It is no secret that death will embrace us all someday, and April 11, 2023, is the day that it hugged one of Goa’s beloved Joaquim J Fernandes, who passed away after suffering a massive heart attack. His death sent shockwaves among the tiatrists' fraternity across the State.
TIATR'S GLOWING STAR
Born in the village of Benaulim, Joaquim João Fernandes, fondly known as Jaju, was born on September 29, 1960.
He made his appearance on the drama scene at a very young age and went on to step on to the professional stage in 1980 in his brother, Roseferns' non-stop drama, Thapott.
Jaju is the father of FC Goa footballer Brandon Fernandes.
LEGACY OF TALENT
He leaves behind a legacy of having acted and sung in more than 125 tiatrs/khell-tiatrs by well-known directors like Roseferns, Comedian Agostinho and Tony Dias, to name a few.
The dear departed artist was well recognised for his phenomenal performances in tiatrs such as Dhovo Kanvllo, Ghantt, Government of God, Police and Mahanand.
Apart from acting and singing on stage, he also rendered his voice to various audio albums and acted in video films like Ek Vat
Mennachi, Vankddo Tinkddo Mog, Old Age Home, Public and has also produced his own audio CD titled Xim.
Besides performing in tiatrs in Goa, Jaju travelled outside Goa to other parts of India and even out of the country to the Gulf and Europe. He was the recipient of Dr Jack de Sequeira Award for Best Acting in the tiatr, Mahanand - Monis vo Soitan.
GRATITUDE AND RESPECT
With so much to be grateful for, the Tiatr Academy of Goa bestowed upon him Lifetime Contribution to Khell/Khell Tiatr Award in 2021 for his valuable contribution to the Konkani stage.
He was also felicitated by the 125th Anniversary of Tiatr Celebrations Committee on the occasion of the 125th Anniversary of Tiatr.
DEEP VOID FELT
In a press release issued here, the Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG) said the impact that Jaju made on the stage as well as people's lives will be admired and his absence on stage from now on will be deeply felt.
TAG said, "We condole the death of this great tiatr personality and
express our heart-felt sympathies to his bereaved family and pray
that his soul attains eternal peace."
