The Living Legend of Konkani Stage...
Comedy King - Francis Fernandes Cascia-
The living legend of Konkani Stage...
“If my work has given happiness and satisfaction to you and if you feel like giving me something back, then give it to me now, because I won’t be able to read what is written on my tombstone.”
-Francis Fernandes, Cascia
Francis Fernandes Cascia, a name synonymous with “Matharo Chorbela” a Konkani super hit comedy written by none other than comedy king himself, which will be celebrating a grand mile-stone soon, is a great Playwright, Director, Actor, Poet, Story-writer, philanthropist and above all a great human being with a golden heart. Even though he looks like a young man of 40, he celebrated his 65th birthday on July 14, 2009.
Born on 14th July, 1944 to Shri John Fernandes and Shrimati Santana Fernandes at Cascia in Mangalore, was the eldest of their 8 children. He managed schooling with a single pair of dress and one book for the entire academic year! Many a time he had to go to school empty stomach. When talking about those days he gets emotional and adds - “I have seen poverty from very close quarters and experienced hunger during my childhood. That is why I have a soft corner towards the poor and the needy. But many a time my charity is misinterpreted by few people.” he says with a heavy heart. Francis is supporting few orphanages, homes for the aged and gives whole hearted support to many periodicals and Konkani Associations.
It was in 1959; Francis practiced a dance sequence from a Kannada movie named “Nala Damayanti” and performed on stage. His performance was well received by the audience and from then onwards he started playing bit roles in Kannada stage. His first Play ‘Kiteak Negar Kartay?’ was staged on 30th January, 1966 and was appreciated by famous Playwrights like V J P Saldanha, Simon Rasquinha, M. P. D’Sa and others. Incidentally his was the first play in Mangalore which had female artists performing with male artists for the first time.
Like any other Mangalorean at that time, the search for greener pastures made Francis too land in Mumbai. Luckily for him those were the Golden days of Konkani Drama. That is when he met Lorry D’Mello the famous director of his time and they planned to stage Francis’s drama in Mumbai directed by Lorry D’Mello. During the rehearsals Lorry got a job in the Gulf and the direction fell on Francis himself. That play was a hit and gave enough name and fame to Francis Fernandes. During this period he penned like ‘Voni’, ‘Aaj mhaka; Fallyam tuka’, ‘Avoi ti Avoi’ etc. He became the first Mangalorean to stage a Konkani play in Mangalore with reputed Goan actors like M Boyer, Alfred Rose, Rita Rose etc
However the love for Konkani Stage did not diminish. He wrote a new play ‘Ghatki Samaj’ and successfully staged it in the Indian Auditorium in Dubai. He got tremendous support from the Konkani lovers in Dubai which made him to pen another super hit Play “Dakoi Mhoji Chook” and staged in Dubai. Meanwhile he recorded two of his super hit plays: “Maldisamv” and “ Avoi ti Avoi” on video cassettes and successfully sold more than 3000 copies of each of them.
He has written about 35 full length plays and nearly 25 short duration plays. “Matharo Chorbela” is his latest super hit Play which is about to create a grand record in the history of Konkani Stage.
In recognition of his yeomen service in the field of Konkani Stage and literature many Institutions have felicitated and honoured him with titles, shawls, citations, etc. from time to time.
Behind every successful man there is a woman and this is very much true about Francis. Luiza, his wife is the greatest inspiration, motivator, and supporter and has always stood by him for what he is today. They have two children, son Johnson lives with his wife Sunita and sons Ashley Francis and Andrew in Dubai. Whereas daughter Flavia lives in Mumbai with hubby Hushu and daughter Rashnaz.
Since he is a teetotaller and devoid of any vices he is physically fit and healthy.
On 15th October, 2009 Francis celebrated his 50 successful years on Konkani Stage. He had started his acting career on 15th October, 1959 and after 50 years on his 50th anniversary he was still on stage playing the lead role in “Mathrao Chorbela” a comedy written by him and directed by Shri Joy Paladka. As far as my memory goes this is a first in Konkani Stage. His latest production “Matharo Chorbela” is also about to create a record soon by completing 50 shows in a short span of 2 years. This is a great achievement for Konkani Stage.
