Prem Kumar (Konkani Actor)
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Pedro Xavier D'Costa (
The birth name is the name of the person given upon their birth. The term may be applied to the surname, the given name or to the entire name. Where births are required to be officially registered, the entire name entered onto a births registe ...
da Costa; 8 September 1929 – 12 October 2007), known professionally as Prem Kumar, was an Indian actor, playwright,
theatre director A theatre director or stage director is a professional in the theatre field who oversees and orchestrates the mounting of a theatre production such as a play, opera, dance, drama, musical theatre performance, etc. by unifying various endeavors a ...
, lyricist and composer known for his work in
Hindi Modern Standard Hindi (, ), commonly referred to as Hindi, is the Standard language, standardised variety of the Hindustani language written in the Devanagari script. It is an official language of India, official language of the Government ...
, Konkani films, and ''
tiatr ''Tiatr'' (; ) is a type of musical theatre that is popular in the state of Goa on the west coast of India, as well as in Mumbai and among the Goan expatriate communities in the Middle East, United Kingdom, and other cities with a significant pr ...
'' productions. Known as a transformative figure in the ''tiatr'' stage, he elevated the quality of
Konkani __NOTOC__ Konkani may refer to: Language * Konkani language is an Indo-Aryan language spoken in the Konkan region of India. * Konkani alphabets, different scripts used to write the language **Konkani in the Roman script, one of the scripts used to ...
''tiatr'' to a level comparable to dramas in other
regional languages * A regional language is a language spoken in a region of a sovereign state, whether it be a small area, a federated state or province or some wider area. Internationally, for the purposes of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Lang ...
. In addition to his writing and staging of 55 ''tiatrs'', he also showcased his talent by performing in over 500 ''tiatrs''.


Early life

Pedro Xavier D'Costa, born as Pedro Xavier da Costa on 8 September 1929, in
Chandor Chandor is a village in Salcete sub-district of South Goa, in the Indian state of Goa. It lies on the southern bank of the Zuari River and western bank of the Kushavati River. History The ancient city of Chandrapura, where Chandor now stands, ...
,
Goa Goa (; ; ) is a state on the southwestern coast of India within the Konkan region, geographically separated from the Deccan highlands by the Western Ghats. It is bound by the Indian states of Maharashtra to the north, and Karnataka to the ...
. which was a part of
Portuguese India The State of India, also known as the Portuguese State of India or Portuguese India, was a state of the Portuguese Empire founded seven years after the discovery of the sea route to the Indian subcontinent by Vasco da Gama, a subject of the ...
under the
Portuguese Empire The Portuguese Empire was a colonial empire that existed between 1415 and 1999. In conjunction with the Spanish Empire, it ushered in the European Age of Discovery. It achieved a global scale, controlling vast portions of the Americas, Africa ...
(now in India). His parents were Xavier da Costa and Damiana Josefa Fichardo. D'Costa received his primary education in
Bombay Mumbai ( ; ), also known as Bombay ( ; its official name until 1995), is the capital city of the Indian States and union territories of India, state of Maharashtra. Mumbai is the financial centre, financial capital and the list of cities i ...
. From a young age, he demonstrated his passion for ''
tiatr ''Tiatr'' (; ) is a type of musical theatre that is popular in the state of Goa on the west coast of India, as well as in Mumbai and among the Goan expatriate communities in the Middle East, United Kingdom, and other cities with a significant pr ...
'', a form of
musical theater Musical theatre is a form of theatrical performance that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance. The story and emotional content of a musical – humor, pathos, love, anger – are communicated through words, music, moveme ...
unique to the
Goan Goans ( Romi Konkani: , ) is the demonym used to describe the people native to Goa, India, formerly part of Portuguese India (''Estado Português da Índia''). They form an ethno-linguistic group resulting from the assimilation of Indo-Aryan, ...
community. His journey in ''tiatr'' began during his teenage years when he showcased his talents in school concerts, leaving an impression on his mentors. Displaying a level of ambition and creativity, he ventured into writing his first ''tiatr'' at the tender age of 13. However, breaking into the professional Konkani stage proved to be a formidable challenge for a young performer like D'Costa. The competition was intense, and gaining recognition often required influential support. Undeterred by these obstacles, D'Costa sought guidance from Anthony D'Sa, a figure known for nurturing emerging talents in the
Konkani __NOTOC__ Konkani may refer to: Language * Konkani language is an Indo-Aryan language spoken in the Konkan region of India. * Konkani alphabets, different scripts used to write the language **Konkani in the Roman script, one of the scripts used to ...
theater scene. D'Sa, known for his mentorship of aspiring artists, generously extended his advice and assistance to D'Costa. With D'Sa's support, D'Costa successfully premiered his inaugural ''tiatr'', titled ''Mhozo Put'' (My Son), in 1945 at the Princess Theatre Bhangwadi, Bombay. Demonstrating his multifaceted talents, he not only wrote but also directed the production. In pursuit of further artistic growth, D'Costa subsequently joined the Junior Artists Association in Bombay. However, his experiences within the association were not entirely harmonious, as his fellow colleagues did not provide the expected level of cooperation.


