TONY CALL EXPIRED. It is with deep regret I inform the Goan community in particular and Konkani communities in General that once a well known Kuwait based Tiatrist Antonio Cabral popularly known as Tony Call has just expired in Bombay at his residence, today at 7.30 in the morning. During the last one year he was not enjoying a good health, regularly visiting doctors and even was admitted to hospital twice. A few years back he retired from Kuwait but still visiting his daughter Angela Rita D'Sa who is working in Kuwait.
He first came to Kuwait during the Portuguese time directly from Goa on Portuguese Passport somewhere in 1958 and started working for Kuwait Air Ways. Then he shifted to British Embassy where he worked for a long period. During his 40 plus years stay in Kuwait he totally devoted himself for the cause of Tiatro. He penned down and directed his own Tiatros mosly in Church Hall and at Keefan Hall. It was he who gave opportunities to many of the now well known tiatrists opportunities to step on to the Konkani Stage. It was he who put a strong base for Konkani Tiatros in Kuwait and if today Tiatros in Kuwait are become so popular and prominent it is only because of the great contribution of Tony Call in this art. He staged about 4-5 Tiatros in Kuwait with the participation of all the local artistes who gained lot of prominence for them. Mendes Bros, F. X. Pereira, H. Britton and many others were his close stage companions. It was he who first time brought visiting Tiatrists to Kuwait in 1975, they were his "Kumpar Alfred Rose and Kumar Rita Rose" the Godparents of his daughter Rita. He was a good singer, a soloist and first time in 1957 Alexinho de Candolim spotted him while singing in his locality and introduced him in his Tiatro "To Bavtto Dhormancho". Then he acted in many of the Tiatros of ace directors including of C. Alvares and Alfred Rose. He came into more prominence when he paired himself with Alfred and Rita Rose somewhere in 1970 and together they produced their Disc with some of the beautiful songs, namely Munis Chondriman by him and Alfred, Ghovachem Ghor a duet with Rita and Posko Put a solo by himself. He had unique distinction of introducing Konkani on Kuwait TV about 35 years back when he rendered a Konkani song and also by performing a duet with another Goan artiste of that time Thresa Fernandes. He was the first Goan and probably first Indian to act in Arabic Serial with his wife Josephine somewhere 30 years back. This serial was aired by Kuwait TV. He helped many people in their time of need, in getting jobs and also brought many people to Kuwait and got them employed by using his influence. As a young man he was a very good in soccer player donning the colours of his school and Candolim Village Teams under their bar as goalkeeper. Candolim was that time a very powerful team in the first division, that time there were only two divisions - primeiro and segundo. For Candolim Team 5 Portuguese Pakles from Aguada were playing and because of them and because of the strong goalkeeping by Tony Call and of course with the genius of both my brothers - Cheddo and Jose Marie - Candolim team that time was feared by top teams of Goa. The Portuguese Pakles in the opposiong teams once in Panjim out of frustration even kicked him on his mouth and broke some of his teeth, this was a sensational news that time highlighted by Portuguse A vida and O Heraldo and Konkani Vavraddeancho Ixtt. After this incident Tony Call reduced his soccer activities. Tony Call was brought up in Candolim under the care of his "Mavxi" as a small boy at Orda Santa Cruz and during his younger days and even after going to Kuwait he was very popular in his locality. He loved Sports, he loved soccer and above all he loved Tiatro the most. Bowing my head down for his Tiatriatpon and admiring his wonderful work in the development of Tiatros in Kuwait, I ask Heavenly Father to open the gate of heaven for his soul. While praying for his soul I send my condolences to all his family members namely his wife Josephine, son Jerry in USA, daughter Connie, Angela Rita and Lorna. As a mark of respect for the depareted soul, Kuwait Konknni Kendr (KKK) will hold a condelence meeting in Kuwait City today at 8.00 p.m. May the Soul of Tony Call Rest In Peace. A. Veronica Fernandes, Kuwait. _________________________________________________________________ FREE pop-up blocking with the new MSN Toolbar - get it now! http://toolbar.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200415ave/direct/01/ _______________________________________________ Goanet mailing list [email protected] http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org
