Karachiwala

Sebastião Gabriel de Sousa , known mononymously as Karachiwala, was an early 20th-century Goan playwright, theatre director, theatrical producer, singer, and composer who worked on the Konkani stage.

Career During the same era, a figure emerged on the Konkani music and theater scene in Bombay, alongside L.C.D. Braganza, also known as Rama. This individual, known by his stage name Karachiwala, made contributions as a Konkani singer, composer, and playwright. The origin of his moniker remains obscure, though it is speculated that he may have resided in Karachi, British India for an extended period before returning to Bombay, which was then part of British India. De Sousa garnered popularity for his well-received stage productions. His talents extended beyond acting, as he showcased skills in composing songs and delivering vocal performances. De Sousa undertook the translation and adaptation of several English plays into Konkani, which were staged in Bombay's Konkani tiatr circuit. Among these adaptations were works by Shakespeare, including Merchant of Venice, Hamlet, As You Like It, and The Winter's Tale. In addition to his theatrical achievements, de Sousa authored several popular tiatrs, including Carlos Magno Ani 12 par Fransache, Kustoba, and Roldao Xinvachea Pottant. He was also among the early Konkani writers who published their plays and songs in book form. Publications include Kustoba, Faust 1, and Faust 2, which showcased his literary prowess. De Sousa's compositions were compiled into collections such as Comik Cantaranche Album and Cantarache Chear Album. A milestone in de Sousa's career came in 1909 when his two-act play Faust, featuring eighteen songs accompanied by musical scores, was published after its debut at Bombay's Gaiety Theatre.

Custoba stands out as one of de Sousa's acclaimed theatrical works, garnering critical acclaim upon its publication in the same year. Following his death, several posthumous plays by de Sousa were published, including Inocente Hermione Vo Dubavi Leontes in Karachi in 1926 and Abou Hassan in Bombay in 1927. De Sousa was a member of the tiatrists group, known for their performances under the direction of João Agostinho Fernandes. Collaborating with Fernandes elevated their artistry, leading to popularity and admiration from audiences. Rogaciano D'Souza, a Goan playwright hailing from Saligão, was among de Sousa's contemporaries.

Personal life Sebastião Gabriel de Sousa originated from the village of Aldona in Goa, then a colony of Portuguese India within the Portuguese Empire (now in India). During his formative years, he resided in Karachi, which was part of the Bombay Presidency in British India. It was during this period that he honed his skills as a playwright, specifically in the genre of tiatrs (form of Goan musical theatre), and gained recognition as a singer and composer, earning the esteem of tiatr audiences. Subsequently, de Sousa relocated to Bombay (now Mumbai), where he garnered acclaim for his Konkani writings and performances in tiatrs. Among his peers, he was affectionately referred to as 'Karachiwala'. Continuing the tradition, on 23 January 2018, de Sousa was once again remembered at the same event. The program took place at the Conference Hall, on the second floor of the Campal Trade Centre, Campal, Panaji, which is an integral part of the Tiatr Academy of Goa. Furthermore, on 29 January 2020, de Sousa's contributions were honored once again at the same event. This time, the program took place at the Black Box venue within the premises of Ravindra Bhavan, located in Margao.