A meeting with the ‘Pride of Utorda’, Master Vaz The Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG) has formulated a new scheme called ‘Kolakarak Bhett’ (Meet the Artiste). As per the scheme an eminent artiste from the tiatr fraternity will be invited and a full length interaction with the invited artiste will be held. The first special programme of this scheme was held recently at the Conference Hall of TAG. This time, the artiste invited for this programme is the veteran of the tiatr stage – Master Vaz. Jose Lawrence Vaz popularly known as Master Vaz was born to Aurora and Benjamin on September 6, 1927 at Mapusa. His family has a lot of members who regularly act on the stage. Today at the age of 84 years he is the only living disciple of the late legendary Minguel Rod. He is one of the few living artistes who has acted in the tiatrs staged by pioneers in the field namely Pai Tiatrist Joao Agostinho Fernandes, Saib Rocha, Dioguinho D’Mello, Kid Boxer and others. He was introduced to the stage by Earnest Rebello in his tiatr ‘Bomboichi Istil’ as a child artiste. Since his father was known as Mr Vaz on the tiatr stage, the young boy got the name Master Vaz. He excelled in playing female roles and his jests and actions were definitely better than many of the present day lot of female artistes. His way of talking, walking etc, in short his perfect mannerism of a female artiste could deceive any person. He has donned the role of various female figures such as a mother, daughter-in-law, and a young damsel, all which have gone to receive praise. Master Vaz did not limit his talents to only acting but developed himself as a fine script writer. The first tiatr written by him was ‘Jack ani Mack Tarvar Zale Pack’ which was a hilarious comedy. In all he has written and directed about 25 tiatrs. His most outstanding tiatrs were ‘Bapui’, ‘Mhalgoddo Put Fulgoddo’ and ‘Ghoracho Divo’. He has traveled widely to stage tiatrs not only in Goa but also other parts of India like Pune, Malwan, Vengurla, Sawantwadi, Belgaum, New Delhi and Daman. He also staged his plays in Karachi and in various cities of Africa such as Mumbasa, Nairobi, Nakuru and Kampala. He is a fine lyricist and has composed and sung thousands of songs throughout his long carrier. His lyrics are known to be catchy and hence many of his songs, particularly the duets, have gone on to become blockbusters. The lyrics of the opening song of the first Konkani film ‘Mogacho Anvddo’ was also composed by Master Vaz. He also penned the lyrics of another song for the Konkani film ‘Mhoji Ghorkarn’. Master Vaz was a creative artiste and he did not restrict his dramatic and singing talents to the tiatr stage only. He wrote and presented numerous folk plays on All India Radio Panaji. Some of the plays broadcast on the All India Radio are ‘Visvaxi Ghorkarn’, ‘Vizmit’, ‘Ganvchi Seva’, etc. Although he is one of the finest artistes of the tiatr stage more than that he is a good human being. Always ready to help the young tiatr artistes, he has proved to be a faithful husband to his wife and a good father to his children. Due to his valuable services to the development of tiatr, its song and music, he was recognised by government and non-government authorities. He was felicitated by Goa Konkani Academy for his lifetime contribution to tiatr on the occasion of the centenary celebration of Goan tiatr in 1992. Kuwait Konkani Heritage honored Master Vaz with an award for his dedicated service to development of tiatr. The United Club of Utorda bestowed on him the title ‘Pride of Utorda’. Never the less the happiest moment in the life of Master Vaz was when he was conferred the most prestigious Goa State Cultural Award in the year 2000 by the Government of Goa. All tiatr lovers and well wishers of Master Vaz are welcomed to attend the function. http://www.navhindtimes.in/iwatch/meeting-pride-utorda-master-vaz