Nevel Lourdes Sacramento Gracias (11 February 1964 – 13 May 2022) was an Indian Catholic priest, playwright, actor, singer, composer, director, and literary editor who primarily worked on the Konkani stage, best known for his lenten tiatrs. He was regarded as a one-man show and served in the general council of the Tiatr Academy of Goa.[1][2][3]
Nevel Gracias | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Gracias during a tiatr production, 2013 | |
| Born | Nevel Lourdes Sacramento Gracias 11 February 1964 Velim, Goa, India |
| Died | 13 May 2022 (aged 58) Porvorim, Goa, India |
| Burial place | St. Francis Xavier Church cemetery, Velim, Goa, India |
| Other names | Fr. Nevel Gracias |
| Education | St. Xavier's High School (S.S.C) |
| Alma mater | Rachol Seminary (1991) |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1976–2022 |
| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| Other post(s) |
|
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 30 April 1991 by Raul Nicolau Gonçalves |
| Rank | Diocesan priest |
Career
editPriesthood
editGracias was described as a diligent altar server who aspired to be a priest. He joined at Rachol Seminary in June 1984. Through his years at the seminary his love for tiatrs and volleyball persisted. He was ordained as a priest on 30 April 1991 at St Francis Xavier's Church in Velim by then, Archbishop Emeritus Raul Nicolau Gonçalves. He served as an assistant to parish priest at the parishes of Taleigao and Piedade in Divar.[4][2]
In 1996, he was appointed as an assistant parish priest of Loutolim and later went on to be the Spiritual director of the Legion of Mary of Loutolim Curia. Gracias was assigned as the Parochial administrator of the Parish of Chaudi in Canacona in 1999. He was then made the Spiritual director of the Legion of Mary of Canacona Curia, within a year of his service he was appointed as the parish priest. In 2004 he was assigned as the Dean of Canacona deanery.[4]
In 2006, Gracias was appointed as the parish priest of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Utorda but within a year, he was summoned back due to his health issues. In 2007, he was promoted to Assistant director of Lar de Santa Terezinha, two years later in 2009 he was appointed as an Assistant director of the Diocesan Catechetical Center and then later as a Director of Lay apostolate, where he was an editor for religious bi-monthly booklets, Jivitacho Prokas and Daily Flash, that included daily reflections on the word of God. Gracias also served in the parishes of Tivim, Panjim and Caranzalem.[4][2]
In 2014, Gracias was then assigned to St. Diogo Parish in Guirim-Sangolda,[5] but due to his declining health he was summoned back in 2018.[6] He was then sent to a clergy home (Portuguese: Lar Dos Sacerdotes), at Casa Urbina in Porvorim and resided there till his death.[4]
Tiatrs
edit
Gracias had a keen interest for tiatrs since the young age of 9. He didn't have a smooth start at his initial career on the Konkani stage but would keep up a positive zeal. He wrote the script for his first tiatr, "Ek rukachim tin follam" at the age of 12 in 1976, it didn't help him succeed as he had to face many hardships but it didn't let his love for tiatrs die down. He took part at a local seniors auditions that were selecting casts and singers for a village tiatr. He went on to perform many traditional songs.[4][7][8]
Unfortunately young Gracias couldn't secure a spot for himself at the auditions and was never told why he was rejected. This didn't let him down, on the contrary he continued with his work, showcasing tiatrs in a distinguished and unique perspective. Gracias initially chose the Konkani stage as a medium to spread the word of God. He didn't intend to start out his tiatrs based on lenten or having religious concepts, instead his initial tiatrs storylines were based on family values, women's liberation, patriotism, and social life.[4][9]
Since 1997 Gracias started with his lenten plays that drew mass attention mainly at the village church squares during the 43 days lenten season. He presented all of these tiatrs under the "Vell’lekar Nirmiti" banner and shared little of his profits to charity. Prior to his death, he told Times of India that "the tiatr medium is more impactful than preaching", as it helps convey a strong message to mass audiences since it's a visual form of art, it's more effective.[4][10][11]
In a career span of more than 45 years as a dramatist, Gracias has written and staged about 47 tiatrs and 24 lenten plays. His last show, "Tim Dogaim Ek Zatolim" was staged just before the COVID-19 pandemic, two years later in 2022, the same production was rescheduled in villages and completed 25 shows. "Mhaka Nitoll Kor", his silver jubilee show was scheduled in the next lent season in 2023 which included noted tiatrist, Prince Jacob in a stiff role.[2]
On 6 January 2009, Gracias was nominated as the council member of Tiatr Academy of Goa. He was a script judge at the Kala Academy's 42nd tiatr ‘A’ group competition. He was also a regular contributor in writing for articles, Vauraddeancho Ixtt, Dor Mhoineachi Rotti, Gulab and Renovacao. Until his death in 2022, Gracias has composed over 300 songs that were featured in his lenten plays. He has also published a book, Goychem Kantar (Konknni Kantaram), which includes 354 songs of various categories, lyrics were written by Gracias and music done by Nolvert Cota.[4][12][13]
Personal life
editNevel Lourdes Sacramento Gracias was born on 11 February 1964 in the ward of Naik-Caiero in the village of Velim, Goa. He completed his primary and high school education at St. Francis Xavier High School, Velim. He later graduated from Damodar College of Commerce, Margao. Gracias had one of his leg below the knee amputated due to diabetes in 2006 and was bedridden at Goa Medical College in Bambolim, however ensured that his lenten tiatrs saw the light of the day.[2][14][4][15]
