M. Dod de Verna

Miguel Santana Dourado (2 November 1933 – 8 March 1970), known professionally as M. Dod de Verna, was an Indian singer, composer, playwright, theatre director, and actor who worked on the Konkani stage.

Early life Miguel Santana Dourado was born on 2 November 1933 in Verna, Goa which was part of Portuguese India during the Portuguese Empire to Domingos Dourado, and Ana Maria Fernandes, a homemaker into a Goan Catholic family. He had an elder sister, Filomena (b. 1931). He hailed from Mazilvaddo, Verna, Goa. Dourado exhibited a talent for singing from an early age and drew inspiration from tiatrists such as A. R. Souza Ferrão and Minguel Rod. He consistently emerged victorious in these competitions. A particularly event took place when Dourado's abilities caught the attention of A. R. Souza Ferrão, who witnessed his triumph in a competition. Impressed by Dourado's prowess, Ferrão extended an opportunity to him to showcase his vocal abilities in the commercially produced tiatr Camil Bottler, written by John Claro.

Dourado's debut performance in Camil Bottler took place on 25 December 1953, at the Princess Theatre Bhangwadi in Bombay. The success of this performance served as a catalyst for his career, garnering acclaim and igniting interest from other directors. Although initially reliant on borrowing compositions from other artists, Dourado gradually honed his skills as a composer, eventually mastering the art of crafting his own music. Dourado became one of the leading tiatrists of his era. The couple had four children: Maria (b. 1961), Manuel (b. 1962), Filomena (b. 1959), and Fabiana (b. 1966). 1960s Goenchi Mati Writer/director 1970 Sam Francis Xavier Unnamed role Kantteantlem Ful Unnamed role Unfinished tiatr

1970s Sot'techem Ghor Co-writer Posthumous release

Death On 8 March 1970, Dourado died at the age of 36 in Goa. His final appearance on stage was documented in February 1970, with his performance in J. P. Souzalin's tiatr production titled Sam Francis Xavier (Saint Francis Xavier). Coincidentally, during this period, plans were underway to release a new tiatr production called Kantteantlem Ful by Star of Curtorim, featuring Dourado's image on the promotional handbill. However, Dourado's demise came unexpectedly, leaving his creative endeavors unfinished. The half-written script for his latest tiatr, Sot'techem Ghor, remained incomplete. In a tribute to their departed friend and colleague, Nelson Afonso, a trusted companion of Dourado, took it upon himself to honor his memory by completing the script and staging the tiatr posthumously.