A. S. Conception

Aniceto Salvador da Conceição (26 April 1928 – 16 July 1986), known professionally as A. S. Conception, was an Indian singer, theatre actor, playwright, and theatre director who worked on the Konkani stage.

Early life Aniceto Salvador da Conceição was born on 26 April 1928 in Vasco da Gama, Goa, which was part of Portuguese India during the Portuguese Empire. The fourth of four children, he had two brothers, Gabriel (b. 1920) and Antonio (b. 1922), as well as a sister named Prudencia (b. 1926). Conceição was born to Gregorio Piedade da Conceição, an employee, and Maria Tereza Xavier, a homemaker, into a Goan Catholic family. Both of his parents hailed from the village of Quelossim. Following his early education in Goa, he ventured to Bombay, to commence his journey in the field of acting. Mittmitto, a singer, facilitated Conceição's introduction to Jackdom. It was through Mittmitto's efforts that Conceição made his initial foray onto the Konkani stage. He left an impression on the audience, propelling him to popularity and opening doors to numerous acting opportunities. Initially starting as a singer, Conceição showcased his skills by delivering comic solos and portraying female characters. He also performed duets alongside Romaldo Fernandes, earning praise from the audience. As a result of his growing popularity, other directors began casting him in small female roles and featuring his songs in their tiatrs.

In 1953, Conceição began touring as a singer in Goa with C. Alvares' group during the performance of their tiatr Mauxi Vo Paichi Bail (Aunt or Father's Wife?). After returning to Bombay, he acted in Camil Bottler, a tiatr directed by A. R. Souza Ferrão and written by John Claro. He also composed and performed the opening chorus for this tiatr. On 11 June 1954, Conceição's final appearance was in Bombay at Princess Theatre, Bhangwadi, in C. Alvares' tiatr Jurament. He then moved to Goa and worked as a foreman in M/s. Pandurang Timblo Industries in Vasco da Gama, Goa. During his stay in Goa, he remained active in dramatic pursuits, participating in the local tradition of tiatrs, which were predominantly staged at night and occasionally extended into the early hours of the morning. Despite the demanding schedule of nighttime performances and daytime work, he continued to act in various tiatrs directed by both commercial and non-commercial tiatrists. Conceição also ventured into playwriting, debuting his tiatr script Birmôt (Mercy) in Bombay in 1954, which was well-received. In 1957, he staged Birmôt in Goa, forming his own troupe named the All Goa Dramatic Stars. Over time, the group evolved and was rechristened as the Stars of the Goa Stage. On 16 July 1986, aged 58, Conceição died at his residence in Vasco da Gama, Goa.