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{{Short description|Indian comedian and actor (born 1957)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name          = Comedian Domnic
| image         = Comedian Domnic at 125 years of Tiatr Celebrations (cropped).jpg
| caption       = Coelho in 2016
| birth_name    = Domingos Gabriel Coelho
| birth_date    = {{birth date and age|1957|3|24|df=y}}
| birth_place   = [[Bandora, Goa]], [[Portuguese India]]
| other_names   = {{hlist|Domnic Coelho|Sir Domnic Coelho|Hoddo Bakru}}
| occupation    = {{hlist|Comedian|actor|singer|playwright|director}}
| years_active  = 1986–present
| spouse        = {{marriage|Maria da Costa|1989}}
| children      = 2
| notable_works = ''[[Kantaar]]'' (2019)
| relatives     = [[Luis Bachan]] (brother)
| website       = {{URL|facebook.com/domnic.coelho.5}}
}}

'''Domingos Gabriel''' '''"Domnic"''' '''Coelho''' (born 24 March 1957), popularly known as '''Comedian Domnic''' or '''''Hoddo'' ''Bakru''''' ({{translation|Bald Landlord}}), is an Indian comedian, actor, singer, playwright, and theatre director known for his work in [[Konkani cinema|Konkani films]] and ''[[tiatr]]'' productions.

==Early life==
Domingos Gabriel Coelho was born on 24 March 1957, in [[Bandora, Goa]]. At the time, Goa was part of [[Portuguese India]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=45_WlAEACAAJ&redir_esc=y |title=Directory of Tiatr Artistes, 2012 |date=2012 |publisher=Tiatr Academy of Goa |language=en}}</ref>

During his time as a school student, Coelho, in his theatrical premiere, assumed the primary comedic role in a [[one-act play]] entitled ''Pope Babli Mumbai''. After receiving a warm reception from the audience, he was motivated to extend his acting endeavors. Subsequently, he engaged in ''[[tiatr]]s'', a customary type of [[Goan]] theater, at the community level in nearby villages.<ref name=":0" />

==Career==
Coelho's entry into the professional ''[[tiatr]]'' theater scene occurred later in his career compared to many of his contemporaries. While the majority of ''[[tiatrist]]s'' embark on their stage careers during their youth, Coelho's initial performance on the professional ''tiatr'' stage occurred circa 1990 when he was 33 years old. During that era, the majority of ''tiatrs'' featured artists predominantly hailing from the regions of [[Bardez]] and [[Salcete]]. Prior to this professional debut, Coelho had participated in annual ''natak'' ([[drama]]tic performance) productions in the late 1970s. He subsequently shifted his focus to creating and overseeing the production of his own ''tiatrs'', which were showcased during the yearly celebration in his native village of Muxer-[[Bandora, Goa]] situated in the [[Ponda taluka]] area. Coelho's talent caught the eye of a relative named Jackferns, who was a ''tiatr'' contractor, promoter, and businessman based in [[Vasco da Gama, Goa]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Sequeira |first=Elvis |date=2010-10-22 |title=Comedian Dominic: A Performer Par Excellence |url=https://issuu.com/herald-goa/docs/22_oct |access-date=2024-06-05 |website=[[O Heraldo]] |language=en |archive-date=2024-06-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240605113427/https://issuu.com/herald-goa/docs/22_oct |url-status=live }}</ref> Jackferns facilitated an introduction between Coelho and the established ''tiatrist'' Manuel Pereira, which resulted in Coelho securing a role in Pereira's 1986 ''tiatr'' production named ''Ghorabo'' (Family). Coelho engaged in two of Pereira's theatrical shows before assuming a role in [[Patrick Dourado]]'s 1988 ''tiatr'' production named ''Nomoskar'' (Greetings). In addition to his initial professional experiences, Coelho took on acting roles for well-known ''tiatrists'' like Anthony San. Following this, he initiated the production of his independent commercial ''tiatr'' shows, debuting with ''Tum Pasun'' (You Too) in the year 1992.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=2016-04-01 |title=Comedian Domnic's pursuit of unity |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/comedian-domnics-pursuit-of-unity/articleshow/51644417.cms |access-date=2024-06-05 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=2024-06-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240605113427/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/comedian-domnics-pursuit-of-unity/articleshow/51644417.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>