Career

D'Costa, embarked on a career in the
Hindi film industry Hindi cinema, popularly known as Bollywood and formerly as Bombay cinema, is primarily produced in Mumbai. The popular term Bollywood is a portmanteau of "Bombay" (former name of Mumbai) and "Hollywood". The industry, producing films in th ...
with the aspiration of showcasing his acting talent. As a member of the Cine Artistes' Association, a film organization in
Bombay Mumbai ( ; ), also known as Bombay ( ; its official name until 1995), is the capital city of the Indian States and union territories of India, state of Maharashtra. Mumbai is the financial centre, financial capital and the list of cities i ...
, D'Costa approached producer-director Dhirubhai Desai, hoping for an opportunity. Impressed by D'Costa's abilities, Desai cast him in a minor role as a blind man in the film ''Unchi Haweli''. Despite the challenges faced by middle-aged actors in securing substantial roles, D'Costa's performance caught the attention of Desai's production manager, Pralhad, who recognized his potential and assigned him the role. To adhere to the prevailing norms of Hindi film circles, D'Costa adopted the name Prem Kumar, shedding his
Christian name A Christian name, sometimes referred to as a baptismal name, is a religious personal name given on the occasion of a Christian baptism, though now most often given by parents at birth. In English-speaking cultures, a person's Christian name ...
. Following his debut, D'Costa took on various minor roles in Hindi movies such as ''Mera Salam'' (1957), ''
Bandish Bandish, cheez or gat is a fixed, melodic composition in Hindustani vocal or instrumental music. It is set in a specific raga, performed with rhythmic accompaniment by a tabla or pakhawaj, a steady drone, and melodic accompaniment by a sarangi, ...
'' (1955), ''Shaukeen'', ''Hum Bhi Insan Hai'', ''Sakhi'', '' Bahadur'' (1953), and ''Hamara Hak'' before eventually returning to the
Konkani __NOTOC__ Konkani may refer to: Language * Konkani language is an Indo-Aryan language spoken in the Konkan region of India. * Konkani alphabets, different scripts used to write the language **Konkani in the Roman script, one of the scripts used to ...
theatrical tradition known as ''
tiatr ''Tiatr'' (; ) is a type of musical theatre that is popular in the state of Goa on the west coast of India, as well as in Mumbai and among the Goan expatriate communities in the Middle East, United Kingdom, and other cities with a significant pr ...
''. His performances caught the attention of K. N. Singh, a
character actor A character actor is an actor known for playing unusual, eccentric, or interesting character (arts), characters in supporting roles, rather than leading ones.28 April 2013, The New York Acting SchoolTen Best Character Actors of All Time Retrie ...
in Hindi films, who praised him for his acting skills. D'Costa's portrayal of a
Muslim Muslims () are people who adhere to Islam, a Monotheism, monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God ...
molvi (priest) in the film ''Hamara Hak'' garnered acclaim for his authentic delivery of
Arabic Arabic (, , or , ) is a Central Semitic languages, Central Semitic language of the Afroasiatic languages, Afroasiatic language family spoken primarily in the Arab world. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) assigns lang ...
dialogues, defying expectations as a
Goan Catholic Goan Catholics () are an ethno-religious community adhering to the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church from the Goa state, in the southern part of the Konkan region along the west coast of India. They are Konkani people and speak the Konkani l ...
. Despite a promise from veteran director S. M. Esmael for a significant role in an upcoming Hindi film, fate intervened when Esmael died, leaving the promise unfulfilled. However, D'Costa's true passion lay in the Konkani stage. Proficient in the Konkani language and finding greater expressiveness in his native tongue, D'Costa abandoned Hindi films and dedicated himself to the development and growth of ''tiatr''. During a visit to Princess Theatre Bhangwadi, D'Costa accompanied Vasant Joglekar, a known figure in
Marathi theatre Marathi theatre is theatre in the Marathi language, mostly originating or based in the state of Maharashtra in India, and elsewhere with Marathi diaspora. Starting in the middle of the 19th century, it flourished in the 1950s and 1960s. Today, ...
, to watch a Konkani ''tiatr'' by a prominent writer-director. D'Costa was humbled by the scene depicting a landlord's house against a jungle backdrop, which inspired his determination to elevate the ''tiatr'' stage. He bid farewell to Hindi films and embarked on a journey to write and stage new ''tiatrs'', eagerly awaiting opportunities to showcase his work. In the 1950s, D'Costa introduced innovative concepts to the ''tiatr'' stage, employing projectors and slides to enhance visual experiences. Writer Fausto V. da Costa states, D'Costa's ''tiatrs'' incorporated spectacular scenes reminiscent of movies, captivating audiences from all walks of life. Combining engaging storylines, rich dialogues, and high literary standards, he addressed diverse themes of family, society, and religion in his productions. His unique comedic style and emotionally resonant ''
