A. M. B. Rose

Ambrose Carlisto Piedade Fernandes (born Ambrosio Calisto Piedade Fernandes; 31 July 1899 – 6 April 1982) known professionally as A. M. B. Rose, was an Indian theatre actor, singer, theatre director, and playwright who worked on the Konkani stage. One of the early character actors of the Konkani tiatr stage, he gained fame during the golden phase of tiatr from the 1930s to 1970s. The patriarch of the 'Rose family', his son Alfred Rose followed in his footsteps to become a Konkani singer. Fernandes's family talents extended to his daughter-in-law Rita Rose, who made similar contributions to the Konkani stage like her husband Alfred, which inturn helped their children to become Konkani singers.

Early life Ambrosio Calisto Piedade Fernandes was born on 31 July 1899 in the island of Calvim, Goa, which was part of Portuguese India during the Portuguese Empire (now part of India) to Caetano Salvador Fernandes and Victoria Isabel Fernandes. He inherited his family's rich tradition of performance arts, particularly in acting and music, with his father Caetano being a respected figure in these realms. a Konkani tiatr titled Noketr Italia Xarachem (A Star from the city of Italy) captivated young Fernandes. This experience ignited Fernandes' desire to contribute to the tiatr tradition, leading him to embark on the creation of his own script, eventually resulting in the production of Comedy of Errors vo Gondoll Zunvlleam Bhavancho. With dedication, Fernandes crafted the script until its completion. The inaugural staging of Comedy of Errors vo Gondoll Zunvlleam Bhavancho took place at the Goa Portuguese Association Hall in Karachi. During his time as the Mayor of Karachi, B. F. Cabral, who originated from Chimbel-Ribandar in Goa (then part of Portuguese India during Portuguese Empire), attended a tiatr performance by Fernandes. Cabral was impressed by Fernandes' talents in acting, singing, and directing, leading him to invite Fernandes to direct three of his own tiatrs: Gabriel Balcheanv Ani Tachi Sasumaim (Gabriel Balcheao and his Mother-in-law), A Conquista de Goa (The Conquest of Goa), and Inocent Hermione.

From left to right: Miss Carlota, Jacinto Vaz, Bartlu, Fernandes (extreme right), and C. Alvares, performing in the tiatr Dubavi Gorcarn Fernandes' artistic prowess shone through in each of those tiatrs, earning him acclaim and establishing his reputation throughout Karachi. Fernandes made history by being the inaugural Goan artist to perform at The Palace Theatre in Karachi, a venue traditionally restricted to European theater troupes. Building upon his success, Fernandes continued to present a series of captivating tiatrs at the Zoroastrian Hall in Karachi. Fernandes' artistic accomplishments left an impact on the Goan community residing in Karachi, inspiring many individuals to pursue acting and singing.

Personal life Fernandes entered into matrimony with Maria Anunciação Bernardina Fernandes, a homemaker originating from Colvale, Goa. While additional children may have been bom to the couple, certain birth records pertaining to their children may have been lost. According to the extant documentation, they had three children: two daughters named Alexandrina (born in 1929) and Emilia (born in 1926), as well as a son named Rosario Alfredo Fernandes, later recognized as Rosario Alfred Fernandes. In a continuation of the family's artistic legacy, Rosario followed in his father's footsteps as a popular Konkani singer, professionally known as Alfred Rose.

Rosario subsequently entered into wedlock with Rita Rose, a fellow Konkani singer and actress hailing from Bombay, British India. Fernandes' son Rosario's progeny, namely Schubert, Engelbert, and Alria, have each embraced musical careers within the Konkani domain. Revered by his peers in the tiatr community, Fernandes was endearingly referred to as "Daddy." Due to deteriorating health, he decided to permanently step away from performing on the Konkani tiatr stage, and retired to his ancestral residence in Aldona, Goa, at the age of 55. During his stay in Goa, he resided in his native village of Aldona. On 6 April 1982, Fernandes died in Goa at the age of 82.