~by Gasper Crasto; Image: Simon Dias
Kuwait: History of Goan Tiatr tells us that no tiatr became a commercial hit if it did not have comedy in it.
It should surprise everyone to note that the Father of Tiatr - Joao Agostinho Fernandes, himself was a comedian. It is said that Joao Agostinho was a natural comedian and could make people laugh very easily.
In present times we have Comedian Domnick, Luis Bachan, John D’Silva, Comedian Agostinho, Humbert, Selvy, Sally, Ambe, etc and others creating laugh-riot on tiatr stage.
Yet, the name of Prince Jacob stands right on top there for having infused new dimension to comedy and giving Tiatr comedians a place of respect and dignity.
One of the undisputed stars of tiatr, the ‘Prince’ now has legions of fans in the Konkan world for being a celebrity actor, singer, playwright, director, radio jockey, and above all - a great comedian. His handsome presence and superb comedy has won him accolades galore.
Prince Jacob’s real name is Minguel Jacob Carmo Luis Fernandes, he was born on 16 July 1960.
PRINCE JACOB - EARLY YEARS
Jacob made his debut in the field of Tiatr at the age of 13 in Rosario Dias’ tiatr ‘Chuk Hanvem Adharli’ in 1973 and has been active on stage since then.
After completing SSC from Holy Spirit Institute, Margao, Jacob enrolled for a welding and machinist course at Don Bosco, Fatorda, Goa. He stole the limelight even there, participating in events and drumming for the institute’s band.
Jacob was later recommended to tiatrist Ligorio Fernandes and at one of his plays Papi tiatr, Roseferns spotted him and made him part of his newly-formed Roseferns Dramatics Troupe with a role in the production’s debut play Thapot that ran to over hundred shows.
For Thapot’s 75th anniversary, 1982, Jacob was bestowed the title ‘Prince of Comedy’. Since then he is known as ‘Prince Jacob’.
Jacob & Humbert in the act of Laurel & Hardy in one of the dramas
JACOB AS A DIRECTOR
Apart from being a comedian, Jacob is well-known for directing Konkani tiatrs beginning with the alphabet ‘P’. His first tiatr was ‘Pinzrem’ and 25 other tiatrs that followed such as ‘Pavnnek’, ‘Pordexi’, ‘Pangllo’, ‘Poltodd’, ‘Poixe-Poixe’, ‘Patkam’, ‘Pisso’, ‘Podvi’, ‘Put’, ‘Posco’, etc, the 25th being ‘Padri’ which subsequently became the first tiatr in the history to complete 315 performances.
After exhausting with ‘P’ Jacob went on to ‘R’ starting with Rodonaka, ‘Raja Rani’, ‘Rag’, ‘Rostad’, ‘Rupia’, ‘Rontto’, ‘Rogot’, ‘Rudan’, ‘Randponn’, ‘Rajvodki’, etc.
Today, Prince Jacob commands a dedicated fan following not just in Goa but across India, Gulf, UK, etc.
To tiatr loving Goans spread over the world, Prince Jacob is a vibrant brand ambassador of contemporary dramas. He has dared to bring bold innovations on Konkani stage – from making a Doberman act in ‘Pavnnek’ to doing magic in ‘Raza Raani and performing 4 roles in ‘Rupnnem’. In another tiatr ‘Pavlam’ he introduced a real handicapped person.
Jacob's works include 16 centuries (100 shows) in tiatrs which have been appreciated by his countless fans who have helped him bag recognition through prestigious awards such as GoaPost Award, Gulab Award, Kala Academy Award, etc.
Prince Jacob is not only an excellent artiste, but an excellent human being too. Over the years, he has rendered help to a number of charities.
Jacob’s sidekick and brother Humbert is as much popular as the Prince. The two make a lovely pair of comedians, much admired by fans.
Although Humbert played second fiddle to Jacob initially, audiences rate him as good as the senior, sometimes even better. Over the years, he has created a niche of his own among the top comedians of Goa and lives up to his image lighting up the stage any day.
Jacob and Humbert first teamed up together in 1985 when Jacob started producing his own dramas. More than 30 years, the pair is going as strong as ever.
The much admired and celebrated comedians will be seen in Kuwait after a long time in the Mega Musical Show ‘LOVE YOU GOA’ organised by Kala Mogui Kuwait, Friday – 14th October 2016 at the American School Auditorium – Maidan Hawally.
‘LOVE YOU GOA’ STAR CAST
The musical will see a brass band magic on stage featuring musicians on saxophone, trombone and trumpet along with a cluster of select Goan singers.
Goa’s rising Prince of Konkani Pop O’luv Rodrigues, Goencho Avaz fame Divya Naik are lined up to perform apart from Prince Jacob and Humbert.
Other exciting stars that will hit the stage include child prodigy Joyrus Mascarenhas, Olga Vaz, Saby de Divar, Anil Pednekar, Olinda Fernandes, Simon Dias, Albino Lourenco, Cajie D’Costa, etc.
Well-known Kuwait based star Gracy Rodrigues is an added attraction to the show along with some other surprise artistes.
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