Vincent de Saligão

Vincent Conceição Vaz (born Vicente Conceição Vás; 15 December 1924 – 27 April 1997), known professionally as Vincent de Saligão, was an Indian female impersonator, actor, playwright, composer, singer, and journalist who worked in Tiatr.

Early life Vaz was born as Vicente Conceição Vás on 15 December 1924 in Saligão, Goa, which was part of Portuguese India during the Portuguese Empire. Vaz was raised in a Goan Catholic family, the son of Julio Sebastião Vás, an employee, and Luizinha de Souza, a homemaker from Anjuna, Goa. He had one younger brother, José, (born 1930). While studying at Mater Dei School In 1942, a theatrical group from Bombay, known as tiatrists, embarked on a tour of Goa where they were showcasing a play called Ducoulelem Calliz by Anthony Vaz. One of the actors, Vincent Rod, playing the role of an ayah, suddenly fell ill after a performance. This led to a requirement for a replacement actor, especially for a female character. The Bombay troupes, known for their high standards, struggled to find a suitable replacement who could meet their expectations, particularly for a female role.

After carrying out auditions for multiple artists, the lead actor of the play Miss Julie, who was a female impersonator and held considerable authority in casting decisions, did not find any suitable candidates initially. However, he eventually relented and allowed Vaz to take on the role.

Initially hesitant about his ability to effectively portray female roles, Vaz, a newcomer to the world of female impersonation in Bombay, eventually showcased his talents and met the high standards of performance established by other tiatr artists in the region during that period. His performance as the character of an "ayah" (also known as a female attendant or nurse) was praised and appreciated by audiences. During his childhood, Vaz developed an interest in the work of Konkani playwright Aleixinho de Candolim and Konkani singer Dioguinho D'Mello. Though passionate about Konkani theater, he was not a full-time performer on the Konkani stage.

As noted by Konkani writer Tomazinho Cardozo, he highlighted the difficulty artists faced in supporting their families solely through performances in tiatr during that era. As a result, Vaz sought employment in the Gulf countries for an extended period, working abroad to support his family. Vaz's health eventually declined, necessitating his return to Goa. He was subsequently diagnosed with paralysis. During this period, Cardozo frequently visited Vaz at his home to show his respect, but was struck by Vaz's continued devotion to the Konkani tiatr stage, despite his debilitating condition. Even though Vaz could no longer actively participate in productions, he remained engaged with the art form, discussing tiatrs through his thoughts and insights until his death. On 27 April 1997, Vaz, aged 71, died in Saligao, Goa.