Tragedy Queen Ophelia expired, funeral tomorrow
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 19 February 2016 13:24 IST
Ophelia D’Souza, Tragedy Queen of Konkani theatre, expired today morning in Mumbai.
She was 78, born on 8 November in Socorro village of Bardez taluka.
Incidentally, today is the 11th death anniversary of her husband and equally famous Konkani artist, Bab Peter.
The funeral will be held at Victoria Church in Mahim tomorrow evening.
Having a long career of 44 years of acting in over 300 Tiatr, Ophelia stepped on a stage at the age of 16, in a Tiatr directed by J F Rod.
She has also been part of Konkani cinema from the days of ‘Nirmonn’ and ‘Amchem Noxib’ and has even acted in ‘Bhuearantlo Munis’ and ‘Boglant’.
Known for her versatile acting, the Tragedy Queen was equally a powerful singer and the cassettes of Kantaram produced by Bab Peter and Ophelia are famous till date.
She has also acted in several Tiatr directed by C Alvares as well as other Tiatrist like M Boyer etc.
Ophelia also has to her credit the first Konkani video film ‘Faxi Mogachi’ produced by C Alvares, followed by several video films like ‘Tuka Kitem Podlam’ and ‘Natalancho Kusvar’.
The Tragedy Queen had also scripted and directed her own Tiatr ‘Mhoji Bhurguim’, ‘Bailanchi Sobai’ etc while assisting in directing 18 Tiatr produced by her husband Bab Peter.
She has also sung several songs for HMV along with her sister Mohana.
Ophelia was a recipient of over 50 awards from different institutions including Goa government’s prestigious State Cultural Award in 2011.
Joe Rose, a veteran Tiatrist, told goanews.com that she would always be remembered as an efficient and proficient actor, which is rarely seen on the Konkani stage nowadays.
Rose also remembers her as the most disciplined and professional actor, who always made every possible attempt to bring life the character.
“That’s the reason Ophelia made everyone in the audience cry with her powerful characterisation”, said Rose, who is equally a powerful actor.
Tiatr Academy Goa and Konkani Bhasha Mandal have also condoled her death.
My heartfelt sypathmy to the breaved family members.
The tittle Tragedy Queen of tiatr is most efficient to her.
She was also like a queen to all the sentimental family problem.
Her role was so sentimental that tears rolled down our cheeks as
she acted the role play.
When she sang it was from her heart that engraved us.
I have no words or sentences to say much.
Bab Peter her hubby was a youngster, who made us laugh and enjoyed is lyrics too. The melodies duet with both was great to listen. It is a really concidence that on his 11th death Anniversary that she joined her hubby for eternal rest.
We will never forget C.Alvares and Opehlia acting on the stage.
May her soul RIP.