Coelho had an extensive career in ''tiatr'' productions, in the post-1990s period, wherein he performed in ''tiatrs'' directed by some of the popular [[Tiatr|Konkani stage]] directors, including [[Patrick Dourado]], [[Jose Rod]], [[Prince Jacob]], [[Roseferns]], Menino de Bandar, [[Chris Perry (musician)|Chris Perry]], Mariano Fernandes, and [[John D' Silva]], among others. Coelho's portrayal of the comedic character "''Hoddo Bakru''" in the ''tiatr Mauli'' (Gardener) directed by Jose Rod was particularly well received. The comedic persona, a thrifty [[landlord]] character known as a "''bhatcar''," typically seen seated in his [[Armchair (furniture)|armchair]] on his "''balcao''" or [[veranda]], is famous for engaging in frequent quarrels with neighbors over minor matters, had become so well known that the nickname 'Hoddo Bakru' is now a lasting [[moniker]] for Coelho. Coelho's artistic endeavors extend beyond the stage, encompassing roles in a variety of [[VCD]]s (video compact discs) and full-length feature films, apart from managing the production and direction of his personal VCDs. "Since 1999, he founded his own [[theatrical troupe|theatrical group]] where he has taken on roles as a playwright, director, and producer of ''tiatrs'' that frequently examine family themes and deliver strong messages to the audience," writes Elvis Sequeira of ''[[O Heraldo]]''. These productions are infused with humor, showcasing the lively on-stage chemistry between Coelho and his brother, [[Luis Bachan]], who is also a popular Konkani stage comedian.<ref name=":0" />

