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Francis Peter Thomas D'Souza who was well known Konkani stage actor and singer and fondly known in Konkani theatre circle as "Bab Peter", passed away at the Bahrain Defence Force hospital on Saturday (19/02/2005) at 5.00 p.m. following a heart attack.
Hailing from Anjuna, Bardez, Bab Peter was born and brought up in Bombay (Mumbai) was a singer, actor, composer, writer and director based in Mumbai. He began his career as a child artiste and was introduced by his father Domnic D'Souza tiatr "Voniechem Kortub" in 1964. It was in this drama that he sang the famous "Kunhad ani Mevnno" song with Tony Pereira. He was spotted by Alfred Rose himself at the "Natalanchi Bhett" (Christmas Gift) Konkani songs competition where he was awarded the first prize.
Initially, Bab Peter has sung several songs which were penned by Domnic de Vaidongor. As time went by, he started composing his own songs specialising in themes pertaining to social evils with political overtones. His very first song titled "Hil, Hil Pori Hil" was a trio, sung together with Jacinto Vaz and Ophelia. Bab Peter has acted in the dramas of topmost Konkani stage directors including C. Alvares, Souza Ferrao, Alfred Rose, Robin Vaz, M. Boyer and Prem Kumar. It was in Prem Kumar's drama "Kakut" he sang for the first time on the professional stage and it was in another Prem Kumar's drama "Dukh" that he first acted as a child artiste. He also wrote and directed dramas of his own and staged in several parts of the Konkan region of India with a professional cast. He has toured the Gulf States many a times at the invitation of Goan associations as well as members of the tiatrists' faternity to present his talent.
Bab Peter composed and sang over 400 songs and released five Konkani music albums, namely "Konkani Motiam" (Konkani Jewels), "My Rose", "Tourist Centre", "Goan" and the last was released in the year 2003, which he dedicated to his wife who is also a popular actress (known as 'Tragedy Queen') and titled the album in her name "Ophelia". Bab Peter agressively focussed on social and religious themes that affected the Goan community. An example of which is his once popular song "Khursachea Moidanar" which resulted in a large footage showing 'Goans as beggars' in a Hindi film "Ram Balram" were censored before it was shown in Goa.
The advent of cable TV, and a variety of TV channels saw the decline of Konkani stage dramas in Mumbai and many of the Konkani artistes took up other professions. Bab Peter turned to the Gulf and arrived in Bahrain in the year 1989. He was employed in Marketing with Alpha Fire Services.
Bab Peter was rushed to the Sitra Health Centre on Tuesday (15/2/2005) evening from his office, where he complained of chest pains and shortness of breath. The health centre immediately referred him to Salmaniya Medical Centre, where he was admitted to the intensive care in an unconscious state, as a case of heart attack. As there were no signs of improvement in his condition, he was transferred to the BDF hospital on Wednesday afternoon, where he breathed his last. His daughter, Babli who had rushed to Bahrain on hearing the news of her father's critical condition was at his bedside when he passed away.
The Managing Director of Alpha Fire Services, Frank Ryde described him as "a dedicated worker and said that his death was a loss of asset to the company". The Goan community in Bahrain has mourned the death of this theatre stalwart and in a condolence message a prominent member of the community Francis Corriea said "Bab Peter will be sadly missed by the Goans here, as he performed to our hearts content whenever an opportunity arose. His passing away is a great loss to the konkani stage in general", he said.
Some of Bab Peter's well remembered songs include "Irmanv Gitar Xinkoui" with late Alfred Rose, "Pai-che Koxtt" - a song based on a true story and "Mon boom boom boom" sung in his inimitable style by the evergreen singer. His dramas "Konn Nhoi Konnacho", "Apurbaieche Teg Khambe", 'Resperachi Nhesonn", "Aiz Na Faleam", "Mijeas", "Sang Zababdar Konn?", "Tuka Kiteak Poddlam" and "Guneanv Konnacho?".
Bab Peter was honoured by Bahrain's Konkan Singers Club and Young Goans Club in 1998 for his contribution to the Konkani stage. He was awarded for his achievements by these two popular organizations jointly.
Bab Peter is survived by his wife Ophelia and daughter Babli. He was 52.
As per information made available to www.goa-world.com, A prayer service will be held at the Sacred Heart Church at Manama, Bahrain on Tuesday (22/02/2005) at 3.00 p.m. and therafter his body will be flown to Mumbai for final rites. The funeral service in Mumbai will be held at the Victoria Church, Mahim on Wednesday (22/03/2005) evening.
R.I.P. Bab Peter, your immortal songs and contribution will always be remembered.
- By G.R. Crasto in Bahrain, www.goa-world.com. Additional input by Gaspar Almeida based on The Goan Review interview of Gable D'Souza.
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( Pictures, courtesy: www.goa-world.com - Comedian Philip's Musical Show in Kuwait "Hem Kazar Koslem?" - Photographer: Rewon Gomes. All rights reserved, www.goa-world.com )
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