Eddie Mascarenhas
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10 November 1941
- Actor
- director
- singer
- playwright
Eddie Mascarenhas | |
|---|---|
 Mascarenhas in c. 2012 | |
| Born | André Eduardo Roque Mascarenhas 10 November 1941 |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1964–2000s |
André Eduardo Roque "Eddie" Mascarenhas (born 10 November 1941) is an Indian former theatre actor, theatre director, singer, and playwright who worked on the Konkani stage.
Mascarenhas's family originated from Dandora in Cuncolim, Goa. During his childhood, Mascarenhas made his initial debut on the tiatr stage. It was at the Colva 'fama' event of Antonio Sinforiano, where Mascarenhas sang a song in Sinforiano' tiatr and received positive feedback from the audience. This marked his entry into the Konkani stage. Mascarenhas's father, Paulino, was a policeman (Polícia do Estado da India), the same as Polícia de Segurança Pública, in the Portuguese regime and had a passion for tiatr, being involved as a tiatrist in villages alongside A. R. Souza Ferrão, among others.[1] Paulino was a singer and actor, primarily participating in local tiatrs. Growing up in Pernem taluka, Mascarenhas resided there for more than 15 years due to his father's occupation as a police officer stationed there. The influence of his father's involvement in the Konkani stage sparked Mascarenhas's own enthusiasm for the tiatr scene, which he pursued further in his career.[2]
Mascarenhas, whose father served in law enforcement, enjoyed the privilege of complimentary tickets to tiatrs, a traditional form of Goan musical theater. Accompanied by his father, he eagerly attended these performances and absorbed the melodic tunes, which he later recited from memory. Mascarenhas developed an affinity for singing, nurtured further by his cousin A. Serrão, a tiatr writer from Colva. Under Serrão's guidance, Mascarenhas was introduced to professional tiatrs by Anton Siforiano at Colva during the Fama event in front of Lakist's house. Actor-singers like Kamat de Assolna, Lucas, his cousin A. Serrão, M. Dod de Verna, and Kid Boxer were part of the performance. Mascarenhas delivered a solo performance featuring a composition by A. Serrão, which Mascarenhas delivered with skill and received acclaim from the audience. Mascarenhas was a mere 15 years old at the time. Subsequently, he enrolled at Guardian Angel High School in Sanvordem, a boarding school, where he actively participated in a myriad of school concerts and events, showcasing his vocal prowess.[1]
Mascarenhas exhibited a penchant for truancy during his school years, often absconding from classes to attend the tiatrs that were regularly staged in and around Sanvordem. This period coincided with the tenure of Fr. Pinto as the school principal. It was during this time that Mascarenhas honed his skills in song composition within the school's premises. His artistic prowess eventually garnered attention when he was residing in Pernem, in a fortuitous turn of events, he was invited to perform at the Saude Saibin's feast (commemorating Our Lady of Health) in Cuncolim on 2 February. Mascarenhas enthralled the audience with two original compositions, both of which resonated and achieved acclaim. Mascarenhas talent captured the interest of Albuquerque and received the endorsement of Randolf. While residing in Pernem, Mascarenhas actively participated in the competitive singing contests held during the tiatr production titled Rinnkari, orchestrated by Diogo Cardozo. This event attracted a constellation of professional singers and actors, including M. Boyer. Demonstrating vocal prowess, Mascarenhas emerged victorious, clinching the first prize for solo singing, which was bestowed upon him by M. Boyer himself. This triumph propelled Mascarenhas into the limelight, securing invitations to perform in a myriad of tiatrs across the locales of Pernem, Arambol, Corgao, Deussua, Mandrem, and Morjim.[1]