Lewis M. Ratus

Lewis M. Ratus was an Indian actor, screenwriter, playwright, story writer, ghostwriter, and teacher. He was among the first Konkani actors, alongside Al Jerry Braganza, Leena Fernandes, and Alfred Almeida, who appeared in the inaugural Konkani film Mogacho Aunddo.

Career Ratus was a relatively obscure individual about whom limited information is available in literary works. According to Wilson Mazarello, a writer and historian, who documented the history of Konkani tiatro in his book 100 Years of Konkani Tiatro (2000), Ratus was involved in the Konkani film industry and also worked as an English teacher in Bombay, British India (now Mumbai, Maharashtra). However, Ratus primarily gained recognition as a writer of Konkani plays, tiatros or tiatrs (a popular form of Goan musical theater), and stories. Ratus authored several tiatros, however, his works were often performed and claimed by various theater directors as their own, effectively functioning as a ghostwriter. The extent of Ratus' involvement in the Konkani film industry is that he made his debut on the silver screen in the movie Mogacho Aunddo in 1950. In this film, Ratus portrayed a supporting character alongside actors such as Irene Amaral, Elizabeth D'Abreo, Mary D'Souza, Jacob Fernandes, Joyce Fernandes, and Romeo Paul Pires. Ratus also made contributions to the soundtrack of Mogacho Aunddo, lending his vocals to popular hits like "Mogacho Aundo" (Khorench to chodd khor Mogacho Aunddo, konnank zaina sor Mogacho Aunddo). Collaborating with Leena Fernandes, James Braganza, Irene Amaral, and Jacob Fernandes, Ratus showcased his musical abilities. Writer Andrew Viegas, in an article for the publication Goa World, commended the performances delivered by Ratus and James Braganza in the film Mogacho Aunddo.

A shot taken from the film, from right to left: Al Jerry Braganza, Leena Fernandes, and Ratus (in the middle). Mogacho Aunddo is a cinematic adaptation based on the book Mogachi Vodd by Dioguinho D'Mello. The film was created and directed by Al Jerry Braganza, with production under the ETICA Pictures banner, which stands for Exchange Talkies of India, China, and Africa. In addition to its premiere in Goa, Mogacho Aunddo was screened at venues in Bombay, including Rivoli (Matunga), Liberty (Fort area), and Star (Mazgaon). Notably, the movie was filmed in Goa during the era of Portuguese rule and saw its release on 24 April 1950, making it the sole production originating from Portuguese India. Amchem Noxib marked the first Konkani film to receive several awards and was released thirteen years after the pioneering Konkani production, Mogacho Aunddo (1950).

Filmography