Ivor D'Cunha - the little show man of Assolna
By Sabina Fernandes e Dias - Dubai
Ivor D'Cunha - a devoted artist, lover of Konkani and Goa's culture is a
bunch of talents - be it singing, acting, and composing of lyrics or
script for tiatr, mimicry or comic roles. His deep love for Goa's
culture and the Konkani language is evident from some of his work
transcended in his song albums, musical shows and Tiatr's. Talents are
God's gift to us and how we nurture our talents is our gift to the
creator is what he believes in. Success in not achieved overnight and
the journey is long, tedious and challenging.
In the year 1992, way back during our college days at CES (Cuncolim
Education Society's College) Cuncolim, Goa is when I met Ivor. During
free lectures he was seen demonstrating mimicry in the college corridors
entertaining his friends. Very confident, never shy, just loved to
entertain. At the annual Social day, is what I witnessed was the real
talent of this little show man.
Born in a traditional and beautiful village of Assolna, in Salcette,
South of Goa he grew up as a simple country boy. But, nobody could stop
his craving from getting into a showman who has over 3 unique styled
Konkani hit song albums released within a span of just four years. Ivor
recalls himself as a child singing and acting in the bolcao (verandah)
of his house, his passion for singing Konkani songs and acting in
Konkani stage shows. Love for traditions, culture, Konkani our mother
tongue and fostering this culture with his multifaceted talents has
remained his passion always.
Nach Kumpasar, Konkani pop album by Ivor D’cunha
Ivor in a comedian role in his early day …. Hi first tiatr ….. Noxibantlem
I will not be wrong to say that the Church and the parish schools has
played vital role in nurturing young talents to professional singers,
actors, musicians or entertainers. Ivor did not remain confined to the
bolaco as his stage but stepped out, grabbed every opportunity that came
his way be it in the school function or the parish feast, Christmas or
village Carnival. His first stage performance was at a young age of 12
years in his native village for a Hindu festival program where he had
this golden opportunity to sing along with a well known tiatrist of that
time. He boldly sang popular Konkani songs at school, church functions
and village entertainment programs which today have transformed him to
write lyrics and sing his own creation.
His first and only tiatr titled Noxibantlem was staged with the help of
the Parish Youth association. The audience highly applauded the first
show of this tiatr in his home town which engendered the popularity and
demand to stage the same tiatr adding 18 more shows in different parts
of Goa. Since then it was no looking back. He has also acted and sang
for other professional directors in Goa as well as in Dubai. Scripting
and directing ‘One Act Plays' one of the difficult form of stage shows
brought laurels to his career during his teens. He wrote these one act
plays as per the requirement of the occasion for college gatherings,
village functions and for youth competitions. He adds, script writing
and construction of lyrics is just a natural flow of thoughts inspired
by routine life's experiences mingled with the imagination of an artist,
colored with melody and drama. We can comfortably relate Ivor more for
his trendy pop albums and musical shows. Today he has 2 pop albums and 1
Gospel album which have turned to be far successful. He also mentions
doing scripting and writing lyrics for a well known director of Goa's
Konkani stage whose name he holds as very confidential.
Parish youth activities were motivated with his initiative and
rightfully owned credit by winning various cultural accolades at the
Parish deanery of South Goa. As usual parents forced him to concentrate
on studies. But, at the same time he credits his family for supporting
him in organizing cultural activities. He is a self learner and never
got any motivation from any recognized artist although his village had a
wealth of professional talent. Joining the church youth organization
helped him in growing more in his career as a showman. This gave him a
good opportunity at the right time as he was able to interact with
notable personalities around Goa other than his local village and
performed on different occasions.
‘Doria Degher Nach' was his first music collection - a pop album; this
included a balanced harmony of Goan flavored music retaining the
original rhythm of Goan traditional melody. It was a successful bled of
classical music mixed with modern tones and was highly accepted by both
the younger and older generations. Together Forever a sensational piece
of music from this first album is very dear to his heart and was
composed keeping the Goan weddings in mind. Today this song has become a
popular number for wedding receptions as the wedding special track.
‘Sodcho na' and ‘Saynora' continue to remain in the list of top hit
numbers and are played on Goa FM, highly appreciated by the listeners.
The second creation among the pop albums is “Nach Kumpasar”. The music
is bit more on the western side which won fame among the younger
generation and most of Goa's leading popular bands play the songs for
their shows.