cantos ''The Cantos'' is a long modernist poem by Ezra Pound, written in 109 canonical sections in addition to a number of drafts and fragments added as a supplement at the request of the poem's American publisher, James Laughlin. Most of it was wr ...
'' further contributed to the appeal of his ''tiatrs''. Fausto V. da Costa further writes, D'Costa's contributions extended beyond performance aspects, revolutionizing the Konkani stage with visually striking sets, dialogue depth, and mesmerizing light effects. He introduced novel
stage design Scenic design, also known as stage design or set design, is the creation of scenery for theatrical productions including Play (theatre), plays and Musical theatre, musicals. The term can also be applied to film and television productions, wher ...
s, including the jackknife stage,
revolving stage A revolving stage is a mechanically controlled platform within a theatre that can be rotated in order to speed up the changing of a scene within a show. Kabuki theatre development Background Kabuki theatre began in Japan around 1603 when O ...
, and half-sliding stage, setting him apart from his contemporaries. Drawing from his experiences in Hindi films, D'Costa incorporated scenes depicting rice fields,
ploughing A plough or ( US) plow (both pronounced ) is a farm tool for loosening or turning the soil before sowing seed or planting. Ploughs were traditionally drawn by oxen and horses but modern ploughs are drawn by tractors. A plough may have a wooden, ...
, railways, airplanes, waterfalls, and more, enriching the ''tiatr'' experience. With technical brilliance in stage setting and lighting, D'Costa aimed to elevate the standards of Konkani ''tiatrs'', infusing them with a touch of cinematic grandeur. D'Costa wrote and produced a total of 55 plays. Despite their elaborate sets, several of his popular productions, such as ''Dukh'' (Pain), ''Kakut'' (Mercy), ''Peleache Vostuchi Axea Korum Naie'', and ''Ordhi Bakri'' (Half Bakri), surpassed 100 performances. ''Dukh'' was performed a total of 126 times, ''Kakut'' had over 100 showings, and ''Peleachi Vostuchi Axea Korum Naie'' achieved 135 performances. One of D'Costa's acclaimed productions is ''Jivit Ek Sopon'' (Life is a dream), featuring the talent of Betty Ferns. In this play, Ferns portrayed a character disguised as a male, delivering a memorable performance. D'Costa set a record by organizing 25 performances of ''Jivit Ek Sopon'', within a span of 12 days in Goa. D'Costa's plays often tackled important social issues. Works like ''Abdul Narayan D'Souza'' and ''Fulam Ani Kantte'' (Flowers and Thorns) addressed the theme of communal harmony, while ''Vavraddi'' (Labourer), in which D'Costa himself took part, provided an authentic depiction of rural life. Notably, D'Costa's ''tiatr Piso'' (Madman) stands out as the sole
monologue In theatre, a monologue (also known as monolog in North American English) (in , from μόνος ''mónos'', "alone, solitary" and λόγος ''lógos'', "speech") is a speech presented by a single character, most often to express their thoughts ...
performance in the ''tiatr'' genre to date. In ''Maria Magdalena'' (
Mary Magdalene Mary Magdalene (sometimes called Mary of Magdala, or simply the Magdalene or the Madeleine) was a woman who, according to the four canonical gospels, traveled with Jesus as one of his followers and was a witness to crucifixion of Jesus, his cr ...
), D'Costa received praise from Valerian Cardinal Gracias for his portrayal of a religious narrative. The play featured a scene in which water miraculously sprang from a rock upon
Jesus Jesus (AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, and many Names and titles of Jesus in the New Testament, other names and titles, was a 1st-century Jewish preacher and religious leader. He is the Jesus in Chris ...
' instruction, garnering applause from the audience. D'Costa's popular ''tiatrs'' include Vauraddi, ''Rinn'' (Debt), ''Dukh'', ''Kakut'', ''Jivit ek Sopon'', ''Konnank Mhunnon Maim'' (Whom should I call mother?), ''Abdul Narayan D'Souza'', ''Jawan'' (Soldier), ''Peleache Vostuchi Axea Korum Naie'', ''Fulam ani Kantte'', ''Upkar Naslolo'', ''Ordhi Bhakri'', ''Govai'' (Witness), ''Kaido'' (Rule), ''Koidi'', ''Rogtac Tanello'' (Blood Thirsty), ''Khoto Poiso'' (Fake Money), ''Rekad'' (Regards), ''Tufan'' (Storm), ''Angounn'' (
Solemn vow A solemn vow is a certain vow ("a deliberate and free promise made to God about a possible and better good") taken by an individual after completion of the novitiate in a Catholic religious institute. It is solemn insofar as the Church recogni ...
), ''Fottkiro'' (Liar), ''No Vacancy'', ''Ghatki Voni'' (Traitor Sister-in-law), ''Ixttaghot'' (Friendship), ''Vantte'' (Division), ''Maria Magdalena'', ''Gorib'' (Poor), ''Mortikar'' (Killer), ''Vadiu'', ''Amchi Bhas'' (Our Language), ''Ugddas'' (Remembrance), ''Dhorji'' (Tailor), ''Noxib'' (Luck), ''Abru'' (Respect), among others. Y. B. Chavan, the
