Manuel D'Lima
Manuel D'Lima | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1934 |
| Died | October 2016 (aged 81–82) Santacruz, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Other names | Manuel de Lima |
| Occupations |
|
| Employer | Bank of India |
| Known for | Staging religious plays during Lent |
Manuel D'Lima[a] (c. 1934 – October 2016)[1] was an Indian former playwright, theatre director, All India Radio artiste, and banker known for his work in tiatr productions and playlets during the 1970s.
Early life[edit]
There is limited information available about the life of D'Lima. Hailing from the town of Porvorim, Bardez, in the state of Goa, D'Lima initially embarked on his stage career within his home region. There, he wrote and staged Konkani tiatrs, a distinctive form of musical theatre indigenous to Goa. These productions found an appreciative audience in Porvorim.[2]
Career[edit]
Seeking broader horizons, D'Lima ventured to Bombay (now Mumbai), a metropolis known for its vibrant entertainment industry. In Bombay, he showcased his creative talents by presenting his first major tiatr, Ek Oklek Don Noure (The Girlfriend with Two Boyfriends), in support of Socorro-Union. This successful endeavor paved the way for D'Lima's recognition as a writer of repute. D'Lima's artistic journey also intersected with All India Radio, the state-owned public radio broadcaster in India, where he secured a position as a regular artist. On this platform, also known as Akashvani, D'Lima had a listenership for his small playlets, contributing approximately 100 of these dramatic pieces. The audience's reception affirmed his skill as a playwright and performer.[2]
Expanding his creative repertoire, D'Lima transitioned to writing tiatrs on a grander scale. Collaborating with prominent actors from the Konkani stage, he crafted a series of productions. These include Europi Saukar (European Government), Shakuntala, Bism Saib (The Bishop), Milagr (The Miracle), Khorkhos Ostori, Soddvondar, and Quo Vadis? (Where are you going?). D'Lima's artistic stature grew as he established himself as a respected writer within the theatrical community.[2] His contributions to Goan theatre extended beyond secular performances, as he also left a mark in the realm of religious plays. Pioneered by J. P. Souzalin, a prominent theatre director, the tradition of religious tiatrs was solidified with Souzalin's production of Saibinicheo Sath Dukhi (The Seven Sorrows of Mary) during the early 1970s.[3]
D'Lima and his contemporaries followed in Souzalin's footsteps, staging religious plays in the mid-1970s. Although predominantly biblical in nature and tied to the season of Lent, these productions aimed to inspire introspection, contemplation, and personal transformation among their audiences.[3] D'Lima, along with Konkani dramatists such as Simon Fernandes, Remmie Colaco, Prem Kumar, Robin Vaz, and Alexinho de Candolim, upheld the legacy of Souzalin's pioneering efforts.[4] Notable collaborations brought together D'Lima and other performers within the Konkani theatre community. One standout example is Cyriaco Dias, a Konkani actor and playwright, who portrayed the lead role of Jesus Christ in D'Lima's religious tiatr Soddvondar, etching this portrayal into the annals of his career.[2] Additionally, the Konkani singer and drummer Tony King lent his talents to D'Lima's religious tiatr Quo Vadis? (Where are you going?).[5]
Personal life[edit]
Despite his accomplishments, D'Lima faced time constraints due to his concurrent employment at Bank of India,[1] which ultimately led to his decision to discontinue the production of tiatrs. According to the book 100 Years of Konkani Tiatro by Wilson Mazarello, a Konkani singer and historian, published in 2000, D'Lima resided in Santacruz, Mumbai, with his family.[2]
Selected stage works[edit]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ek Oklek Don Noure | Writer | Professional debut | [2] | |
| Europi Saukar | Writer | |||
| Shakuntala | Writer | |||
| Bism Saib | Writer | |||
| Milagr | Writer | |||
| Khorkhos Ostori | Writer | |||
| Soddvondar | Writer | |||
| Quo Vadis? | Writer | [5] |
Notes[edit]
- ^ (alternatively spelt as Manuel de Lima)
References[edit]
- ^ a b TIATR 125th Anniversary Commemorative Volume. Panaji, Goa: Tiatr Academy of Goa. 2019. p. 87.
- ^ a b c d e f 100 Years of Konkani Tiatro. Government of Goa, Directorate of Art & Culture. 2000. p. 173.
- ^ a b "Tiatr and the period of prayer, penance and abstinence". oHeraldo. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
- ^ "Religious tiatr traces its roots back to the 1960s". The Times of India. 2015-02-19. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
- ^ a b "Fanki Tony King Ontorlo". Vauraddeancho Ixtt. 2014-06-06. Retrieved 2024-01-22.