In addition, Be my Valentine, Goemchim Festam and Nach Kumpasar are some
of the most popular collections. The latest release of his music
collection is the Gospel Album titled ‘Krist Rai Raiancho Rai'. This is
a distinct collection of devotional songs styled with traditional and
contemporary music. The lyrics are framed with strong religious fervor
that touches the soul with the spiritual melody of faith and worship
revealing the composers love for the creator.
Release of the first pop album Dorhia Degher Nach in Abu Dhabi by Mr.
Joaquim Alemao alongwith, Roseferns, Fr. Anthony Lopes and Johnson Dias
Performing at the State Cultural Festival (L); Singing sensation …. the
musical show live …(R)
Kirst Rai, Asia’s world famous monument of Christ the King in Assolna
,Goa covering the Gospel Album (L); Ivor singing for his live musical
show in Assolna(R)
Winning awards was a part of almost every performance whether individual
or with his troupe gaining laurels for singing, acting and monologue and
never for dancing (he sincerely admits). But he recalls choreographing a
Kunbi Dance (Goan folk dance) for his youth Group. This dance was again
included as a popular item in his troupe while performing at different
occasions especially at state level cultural competitions.
He never let any opportunity get away, to lead and participate, be it at
all college cultural functions, inter-college competitions or at the
state level shows at the Kala Academy, Panjim. Prize and awards just
followed him. He also had the privilege to perform at the Arlem festival
on their annual cultural extravaganza in Margoa, South Goa. He was
equally honored to perform at the Azad Maidan in Panjim another rich
cultural platform celebrating Goa's cultural bonanza. He held the
audience and the organizers with awe as he performed along with his
troupe trained by him that included One act play, Kharvi and Kunbi
Dance, fashion show, singing and mimicry for this state level cultural
fest organized by the Government of Goa.
Edwin and Simon his very close childhood friends have remained to be his
guide and inspiration. His success story would be incomplete without
these great aides always around assisting him to carry on with all these
cultural activities. He immensely credits his success to the great music
personality of Salcette, Mastero Josinho who has been always a pillar of
support especially during the tiatr, musical shows and making of the
first music cassette, guiding in all aspects. The journey throughout his
career was beefed up with the motivation of Fr. John Fernandes (Asst.
Parish Priest at Regina Martyrum, Assolna 1988-1993) in all highs and
lows. John de Cuncolim (Jowenjo) a close friend and Konkani stage lover
played major roles in the tiatr and musical shows and was a great help
always. Ivor mentions saying, he was always around and helped in all
aspects to make the show a success.
He has over 4 musical shows adding to this career's success which was an
annual affair for 4 consecutive years. The uniqueness of these shows was
the type of stage settings which were especially designed. Each show had
a theme like the scenic beauty of Assolna or depicting Goa's greenery.
This concept was cheerfully accepted by the audience which was evident
on the increasing number of tickets sold and people attending every
year. It also gave an ideal opportunity to expose young talent. Along
with local talent he included some senior and professional singers of
the Konkani stage like M Boyer, Robin Vaz, H.Britton, Ulhas Buyao,
Antonete, Betty Naz, Felcy, to name a few.
Ivor concludes saying, the support and constructive criticism from
friends and well wishers further motivates him to go ahead and try some
new projects. No plans on hand for a tiatr but he plans something
different this time, a film on 3mm. Currently this little showman is
working on another pop album “Fugdi Ghalun Nach” to be released shortly.
‘Bloom where you are planted' and I will say he has blossomed. He had to
leave Goa and moved for career prospects towards the Gulf. But he did
not fail to hold on the threads of his work; dedication and commitment
for the Konkani stage over the last 12 years in the UAE. Spade work for
all these pop albums and musical shows have always been done in the
little free time he gets from his demanding job. When all of us here in
the Gulf eagerly wait for our annual holiday to rush back home and
picnic in Goa, I have seen Ivor tirelessly working on his next project
and spends all his vacation completing these projects. Talking about
financing these projects, most of the times it's personal but, yes
sometimes friends do help. His work for the Konkani stage is indeed
commendable which reveals his passion with every release of a unique
styled Konkani album every year, despite being away from Goa. The
biggest and much awaited project is a musical show which he is working
on for some time for the Konkani stage lovers based in the UAE. Sure,
this is ought to be again an entirely unique creation and is planned to
be held shortly in Abu Dhabi.
To know more about Ivor, and enjoy his music just log on to his website
www.ivordcunha.com . His incredible creation is also available on Big FM
and FM rainbow in Goa and www.radiogoa.net.
http://www.ivordcunha.com/shows.html
