SEEN IN THE PICTURE ABOVE IS THE LATE TIATRIST WILLIAM DE CURTORIM.It is with deep shock I received the sad news of the sad demise of William de Curtorim known in Tiatro world as the "Jet Speed Singer". His death on 11th of this month at his residence was really an unexpected blow not only to his family members but also to his vast followers who loved him more for his political songs. My closeness to him started about 25 years back when we Kuwaitkars brought him to Kuwait to participate in the Tiatro staged by the late Rex de Bardez. Along with William we Kuwaitkars also brought Churchill Alemao as chief guest for this Tiatro and made him hero because of his fight for the cause of Konkani.
William de Curtorim was an instant success during his appearance on the stage where he rendered excellent songs to the satisfaction of the hall packed Kuwait Goan audience. Within a short period Kuwait was invaded by Iraq on 2nd August 1990.
During the invasion of Kuwait he was deeply worried of Kuwait and of Goans’ future and at the time of the formation of Goa-Kuwait Solidarity Centre movement in Goa to raise our voice in support of the liberation of Kuwait he was in touch with me meeting me at Panjim and even offering his advice especially for the first public rally followed by public meeting in Panjim When I told him at this moment of our disappointment over some tiatrists criticizing Kuwait Goans following the invasion of Kuwait, he remarked saying "te aple maechem dud pionk nant, beiman te. Kuwaitkarani Konknni passot vavr kela te porim konnencuh korunk and voilean tancher bodmasponna?" Then he requested me to permit him to say a few words during our meeting at Azad Maidan and you see "aum tankam kosso dhutam poi to".
After the liberation of Kuwait we brought him to Kuwait many times for the Tiatros organized by Rosary Ferns and for the Musical Shows organized by Konkani Heritage Kuwait and during these occasions he resided at my place. At least during four such occasions he stayed at my place along with other visiting artistes – males and females. Incidentally he received more visitors to greet and meet him at my place than any other artiste, many of the people bringing him gifts also.
During his stay at my place it was pleasure to listen to his jokes and mimicry even at night time when his other colleagues were sleeping and thereby tempting some of them to get up from their sleep and listen to his mimicry and imitation of some corrupt politicians. He was a very jolly man and enjoyed the company of good listeners. He liked me very much and loved to stay with me at my place during his visits to Kuwait. He loved my writings, he loved my talking and also my singing especially old songs of yesteryears great tiatrists. During one of his visits to Kuwait taking part in the Show organized by KHK, he was honoured in Kuwait by KHK for his contribution in the field of Tiatro.
In Kuwait as in Goa and elsewhere he was most ought after Tiatrist. Though he was known to sing songs on fast tempo because of which he was known as "Jet Speed Singer" yet people loved his songs on political topics which were very hard hitting and embarrassment to his political opponents. Though his political songs were hard hitting the corrupt politicians below their belts yet they very meaningful and full of love for the cause of Goa and Goans. Because of such hard hitting songs he was once summoned to the Police Station at Mapusa on the instruction of one heavyweight politician of the ruling Junta of Goa. However, as a fearless campaigner against corrupt politicians he did not bow down like his predecessors earlier, namely Kid Boxer and Trio Kings:Conception-Nelson-Anthony.
He had great love for Goa and its uniqueness it derived from its past. He once told me "If necessary, I will even sacrifice my life to fight for the cause of Goa", and taking this view in mind he rendered number of songs against Maharastrawadi Gomantak Party and its stalwarts Dayananda Bandodkar and his daughter Shashikala Kakodkar especially in his song ‘Shasikala – Cocacola’. He once told me "MGP ek kiddo, to kiddo kobar korunkuch zai na tor to Kiddo Goem, Goykarponn and Konkani kobar kortelo’. After Dayananda Bandodkar and Shashikala Kakodkar, his ire was against Prataphsing Rane who he said silently working against the interest of Goans in general and against the Christians in particular. His hard hitting song against Rane saying "Raneche Bailechea Pottak Tel Laita" justifies his anger on Rane's misdeeds.
All his Konkani Albumss were top success, so also the few Tiatros he staged. As a human being he was very fearless and daring man and because of this quality he could sing political songs of the type he was singing. He was also a very good comedy singer and a very fast composer. While singing a prepared song, without any hesitation, suddenly he could change one or two verses according to the liking of the audience.
Once when I told him how the late Young Menezes once rendered a fast solo comprising 500 words, he was surprised and pondered for a few seconds to imagine Young Menezes' super talent to sing such a big song on Jet Speed degree.
As usual he had in tiatrist circle lot of jealous Tiatrists who always tried to drop him down but he resisted all their attempts because audience was with him who always supported him. It is a pity that he died when he was fully matured Tiatrist thereby creating a big void in Tiatro ciricle. Since he is no more, all the corrupt politicians will have a nice sleep.
In his death Goa lost a great Tiatrist who fought from the Stage for the cause of Goa, Konkani and corruption Free Goa. From the Stage he had a lot to give to Goa and Goan causes but death snatched everything away. Who will carry forward his undone work? Time alone will give answer to this complex question.
Mentime, on behalf of all my friends and colleagues who supported William in his campaign for the cause of Goa, I offer my deep condolences to his wife and daughters.
In his death One more pillar of Konkani Stage disappeared. May his soul Rest In Peace.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
