Meet the Artiste – Master Vaz
Tiatr Academy Goa has formulated a new scheme ‘Kolakarak Bhett’ (Meet
the Artiste). As per the scheme an eminent artiste of tiatr, its song
and music will be invited and a full length interaction with the invited
artiste will be held.
Photo: http://bit.ly/MasterVaz
The first special programme of this scheme is organized on Friday, 29th
October 2010 at 5:00 pm at the Conference Hall of TAG, Campal Trade
Centre, Campal, Panjim.
The artiste invited for this programme is the veteran on the tiatr stage
– Master Vaz.
Jose Lawrence Vaz popularly known as Master Vaz was born to Aurora and
Benjamin on 06th September 1927 at Mapusa in a family of dramaticians
(tiatrists). Today at the age of 84 years he is the only living disciple
of late legendary Minguel Rod. He is one of the few living artistes who
have acted in the tiatrs staged by pioneers in the field namely Pai
Tiatrist Joao Agostinho Fernandes, Saib Rocha, Dioguinho D’Mello, Kid
Boxer and others.
He was introduced to the stage by Earnest Rebello in his tiatr
‘Bomboichi Istil’ as a child artiste. Since his father was known as Mr.
Vaz on the tiatr stage, the young boy was named Master Vaz.
He excelled in female roles and his jests and actions were definitely
better than the most present day female artistes. His way of talking,
walking etc, in short his perfect mannerism of a female could deceive
any person at the sight of his flawless acting in the female characters.
He acted different female roles such as mother, daughter-in-law, and a
young damsel and always received praise for acting those roles to
perfection.
Master Vaz did not limit his talents to only acting but developed
himself as a fine script writer. The first tiatr written by him was
‘Jack ani Mack Tarvar Zale Pack’ which was a hilarious comedy.
In all he has written and directed about 25 tiatrs. His most outstanding
tiatrs were ‘Bapui’, ‘Mhalgoddo Put Fulgoddo’ and ‘Ghoracho Divo’. He
traveled widely to stage tiatrs not only in Goa but also other parts of
India like Pune, Malwan, Vengurla, Sawantwadi, Belgaum, New Delhi and
Daman. He also staged his plays in Karachi and in various cities of
Africa such as Mumbasa, Nairobi, Nakuru and Kampala.
He is a fine lyricist and has composed and sung thousands of songs
throughout his lengthy carrier. His lyrics were always attractive and
meaningful and hence many of his songs, particularly duets, became hits.
The lyrics of the opening song of the first Konkani film ‘Mogacho
Anvddo’ was also composed by Master Vaz. He also penned the lyrics of
another song for the Konkani film ‘Mhoji Ghorkarn’. Being a singer
himself, he used to sing duets in the female roles. He has sung duets
with all the stalwarts of Konkani stage.
Master Vaz was a creative artiste and he did not restrict his dramatic
and singing talents to the tiatr stage only. He wrote and presented
numerous folk plays on All India Radio Panaji thereby giving the
benefits of his dramatic talents to the people of Goa. Some of the plays
broadcast by the All India radio are ‘Visvaxi Ghorkarn’, ‘Vizmit’,
‘Ganvchi Seva’, etc.
Although he is one of the finest artistes of the tiatr stage more than
that he is a good human being. Always ready to help the young tiatr
artistes, he has proved to be a faithful husband to his wife and a good
father to his children.
Due to his valuable services for the development of tiatr its song and
music, he was recognized by the government and non-government
authorities. He was felicitated by Goa Konkani Academy for his lifetime
contribution to tiatr on the occasion of centenary celebration of Goan
Tiatr in 1992. Kuwait Konkani Heritage honored Master Vaz with an award
for his dedicated service to development of tiatr. The United Club of
Utorda bestowed on him the title ‘Pride of Utorda’. Never the less the
happiest moment in the life of Master Vaz was when he was conferred the
most prestigious Goa State Cultural Award in the year 2000 by the
Government of Goa.
All tiatr lovers and well wishers of Master Vaz are requested to attend
the function.
Victor de Sa
Member Secretary