Awards
editIn July 2013, Gracias was awarded the "Gulab Award" as the Best director for his work in "Taka Khursar Mar" in the tiatr category.[16] The same year he was the recipient of "Maria Afonso Konknni Puroskar" for his contributions in the Romi Konkani language.[17][18]
In 2020, Gracias was awarded the "Gulab Award" as the Gulab writer of the year.[19]
In 2021, he was awarded the "Dalgado Konkani Academy Award" for the year 2020 in the cultural category.[20]
Death
editGracias ailing to his health died in his sleep from an apparent heart attack[21] at the clergy home, Casa Urbina in Porvorim, aged 58.[15]
Reactions
editMario Menezes, a tiatr director expressed his condolences via a social media post and wrote that he was sad and shocked to hear the news of Gracias's sudden demise and further stated that he was a great priest, actor, singer, composer, writer and director, a great friend and advisor. Rupesh Jogle, who played the role as an acting director while Gracias was bedridden said that one of Gracias's special traits was that he would work with a small troupe of 8 artists and get them do everything from biblical scenes, songs and regular roles. He also states that Gracias managed the tiatr so well that none of his cast felt any burden while working with him.[15]
Selected stage works
edit| Year | Title | Role | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Ek Rukachim Tin Follam | Writer | |
| 2011 | Mhojea Somia Ani Mhojea Deva | Director & Actor | [22] |
| 2013 | Taka Khursar Mar | Writer, Director & Actor | [23] |
| 2014 | Dhorm Porgottnnar Za | Writer & Director | [24] |
| 2015 | Devachem Tem Devak Diyat | Director | [25] |
| Amche Ghorabe Kosbeleat? | |||
| Dev Kallzant Asa | |||
| Futtleli Boxi | |||
| Hanv Taka Vollkhoch Nam | |||
| Hi Porza Onttanim Vakhanntta | |||
| Hi Tuji Avoi | |||
| Hi vatt khursachi | |||
| Ho Amcho Bhavart | |||
| Khursachem Zoit | |||
| Koxtt Ani Sontos | |||
| Maim Tuka Khoim Sodum? | |||
| Mhaka Tan Laglea | |||
| Mhojea Mogant Ravat | |||
| Mon’xa, Tum Dhull | |||
| Oniticheo Sanklleo Moddat | |||
| Padri Mogan Poddla… | |||
| Patki Bhagevont | |||
| Tallnent Poddunk Dium Naka | |||
| Tim Dogaim Ek Zatolim | |||
| To Amche Pasot Mela | |||
| Tuji Khuxi Zaum | Director | [26] | |
| Tuji Xokti Dhi | |||
| Tumche Khatir Roddat | |||
| Voch… Anik Patok Korum Naka |
References
edit- ^ "Tribute to Fr Nevel Gracias". The Goan EveryDay. Retrieved 2022-10-13.
- ^ a b c d e Pires, Mario (16 May 2022). "Remembering Fr Nevel: A prolific writer, dramatist". Gomantak Times. Retrieved 2022-10-13.
- ^ 100 Years of Konkani Tiatro. Government of Goa, Directorate of Art & Culture. 2000.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "A Tribute to Fr. Nevel Gracias". oHeraldo. Retrieved 2022-10-13.
- ^ "Transfer of priests announced". oHeraldo. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
- ^ "Archbishop announces appointments of parish priests". The Navhind Times. 13 May 2018. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
- ^ "In the name of the father". The Times of India. July 3, 2013. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
- ^ "Lenten reflection and introspection during Lent". The Goan EveryDay. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
- ^ Fernandes, Paul; Esteves, Pio (February 19, 2015). "Religious tiatr traces its roots back to the 1960s". The Times of India. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
- ^ "Konkani play on life of St Francis Xavier - Times of India". The Times of India. October 2014. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
- ^ "Lenten tiatrs: Solemn messages through entertainment". oHeraldo. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
- ^ "Chotrai: Kala Academy's group 'A' tiatr competition awards on Thursday". The Times of India. October 5, 2016. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
- ^ "'Dista Toxem Nasta' tops tiatr contest". oHeraldo. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
- ^ "Fr Nevil turns 50 today". oHeraldo. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
- ^ a b c Marcus Mergulhao (May 14, 2022). "Goa: 'One-man show' Fr Nevel Gracias passes away at 58". The Times of India. Retrieved 2022-10-13.
- ^ "'Meet on Monday to discuss GTP for south Goa'". The Times of India. July 21, 2013. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
- ^ "Margao: Gulab award conferred on Manohar Parrikar". www.daijiworld.com. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
- ^ "Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr". www.tskk.org. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
- ^ "Fr. Freddy J Da Costa Memorial 'GULAB AWARDS 2020'conducted". oHeraldo. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
- ^ "TAKE A BOW DALGADO AWARD WINNERS!". Goan Observer. 2 April 2021. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
- ^ "Cause for concern among tiatrists!". The Goan EveryDay. Retrieved 2024-08-10.
- ^ Esteves, Pio (April 18, 2011). "Theme to help ponder on one's faith". The Times of India. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
- ^ "One Part Catholic, Three Parts Fun: The Making of the Goan Tiatr". National Geographic Traveler India. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
- ^ "Dhorm Porgottnnar Za – Tiatr".
- ^ Mergulhao, Marcus (April 3, 2015). "'There's a difference between Lenten tiatrs & tiatrs during Lent'". The Times of India. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
- ^ "Fr. Gracias, known for Lenten tiatrs, no more". The Navhind Times. 14 May 2022. Retrieved 2022-10-15.