Kuwait: Experiencing a life marked by upheavals and cheer, the on-fire Queen based in Kuwait -- Querobina Carvalho – Quero to friends, has transcended Goa's stereotype stage style to become one of the finest actresses of this generation.
She is undoubtedly a superstar and on a pedestal equal to legendary celebrities of Konkani stage.
Querobina is perhaps the only actress who can do comedy as well as tragedy roles and she stands top at that, she also sings with a voice that can melt hearts of stone.
“We are fortunate to be born in the same era as Querobina and have her in Kuwait,” say many a die-hard fan of the queen.
QUERO IN SILVER JUBILEE SHOW OF ‘MAIM PAI TIM MAIM PAI’
The legendary queen will be seen once again on stage in the Silver Jubilee drama of ‘Maim Pai Tim Maim Pai’ written by Shri Domnic Fernandes scheduled at SIMS School, Salmiya, Friday, 19th May 2017 at 4.45 pm.
Querobina will be doing the comedy along with Comedian Agnelo and Comedian Nelson Colaco. She is expected to pair with Zelia D’Souza and Gennifer Marshall in a special trio, and also sing a solo.
The show, apparently based on a true story from Kuwait, also stars Saby de Divar, Mario de Vasco, Evon, Soccoro de Santa Cruz, evergreen Comedy Queen Querobina Carvalho, Alberto, Valentina, Wilton, Esparansa, Gasper Crasto, Baba Valentino, Comedian Lino, Comedian Agnelo, Comedian Nelson, Braz de Parra, Gennifer Marshall, Zelia and Shri Domnic Fernandes.
Music for the show is provided by Maestro Faustino, Succor de Mello, Melvin, Chris, Dennis, Flavian and Tony Fernandes (drums).
BRIEF ON QUEROBINA
Popularly known as 'Comedy Queen Querobina', she has the distinction of winning 3 straight Kala Academy awards as Best Singer of Goa from 1973 to 1975.
Acclaimed as one of Goa's popular comedienne and a tragedy actress too, Querobina has tirelessly served Konkani stage even after coming to work in Kuwait.
She is always a regular for any show or a musical staged by Goan directors.
The multitalented star features in the first Konkani E-Cinema 'BLACK Nhesop Atanchem Fashion' shot entirely in Kuwait. The film produced by T-Bush was premiered in Kuwait in 2007.
QUEROBINA – EARLY YEARS
Querobina's first step on stage was at the age of 9 years where she sang her first solo in St. Aloysius High School. She recalls singing the song based on history of the school composed by her uncle Agnelo Carvalho.
Later in 1975 she sang a duet called 'Moddko' with her uncle in the latter's drama 'Suth'. The two found themselves much in demand after that for every tiatr held those days at 'Ganvchea Festank' in the neighboring villages.
Querobina's rise to fame began with her 'first break' on professional stage in A.M. Pacheco's drama 'Mr. Romeo' and 'Odruxtt' in 1977.
CROWNING OF 'COMEDY QUEEN QUEROBINA'
Querobina labored long in different roles especially as a replacement for Patrick Dourado's 'Soth' and the second ever ladies show on Konkani stage 'Oxem Ghoddtta' before her acting in Goa's mega hit dramas showed the extent of her power.
Quero soon went on to act in Pacheco's 'Don Roste', 'Vis Vorsam Adim' and Nelson (Nelson-Conception-Anthony) Alphonso's 'Asro.'
In 1978 she fully joined Patrick Dourado's troupe that brought her recognition as a professional artiste and also the title 'Comedy Queen Querobina' for his drama 'Ostori'.
"That was the first time I had done a comedy role," commented Querobina remembering her felicitation as 'Comedy Queen Querobina' at Bombay 's famous Birla Hall.
The greatness of her acting came forth again in the performance of Patrick's tragedy hit 'Lok Sangtolo', and M. Boyer's 'Mog Kazar Divorce'.
Soon Querobina was pulled in Bombay by late Bab Peter to act in an all-Bombay professional group to act in 'Guneaum Mhozo Nhuim'. What followed after that has been a part of her best career achievements.
"I climbed more steps of my acting career in Jose Rod's 'Nissonn' and the audience cried with me in Mario de Vasco's 'Dhump' in which I acted a poor bride and sang a sad song in a fully dressed bridal attire.
Later, I performed mostly comedy roles in Prince Jacob's productions," disclosed the star.
Since then, die-hard tiatro fans have followed her career closely, watching her transform into one of the State's most recognized faces on stage.
Querobina’s numerous other acting credits include Patrick Dourado's superhits such as Oxem Ghoddtta, Ghatki Bhoinn, Bhavacho Cheddo, Familik Vollkona, Lok Sangtolo, Tem Mhojem Soirem, Dev Borem Korum, Tin Fogotteache Marann, Varem, Noketr, Patok, etc; C.D. Silva and Patrick Dourado's joint venture 'Mannkam Motiam, Mog, etc.
MOST MEMORABLE ROLE
"My role of a mother in Patrick's drama 'Dev Borem Korum' remains one of my most memorable," said Querobina adding, "I got a tremendous response from the audience in this particular drama."
She further acknowledged that it was Patrick Dourado who had encouraged her to do comedy, "I was an instant hit right from the first show of 'Ostori' – my first drama in a comedy role."
