Aryakin2022 at 15:15, 11 March 2026

2026-03-11T15:15:51Z

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{{Short description|Portuguese theatre actor and playwright}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Affonceka
| image = Affonceka.jpg
| caption = Portrait of Afonso during his youth
| birth_name = Assis João Avelino Afonso
| birth_place = [[Aldona]], [[Goa]], [[Portuguese India]]
| other_names = A. Fonseca
| birth_date = 1898
| occupation = {{hlist|Actor|playwright|theatre director}}
| years_active = 1920–1940s
}}

'''Assis João Avelino Afonso''' (1898 – unknown), known [[mononymously]] as '''Affonceka''', was a [[Goan]] theatre actor, playwright, and [[theatre director]] known for his work in ''[[tiatr]]'' productions. From the 1920s to the 1940s, he played a pivotal role in the development and progress of [[Konkani language|Konkani]] ''tiatr''.

==Early life==
Assis João Avelino Afonso was born in 1898 in Corjuem,<ref name=":3" /> a village located in [[Aldona]], [[Goa]], which was under [[Portuguese Empire|Portuguese rule]] as part of [[Portuguese India]] at the time (now part of India). He was raised in the village of [[Marcel, Goa]], which had evolved into a [[census town]].<ref name=":2" />

==Career==
Afonso made his debut in the theatrical scene in 1920, appearing in a ''[[tiatr]]'' titled ''Maurice ani Juliana vo A Real Love Story''. This ''tiatr'', written by [[Rama (playwright)|Rama]] and directed by Rama's wife, marked Afonso's first role as Ramis, the servant. [[Konkani language|Konkani]] historian and singer [[Wilson Mazarello]] writes, despite the limited nature of his part, Afonso's performance left an impact on the audience, garnering recognition for his potential as an actor.<ref name=":1" /> Following his debut, Afonso was offered the role of [[Iago]] in a Konkani adaptation of [[Shakespeare]]'s<ref name=":2" /> play ''[[Othello]]''.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=2016-12-07 |title=Saluting those who forged ahead with a purpose in the tiatr world |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/saluting-those-who-forged-ahead-with-a-purpose-in-the-tiatr-world/articleshow/55842978.cms |access-date=2024-02-07 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=2022-09-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925223335/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/saluting-those-who-forged-ahead-with-a-purpose-in-the-tiatr-world/articleshow/55842978.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> Mazarello further writes, demonstrating his talent and ability, Afonso excelled in this role. Subsequently, he accepted roles in ''tiatrs'' crafted by popular playwrights and directors.<ref name=":1" /> Initially, Afonso became associated with the Marcela Principal Dramatic Company, which later transformed into the Star Principal Dramatic Company.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K-1PAQAAIAAJ |title=100 Years of Konkani Tiatro |date=2000 |publisher=Government of Goa, Directorate of Art & Culture |pages=37, 76–77 |language=en |access-date=2024-02-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107200151/https://books.google.com/books?id=K-1PAQAAIAAJ |archive-date=2024-01-07 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In due course, Afonso established his own [[theatrical company]], named the Star Affonceka Dramatic Company. In 1924, he ventured into playwriting with his inaugural ''tiatr'', ''Lawrie Ani Merina'', which enjoyed success during its performance at the Gaiety Theatre in [[Bombay]]. The production attracted a full house, resulting in many individuals being unable to secure tickets. One of Afonso's most acclaimed ''tiatrs'' was ''Anjelin Bombainchi Puzadkarn'', featuring notable cast members such as [[Miss Carlota]], who made her debut in a leading role on the Konkani stage. Carlota's portrayal opposite Anthony Tooloo, a popular artist of the time, further propelled her into the limelight. Afonso's reputation as a theatrical director continued to flourish,<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |title=TIATR 125th Anniversary Commemorative Volume |publisher=[[Tiatr Academy of Goa]] |year=2019 |location=[[Panaji, Goa]] |pages=8–9}}</ref> and he went on to pen several more ''tiatrs'', including ''Lisboachem Sopon'' (Dream of [[Lisbon]]), ''Xins Guilbertachem'' (Disciples of Guilbert), ''Ibonez Ani Yoanda'', ''Imperador Nero Vo Nimnno Caesar Patxai Romancho'' ([[Emperor Nero]] or Final Emperor of Rome Caesar), and ''Anjelin Bombainchi Puzadkarn''. Afonso is best known for his portrayal of Judge Gerald in J. P. Souzalin's theatrical production ''Bhott Ailolo Pomburpechea Festak'' ([[Hindu priest]]'s arrival at [[Pomburpa]]'s feast).<ref name=":0" />

