Cyriaco Dias | |
---|---|
Born | Santana Filomena Ceirico Camilo Dias 16 March 1937 |
Nationality | Indian |
Other names |
|
Occupations |
|
Years active | 1956–present |
Notable work |
|
Movement | Goa liberation |
Relatives |
Santana Filomena Ceirico Camilo "Cyriaco" Dias (born 16 March 1937) is an Indian actor, playwright, theatre director, singer, freedom fighter, and social worker known for his work in Konkani films and tiatr productions. Throughout his career, he has performed in over 1,000 dramas and has accumulated over 4,500 acting credits. [1]
Dias was born on 16 March 1937, in Raia, Goa, a region that was under Portuguese rule as part of Portuguese India during the era of the Portuguese Empire. Presently, Raia is located in India. Dias hailed from a musically gifted family, with his father, Pedro Joao Dias (later known as Peter John Menino Dias), being a musician and maestro, [2] while his mother, Maria Henriquita Dias, was a homemaker. [3]
From an early age, Dias actively participated in the struggle for independence and was recognized as a freedom fighter. [2] He joined forces with his associate Jack de Sequeira during the Goa Opinion Poll. During this period, Dias assumed the guise of a Hindu individual named Shembu Canconkar, donning traditional attire such as a dhoti . [4]
Dias embarked on his theatrical career in his youth by joining a cultural club led by Seby Coutinho, Rico Rod, and Vincent Semedo. This association proved instrumental in establishing his reputation, leading to opportunities in C. Alvares' tiatrs , where he excelled in character roles. Dias's talent and popularity expanded, attracting the attention of other directors. He delivered a memorable performance as Jesus Christ in Manuel D'Lima's tiatr Soddvondar. [5]
Dias' debut tiatr, inspired by the Goan freedom struggle, unfortunately remained unproduced. However, he achieved success with his first staged social drama, Zigzigta Titleim Bangar Nhoim (All That Glitters is Not Gold) in 1956, solidifying his position as a rising star. [6] The same year he participated in the productions Kitem Ho Sounsar (What sort of world is this) and Chepekar Cunhado (Hat wearer Brother-in-law). As his career progressed, Dias collaborated with other figures in the Konkani tiatr, assuming diverse roles on the professional stage. [2]
By 2000, Dias had written six original tiatrs, primarily showcased in Bombay (now Mumbai). His creative output expanded further, resulting in a total of twelve tiatrs by 2011. However, Dias's stage appearances became less frequent from 1978 onward due to his professional commitments in Bahrain. Nonetheless, during his tenure in Bahrain, he managed to stage his own tiatrs and sporadically contributed to other theatrical productions. [5] He was recognized for his socially conscious approach. [6]
In the year 2000, it was observed that whenever Dias visited Goa from Bahrain during his leave, he would attend tiatrs , which were being performed at that time. Despite his retirement from Bahrain, Dias has maintained his passion for the stage and intends to complete his unfinished work in the Konkani theater. While residing in Manama, Bahrain, he spends his time in Goa with his family at Ambora, Raia. [5]
According to the 2012 Directory of Tiatr Artistes, Dias currently resides in Calangute, located in North Goa. [7] He shares a familial relationship with Konkani actress Leena Dias and Konkani actress and singer Jessie Dias through his connection with Leena. [8]
During his stay in Mumbai, Dias formed a close friendship with Konkani playwright and director Rico Rod. This was evident when Dias spoke about Rod's character during a condolence gathering held at the Black Box in Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, to pay tribute to the late playwright and director. [9]
Dias has received several awards and felicitations throughout his career. In recognition of his contributions to theatre, he was honored with the "Goa State Cultural Award" for the year 2010–2011. [10] Additionally, he was bestowed with the title of the 2020 "Gulab Tiatrist of the Year". [11] Dias's acting abilities have been acknowledged, as evidenced by his collection of 14 Best Actor awards. Furthermore, his impact on the theatrical landscape earned him the "Life Time Achievement award" from the Tiatr Academy of Goa in 2009. [12]
In addition to his theatrical achievements, Dias has also been honored by various organizations and individuals for his involvement in other endeavors. His contribution as a freedom fighter earned him accolades from the Goa Trinamool Congress [13] and Ramakant Khalap during the Swatantra Senani - Shahid Sanmaan Diwas event, organized by the North Goa District Congress Committee in Mapusa. [14] Furthermore, his role in the Konkani film Amchem Noxib led to a felicitation by former Goa Legislative Assembly speaker Tomazinho Cardozo at the Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr (TSKK). [15]
Dias's contributions to Konkani culture have not gone unnoticed either. He was felicitated by Dr. Austin D'Souza Prabhu, the editor of the Konkani periodical Veez, at the 3rd International Tiatr Convention. [16] Moreover, the Tiatr Academy of Goa honored him on the momentous occasion of commemorating 125 years of Tiatr at Ravindra Bhavan in Margao. [17] Dias has also received the 2012 "Antonio Pereira Konknni Puroskar" (APKP) from the Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr. [12]
Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
Untitled tiatr | Writer | Unproduced | [2] | |
1956 | Zigzigta Titleim Bangar Nhoim | Writer/director | Debut tiatr | |
Kitem Ho Sounsar | ||||
Chepekar Cunhado |
Konkani in the Roman script, commonly known as Roman Konkani or Romi Konknni refers to the writing of the Konkani language in the Roman script. While Konkani is written in five different scripts altogether, Roman Konkani is widely used. Roman Konkani is known to be the oldest preserved and protected literary tradition beginning from the 16th century AD.