Querobina featured in approximately 27 different dramas of Patrick Dourado before she quit the director for better offers.
In-between she also acted in shows of Conny M. D'Silva, Vitorin Pereira, Master Vaz, legendary Shri Rosario Rodrigues, Menino de Bandar, etc.
Superhit dramas that Quero acted are Bab Peter's 'Mijas', 'Guneanv Mhozo Nhoim', 'Tuka Kiteak Poddlam'; Robin Vaz's 'Biatin', 'Chamcha'; C. Alvares' 'Xezari Kombo' ; Jacinto Vaz's drama 'Sukh ani Dukh'; Wilmix's 'Sonvsar ani Sorg'; Roseferns' 'Tuttlele Dhaage'; and Prince Jacob's superhits 'Pavnnek', 'Ponvot', 'Pordexi', 'Poltodd', 'Pangddo', 'Pergao', 'Poixe-Poixe', etc.
Querobina has also rendered her voice in approximately 56 folk plays on All India Radio – Goa which was a major source of entertainment for public before the advent of television in Goa.
As a comedian Querobina has acted alongside famous artistes of Konkani stage that include Comedian Dias, Comedienne Platilda, Comedian Philip, Comedian Domnic, Augustine, Sherly, Sally, Comedian Jesus, Luis Bachchan, Nelson, Ben Evangelisto, Ambe, X. Almeida, M. Boyer, Jacinto Vaz, Titta Pritto, Tony Martins, Paul Romy, Hortencio, late Luis Dias, etc.
Querobina was a darling of the crowd in Prince Jacob's shows alongside Jacob and Humbert which people still want to see. "My first co-artiste in a comedy role was Comedian Dias," she said emphasizing, "Humbert is the best comedian I have acted and clicked with.."
PROFESSIONAL TREASURE
Born to Andrew Carvalho and Arcangela Fernandes and coming from the beautiful coastal village Majorda, Querobina grew up with her younger brother Anthony – who died young in a heart-attack. What Quero feels about her brother's death and her closeness to his children is, of course, entirely personal.
To the curiosity as to how she still remembers so many details of the past, Querobina produced a pristine diary from her purse describing it as her 'professional treasure' and a pride of possession since 1977 containing details of every drama that she acted – the name and place of the show and the 'fee' she received for that particular show.
It was in celebrated director M.Boyer's drama 'Mog Kazar Divorce' that she first toured in the Middle East and made the trip again another 5 times in Prince Jacob's shows.
Recalling her overseas tours Querobina underlines, "In 1989, I performed in London for Prince Jacob's 'Painem' and 'Pergao'; my first trip to Kuwait was in Mario de Majorda when the director specially brought me from Goa to act in his drama 'Sambau' staged on 9th September 1994 at Keifan Hall."
The actress also toured Dubai and Bahrain for Jose Rod's Mauli and for Comedian Philip's drama 'Hem Kazar Koslem', and also traveled to Qatar , Bahrain from Kuwait to act in dramas on 3 different occasions.
Querobina has an audio album dedicated to her role model -- legendary tragedy Queen Ophelia who has been known to her for a number of years. "Earlier, I used to do songs written by others, but my stay in Kuwait has unveiled yet another of my hidden talent...I compose my own songs now… I have sung in over 40 audio albums and I feature in a dozen more videos."
DESTINATION KUWAIT
"I came to Kuwait not with a lust for money but to keep my mind and eyes away from personal disturbances. God has given me tremendous grace and good friends to overcome the tribulations that I had to face in life," says Querobina adding, "my happiness over the years has been my drama profession and that is the ultimate strength that keeps me alive and going.."
Querobina's 'residency' in Kuwait has been hailed in the media by many Goans as a gift to Kuwait Konkani lovers but the void created by her absence in Goa is missed by thousands.
Since her arrival in Kuwait in 1995 she has acted in various dramas. Some of the prominent directors are Rosary Ferns, Comedian Philip, Mario de Majorda, Jose Rod, etc. Most recently, she has acted for the shows of Salu Faleiro, Simon Gonsalves, Francis de Tuem, etc.
Unquestionably, a multifaceted actress like Querobina would have been hailed as a superstar had she been acting in any other language. But few awards have come on the way of this great artiste apart from felicitations by Konkani Heritage Kuwait in 2000; felicitations by director Mario de Majorda, felicitations by United Club of Utorda in 2007 and in Bahrain at the staging of Anthony Luis Fernandes' show.
FAVORITE PASTIME
Talking about her hobbies, Querobina said, "I love music. I'm an actress, but as far as my appreciation for music goes, it is incredible. What I'am listening to doesn't depend on my mood. I kind of let the music speak for me sometimes. Kuwait 's FM is my favorite music station, the music puts me to sleep and wakes me up..."
See the legendary queen live in Kuwait – 19th May 2017.
To avail gate-passes please call Agnelo – 50796693, Apolonio – 55423805, Alex Mascarenhas – 50796995 (Salmiya), Carmo Santos – 99047401, Gasper Crasto – 99502686 (Salmiya), Domnic – 66468570.
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:::Excerpts are taken from Querobina’s interview in ‘gaspersWorld’ web that was first published in Kuwait’s Arab Times in 2007:::
