M. Boyer...the legend lives on
?Tomazinho Cardozo
If there was one dramatist who dared to experiment with innovations on the
Konkani stage besides delivering stellar performances in innumerable tiatrs and
lending his distinct voice to thousands of timeless songs (kantaram), it was M
Boyer.
Considered to be a living legend of the tiatr movement, the 78 year old M
Boyer, born on October 11, 1930 and christened Manuel Aguiar, took an avid
interest in acting and singing right from his childhood. However, his parents,
not too keen on seeing their son grow up to be a performer, tried to discourage
him from pursuing his passion.
But, despite all their attempts, Aguiar never gave up his love for the stage.
He was a determined young man and continued to pursue his dream under the
pseudonym, M. Boyer.
Although he didn't possess a very melodious voice, it was M Boyer's lyrics and
signature style of singing that left several audiences spellbound and placed
him among the most sought after singers of Konkani stage. In fact, it was very
rare for him to leave the stage sans a thundering applause from his audiences
and pleas for an encore performance.
That M Boyer was a gifted performer was manifested by his ability to mesmerize
audiences through his extempore composition of lyrics on stage, laced with wit
and sarcasm. While his songs mostly addressed issues related to the decline of
good values in society, they also criticized the misdeeds of tainted
politicians and leaders.
This multi-faceted personality will also be remembered as one of the finest
script writers of the Konkani stage. He penned many tiatrs, some of which are
timeless. Dramas such as "Bhurgim ani Bhangar", "Adim tem Atam Hem", "Kazari
Put Xezari", "Sonvsar Sudorlo", "Ghor Dukhi Ganv Suki" and "Chintnam Zalim
Sopnam" find a place among his most memorable works.
But, the one tiatr which created history was "Ekuch Rosto". It was penned by M
Boyer and was based on communal harmony shared between the two major
communities of Goa.
M Boyer's contribution to tiatrs and kantaram is invaluable. Because of his
huge role in enriching and preserving Goan culture and traditions, the Sangeet
Natak Academy in New Delhi - the highest cultural institution of India -
honoured him with the Sangeet Natak Academy Award. Incidentally, M Boyer is the
only Goan artiste to receive this prestigious award.
The government of India also took note of his great contribution to Goan
culture and bestowed him with the prestigious Padmashri. M Boyer will,
therefore, go down in history as the only cultural artist from Goa to have
received both, the Sangeet Natak Academy Award and the Padmashri.
Apart from his unforgettable contributions to tiatrs, M Boyer lobbied for the
preservation fo Goan identity. He believed that the Konkani language alone
could strengthen the foundations of Goan identity. To support his cause, he
participated in all movements and agitations which were organized to preserve
the state and its identity. He used the Konkani stage and his songs to arouse
feelings of solidarity in the Goan people. He also succeeded to a great extent
in his attempt to convince the people of the importance of Konkani to the Goan
identity.
M Boyer was an institution by himself. His unwavering dedication to the Konkani
stage was exemplary and led to him securing the highest position in the tiatr
fraternity.
Tomazinho Cardozo
Candolim, Goa
Note: This Article was published on Times of India (Goa Edition) on 31/05/09