In October 2010, Coelho's ''[[tiatr]] Novo Suria Udetana'' was launched towards the end of the month. He has staged his [[theatrical production]]s both domestically and internationally over the course of his career. Coelho has performed his works extensively abroad, touring countries such as Portugal, Germany, France, Canada, the United Kingdom, and various nations in the [[Persian Gulf]] region on multiple occasions. Additionally, he has entertained audiences in various regions across multiple states in his homeland of India.<ref name=":0" /> In May 2016, Coelho collaborated with his brother Luis Bachan to debut a new ''tiatr'' called ''Ami Soglim Ek'' (We Are One). This theatrical presentation celebrated the roles of a housewife and a young girl child, a theme that marked a significant production in the ''tiatr'' oeuvre of Coelho, his 20th production.<ref name=":1" /> The [[ensemble cast]] included Priscilla as Joyce, portraying the housewife, Sonali as a childlike character, Olga as the village belle, Michael as the local administrative officer ([[Tehsildar|mamlatdar]]), Elias portrayed the character of the headstrong son, while Rons took on the role of a [[Central Vigilance Commission|vigilant]] officer. Anil Pednekar's portrayal brought to life the character of Pandurang, embodying the villainous essence of the role on stage, while Coelho and Luis Bachan brought to life a comedic pair of freeloaders in this performance. The siblings also contributed their vocal talents to the ''tiatr''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Times |first=Navhind |date=2016-05-18 |title=Ami Soglim Ek – The Navhind Times |url=https://www.navhindtimes.in/2016/05/18/magazines/buzz/ami-soglim-ek/ |access-date=2024-06-05 |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-06-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240605174936/https://www.navhindtimes.in/2016/05/18/magazines/buzz/ami-soglim-ek/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the past, Coelho would typically produce and stage only a single ''tiatr'' per year. However, beginning in May 2016, the size and talent of the [[acting troupe]] assembled by Coelho enabled him to increase his annual ''tiatr'' output to two productions per year.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Times |first=Navhind |date=2016-05-29 |title='We need to get rid of enmity among us' Domnic Coelho – The Navhind Times |work=The Navhind Times &#124; Goa News |url=https://www.navhindtimes.in/2016/05/29/magazines/buzz/we-need-to-get-rid-of-enmity-among-us-domnic-coelho/ |access-date=2024-06-05 |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-06-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240605113428/https://www.navhindtimes.in/2016/05/29/magazines/buzz/we-need-to-get-rid-of-enmity-among-us-domnic-coelho/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Coelho has continued to write, direct, and star in new ''tiatr'' works. In December 2018, he released a ''tiatr'' titled ''Housewife'', in which he not only assumed a comedic role but also sang. He portrayed a comedic character alongside his sibling [[Luis Bachan]], with the [[comedy duo]] being assisted by up-and-coming amateur performers Avilla and Cassy. Coelho's comedic talents and stage presence in this production were noted by [[theatre critic]]s to evoke comparisons to the popular Konkani ''tiatr'' comedian [[Anthony Mendes]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Housewife: A tiatr with clean entertainment |url=https://www.thegoan.net//housewife-a-tiatr-with-clean-entertainment/47436.html |access-date=2024-06-05 |website=The Goan EveryDay |language=en |archive-date=2024-06-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240605113428/https://www.thegoan.net//housewife-a-tiatr-with-clean-entertainment/47436.html |url-status=live }}</ref> More recently, in November 2023, Coelho premiered a new ''tiatr'' called ''Flying Kiss''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The stage is set for exciting October tiatr releases |url=https://www.heraldgoa.in/Cafe/The-stage-is-set-for-exciting-October-tiatr-releases/211125 |access-date=2024-06-05 |website=oHeraldo |date=31 August 2022 |archive-date=2024-06-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240605113427/https://www.heraldgoa.in/Cafe/The-stage-is-set-for-exciting-October-tiatr-releases/211125 |url-status=live }}</ref> This theatrical work focused on themes of family relationships and the importance of mutual support within a family unit, including between in-laws. The cast featured both established ''tiatr'' performers as well as newer, up-and-coming artists. As with ''Housewife'', Coelho took on a key comedic role in the production, this time alongside other players. The ensemble featured performers such as Rosario Botelho, Priscilla, Manuel, Denzilia Menezes, Ubaldo, and Sonali Naik. Coelho took on the role of a comedian alongside Lino, Lanessa, and Joylan, as well as performing as a [[duo (music)|duo]] with Lino.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pires |first=Mario |date=2024-02-04 |title=Tiatr review: 'Flying Kiss' is about family, relationships |url=https://www.gomantaktimes.com/my-goa/art-culture/tiatr-review-tiatr-flying-kiss |access-date=2024-06-05 |website=Goa News in English on Gomantak Times |language=en |archive-date=2024-06-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240605113427/https://www.gomantaktimes.com/my-goa/art-culture/tiatr-review-tiatr-flying-kiss |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Personal life==
Coelho's younger brother, Luis, known by his stage name [[Luis Bachan]], is also active in the [[Konkani language|Konkani]] entertainment scene as a comedian.<ref name=":0" />

==Style==
Coelho's ''[[tiatr]]s'', traditional [[Konkani-language]] theater performances, typically center around subjects concerning family dynamics and interpersonal connections, steering clear of addressing political matters. In his capacity as a government employee, Coelho opts to steer away from incorporating contentious political themes in his ''tiatrs''. He abstains from [[Varieties of criticism#Public and private criticism|openly criticizing individuals]] during performances, opting to provide guidance in private if the situation necessitates it. In his ''tiatr'' writing process, Coelho first develops an outline or conceptual framework for a new work, which he then expands into a full script over the course of approximately 15 days.<ref name=":2" />
 
Coelho chooses to input the script directly by typing it rather than writing it by hand, citing increased efficiency as the rationale for this preference. Subsequently, his [[acting troupe]] engages in an intensive 10-day [[rehearsal]] period to prepare thoroughly for the new production. A distinguishing element of Coelho's directorial approach is his focus on incorporating and training young, amateur actors in his ''tiatrs''. He sees this as a significant challenge, as many aspiring performers, while possessing strong vocal abilities, lack experience in effective stage delivery and require guidance to develop their performance skills. Coelho demonstrates a preference for working with inexperienced young actors over established professionals, as he has found the latter to be more resistant to refining or altering their [[List of acting techniques|acting style]]s.<ref name=":2" />

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb name|id=15076704}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Comedian Domnic}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1957 births]]
[[Category:Tiatrists]]
[[Category:Actors from South Goa district]]
[[Category:Dramatists and playwrights from Goa]]