List of honours and felicitations Francis has received from Institutions/Associations in India and aboard:
Sr. No. Year Name of the Institution Place
1.11-11-1994 Mangalore Konkans Dubai
2.03-12-1998 St. Mary’s Konkani Association Dubai
3.27-12-2001 Sangama Kalavidaru Dubai
4.31-01-2001 Daijidubai Konkani Writers Association Dubai
5.09-03-2002 Kannik Konkani Fortnightly Mangalore
6.10-03-2002 Cascia Parish Mangalore
7.10-03-2002 Cascia Parish Old Friends Group Mangalore
8.16-06-2002 Uttara Kannada Zilla Konkan Parishad, Sirsi Mangalore
9.17-03-2002 Bhatkal Parish Mandali Bhatkal
10. 06-04-2002 Divo llustrated Konkani Weekly Mumbai
11. 07-04-2002 Konkan Taram, Jerimeri Mumbai
12. 10-04-2002 Maharashtra Konkan Association Mumbai
13. 10-05-2002 Baila Masala-2002 Dubai
14. 06-10-2002 Catholic Sabha, Anjelore Mumbai
15. 27-10-2002 Konkani Bhasha Mandal Maharashtra Mumbai
16. 02-11-2002 Divo Advisory Board Chairman Mumbai
17. 03-11-2002 The Mangalorean Welfare Association, Vidyavihar Mumbai
18. 04-11-2002 The Kanarites Youth Association Mumbai
19. 05-11-2002 St. Joseph Konkani Catholic Association, Thane Mumbai
20. 07-12-2002 Kalangann,Mangalore Mangalore
21. 10-01-2003 Belle Association Dubai
22. 04-04-2004 Catholic Action League Mangalore
23. 30-04-2004 St. Mary’s Konkani Community Dubai
24. 21-05-2004 Mudarangadi St. Francis Association Dubai
25. 23-09-2004 Sharjah Konkani Community Fortuna Eng LLC Sharjah
26. 19-12-2004 Kannada Sangh, Buraimi Al Ain
27. 30-12-2004 Konkani Stars Buraimi Al Ain
28. 08-05-2005 Punov Prakashan Mangalore
29. 11-05-2005 Sacred Heart Youngster Association, Suratkal Mangalore
30. 02-01-2006 Kanara Catholic Association, Fujairah Fujairah
31. 03-11-2007 Konkani Welfare Association, Mira Road Mumbai
32. 09-11-2007 Barkur St. Peters Association Mumbai
33. 10-11-2007 St. Josephs Konkani Association, Thane Mumbai
34. 10-11-2007 Canara Konkani Association, Borivli Mumbai
35. 11-11-2007 Mangalorean Catholic Association Pune
36. 09-03-2008 Karnataka Sahitya Akademy Mangalore
37. 09-03-2008 St. Joseph Church Parishioner, Bhatkal Mangalore
38. 02-05-2008 Buraimi Kannada Sangha AI Ain
39. 12-04-2008 Konkani Sabha (Regd) Mumbai
40. 27-04-2008 Cascia Parishioner Mangalore
41. 26-04-2008 Shriva Parishioners Shriva Mangalore
42. 28-04-2008 Jhello Konkani Monthly Mangalore
43. 30-04-2008 Botam Bolie and Sangathi Mangalore
44. 01-05-2008 ICYM Neer Marg Mangalore
45. 02-05-2008 Niddodi Parishioners Mangalore
46. 03-05-2008 Catholic Sabha, Katipalla Mangalore
47. 04-05-2008 Cap Cell CODP., Kallianpur Mangalore
48. 05-05-2008 Dirvem Konkani Weekly Mangalore
49. 06-05-2008 Nakre Parishioners Mangalore
