https://indianpedia.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Lewis_M._RatusLewis M. Ratus - Revision history2026-07-31T15:14:54ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.45.4https://indianpedia.org/index.php?title=Lewis_M._Ratus&diff=512130&oldid=prevAdmin at 17:54, 17 March 20262026-03-17T17:54:32Z<p></p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Indian actor and screenwriter}}<br />
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{{Use Indian English|date=March 2025}}<br />
{{AI-generated|date=March 2026|reason=since v1 in 2024; user has created many AI articles and this also displays [[WP:AISIGNS]] e.g. superficial analyses, vocab distro typical of 2024 LLM output etc}}<br />
{{Infobox person<br />
| name = Lewis M. Ratus<br />
| image = Mogacho Aunddo Film still (cropped).jpg<br />
| caption = Ratus in ''[[Mogacho Aunddo]]'', 1950<br />
| other_names = Luis. M. Ratus<br />
| birth_place = [[Bombay]], [[Bombay Presidency]], [[British India]] (now Mumbai, [[Maharashtra]], India)<br />
| death_place = [[Bandra, Bombay]], India (most likely)<br />
| years_active = 1950–1963<br />
| occupation = {{hlist|Actor|screenwriter|playwright|teacher}}<br />
| known_for = {{ubl|<br />
* ''[[Mogacho Aunddo]]''<br />
* ''[[Amchem Noxib]]''}}<br />
| signature = Signature of Lewis M. Ratus.svg<br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Lewis M. Ratus''' ({{fl.|1950–1963|lk=on}}) was an Indian actor, screenwriter, playwright, story writer, [[ghostwriter]], and teacher. He was among the first [[Konkani language|Konkani]] actors, alongside [[Al Jerry Braganza]], [[Leena Fernandes]], and Alfred Almeida, who appeared in the inaugural [[Konkani cinema|Konkani]] film ''[[Mogacho Aunddo]]'' (1950).<br />
<br />
==Career==<br />
Ratus was a relatively obscure individual about whom limited information is available in literary works. According to [[Wilson Mazarello]], a writer and historian, who documented the history of [[Konkani language|Konkani]] ''[[Tiatr|tiatro]]'' in his book ''100 Years of Konkani Tiatro'' (2000), Ratus was involved in the [[Konkani cinema|Konkani film industry]] and also worked as an English teacher in [[Bombay, British India]] (now Mumbai, [[Maharashtra]]). However, Ratus primarily gained recognition as a writer of Konkani plays, ''tiatros'' or ''[[tiatr]]s'' (a popular form of [[Goan]] [[musical theater]]), and stories. Ratus authored several ''tiatros'', however, his works were often performed and claimed by various theater directors as their own, effectively functioning as a [[ghostwriter]]. The extent of Ratus' involvement in the Konkani film industry is that he made his debut on the [[silver screen]] in the movie ''[[Mogacho Aunddo]]'' ({{translation|Love's Craving}}) in 1950.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Mazarello |first=Wilson |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=265 |language=en |access-date=2024-03-14 |archive-date=2024-01-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107200151/https://books.google.com/books?id=K-1PAQAAIAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref> In this film, Ratus portrayed a [[supporting character]] alongside actors such as Irene Amaral, Elizabeth D'Abreo, Mary D'Souza, Jacob Fernandes, Joyce Fernandes, and Romeo Paul Pires.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Antao |first=Steve |date=2015-12-08 |title=Lights! Camera! … 'Mogacho Aunddo' - the first Konkani film |url=https://itsgoa.com/lights-camera-mogacho-aunddo |access-date=2024-03-14 |website=ItsGoa |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-08-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810113847/https://itsgoa.com/lights-camera-mogacho-aunddo/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Ratus also made contributions to the soundtrack of ''Mogacho Aunddo'', lending his vocals to popular hits like "Mogacho Aundo" (''Khorench to chodd khor Mogacho Aunddo, konnank zaina sor Mogacho Aunddo''). Collaborating with [[Leena Fernandes]], James Braganza, Irene Amaral, and Jacob Fernandes, Ratus showcased his musical abilities.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-04-23 |title=Mogacho Aunddo' (Love's Craving) |url=http://www.goa-world.com/goa/index.html |access-date=2024-03-14 |website=Goa World via International Film Festival of India, Goa|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090421122454/http://www.goa-world.com/goa/index.html |archive-date=2009-04-21 }}</ref> Writer Andrew Viegas, in an article for the publication ''Goa World'', commended the performances delivered by Ratus and James Braganza in the film ''Mogacho Aunddo''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Viegas |first=Andrew Greno |date=2009-08-02 |title=Konkani Cinema |url=http://www.goa-world.com/goa/index.html |access-date=2024-03-14 |website=Goa World|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090826003409/http://www.goa-world.com/goa/index.html |archive-date=2009-08-26 }}</ref><br />