==Legacy==
Afonso was commemorated at the ''Somplelea Tiatristancho Ugddas'' monthly program organized by the [[Tiatr Academy of Goa]] (TAG) on various dates, including 12 January 2012,<ref>{{Cite news |date=2012-01-08 |title=TAG's 'Somplelea Tiatristancho Ugddas' programme |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/mando-festival-at-curchorem/articleshow/11407323.cms?_gl=1*1tr6n9w*_ga*YW1wLVZSa1JjbUZONEdOWklrVTRJWGFieHZrbk93cUkzVHgtSENVYzdRX1FnczUzeU1fbzExekVfemw5Q04zRkJ5TF8.*_ga_FCN624MN68*MTcwNzMxODg4NS4xMjkuMC4xNzA3MzE4ODg1LjAuMC4w#_ga=2.63217324.2096897922.1707225571-amp-VRkRcmFN4GNZIkU4IXabxvknOwqI3Tx-HCUc7Q_Qgs53yM_o11zE_zl9CN3FByL_ |access-date=2024-02-07 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> 30 January 2015,<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2015-01-29 |title=Remembering Tiatr artistes of yesteryears |work= [[The Navhind Times]] |url=https://www.navhindtimes.in/2015/01/29/magazines/buzz/remembering-tiatr-artistes-of-yesteryears/ |access-date=2024-02-07 |language=en-US}}</ref> 23 January 2018, and 29 January 2020.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2020-02-02 |title=Late tiatr artistes remembered |work= [[The Navhind Times]] |url=https://www.navhindtimes.in/2020/02/02/magazines/buzz/late-tiatr-artistes-remembered-5/ |access-date=2024-02-07 |language=en-US}}</ref> These events took place at different venues, such as TAG's Conference Hall at [[Campal|Campal Trade Centre]] in [[Panaji]] and the Black Box at Ravindra Bhavan in [[Margao]]. Alongside Afonso, several other artists were also remembered, including Mary Vaz, Alex Piedade Fernandes, Tony Friend, [[Karachiwalla]], [[J. R. Fithna]], [[Lucasinho Ribeiro]], [[Shrirang Narvekar]], Xavier Fernandes, Rico Rod, Jr. Rod, Meena Leitao, Agnelo Agato Francisco Dias, Cajetan Francis Pinto, [[Alex Mestri]], [[Young Chico]], and Wilma Pacheco. These special programs aimed to acknowledge and highlight the contributions made by these individuals within the realm of ''[[tiatr]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2018-01-21 |title=TAG to remember tiatr artistes of yesteryears on January 23 |work=[[The Navhind Times]] |url=https://www.navhindtimes.in/2018/01/21/magazines/buzz/tag-to-remember-tiatr-artistes-of-yesteryears-on-january-23/ |access-date=2024-02-07 |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Selected stage works==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Year
!Title
!Role
!Notes
!Ref
|-
|1920
|''Maurice ani Juliana vo A Real Love Story''
|Ramis
|Professional debut
|<ref name=":0" />
|-
|
|''[[Othello]]''
|[[Iago]]
|[[Konkani language|Konkani]] adaptation
|<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" />
|-
|1924
|''Lawrie Ani Merina''
|Writer
|Debut as a playwright
|<ref name=":0" />
|-
|1934
|''Anjelin Bombainchi Puzadkarn''
| rowspan="5" |Writer/director
|
|<ref>{{Cite book |last=Fernandes |first=André Rafael |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vKAbygAACAAJ |title=When the Curtains Rise--: Understanding Goa's Vibrant Konkani Theatre |date=2010 |publisher=Tiatr Academy of Goa |isbn=978-93-80739-01-4 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|
|''Lisboachem Sopon''
|
|rowspan="5"|<ref name=":0" />
|-
|
|''Xins Guilbertachem''
|
|-
|
|''Ibonez Ani Yoanda''
|
|-
|
|''Imperador Nero Vo Nimnno Caesar Patxai Romancho''
|
|-
|1940
|''Bhott Ailolo Pomburpechea Festak''
|Judge Gerald
|
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Affonceka}}
[[Category:1898 births]]
[[Category:Tiatrists]]
[[Category:Dramatists and playwrights from Goa]]
[[Category:Actors from North Goa district]]
[[Category:Writers from North Goa district]]
[[Category:Year of death missing]]

Affonceka - Revision history

Aryakin2022 at 15:15, 11 March 2026