Manuel Santana Aguiar, known professionally as M. Boyer, was an Indian singer, composer, playwright, and theatre director known for his work in tiatr productions.
João Francisco Silva, known professionally as John D'Silva, is an Indian actor, comedian, playwright, and director known for his work in Konkani films and tiatr productions. D'Silva is the first tiatrist to enter the Limca Book of Records in 2010 for acting, writing, directing and producing 25 tiatrs having a double alphabet in their titles.
Matheus Correia, known professionally as Comedian Selvy, was an Indian comedian, actor, playwright, singer, director, and producer who primarily worked on the Konkani stage and is regarded as one of the greatest Konkani comedians of his generation. He was noted mainly for his comedy performances and was deemed as Goa's most loved comedian.
Nevel Lourdes Sacramento Gracias was an Indian playwright, actor, singer, composer, director, editor, and diocesan priest who primarily worked on the Konkani stage and is best known for his lenten tiatrs. He was regarded as a one-man show and served in the general council of the Tiatr Academy of Goa.
Alegre Roque Teodoro Antao, known professionally as Star of Arossim, was an Indian singer, composer, dramatist, director, and actor who primarily worked on the Konkani stage. Regarded as a multifaceted artiste and one of the stalwarts of the Konkani stage. A skilled bongo and conga player, he is best known for being part of the Bomboikar Group for their biannual shows.
John Claro Fernandes, known professionally as John Claro, is an Indian writer, theatre director, playwright, and actor. Throughout his extensive career, he has made crucial contributions to the development and advancement of Goan tiatr. His noted research on the history of tiatr led to the discovery that the inaugural tiatr production, titled Italian Bhurgo, took place on 17 April 1892, at the New Alfred Theatre in Bombay, presently occupied by the Police Commissioner headquarters.
Ophelia Cabral e D'Souza, popularly known as Ophelia Cabral, was an Indian actress, singer, playwright, and director known for her work in Konkani films and tiatr productions. One of the multifaceted performers of her time, she is referred to as the "Tragedy Queen of the Konkani stage" and was known for her roles in Konkani films such as Amchem Noxib, Nirmon, Boglantt, Bhuierantlo Munis, and Faxi Mogachi.
Antonette Pereira, known professionally as Antonette De Calangute, was an Indian theatre actress, and singer who worked on the Konkani stage. A versatile performer, she is best known for her portrayal of tragic characters in tiatr productions.
Hermegildo Camilo, known professionally as H. Britton, was an Indian singer, actor, lyricist, composer, playwright, director, and producer who worked on the Konkani stage. A versatile performer, Camilo is best known for portraying female characters in tiatr productions, and has also composed more than 700 songs.
Conceicão Diogo da Silva , known professionally as Connie M, is an Indian singer, actor, drummer, and playwright who works on the Konkani stage.
Philomena Braz e Crasto was an Indian actress, and singer known for her work in Konkani films and tiatr productions from 1963 to the 2000s.
Carmo Piedade Rodrigues, known professionally as Carmo Rod, was an Indian singer, playwright, and theatre director known for his work in Konkani films and tiatr productions.
Bernardo Vitorino Fernandes, known professionally as Bernard de Aldona, was an Indian composer, singer, theatre actor, and playwright who worked on the Konkani stage.
Andre Antonio D'Souza, known professionally as A. K. D'Souza, was an Indian playwright, director, actor, composer, singer, and sailor known for his work in tiatr productions in the 1950s.
Maria Vital Fernandes, known professionally as Betty Ferns, is an Indian actress and singer known for her work in Konkani films and tiatr productions.
Joaquim Conceicão "Jack" Souza Ferrão was an Indian actor, singer, playwright, and theatre director known for his work in Konkani films and tiatr productions.
Robin Vaz was an Indian playwright, actor, singer, and dancer known for his work in Konkani films, tiatr productions, and Goan folk music.
Seby Coutinho was an Indian actor, playwright, director, composer, dancer, choreographer, and former singer known for his work in Konkani films and tiatr productions.
Antonio Lourenço Jerry Braganza, known professionally as Al Jerry Braganza, was an Indian filmmaker, actor, and singer known for his work in Konkani films. Referred to as the "Father of Konkani cinema," Braganza directed and produced the first Konkani film, Mogacho Aunddo (1950), following the unreleased film Sukhi Konn (1949), an unsuccessful attempt by playwright G. M. B. Rodrigues.