Chief Minister of Maharashtra The chief minister of Maharashtra (IAST: Mahārāṣṭrāce Mukhyamaṃtrī) is the head of the executive branch of the government of the Indian state of Maharashtra. Following elections to the Legislative Assembly, the governor invites ...
at the time, was impressed to realize that he was presenting an award to the actor D'Costa, who had delivered a memorable performance as a disabled character in ''Angounn''. D'Costa's notable work included ''Rinn'', a production that involved an innovative use of a sliding stage. In this ''tiatr'', he depicted a
courtroom A courtroom is the enclosed space in which courts of law are held in front of a judge. A number of courtrooms, which may also be known as "courts", may be housed in a courthouse. In recent years, courtrooms have been equipped with audiovisual ...
drama by seamlessly transitioning the stage between the courtroom setting and flashbacks of the events, creating a compelling theatrical experience. His ''tiatr Jawan'' expressed a strong sense of love for one's country. Whereas the theatrical production ''Mortikar'' depicted the escape of a killer using a visual display of a road scene, portraying the criminal running away. D'Costa's directing style emphasized the significance of costumes and [ voice modulation to enhance each character's performance. He showcased his talent not only in
Goa Goa (; ; ) is a state on the southwestern coast of India within the Konkan region, geographically separated from the Deccan highlands by the Western Ghats. It is bound by the Indian states of Maharashtra to the north, and Karnataka to the ...
and
Bombay Mumbai ( ; ), also known as Bombay ( ; its official name until 1995), is the capital city of the Indian States and union territories of India, state of Maharashtra. Mumbai is the financial centre, financial capital and the list of cities i ...
but also in various cities across India, including Poona, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Calcutta, and Mangalore. Additionally, he staged tiatrs in Gulf countries. D'Costa produced his own audio cassette titled ''Lojen Baulolem Ful'' and aired many of his plays on
All India Radio All India Radio (AIR), also known as Akashvani (), is India's state-owned public broadcasting, public radio broadcaster. Founded in 1936, it operates under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India), Ministry of Information and Broa ...
and television. He also made contributions to the Konkani film industry, producing and writing lyrics for the film ''Boglantt'', in which he played the lead role alongside actress Rita Rose. D'Costa has provided commentary and dialogues on numerous cassette recordings. Beyond his theatrical pursuits, D'Costa was a composer of songs. He crafted numerous compositions for ''tiatrs'', as well as standalone pieces for
sideshow In North America, a sideshow is an extra, secondary production associated with a circus, traveling carnival, carnival, fair, or other such attraction. They historically featured human oddity exhibits (so-called “Freak show, freak shows”), pr ...
s. Writer André Raphael Fernandes writes, while D'Costa's focus primarily lay in acting, his musical contributions showcased his mastery of the
Konkani language Konkani, (Devanagari: , Konkani in the Roman script, Romi: , Kannada script, Kannada: , Koleluttu: , Nastaliq: ; IAST: , ) formerly Concani or Concanese, is an Indo-Aryan languages, Indo-Aryan language spoken by the Konkani people, primarily i ...
. Historian
Wilson Mazarello Wilson Vincent Mazarello (born Wilson Constantino Vicente Mazarelo; 19 July 1946), also known as Wilmix, is an Indian singer, writer, playwright, and politician known for his work in Konkani films, and ''tiatr'' productions. Early life Mazare ...
writes, D'Costa not only took on the main roles but also excelled in portraying character roles. He meticulously prepared for his roles, paying close attention to details such as costumes and makeup to enhance the portrayal of the characters. Additionally, D'Costa was known to produce his own ''tiatrs'' at regular intervals, typically every two years. Throughout his career, D'Costa displayed his versatility as an actor, portraying a diverse range of characters, including fathers,
landlord A landlord is the owner of property such as a house, apartment, condominium, land, or real estate that is rented or leased to an individual or business, known as a tenant (also called a ''lessee'' or ''renter''). The term landlord appli ...
s, farmers, lunatics, and beggars. His plays often conveyed important messages, underscoring the intrinsic connection between farmers and the land in works like ''Vauraddi''. D'Costa emphasized the dignity of manual labor and encouraged the educated to consider agriculture as a meaningful occupation. Mazarello further writes, D'Costa's impact on the ''tiatr'' community is extensive, with over 500 ''tiatr'' performances to his credit, encompassing both his own productions and collaborations with fellow artists.


