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{{Short description|Goan singer and composer (1924–1955)}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Minguel Rod
| image = Minguel Rod.png
| caption = Portrait of Rodrigues during his youth
| birth_name = Miguel Manoel Rodrigues
| birth_place = [[Cortalim, Goa]], [[Portuguese India]]
| birth_date = {{birth date|1924|8|10|df=y}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1955|10|4|1924|8|10|df=y}}{{efn|Some sources claim that Rodrigues died at the age of 32, which is incorrect.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/jr-rod-a-composer-singer-par-excellence-of-the-konkani-stage/articleshow/52858174.cms|title=Jr Rod: A composer-singer par excellence of the Konkani stage|newspaper=The Times of India |date=June 22, 2016}}</ref> However, reliable sources, such as the book ''100 Years of Konkani Tiatro'' by [[Wilson Mazarello]], published in 2000, state that he died at the age of 31.}}
| death_place = Cortalim, Goa, Portuguese India
| other_names = M. Rod.
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|composer|playwright|actor}}
| years_active = 1936; 1941–{{circa|1955}}
| children =
}}

'''Miguel Manoel Rodrigues''' (10 August 1924 – 4 October 1955), known professionally as '''Minguel Rod''', was a [[Goan]] singer, composer, playwright, and actor known for his work in ''[[tiatr]]'' productions. One of the greatest composers of the [[Konkani language|Konkani]] stage, he was a leading figure in the golden phase of ''tiatr'' from the 1940s to the mid-1950s,<ref name=":2">{{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= |publisher=Tiatr Academy of Goa |isbn=978-93-80739-01-4 |language=en |access-date=2023-12-20 |archive-date=2023-11-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231126045216/https://books.google.com/books?id=vKAbygAACAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref> alongside Konkani actor [[C. Alvares]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2016-04-22 |title=When the tiatr had its season in the sun |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/when-the-tiatr-had-its-season-in-the-sun/articleshow/51936832.cms |access-date=2023-12-20 |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=2023-12-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220135833/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/when-the-tiatr-had-its-season-in-the-sun/articleshow/51936832.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> Throughout his career, he composed over 300 ''[[Tiatr#Songs|kantaram]]'' and wrote 32 ''tiatrs'', many of which were well-received and popular among his audience.

==Early life==
Minguel Rodrigues, was born as Miguel Manoel Rodrigues on 10 August<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fidelis |first=Ron |date=14 August 2016 |title=No one like Rod! |work=GT Weekender |pages=14}}</ref> 1924, to Manoel Rodrigues and Dominica Vicente,<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=12 October 1955 |title=Certidão de óbito |url=https://goaonline.gov.in/Appln/UIL/BirthDeathCertificate_af?__Key=&_Mode=D&__cscKey= |access-date=20 December 2023 |website=Goa Online}}</ref> he hailed from a financially disadvantaged family in the village of [[Cortalim]], located in the southern region of [[Goa]]. Rodrigues embarked on a career as a [[playwright]], staging his ''[[tiatrs]]'', in a neighbor's [[verandah]], using improvised curtains made from bed sheets. Initially, his productions catered to a local audience, presenting shorter ''tiatrs'' within his native village.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=2016-05-02 |title=Remembering the young prodigy, Minguel Rod |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/remembering-the-young-prodigy-minguel-rod/articleshow/52069822.cms |access-date=2023-12-20 |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=2023-12-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220133645/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/remembering-the-young-prodigy-minguel-rod/articleshow/52069822.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>

Rodrigues ventured into creating longer [[dramas]] aimed at larger crowds. However, in his eagerness to showcase his work, he overlooked the requisite procedure of obtaining a performance license from the government authorities. The Portuguese administration, under whose [[Portuguese India|colonial rule Goa remained at the time]], became aware of this transgression and endeavored to apprehend Rodrigues. However, the young Rodrigues managed to evade capture by fleeing Goa and finding refuge in the city of [[Bombay]] (now Mumbai).<ref name=":0" />

==Career==
During his stay in [[Bombay]], Rodrigues actively searched for opportunities to establish himself as an actor in ''tiatrs''. However, his endeavors met with limited success, leaving him disappointed. Undeterred, he even ventured into producing his own short [[Play (theatre)|play]], but failed to gain recognition or advancement in his career. Despite the challenges he faced, Rodrigues did manage to secure a chance to demonstrate his singing skills in a ''tiatr'' directed by Anthony De Sa. This opportunity did not lead to any significant breakthroughs or new avenues for his professional growth.<ref name=":0" />

