Romeo Mendes[a] (4 June 1940 – 10 September 1999) was an Indian actor, singer, and composer known for his work in Konkani films, television, and tiatr productions. He initially debuted on the Konkani stage as a singer with the stage name Star of Assnora. Following a period of success, he temporarily quit the industry due to professional commitments. He made a comeback in the Konkani film Nirmon (1966) as an actor and composer for the Konkani song "Claudia".
Romeo Mendes | |
|---|---|
 Mendes in the late-1980s | |
| Born | 4 June 1940 |
| Died | 10 September 1999 (aged 59) Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Other names | Star of Assnora |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1960s–1980s |
| Notable work | Nirmon (1966) |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives |
|
Career edit
Wilson Mazarello, a Konkani singer and historian, documented the career of Mendes who made his initial foray into the entertainment industry at a young age[2] as "Star of Assnora", where he showcased his vocal abilities. Following years of success as a singer, Mendes temporarily stepped away from the stage due to professional commitments. However, he made a comeback with a prominent role in the Konkani film Nirmon, where he not only acted but also composed the popular song "Claudia."[3] This performance catapulted him to fame and attracted the attention of several tiatr directors, who eagerly sought his participation in their productions.[1]
During the filming of Nirmon, Mendes had the opportunity to meet Antonette Mendes, a Konkani actress who portrayed his sister in the movie. Instantly captivated by her, Mendes soon proposed to Antonette after seeking her father's approval.[4] Despite his passion for the stage, Mendes found it challenging to pursue a full-fledged professional career due to extensive business commitments. Nonetheless, he remained connected to his audience through the release of audio cassettes featuring his performances.[1] Before their marriage in 1966, Mendes cast Antonette in one of his tiatrs at Gowalia Tank in Mumbai's Tejpal Hall, showcasing her talent as an actress. Mendes also made contributions to the industry as a theater contractor and producer, notably introducing Konkani actor Prince Jacob to the Bombay (now Mumbai) scene.[5]
Mendes left a mark on the Konkani music landscape by producing numerous successful audio cassettes featuring his songs. Notably, he was a pioneer in bringing Hindi film actors and actresses, including Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Anil Kapoor, and Vijayta Pandit, to lend their voices to Konkani audio recordings. Mendes also ventured into television production, creating his own TV serials for Doordarshan, featuring Konkani comedian Paul Romy.[6] Furthermore, he showcased his vocal prowess through over 30 performances on Doordarshan, Bombay. In the 1980s, Mendes and his wife Antonette collaborated on a series of audio cassettes, with their debut album, Jivit Ek Sopon, garnering popularity. The launch of this album was graced by a special introductory speech in Konkani by Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan. This was followed by other releases such as Rosacho Dis and Padr Agnel.[5] As a couple, they released a total of 15–17[4] audio albums and collaborated on numerous duets.[1]
Personal life edit
Romeo Mendes was born on 4 June 1940[7] in the village of Assonora, Goa, which was under Portuguese rule at the time and is now located in India. He later moved to Bombay (now Mumbai) and made it his permanent residence. In 1966, Mendes married Antonette Mendes, a Konkani singer and actress, when he was around 26 and she was 22. Together, they had three daughters named Judy, June, and Lara.[5] Judy, the eldest daughter, later married Jose Rod, a Konkani singer residing in Kuwait.[8] According to the book titled 100 Years of Konkani Tiatro, Mendes and his family resided in Bandra, Bombay.[1]
On 10 September 1999, Mendes died at the age of 59 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.[1]
Filmography edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Nirmon | Ricard | Also singer & composer | [1] |
Selected stage works edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prior 1966 | Untitled tiatr | Possibly contractor/producer | [5] |
Select discography edit
- Claudia (1966)
Audio cassettes edit
- Jivit Ek Sopon (1980s)
- Rosacho Dis
- Padr Agnel
Notes edit
- ^ In the beginning of his career, Mendes was professionally known as Star of Assnora. However, he abandoned this moniker when he reemerged in the industry in the Konkani film Nirmon (1966), opting to be credited by his legal name instead.[1]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g 100 Years of Konkani Tiatro. Government of Goa, Directorate of Art & Culture. 2000. pp. 184–185. Archived from the original on 2024-01-07. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
- ^ "Tiatr Ani Tiatrist". Goa World. 2012-12-20. Archived from the original on 2012-12-20. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
- ^ Almeida, Gaspar (17 February 2005). "Konkani films". Goa World. Archived from the original on 17 February 2005. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
- ^ a b "No more goals for the Queen of Hearts". The Goan EveryDay. Archived from the original on 2024-01-13. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
- ^ a b c d "A voice that is eternal". oHeraldo. Archived from the original on 2024-01-07. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
- ^ "A natural flair for comedy". oHeraldo. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
- ^ TIATR 125th Anniversary Commemorative Volume. Panaji, Goa: Tiatr Academy of Goa. 2019. p. 96.
- ^ "Non-stop Rod is entertainment unlimited". oHeraldo. Archived from the original on 2024-02-02. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
External links edit
- Romeo Mendes at IMDb