Antonio Sinforiano

Antonio Sinforiano Timotio Luis Fernandes (22 August 1930 – 11 March 1981), known professionally as Antonio Sinforiano or A. Sinforiano, was an Indian playwright, theatrical producer, ghostwriter, composer, prompter, and stagehand known for his work in tiatr productions staged post-liberation.

Early life Antonio Sinforiano Timotio Luis Fernandes was born on 22 August 1930 in Navelim, Goa, which was part of Portuguese India during the Portuguese Empire, to landlords Conceiçaõ Manoel Fernandes and Maria Santana Graciana Josefa Rebelo, who hailed from Varca, Goa, into a Goan Catholic family. Fernandes was the fourth of four children, with his elder brothers Gabriel (born 1923) and Jeronimo "Jerry" (born 1926), and a sister Maria (born 1928). After finishing his education at a religious school, Fernandes continued his studies in Margão, where his parents lived. He successfully completed his High School education, known as Segundo Grau, in the Portuguese language. On 5 November 1972, Fernandes presented his self-written and directed tiatr, Boreponn (Goodness), near Nuvem church. The staging of this tiatr production was made possible with the assistance of the Santos Sports Club. The cast included Babina, Luiza, Clara Dias, Jephsis Hitler, Lucian, Greg de Candolim, Valento Luis Rod, C de Sanquelim, Roam-Rem-Rod, Domnic Vaz, Lume Gomes, C. D'Silva, Master Vaz, Albert de Cana, and J X Miranda. Luciano served as the stage manager, while the music arrangements were executed by Alex's band.

During the period in which Fernandes was active, the Konkani tiatr stage saw a significant reliance on prompters for the delivery of dialogues by performers. These prompters, including Fernandes, were engaged by directors and played a vital role in the production process. Their primary responsibility was to provide timely cues to the performers, ensuring that the lines were delivered accurately and on time. Prompters like Fernandes Moreover, he actively sought to introduce promising artists in his own theatrical productions. For instance, he provided a platform for Josephine Dias, daughter of playwright Casiano, to make her first appearance on the commercial tiatr stage in the 1960s with the production Maim Tum Asli Zalear (Mother, If You Were There). Fernandes also played a pivotal role in providing opportunities for aspiring tiatr artist Eddie Mascarenhas. In one of his tiatr performances held at the Colva Fama, also known as Fama De Menino Jesus, Fernandes afforded Mascarenhas the chance to showcase his singing talent. Mascarenhas received admiration from the audience for his rendition, effectively launching his career in the Konkani tiatr industry. Furthermore, Fernandes made contributions to the tiatr community beyond his own productions. On 4 February 1967, he assumed the role of a stage manager for the tiatr production Adim Chintunk Nam! (Didn't Think Before).

Personal life Fernandes was recognized for his erudition and intellectual pursuits. During his formative years, he relocated to Margão, Goa, where he pursued his high school education while residing with his parents. However, at the age of 48, around the year 1978, he decided to leave the city and establish his residence in Varca, Goa, his mother's hometown. Fernandes's older brother, Jeronimo The absence of secondary sources makes it challenging to corroborate this claim. Initially, Da Costa had stated in his writings that Fernandes was born in the village of Varca; however, the birth certificate points to his birthplace as the town of Navelim, Goa. Consequently, uncertainty lingers regarding the precise location of Fernandes's death.