However, Rodrigues' fortunes began to change when he received news that the Portuguese regime, which had been keeping an eye on him, was no longer pursuing him. This development provided him with a glimmer of hope and motivated him to make a discreet return to his homeland in 1943, coinciding with [[Pai Tiatrist|João Agostinho Fernandes]]' plans to present the ''tiatr'' production titled ''Bebdo'' (Drunkard) in [[Mapuça]], featuring an [[ensemble cast]].<ref name=":0" />

[[File:Handbill of Minguel Rod's Tiatro "Mugdom Baddcar".jpg|thumb|Sample of a [[Flyer (pamphlet)|flyer]] for Rodrigues's theater production ''Mugdom Baddcar'']]
Upon learning of Rodrigues' return to Goa, Fernandes extended an invitation for him to showcase his singing talent in his ''tiatr''. It was the production titled ''Bebdo'' that served as Rodrigues' much-awaited breakthrough. His vocal performance in the play left a lasting impression on the audience, leading Fernandes to promptly recommend him to Souza Ferrao. Ferrao, who was organizing his own tiatr called ''Xetkampti'' (Farmer), saw the potential in Rodrigues and eagerly included him in the cast. One of Rodrigues' [[Solo (music)|solo]] [[kunbi]] songs, "Naum Minguelll", emerged as the standout piece in ''Xetkampti'' and garnered significant acclaim. Subsequently, numerous offers began to pour in, with Bombay-based contractors vying to secure Rodrigues for their upcoming shows. Capitalizing on his newfound popularity, Rodrigues ventured into writing his own ''tiatrs''.<ref name=":0" />

In 1945, Rodrigues unveiled his first full-length ''tiatr'', ''Duddvancho Fors'' (Power of Wealth), which enjoyed immediate success. Contractors quickly recognized that Rodrigues' ''tiatrs'' not only delivered an entertaining experience but also tackled profound themes and showcased beautiful singing in each act. Rodrigues was diligent in ensuring that his productions featured three songs: a regular solo, a comic solo, and a [[duet]] or [[Trio (music)|trio performance]] with his colleagues. Moreover, Rodrigues' regular appearances on [[All India Radio]] further elevated his stature, and his songs gained widespread popularity through [[Saregama|His Master's Voice]]. Among his notable renditions are "Burgueponn", "Tarvotti", and "Dotik Rodditat", which have achieved enduring status as beloved classics.<ref name=":0" />

==Death==
Rodrigues struggled with [[alcoholism]], and he died due to it on 4 October 1955, at the age of 31<ref name=":0" /> at his residence in [[Cortalim, Goa]].<ref name=":3" />

==Legacy==
The death of Rodrigues had a profound impact on the [[Konkani language|Konkani]] community, particularly in [[Portuguese India|Colonial Goa]]. The official radio station of Goa,<ref name=":2" /> ''Emisora de Goa'' (now [[All India Radio]] of [[Prasar Bharati]]), dedicated a significant portion of their broadcast to provide a live commentary on the funeral procession. This commentary was delivered by Allen Costa, who also paid homage to Rodrigues by playing his songs for a continuous duration of two hours. Such a tribute was a rare honor bestowed upon a ''[[tiatrist]]'' (a performer in the traditional [[Goan]] theatre form known as ''[[tiatr]]'').<ref name=":1" />

==Cultural impact==
In 1976, Richard Fernandes undertook an endeavor to revive the artistic legacy of Rodrigues who had died two decades prior. Fernandes assumed the roles of director and producer to bring Rodrigues' ''[[tiatr]]'', titled ''Irmanv-achem Cazar''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tiatr in Toronto...down the ages |url=https://www.heraldgoa.in/Review/Tiatr-in-Torontodown-the-ages/193395 |access-date=2023-12-21 |website=oHeraldo |date=31 August 2022 }}</ref> (Brother's Wedding), back to life. This theatrical production was meticulously organized, weighing the various factors involved, such as its strengths, weaknesses, and overall satisfaction of the director and actors. The ''tiatr'' resonated well with the audience, instilling confidence in Fernandes and prompting him to continue the tradition. The following year, Fernandes directed and produced another ''tiatr'' written by Rodrigues, titled ''Ghorachem Kestaum'', further contributing to the preservation of Rodrigues' artistic legacy.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=How Minguel Rod set the stage for tiatrs in Canada |url=https://www.thegoan.net/global-goenkar/%EF%BB%BFhow-minguel-rod-set-the-stage-for-tiatrs-in-canada/87911.html |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=The Goan EveryDay |language=en |archive-date=2023-12-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220134147/https://www.thegoan.net/global-goenkar/%EF%BB%BFhow-minguel-rod-set-the-stage-for-tiatrs-in-canada/87911.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