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[[File:Mogacho Aunddo by Jerry Braganza.jpg|thumb|A shot taken from the film, from right to left: [[Al Jerry Braganza]], [[Leena Fernandes]], and Ratus (in the middle).]]<br />
''Mogacho Aunddo'' is a cinematic adaptation based on the book ''Mogachi Vodd'' by [[Dioguinho D'Mello]]. The film was created and directed by [[Al Jerry Braganza]], with production under the ETICA Pictures banner, which stands for Exchange Talkies of India, China, and Africa. In addition to its premiere in Goa, ''Mogacho Aunddo'' was screened at venues in [[Bombay]], including Rivoli ([[Matunga]]), Liberty ([[Fort area]]), and Star ([[Mazgaon]]). Notably, the movie was filmed in [[Goa]] during the [[Portuguese conquest of Goa|era of Portuguese rule]] and saw its release on 24 April 1950, making it the sole production originating from [[Portuguese India]].<ref name=":1" /> Wilson Mazarello, a writer, sheds light on the background of Ratus, the scriptwriter for ''Mogacho Aunddo''. Mazarello reveals that Ratus primarily pursued a career as an English teacher in Bombay and participated in the Konkani film and theater industry as a secondary pursuit. Ratus, alongside other Konkani ''tiatro'' writers, refrained from fully embracing the Konkani stage as a professional occupation due to their commitments in other fields. Their contributions to the domain of Konkani tiatro are of importance which is comparable to leading ''[[tiatrist]]s'' of their era, as highlighted by Mazarello's writings and inclusion of Ratus among the only twelve Konkani ''tiatro'' writers in the publication ''100 Years of Konkani Tiatro'', released in 2000. Ratus attained recognition in Konkani literature with his [[screenplay]] for the film ''[[Amchem Noxib]]'' ({{translation|Our Luck}}) in 1963, which garnered multiple accolades.<ref name=":0" /> The film was created by filmmaker [[Frank Fernand]] through his production company, Frank Films (Goa), and it featured actors [[C. Alvares]] and [[Anthony Mendes]] in leading roles.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Frank Fernand – The Wizard of Konkani Films |url=https://www.heraldgoa.in/Cafe/Frank-Fernand-%E2%80%93-The-Wizard-of-Konkani-Films/130210 |access-date=2024-03-14 |website=oHeraldo |date=31 August 2022 |archive-date=2024-03-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314140424/https://www.heraldgoa.in/Cafe/Frank-Fernand-%E2%80%93-The-Wizard-of-Konkani-Films/130210 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Amchem Noxib'' marked the first Konkani film to receive several awards and was released thirteen years after the pioneering Konkani production, ''Mogacho Aunddo'' (1950).<ref name=":1" /><br />
<br />
==Personal life==<br />
[[File:Telegram by Lewis M. Ratus.jpg|thumb|The telegram sent by Ratus to Lilian.]]<br />
Ratus is a figure of limited biographical information, with little available knowledge about his personal and early life. A source shedding some light on his background is the book ''100 Years of Konkani Tiatro'' authored by writer and historian [[Wilson Mazarello]] in 2000. Mazarello suggests that Ratus was actively engaged as an English teacher in [[Bombay]] (now Mumbai), a fact attesting to his involvement in the field of education. In recognition of his contributions, Mazarello refers to him as "Prof. Luis M. Ratus", underscoring his professional standing.<ref name=":0" /> Additional insights into Ratus's life can be gleaned from an original [[telegram]] he sent to Lilian De Souza of [[Karachi]] on 21 March 1956, revealing his residence at 12, Chapel Road, [[Bandra]] in Bombay, Maharashtra.<ref>Ratus, Lewis M. (21 March 1956). ''Ordinary Telegram'' via Stranuso Film Corporation, Bandra, Bombay</ref><br />
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==Filmography==<br />
{|class="wikitable sortable"<br />
!Year<br />
!Title<br />
!Role<br />
!Notes<br />
!Ref<br />
|-<br />
|1950<br />
|''[[Mogacho Aunddo]]''<br />
|Supporting role<br />
|Professional debut<br />
|<ref name=":1" /><br />
|-<br />
|1963<br />
|''[[Amchem Noxib]]''<br />
|Screenwriter<br />
|<br />
|<ref name=":0" /><br />
|}<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
<br />
==External links==<br />
*{{IMDB name|id=4474266}}<br />
<br />
{{Authority control}}<br />
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Ratus, Lewis M.}}<br />
[[Category:Tiatrists]]<br />
[[Category:Writers from Mumbai]]<br />
[[Category:Actors in Konkani cinema]]<br />
[[Category:People from Bombay Presidency]]<br />
[[Category:20th-century Indian male actors]]<br />
[[Category:20th-century Indian male writers]]<br />
[[Category:Male actors from British India]]<br />
[[Category:Educators from British India]]<br />
[[Category:Dramatists and playwrights from British India]]<br />
[[Category:Screenwriters from British India]]<br />
[[Category:People from Bandra]]<br />
[[Category:Male actors from Mumbai]]<br />
[[Category:Screenwriters from Mumbai]]</div>Admin