Star of Arossim

Alegre Roque Teodoro Antao (11 September 1932 – 20 July 2016), known professionally as Star of Arossim, was an Indian singer, composer, dramatist, director, and actor who primarily worked on the Konkani stage. Regarded as a multifaceted artiste and one of the stalwarts of the Konkani stage. A skilled bongo and conga player, he is best known for being part of the Bomboikar Group for their biannual shows.

Antao, alongside C. Alvares, M. Boyer, Prem Kumar, Souza Ferrao, Remmie Colaco, Alfred Rose, and various others, held a deep reverence for the stage and made a conscious effort not to overstep its boundaries. Their timeless melodies have now become beloved classics among Goan musical groups.

Early and personal life

Alegre Roque Teodoro Antao was born on 11 September 1932 in Marmagão, Goa, Portuguese India during the Portuguese Empire (now in India) to Piedade Lourenco Antao and Escociana Diniz. He hailed from Arossim-Cansaulim. Antao was married to Abelina Filomena, the couple had one child, Savio.

Career Antao began his career in the performing arts as a female artist in the tiatr "Open to Close" by Minguel Rod. He later became one of the key members of the "Bomboikar Group," which entertained Goans twice a year with their highly anticipated tiatrs.

Antao had an extensive body of work in the creative field. He had written and directed 15 tiatrs, and has appeared in numerous tiatrs as an actor. He has also contributed by composing lyrics for songs in Konkani films. Additionally, Antao has showcased his musical skills by playing the bongo and conga instruments for Hindi music. He has received recognition for his work, including several gramophone records.

On 14 December 2010, Antao's lifelong dedication to tiatr was celebrated and acknowledged by the Tiatr Academy of Goa. He received the esteemed 'Lifetime Contribution to Tiatr' award during a special ceremony held at the Pai Tiatrist Auditorium, Ravindra Bhavan in Margao. The award was presented by Digambar Kamat, the Chief Minister of Goa at the time.

Death St. Stephen's Church cemetery, where Antao was laid to rest. On 20 July 2016, Antao died at his residence in St Estevam, Goa, aged 83. Hilary Braganza, who hails from Arossim, has been continuing his uncle's legacy.

On 6 August 2017, during the fourth edition of Goencho Avaz organized by the Herald Group, a singing competition took place at Ravindra Bhavan in Margao. Two singers from Cortalim, Noywen Fernandes and Thrizel D'Souza, captivated the audience with their rendition of the popular song "Yo Moga Tum Mhojea Sukha." This song, originally performed by Martha, Molly, Antao, and Remmie Colaco in 1963, earned the duo a third place in the competition.

On 30 September 2019, the Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG) organized a special program called 'Somplolea Tiatristancho Ugddas ' at the Black Box, Ravindra Bhavan in Margao. During this event, the focus was on celebrating the lives and contributions of talented artists who were born in the month of September. The program served as a tribute to these late artists, namely Antao, Khadda Minguel, Seby Coutinho, Prem Kumar, Peter D'Costa, Philomena Braz, Remmie Colaço, Rosalia Rodrigues, Inacio Rosario Luis (Jal), and Arnaldo Da Costa.

Filmography

Selected stage works YearTitleRoleNotes Open to CloseFemale ArtistDebut Tiatr Tarvachi ViajWriterGanv BhavWriterFulgoddemWriterXetkamtiWriterDorji CamilWriterKuddmi OntonWriterRetired TarvottiWriter/DirectorAmcho DusmanWriter/DirectorBailancho ParliamentWriterKorunk Na TemWriterAsson Duddu Sonvsar KodduWriterBacro DemocracyWriter/Director