During this period, a significant community of [[Goans#Geographical distribution|Goan expatriates]] who had migrated from [[East Africa]] had settled in Canada. The performances of the aforementioned ''tiatrs'' deeply resonated their hearts. Inspired by the success of Rodrigues' works, individuals such as Frank D'Souza, Margaret D'Souza, Delphine D'Souza, Braz D'Cruz, Frank Fernandes, and Zulema D'Souza joined forces with Richard Fernandes to establish a theatrical group known as The Goan Theatrical Group (GTG). Margaret D'Souza took on the responsibility of scripting the performances in English, which were then translated into [[Konkani language|Konkani]] to cater to the Konkani-speaking community residing in [[Toronto]], Canada. The GTG embarked on a journey, creating and presenting their own theatrical productions for nearly two decades.<ref name=":1" />

Among the productions presented by The Goan Theatrical Group were: ''Alzirachem Sopon'' (1978), produced by Lina Remedios, ''Divors Matarponnar'' (1980), directed by Frank De Souza, ''Tegui Bailo'' (Three Women) (1981), directed by Frank De Souza, ''Kalljidar Bhoinn'' (Brave Sister) (1982), directed by Frank De Souza, ''Peleachi Nosai'' (1983), directed by Errol Francis, ''Gupit Mog'' (Secret Love) (1984), translated by Lynn Souza Marques and written and directed by Margaret De Souza, ''Atancho Teomp'' (1986), directed by Margaret De Souza, ''Konn Mhozo Pai'' (Who Is My Father) (1987), translated by Maggie Francis and written and directed by Margaret De Souza, ''Ojeapanchi Bhett'' (Surprising Sacrifice) (1988), translated by Frank De Souza and written and directed by Margaret De Souza, ''Rateor'' (1990), translated by Frank De Souza and written and directed by Margaret De Souza, ''Doria Amchem Noxib'' (1995), translated by Maggie Francis and written and directed by Margaret De Souza.<ref name=":1" />

Rodrigues's tiatrs played a significant role in fostering the ''tiatr'' culture within the Canadian community. Similarly to [[Goa]], the ''tiatr'' activities in Canada came to a halt due to the impact of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. However, as of August 2022, the Konkani-speaking diaspora anticipates the revival of ''tiatr'' performances now that the restrictions imposed in the aftermath of the pandemic have been lifted.<ref name=":1" />

==Selected stage works==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Year
!Title
!Role
!Notes
!Ref
|-
|1936
|''My Dear Roza Ani Mogacho Pedru''
|Writer
|Short play
|rowspan="2"|<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K-1PAQAAIAAJ&q=Xetkampti+tiatr+Souza+Ferrao |title=100 Years of Konkani Tiatro |date=2000 |publisher=Government of Goa, Directorate of Art & Culture |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|1941
|Untitled ''tiatr''
|Singer
|Debut ''tiatr''
|-
|1943
|''Bebdo''
|Singer
|
|rowspan="3"|<ref name=":0" />
|-
|
|''Xetkampti''
|Singer
|
|-
|1945
|''Duddvancho Fors''
|Writer/singer
|Debut as playwright
|-
|1976
|Irmanv-achem Cazar
|Writer/singer
|re-release by Richard Fernandes
|rowspan="2"|<ref name=":1" />
|-
|1977
|''Ghorachem Kestaum''
|Writer/singer
|re-release by Richard Fernandes
|}

==Select discography==
*''Burgueponn''
*''Dotik Roddttat''
*''Tarvotti''

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rod, Minguel}}
[[Category:1924 births]]
[[Category:1955 deaths]]
[[Category:Tiatrists]]
[[Category:Singers from Goa]]
[[Category:Musicians from North Goa district]]

Minguel Rod - Revision history

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