A. R. Souza Ferrão

Augusto Remédios Souza (1 June 1909 – 6 March 1978), known professionally as A. R. Souza Ferrão (or simply Souza Ferrão), was an Indian actor, playwright, theatre director, producer, singer, and composer known for his work in Konkani films and tiatr productions.

Career Souza's passion for the tiatr stage emerged at an early age. He embarked on his Konkani theater journey with Chinchinim-based Basilio Furtado's tiatr Naddponn Amigachem, portraying the character of Princess Diana at Clube Harmonia Hall in Margão. The success of his performance motivated him to pursue further opportunities on stage. In his initial endeavors, Souza fashioned makeshift stages using benches and improvised curtains made from bedsheets. He commenced his own concerts, held either at his residence or at Erico Barreto's house in Margão. Souza gathered a group of village boys to participate in these intimate concerts, gradually progressing to presenting plays in private homes. He arranged for musicians and petromax lamps, essential elements for the concerts, and made them accessible to the public free of charge. However, during the interval, he would circulate a tray to collect donations to cover the expenses incurred for the musicians and lamps. Despite his involvement in tiatrs from his school days, Souza remained devoted to his studies.

As Souza honed his skills, his talent became known, especially among the people of Margão and its surrounding areas. The news of his abilities reached João Agostinho Fernandes, who, during his visit to Goa, extended an invitation to Souza to take on a leading role in his tiatr Geraldina. This opportunity marked Souza's first major stage performance, which garnered acclaim. The tiatr's success led to its restaging in 1927. Souza's portrayal in the tiatr earned him praise from the Chief Health Officer of Goa. The subsequent staging of the tiatr at Eden Cinema in Pangim attracted a sizable audience, including the Governor of Portuguese India. Souza's involvement in Konkani tiatr, however, met with disapproval from his father. In an attempt to divert him from the stage, his father secured a job for him in the Police band.

Gradually, Souza's reputation as a tiatr director spread, leading to invitations from various villages to direct tiatrs. Although these engagements did not yield substantial monetary gain, Souza eagerly embraced them while continuing his studies. He completed his Segundo Grau in Portuguese and briefly worked at The Catholic Education Institute in Margão before venturing to Bombay in search of employment. In Bombay, Souza seized opportunities for stage acting, building on his existing connections, particularly with João Agostinho Fernandes. He began acting in Fernandes tiatrs and soon received offers from other directors such as Saib Rocha, J. P. Souzalin, Ernest Rebello, and John Lazarus. Tiatrists from Goa, Bombay, and around the globe expressed their reverence and paid their respects upon learning of his death.

Legacy The Government of India created a documentary called 'The Folk Dances of India', featuring the traditional folk dances of Goa by Souza. In honor of Souza's legacy, his family established the 'A. R. Souza Ferrão Cultural and Charitable Trust' as a public trust.

Selected stage works YearTitleRoleNotesRefNaddponn AmigachemPrincess DianaProfessional debut 1925GeraldinaLead role Almam Sorgar VetatWriter/director Patch PatchWriter/director Kazari OkolWriter/director GhatkeponnWriter/director ZotkaxiWriter/director Santan BavddiWriter/director VisvasghatWriter/director Gouieo PutWriter/director Paichem FarikponnWriter/director