*PRESS NOTE* IN FAVOUR OF PUBLICATION
*India Post to release a Special Cover on Anthony De Sa on his Birth Centenary.* Tiatr stage produced great tiatr personalities in the past. These pioneers of tiatr are no more with us today. Their contribution to the Goan tiatr is immense. Unfortunately today’s younger generation do not know anything about them. In order to make our younger generation aware of their contribution and sacrifices, Tiatr Academy of Goa has been organising different programmes dedicated to such artistes. Anthony De Sa who was born on 1st March 1915 at Dandora in Cuncolim, Salcete Goa, wrote his very first tiatr titled, ‘Zuz Mogachem’ at a very young age in the year 1933. J.P. Souzalin, one of the most celebrated tiatrist of yesteryears on seeing the singing talent of Anthony De Sa booked him for his next tiatr to sing the opening song. Before Anthony came on stage, it was a prerogative of singers like Patrick Fireman, Luis Borges, Emilidio Sailor, Anthony Vaz, Souza Ferrao and Dioginho de Melo to sing the opening song in any tiatr. Anthony took away that prerogative from these established singers. His first appearance in J.P. Souzalin’s tiatr established this. Thereafter it was only Anthony de Sa to sing the opening song in any tiatr. He had a lot of depth in his compositions and his voice was pleasant, clear and loud. Anthony, slowly started taking interest in acting and developed into a fine actor. He wrote 17 tiatrs and directed 24 tiatrs of different writers. Some of the tiatrs written by him are ‘Rogtachi Bhett’, ‘Ghatkem Kumsar’, ‘Vingas’, ‘Maim Ti Maim’, ‘Soddtam Devache Nitik’, ‘Farikponn’, ‘Dotor Fotas’, ‘Nirbhag Axechem’, ‘Nores Fonddpi’, ‘Patok Dubavachem’, ‘Inam Zolmancho’, ‘Goemkarancheo Sonvoieo’, ‘Nisontton Fudarachem’, ‘Inam Patkacho’ and ‘Ayah’. Anthony De Sa has acted in 2 Konkani films (1) Amchem Noxib and (2) Nirmonn. His role in ‘Nirmonn’ will always remain as a proof of his acting abilities for generations to come. He was a regular artiste in plays organised by All India Radio (Bombay). Some of the songs sung by Anthony De Sa are recorded on H.M.V. Records and broadcast by All India Radio, Bombay and Panaji from time to time. He died on 10th July 1969. Anthony De Sa brought respect and dignity to the Konkani stage. As a mark of respect to this stalwart of Konkani tiatr stage and for his sacrifice and contribution to the field of tiatr, Tiatr Academy of Goa is celebrating his Birth Centenary this year in a grand way. As a part of Birth Centenary Celebrations of Anthony De Sa, India Post is releasing a Special Postal Cover with cancellation to commemorate his Birth Centenary at the hands of Shri. Charles Lobo, Post Master General, Goa Region at a special function to be held on Sunday, 1st March 2015, at Cuncolim Municipal Hall, Cuncolim, Goa at 10:30 a.m. Rev. Fr. Manuel Fernandes, Parish Priest, Our Lady of Health Church, Cuncolim has consented to be the Chief Guest while Shri. Landry Mascarenhas, Chairperson of Cuncolim Municipal Council will be the Guest of Honour and Chief Officer, Shri Pandarinath Namdev Naik will be a Special Invitee. The President of Tiatr Academy, Shri. Jacob Fernandes will preside over the function. This function will be followed by unveiling of plaque naming the road leading to Anthony De Sa house at Dandora, Cuncolim as *“Anthony De Sa Rosto”.* On the occasion, TAG will also be staging a Lenten tiatr, ‘Tumchim Monam Bodlat’ written and directed by Ligorio Fernandes at 3:30 pm at Cuncolim Municipal Hall which is free of cost. All tiatr lovers and philatelists are requested to attend these functions in large numbers. (Jose Alexandre Rodrigues) Member Secretary
