Platilda Dias

Maria Platilda Afonso e Dias (born 2 August 1949) is an Indian singer, comedian, and actress known for her work in Konkani films, television, and tiatr (theatre) productions.

Early life Displaying a passion for music from an early age, Platilda began her singing journey during her school years. She actively participated in the church choir and engaged in singing competitions held at her school, often collaborating with her brother Aires.

In 1959, Professor Alicia orchestrated a ceremony to commemorate her first prize achievement in paddy cultivation, which had been bestowed by the Portuguese administration that year. The event was graced by the presence of the Governor-general, who was invited to attend. During this gathering, Afonso and her brother Aires showcased their musical prowess, captivating the then Governor-general of Portuguese India, Manuel António Vassalo e Silva, who was specially summoned to present the award. Professor Alicia, director of Iscola de Portuguese, was honored with the Golden Konnos accolade. In the course of their performance, Afonso and her brother demonstrated their vocal talents, impressing the Governor-general to such an extent that he sought a personal encounter with them. Deeply moved by their abilities, he extended a generous offer of scholarships for their educational pursuits and graciously invited them to his residence in Porta de Gaspar Dias. In preparation for the occasion, Professor Tertoliano DSa, a violinist, trained Afonso and her brother in executing a harmonious Portuguese duet entitled "Que Saudades," which served as a tribute to the Governor-general, who did not comprehend the Konkani language. Subsequently, Afonso and her brother achieved recognition within their local community as accomplished singers. Later that same year, the village youth organized a theatrical production known as a "tiatr", a customary form of entertainment prevalent in rural areas during that era. Eager to include Afonso and Aires in the performance, they approached Afonso's mother for consent. However, her mother declined the request, citing the necessity of obtaining Afonso's father's authorization, as he happened to be situated in Karachi, British India at the time.

Afonso became a leading figure in the field of Konkani theater during the 1990s, receiving significant support from her husband Ivo, who recognized her acting and singing abilities. Despite Ivo having retired from the stage, he encouraged Afonso to pursue her talents. Afonso successfully transitioned to comedy roles, establishing herself as the leading female comedienne in the Konkani theater scene. Afonso's mere presence on stage would elicit laughter from the audience. Her poise, along with her fluent delivery of the "Salcete-Konkani" or "Saxtti" dialect, charmed theatergoers and proved to be an aspect of her performances. Afonso's talent took her to various countries abroad, including the Gulf countries and the United Kingdom, where she captivated audiences with her acting skills as a tiatrist. Throughout Goa and Bombay, Afonso remained in high demand, consistently entertaining theater enthusiasts with her comedic roles. Her versatility extended beyond acting, as she showcased her singing prowess through audio cassettes and performances on platforms such as All India Radio and Doordarshan. Afonso's talent was not limited to the theater, as she also ventured into telefilms and was even considered for a significant role in a feature film during the mid-1990s. Over the course of her career, Afonso had the privilege of working with popular Konkani directors in the Konkani theater industry, including C. Alvares, M. Boyer, Remmie Colaço, Prem Kumar, Robin Vaz, Aristides Dias, M. Dod de Verna, J. P. Souzalin, Anthony D'Sa, Anthony Mendes, John Claro, and Mike Mehta. Furthermore, Afonso occasionally participated in non-stop shows, further demonstrating her talent and versatility as an artist.

Personal life Afonso is the sibling of Aires, who also actively participated in the Konkani performing arts. Afonso entered into marriage with Venancio Antonio lyode Tadeu "Ivo" Dias, a former semi-professional tiatr writer and composer.

The moustache incident During a tiatr performance, Afonso was engaged to Jacinto Vaz, a fellow actor known for always donning a false mustache. However, a peculiar incident occurred on a particular day that led to an unexpected turn of events. As Afonso energetically moved about the stage, her hand inadvertently made contact with Jacinto's mustache, causing it to dislodge and fall off. The audience burst into laughter, much to Jacinto's dismay, as he felt his pride wounded. Sensing the need to rectify the situation, Afonso quickly devised a clever plan. With quick thinking, she addressed Jacinto, uttering the words, "Tum muge mai-paik muko friendly ass mhun kollot mhun heo mixeo laita nhu? Pun mhaka tum sarko kess dissot to choichea zaieo mixio nastanam," which loosely translates to, "Are you wearing this mustache in fear of my parents since you're so friendly with me? However, I'm curious to witness your appearance without it." Afonso's impromptu remark not only managed to salvage the performance but also garnered applause from the audience. In the aftermath of the scene, Jacinto's anger subsided, and he expressed his gratitude by embracing Afonso for her quick wit and ability to avert a potentially embarrassing situation. 1980s Hello Daddy University student Untitled film Unnamed role