Nelson Afonso

Nelson João Sulpicio Afonso (20 April 1934 – 18 June 1982) was an Indian singer, composer, playwright, and theatre director who worked on the Konkani stage.

Early life Nelson João Sulpicio Afonso was born on 20 April 1934, in Vasco da Gama, Goa, which was a part of Portuguese India during the era of the Portuguese Empire (now in India). He was born into a Goan Catholic family, with his father, Manoel Adolfo Alfonso, originating from Aldona, and his mother, Evelina Idinha Cardoso e Afonso, being a homemaker. Afonso's mother possessed vocal abilities, which he inherited, and it became evident at a young age that he had a natural talent for singing. Gradually, Afonso's passion for music composition began to emerge, leading him to create a repertoire of songs. His multifaceted abilities as an actor and singer left a mark on the tiatr stage. As his career blossomed, Afonso ventured into the realm of playwriting. Crafting his own tiatrs, he showcased proficiency in constructing compelling narratives. Afonso's scripts were appreciated for their thematic depth and meaningful messages.

Afonso emerged as a known figure in the world of tiatrs, crafting a collection of theatrical works during his era. With a total of 27 tiatrs under his belt, Afonso covered a wide range of topics, including social issues and politics. His political tiatr titled Nationalist propelled him to fame and resonated with the Goan audience. Among Afonso's popular tiatrs are Doctor Salazar, Ghorabo (Family), Almas do Outro Mundo (Souls from the Other World), Jikle re Jikle (We won, We won), Goenkar Te Goenkar (Goans are Goans), Suttka Uprant (Post Freedom), Dolorosa, and Doganch Puro (Two is enough). Afonso's contributions extended beyond writing, as he played a pivotal role in shaping the tiatr landscape. Afonso established the troupe Stars of the Goa Stage, consisting primarily of young and aspiring tiatrists. The troupe's name was eventually changed to Young Stars of Goa. Furthermore, during the staging of his tiatr Asro, Afonso formed his own group, known as the Old and Gold Stars of Goa.

The trio's success propelled them to continue performing together, placing Afonso in the forefront as the primary composer. As the demand for government criticism grew, Afonso's songwriting abilities were put to the test, as he met the audience's expectations by delivering thought-provoking compositions. Afonso's creative innovation extended to the realm of stage design. In 1968, he made history by introducing the first single revolving stage in Konkani tiatr with his popular production, Dolorosa. The stage's unique fabrication by Afonso allowed for seamless transitions between sets, eliminating the need for frequent set changes. By situating the two sets opposite each other, Afonso enabled a swift rotation of the stage, presenting the second set to the audience after the completion of the first. Their son, Tomas "Tommy" Afonso, On 18 June 1982, Afonso died at MPT Hospital in Vasco da Gama, Goa, at the age of 48.

Selected stage works YearTitleRoleNotesRefUntitled tiatrProfessional debut

Select discography Nak Chepta Knockout Gaddo Trios (with Conception & Anthony) Separate State Apar Votam Brazil