Master Vaz

Jose Lawrence Vaz (born José Lourenço Vás; 6 September 1927 – 13 December 2019), known professionally as Master Vaz, was an Indian singer, playwright, and lyricist known for his work in Konkani films, tiatr productions, folk plays, and radio plays.

Early life Jose Lawrence Vaz, originally named José Lourenço Vás, was born on 6 September 1927, in Mapuça, Goa, which was under Portuguese rule as part of Portuguese India (now in India). His father, Benjamin Vaz (né Vas), a tailor, hailed from Aldona, and his mother, Maria Aurora Vaz (née Rodrigues), was a homemaker. They belonged to a Goan Catholic family and had an elder daughter named Josephine, who was a Konkani singer. Both of Vaz's parents were tiatrists (tiatr performers), known for their unique theatrical abilities, and they often performed in tiatrs across Bombay (now Mumbai). Jack and Mack, Tarvar Zalem Pack, at the St. Martin's Hall in Bandra. Although the production deviated from a conventional tiatr format, presenting itself as more of a concert, it received appreciation and acclaim from the discerning audience. Subsequently, Vaz continued to enrich the theatrical landscape with his creative output, successfully staging two additional tiatrs, namely Addecho Dotor (The Orthopedic) and Enddeanchem Noxib (Fool's Luck).

The arrival of the Konkani singer Minguel Rod and his tiatr in Bombay heralded a significant milestone for Vaz's career. Welcomed into Rod's troupe, Vaz diligently engaged in rigorous rehearsals alongside fellow artist Kid Boxer, often concluding their creative endeavors with a shared convivial moment at Mahim. Notably, Paulo Marcel Pereira, hailing from the town of Goa Velha, contributed to the propagation of Minguel Rod's theatrical works, presenting the tiatrs Ghorchem Kestanv (Family Feud) and Bapul Bhav (Cousin Brother) in Goa subsequent to their successful staging in Bombay. During this period, Vaz and the entire troupe found solace and accommodation within the hospitality of Paulo's abode in Goa Velha. Encouraged by their predecessors' achievements, contractors from Verna, Goa and Cansaulim, namely Caetan Bev/Kontu and Sakratis/Paru, respectively, sought to emulate their success by staging Minguel Rod's celebrated tiatrs in numerous villages, predominantly in Verna and Cansaulim. This trend continued as Vaz and his troupe members spent the months between November and January in Goa, captivating local audiences with their tiatr performances while residing at Minguel Rod's residence in Cortalim. The culmination of their Goan sojourn coincided with the feast of Three Kings on 3 January, wherein they performed their final presentation in Cansaulim before returning to the city of Bombay. Mhalgoddo Put Fulgoddo Writer

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