Heartfelt goodbye to Goa's Melody Queen

Venita Gomes

END OF AN ERA

Goa mourns the passing of its musical gem and beloved figure of the Konkani stage, Antonette Mendes, who was popularly known as 'Melody Queen' for her captivating voice.

Melody Queen|Antonette Mendes| Goan Singer, Actress and Director|Films| Bollywood| Tiatr| Chris Perry | Photo: Wikipedia

LEGACY ECHOES ON

Antonette Mendes, who started her journey in the field of singing and acting at the early age of 15, besides being a well-know singer was also an actress, theatre director and playwright.

Melody Queen|Antonette Mendes| Goan Singer, Actress and Director|Films| Bollywood| Tiatr| Chris Perry

HER TIMELESS MELODIES

Before Lorna Cordeiro(Goa's nightingale), Antonette Mendes regaled the Konkani stage. With a repertoire spanning over 1,000 songs, her rendition of classics like Pit Pit Mog alongside Chris Perry continues to captivate music enthusiasts.

Melody Queen|Antonette Mendes| Goan Singer, Actress and Director|Films| Bollywood| Tiatr| Chris Perry

JOURNEY TO EAST AFRICA

Antonette performed in three tiatrs -- Kid Boxer's Bancruttam Bancrutt, Fuddar and Alfred Rose's Dotor Advogad -- for the Goan diaspora in East Africa.

Melody Queen|Antonette Mendes| Goan Singer, Actress and Director|Films| Bollywood| Tiatr| Chris Perry

GOLDEN FILMS & SONGS

She produced films like Amchem Noxib, Nirmonn and Sukhachem Sopon. These films had hits songs like Tum Nasloi Punn Tuka Sweater Kori and Claudia which are cherished till today.

Melody Queen|Antonette Mendes| Goan Singer, Actress and Director|Films| Bollywood| Tiatr| Chris Perry | Photo: Wikipedia

BEYOND KONKANI

Antonette also acted in Zababdari, besides a comedy role in the film Mohabbat Zindagi Hai. She also had a major role in Cyrus Mistry’s English play The Legacy of Rage.    

Melody Queen|Antonette Mendes| Goan Singer, Actress and Director|Films| Bollywood| Tiatr| Chris Perry | Photo: Wikipedia

LEGACY OF TIATRS

AbghatTum Saiba Konn, and Khuimchem Mojem Ghor? are some well-known tiatrs directored and written by her.

Melody Queen|Antonette Mendes| Goan Singer, Actress and Director|Films| Bollywood| Tiatr| Chris Perry | Photo: Mario Pires

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