*PRESS NOTE*
IN FAVOUR OF PUBLICATION *Meet Danny of Ribandar at TAG’s “Meet the Tiatr Artiste” on 21st July* Every month Tiatr Academy of Goa invites artistes of repute to interact with their fans/followers and other tiatr loving people. Such a meeting helps the audience to know more in detail about the artiste. It also helps TAG to create documentation for its library in order to preserve it for posterity. A well known tiatr personality, Jose Luis Diogo Fernandes, popularly known as Danny of Ribandar will be the “Artiste of the Month” in this monthly programme to be held on Monday, 21st July 2014 at 4.00 p.m., at Conference Hall, Tiatr Academy of Goa, AS-1, 2nd Floor, Campal Trade Centre, Campal, Panaji Goa. Hailing from Ribandar Goa, Danny of Ribandar was born to Manuel Fernandes and Maria Amelia Ines Fernandes on 16th December 1949. Danny first stepped on tiatr stage at the age of 11 at annual village tiatr on feast day of Infant Jesus. Danny’s talent was appreciated and popularity spread not only in Ribandar but in surrounding villages. He still continues acting in the village tiatr. This annual village tiatr has a tradition for over 100 years. Fully inspired Danny, in 1970 with couple of friends decided to produce one more *tiatr *on another occasion in the village. His friend, Poly Fernandes wrote the *tiatr* entitled, ‘*Adhar’*. Veteran tiatr artistes from Ribandar, late Souza Boy and Gerald Fernandes encouraged and guided them in their endeavour. Soon after in the year 1973, Danny penned his own *tiatr* entitled, *‘Hanv Bhikari’*. His brother-in-law, Luis Rodrigues and Souza Boy supported him. After that Danny never looked back. In the year 1979, he participated in Kala Academy’s State Level Tiatr Competition with his *tiatr*, *‘Bodlo’* under the patronage of Dramatic Troupe of Ribandar and became a regular participant in the competition. He bagged first place for direction for the *tiatrs* *‘Dhondo’* (1997), *‘Parashrayee’* (2003), and *‘Dennem’* (2006) while *‘Dhaago’* (2004) and *‘Dolleam Add’* (2007) got second place. For his scripts, *‘Dhondo’* (1997), *‘Parashrayee’* (2003) and *‘Dolleam Add’ *(2007) bagged Second Place. The *tiatrs* *‘Dhondo’* (1997), *‘Dhaago’* (2004) and *‘Dennem’* (2006) won first place in the performance category. ‘*Sharonaeta*’ (2002), *‘Parashrayee’* (2003) won second place where as *‘Ekuch Kuttumb’* (1999) and *‘Dolleam Add’ *(2007) bagged third place. He is the founder member and President of Dramatic Troupe of Ribandar. Also participated actively as a member of various church, chapel and club committees in the village. In the year 1980, Danny resigned as Upper Division Clerk from Archives and Archaeology Department and left for Kuwait for better prospects. He worked for Commercial Bank of Kuwait as Senior Clerk for many years. This never stopped him for his passion for *tiatr*. In Kuwait he acted in *tiatrs *of Rosary Ferns, etc. Beside this, he also made best use of his holidays every year by acting and producing *tiatrs *in Goa. He has produced audio album entitled, ‘*Rinn*’ (1997) and tele-films ‘ *Dhaago*’ (2004) and *‘Dennem’* (2006) which became instant hits in the households of Goa, Gulf and United Kingdom. He has acted in *tiatrs* directed by professionals like Patrick Dourado ‘ *Patok*’ (1980). He has produced and directed the *tiatrs* with stalwarts like Late Jacinto Vaz, M.Boyer, H. Briton, Greg, Valente Mascarenhas, Souza Boy, Conception, etc. Swindon Goan Association in United Kingdom in the year 2011 and recently Dramatic Troupe of Ribandar on their 40th anniversary felicitated Danny for his contribution in the field of Tiatr. Danny always worked for the upliftment of Tiatr and Konkani stage. Also worked to help the fellow tiatrists in their time of need. Danny specially produced the tiatr- *‘Utor’* in the year 2012 to generate funds for the aid of ailing Antonette de Calangute. So far Danny has written and produced 44 tiatrs. The 45th tiatr, *‘Daanxur’ *will be released in September this year. All the lovers of tiatr and fans of Danny of Ribandar are requested to attend the said programme and interact with these artistes. *Victor de Sa* Member Secretary
