Florine Roche
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Feb 3: Not long ago Konkani theatre of Mangaluru was active and vibrant and was even a role model to Tulu, the primary language spoken in this coastal region. There are many stalwarts in Konkani who used theatre as a means of communication and entertainment and in the process helped Konkani theatre take firm roots here.

Edward Francis Augustine Sequeira, popular by his acronym "Eddie Sequer" to Konkani theatre lovers is a stalwart in Konkani theatre in his own way who has a almost five decades of association with Konkani theatre and is still active, committed and passionate about directing and acting in Konkani plays. That he is committed and passionate is provedas he recently won the first edition of Daiji Rang Mandir MickMax Memorial Best Konkani Drama award for his play "Gulf Sargaar Ek Sukraar". This award also marks his first achievement following his comeback to Konkani theatre after a sabbatical of 25 years. This is just the beginning.

Eddie is all set to make his grand comeback on Konkani theatre with his directorial venture "Parath Ek Pavtim" (Once More) under his new banner "Rang Antarang". This award winning play which was written by Eddie in 1989, will be staged in Don Bosco Hall on February 8 gives a biographical account of Eddie’s personal experience as an artiste. The play had won accolades and awards and when it was published in 1999 it fetched him the best drama award by Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy for plays published in that year.

Of course Konkani theatre has undergone drastic changes in all these years. It is less active now, the plays are reduced considerably and Konkani theatre has lost its numeo uno position to Tulu theatre. But the changed position does not matter to him says Eddie brimming with confidence. Is he scared of the outcome? "Not at all. If I harbour any self-doubt I would not have taken this challenge. It is not the ‘measure’ of failure or success that matters. Even if I succeed in having a gathering of 250 people for this play I will consider it as a big achievement" says Edward who has earned a nickname as an "artistic director".

In fact ‘Parath Ek Pavtim’ tells the life and story of Eddie in more than one ways. When he wrote the play in 1989 he was giving a glimpse of the relationship between and artiste and the society, by telling his own struggle, difficulties, challenges, conflicts, turmoil, the uncertainty and trials and tribulations he faced. But now it also conveys in no uncertain terms Eddie’s return to Konkani theatre ‘once again’. Considering his penchant for perfection combined with his artistic talent for visualisation of scenes, attention to details like synchronisation of light, pre-planned movements, music etc., there is all likelihood that he will succeed in hitting the bull’s eye. Eddie says that now he has the freedom to work on his own terms and work with artistes who share a similar wavelength as that of his own. Well-known Konkani theatre artistes Dennis Monteiro and Asumtha Pais are essaying lead roles in this play which has only three characters. Eddie who has acted in more than 100 plays and directed some of the best names in Konkani theatre in more than 25 plays directed by him, will certainly have his stamp of artisticity in this play.

Director ‘with a difference’

Eddie Sequer is a multifaceted personality - a creative graphic artist by profession and a poet, playwright, actor, director and Master of Ceremony – by choice. Born in Bejai Parish in 1951 Eddie completed his matriculation from St Aloysius High School and joined BGM School of art to study creative and graphic art. He made his debut as an actor in 1967 at the age of 15 when he was offered a minor role of just sitting in one of the scenes of the Konkani play "Mai tu Kai Asayi" because of his elder brother Freddie’s acquaintance. "My father had acted in a Tamil play and i feel that affinity towards theatre runs in the blood", Eddie says with a broad grin when asked what brought him to theatre.

Having began in career as an illustration and layout artist for film publicity in 1970 in Mumbai, Eddie also worked as an artist cum photographer before getting self employed through Ed’s art. As a self employed artist he did hundreds of portraits, illustrations and advertising designs. Simultaneously he continued to indulge in his passion – theatre and was fortunate to develop a close comradeship with Konkani poet late Chafra D Costa. In a way the number 13 was lucky to Eddie because those 13 years were crucial for his friendship with Chafra. Eddie was exposed to Chafra’s plays and their association proved fructuous to both. It resulted in establishing a professional troupe "Rang-Tarang in 1982 along with Chafra and Eddie began to direct and act in his plays. "Hando Utla", "Bhangar Monis", "Ankwar Mestri", "Tarnem Tarnem Mornem’, "Boncho Bandh", "Magirchem Magir", "Sune Maazar Hasta", "Kuwalyachi Vaal" are some of the plays of Chafra in which Eddie acted. He also directed and acted in plays like Percy Urwa’s "Jillu Wanted" "Shirap" written by Benna Ruzai, "K D Bona B A" of Wilfy Rebimbus , "Ankwar Avoi" of A T Lobo and many more.

Eddie was greatly influenced by Marathi theatre initially and their professional approach during his brief stay in Mumbai. It was Shankarnag’s play "Nodi Swami Navirodu heege" in Mangaluru that awakened the artiste in him filling him with an insight about the importance of synchronisation of important elements like lighting, movement, music etc., in staging a play successfully. Having taken a clue from there Eddie never looked back since then.

Eddie also co-wrote two of the plays of Chafra "Them To ani Hamv" and "Vorsak Ek Pavtim", wherein his contribution was in the form of story and characters of the plays. Interestingly the three plays he wrote/co-wrote deal with social issues like caring for elderly parents in "Vorsak Ek Pavtim" which is all the more relevant in today’s society. "Them Tho ani Hamv " deals with the story of a writer, how he gets inspiration to write and how the society deals with him. The play "Parath Ek Pavtim" is the independent play authored by Eddie. "Parath Ek Pavtim" succeeded in striking a chord with the people as it brought him name and fame and also the richly deserved awards and accolades.

It was during his stint as a director that Eddie began to show his talent as a director with a difference. "Perhaps my background as a graphic artiste helps me in my theatre in a big way. I am able to visualise a scene in my mind and see it in front of my eyes and that gives an added advantage for me as a director", he says. At the same time he was creating waves as a master of ceremony in Wilfy nites. Starting with the 25th nite Eddie continued to don the role of MC with panache for more than 100 Wilfy nites. With his sonorous voice, choicest words, poetic language and flair for comedy he made his presence felt albeit in a low key manner. As MC Eddie established his impressionable presence but did not take away the focus from the musical nites of Wilfy. "As a MC, I was just a facilitator where I had to play a sort of behind-the-screen role despite being in the stage", he explains.

No easy choice

At the peak of his multifarious activities and talents as an actor, director, MC, poet and writer, Eddie who was troubled by the constant inner struggle to choose between a career and passion, he chose to go abroad. It was not a choice but more of a compulsion to pay attention to his career. He worked as a Creative Graphic Designer for Gulf Times daily till 2012 when he came back to Mangaluru. During his stint in the gulf though he was not active with Konkani theatre he did not disassociate completely with Konkani activities. He was involved in finding and nurturing Konkani talent in the various cultural programmes organised by Konkani organisations in Doha Qatar.

After his return to Mangaluru Eddie who is once again bitten by the theatre bug began to make serious preparations for his return to theatre. The result is that he is getting to stage his maiden venture under his new banner "Rang Anthrang" of which he is the sole master. Eddie always loves challenges and that gives him an extra dose of energy. He looks for individually or something different in whatever he does and that includes new challenges. He has a very big challenge ahead of him – to bring Konkani lovers back to the theatre. A committed theatre personality that he with oodles of talent there is no doubt he will succeed in his mission on February 8, 2015 with his play - "Parath Ek Pavtim".