and off the Stage highlighted the superlative contribution of Luis not only for the promotion of Konkani tiatro but also for the promotion of our good cause. Sylvester also disclosed how recently during his visit to Goa he came in contact with late Dias while participating in Patrick Dourado�s show and exchanged views on producing something unique for the cause of Tiatro. But regretfully their views never materialized because the sudden death of Dias killed their plans. Sahitiya Award winner Lancy Pinto Nayak from Mangalore in his brief speech lauded the efforts of Luis Dias in promoting Konkani stage. He said that it is really terrible to lose such a stalwart at such a young age and prayed to God to help creation of more of such Luis to enrich Konkani Stage. While concluding he recited a poem on death of Luis. Another renowned Mangalorean literary figure Valley Quadros, one of the founders of Kulvar organisation � an organization for the promotion of Konkani � prasied the good work of Dias. He said Goa being the fountain of Konkani Stage artistes is sadly losing thru death many of its great sons and one of them is late Dias and prayed for eternal rest for his soul. A. Veronica Fernandes and Manuel de Santa Cruz also spoke on the sterling qualities of Luis Dias. The entire proceedings of the meeting were compered by renowned tiatrist Rosary Ferns.
Besides the mentioned speakers the meet was also attended by noted tiatrists namely Michael D�Silva, Sanny de Quepem, Jacinto and musician Francisco Machado.
A. Veronica Fernandes, Kuwait.
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