50. 23-05-2008 Kuwait Konkans Kuwait
51. 18-09-2008 Jebel Ali Association (Konkani Community) Dubai
52. 31-10-2008 Karnataka Sangha (By B R Shetty) Dubai
53. 16-11-2008 TMA Pai Pratishtan and Padval Prakashan Mangalore
54. 05-12-2008 Pamboor Association, Karama Dubai
55. 24-01-2009 Konkani Welfare Association, Vasai Mumbai
56. 01-02-2009 Catholic Welfare Association, Bhyander Mumbai
57. 23-04-2009 SVP., Karkala Mangalore
58. 24-04-2009 Parish Council, Mudipu Mangalore
59. 25-04-2009 Parish Council, Perampalli Mangalore
60. 26-04-2009 Sevak Konkani Monthly Mangalore
61. 27-04-2009 ICYM., Kundapur Mangalore
62. 28-04-2009 SVP., Paladka Mangalore
63. 01-05-2009 Uttara Kannada Zilla Konkani Parishad, Sirsi Mangalore
64. 01-05-2009 Famad, Pernal Dubai
65. 02-05-2009 Byndoor Catholic Association Dubai
66. 03-05-2009 ICYM., Vamanjoor Mangalore
67. 09-05-2009 Parish Council, Ujire Mangalore
68. 10-05-2009 Dirvem Konkani Weekly Mangalore
69. 15-05-2009 MCA, Doha Qatar
70. 15-10-2009 Konkani Group, Malvani Mumbai
Details of his Plays:
Sr. No. Name of the Play First Show on Venue No. of Shows
1. Kiteak Negar Kortai 30-01-1996 Mangalore 11 Shows
2. Hamv Hem Patyena 01-09-1996 Mangalore 1 Show
3. Pordeshi 02-01-1966 Mangalore 1 Show
4. Tuzo Vell Lagim Pavla 22-10-1968 Mumbai 1 Show
5. Voni 08-12-1968 Mumbai 1 Show
6. Tum Mhaka Visor 28-09-1969 Mumbai 7 Shows
7. Dev Tuka Bhogsumdi 09-11-1969 Mumbai 4 Shows
8. Adevs Tuka 14-12-1970 Mumbai 1 Show
9. Hamv Patim Yetam 04-01-1970 Mumbai 1 Show
10. Avoi ti Avoi 19-04-1970 Mumbai 9 Shows
11. Aaz Mhaka; Falyam Tuka 15-11-1970 Mumbai 4 Shows
12. Palva’llo Divo 11-01-1971 Mumbai 1 Show
13. Hamvem Kitem Kelam 14-11-1971 Mumbai 1 Show
14. Tum Mhaka Ashenaka 20-02-1972 Mumbai 2 Shows
15. Bapa Tamkam Bogshi 15-11-1972 Mumbai 2 Shows
16. Dakoi Tuzo Apradh 11-11-1973 Mumbai 2 Shows
17. Lipul’lo Chor 25-11-1973 Mumbai 1 Show
18. Bodlam 21-04-1974 Mumbai 2 Shows
19. Moryad 06-10-1974 Mumbai 1 Show
20. Jagrut Rav 12-01-1975 Mumbai 1 Show
21. Maldisamv 13-04-1975 Mumbai 6 Shows
22. Poili Rat 16-11-1975 Mumbai 1 Show
23. Khandya Voilo Khuris 08-02-1977 Mumbai 1 Show
24. Ghatki Samaz 01-02-1976 Mumbai/Dubai 5 Shows
25. Streeye Tujim Kitlim Rupam 29-02-1976 Mumbai 1 Show
26. Doiradhik Stree 15-08-1976 Mumbai 1 Show
27. Sosnnikay 03-10-1976 Mumbai 1 Show
28. Ashrivad 15-08-1976 Mumbai 1 Show
29. Devan Kello Gunyamv 20-04-1979 Dubai 4 Shows
30. Tanne Mhaka Vikrit Kelo 02-04-1982 Dubai 2 Shows
31. Mathlabi Sovumsar 23-10-2003 Mumbai 8 Shows
32. Matharo Chorbela 03-11-2007 Mumbai 38 Shows
Sezariworld.com wishes him all the best in all his future endeavours.