Awards

D'Costa's contributions to the realms of writing, acting, and
stagecraft Stagecraft is a technical aspect of theatrical, film, and video production. It includes constructing and rigging scenery; hanging and focusing of lighting; design and procurement of costumes; make-up; stage management; audio engineering; ...
have earned him numerous awards. During the commemoration of the
Konkani __NOTOC__ Konkani may refer to: Language * Konkani language is an Indo-Aryan language spoken in the Konkan region of India. * Konkani alphabets, different scripts used to write the language **Konkani in the Roman script, one of the scripts used to ...
''
tiatr ''Tiatr'' (; ) is a type of musical theatre that is popular in the state of Goa on the west coast of India, as well as in Mumbai and among the Goan expatriate communities in the Middle East, United Kingdom, and other cities with a significant pr ...
s'' centenary, the
Kala Academy Kala Academy (Academy of the Arts) is a prominent cultural centre run by the Government of Goa, in Goa, India. Situated at Campal, Panjim, it is registered as a society, and was started in February 1970. The building was designed by Charles Cor ...
of
Goa Goa (; ; ) is a state on the southwestern coast of India within the Konkan region, geographically separated from the Deccan highlands by the Western Ghats. It is bound by the Indian states of Maharashtra to the north, and Karnataka to the ...
bestowed a special honor upon him. Among his accolades are the Konkani Sahitya Samiti Award, the Maharashtra Prohibition Award, and the Cine Times Awards. Furthermore, the then Chief Minister of Goa, Daman and Diu, Dayanand Bandodkar, presented D'Costa with a award for his ''tiatr'' production titled ''Vauraddi'' (Labourer). D'Costa's has amassed over sixty trophies. This includes the trophy presented to him by Bandodkar, as well as a gold medal recognizing his talents in acting, directing, and presenting ''tiatrs''. Among his other honors are the IGP Arun Bhagat Shield, ''The Goan Reviews Best Director Award in 1997, and the Sonskruti Puroskar from the Dalgado Konknni Akademi.


Legacy

Following D'Costa's death, the
Tiatr Academy of Goa The Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG) is a government body established by the Government of Goa in 2009 during the tenure of Digambar Kamat as the Chief Minister of Goa. The academy was inaugurated on 16 January 2009 in Margao at the hands of Konkani l ...
(TAG) posthumously published three of his popular ''
tiatr ''Tiatr'' (; ) is a type of musical theatre that is popular in the state of Goa on the west coast of India, as well as in Mumbai and among the Goan expatriate communities in the Middle East, United Kingdom, and other cities with a significant pr ...
s'', namely ''Mortikar'' (Killer), ''Abdul Naryan D'Souza'', and ''Jivit Ek Sopon'' (Life is a dream). Moreover, the Goa Konkani Akademi published two of his ''tiatrs'', ''Jawan'' (Soldier) and ''Fulam Ani Kantte'' (Flowers and Thorns), in book format, ensuring their preservation for future generations.


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kumar, Prem 1929 births 2007 deaths Actors from Goa Goan people Tiatrists People from South Goa district Actors from Mumbai Indian male film actors