Tomazinho Cardozo, May 31, 2009, 03.53am IST
If there was one dramatist who dared to experiment with innovations on the Konkani stage besides delivering stellar performances in innumerable tiatrs and lending his distinct voice to thousands of timeless songs (kantaram), it was M Boyer.
Considered to be a living legend of the tiatr movement, the 78-year-old M Boyer - born on October 11, 1930 and christened Manuel Aguiar - took an avid interest in acting and singing right from his childhood. However, his parents, not too keen on seeing their son grow up to be a performer, tried to discourage him from pursuing his passion. But, despite all their attempts, Aguiar never gave up his love for the stage. He was a determined young man and continued to pursue his dream under the pseudonym, M Boyer.
Although he didn't possess a very melodious voice, it was M Boyer's lyrics and signature style of singing that left several audiences spellbound and placed him among the most sought-after singers of the Konkani stage. In fact, it was very rare for him to leave the stage sans a thundering applause from his audiences and pleas for an encore performance. That he was a gifted performer was manifested by his ability to mesmerize audiences through his extempore composition of lyrics on-stage, complete with wit and sarcasm. While his songs mostly addressed issues related to the decline of good values in society, they also criticized the misdeeds of tainted politicians and leaders.
This multi-faceted personality will also be remembered as one of the finest script writers of the Konkani stage. He penned many tiatrs, some of which are timeless. Dramas such as "Bhugim ani Bhangar", "Adim tem Atam Hem", "Kazari Put Xezari", "Sonvsar Sudorlo", "Ghor Dukhi Ganv Suki" and Chintna Zalim Sopnam" find a place among his most memorable works. But his one tiatr which created history was "Ekuch Rosto", based on communal harmony shared between the two major communities of Goa.
M Boyer's contribution to tiatrs and kantaram is invaluable. Because of his huge role in enriching and preserving Goan culture and traditions, the Sangeet Natak Academy in New Delhi - the highest cultural institution of India - honoured him with the Sangeet Natak Academy Award. Incidentally, M Boyer is the only Goan artist to receive this prestigious award. The government of India also took note of his great contribution to Goan culture and bestowed him with the prestigious Padmashri. M Boyer will, therefore, go down in history as the only cultural artist to receive both, the Sangeet and Natak Academy Award and the Padmashri.
Apart from his unforgettable contributions to tiatrs, M Boyer lobbied for the preservation of Goan identity. He believed that Konkani alone could strengthen the foundations of Goan identity. To support his cause, he participated in all movements and agitations which were organized to preserve the state and its identity. He used the Konkani stage and his songs to arouse feelings solidarity in the Goan people. He also succeeded in his attempt to convince the people of the importance of Konkani to the Goan identity.
M Boyer was an institution by himself. His unwavering dedication to the Konkani stage was exemplary and led to him securing the highest position in the tiatr fraternity.
