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{{Short description|Indian theatre critic and writer (1925–2003)}}
{{about|an Indian theatre critic|the Puerto Rican baseball player|Orlando Gómez}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Orlando Gomes
| image = Orlando Gomes.jpg
| caption = Gomes in his later years
| birth_name = Orlando Jeremias Gomes
| birth_date = {{birth date|1925|1|17|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Bombay]], [[British India]]
| other_names = Orlando J. Gomes
| citizenship = {{ubl|
* [[British Raj]] (until 1947
* India (from 1947)}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|2003|8|5|1925|1|17|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Chira Bazaar]], Mumbai, India
| occupation = {{hlist|Theatre critic|writer}}
| employer = ''[[The Times of India]]''
}}

'''Orlando Jeremias Gomes''' (17 January 1925 – 5 August 2003), was an Indian [[theatre critic]] and writer known for his work on the [[Tiatr|Konkani stage]]. While employed by ''[[The Times of India]]'', he contributed to English and [[Konkani language]] publications such as ''Evening News'', ''The Goa Times'', ''Gulab'', and ''The Goan Review''. His contributions included [[Trailer (promotion)|previews]], [[reviews]], and free advertisements of Konkani ''[[tiatr]]s''.

==Early life==
Orlando Jeremias Gomes was born on 17 January 1925 in his ancestral Gomes building, Vijaywadi (formerly Dukhorwadi), [[Chira Bazaar]], [[Bombay]], which was part of [[Bombay Presidency]] during [[British India]] (now Mumbai, [[Maharashtra]], India), into a [[Goan Catholic]] family. Gomes' ancestral roots can be traced back to Gomes Vaddo in [[Majorda]], [[Salcete]], Goa, then part of [[Portuguese India]] during the [[Portuguese Empire]] (now located in India). His father, Joao Francisco Gomes, hailed from the village of Majorda, whereas his mother, Maria Paula Estifania Rodrigues, hailed from the coastal village of [[Anjuna]], Goa.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=30 June 2006 |title=Registo De Nascimento |url=https://goaonline.gov.in/Appln/UIL/BirthDeathCertificate_af?__Key=&_Mode=B&__cscKey= |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810131321/https://goaonline.gov.in/HomePage |archive-date=10 August 2023 |access-date=10 August 2023 |website=Goa Online}}</ref>

Despite his birth in Bombay, Gomes' birth was later registered in his parents' home state of Goa in 1949.<ref name=":2" /> From an early age, Gomes developed a deep appreciation for ''[[tiatr]]s'', a form of [[Goan]] [[musical theater]]. He had a clear recollection of the well-known ''[[tiatrist]]s'' from previous times and their commitment to the [[Konkani language|Konkani]] theater.<ref name=":1" /> Gomes pursued his education in Bombay, completing both his schooling and graduation there.<ref name=":0" />

==Career==
Gomes embarked on his professional journey in the advertising department of ''[[The Times of India]]'' publications subsequent to his education in [[Bombay]]. Ascending the ranks, he eventually assumed the position of senior advertisement officer before retiring. Gomes harbored an affinity for ''[[tiatr]]'', a form of [[Goan]] [[musical theater]], and undertook a significant role in its propagation within Bombay. Through his critical assessments and advance coverage of ''tiatrs'' in ''The Times of India'' and ''Evening News'', he introduced the art form to a broader audience, extending beyond the Goan community. During the zenith of the ''tiatr'' movement, spanning from the late 1970s to the late 1980s, Gomes made substantial contributions to the advancement and popularity of [[Konkani language|Konkani]] ''tiatrs'' in Bombay.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Da Costa |first=Fausto V. |title=TIATR 125th Anniversary Commemorative Volume |publisher=[[Tiatr Academy of Goa]] |year=2019 |location=[[Panaji, Goa]] |pages=265}}</ref> He upheld an inclusive stance, supporting both commercial and non-commercial ''tiatrs'', as well as related forms like ''[[Tiatr#Khell tiatr|khell-tiatrs]]'' and non-stop shows. Gomes exhibited impartiality, refraining from discriminating between various genres. In his assessment of Goan art, he showed a positive interest while maintaining an impartial stance, pointing out the strengths and weaknesses of ''tiatrs'' and ''khell-tiatrs'' in a manner that appealed to a broad range of viewers. Leveraging his position as a member of the staff of the English daily in India, ''The Times of India'', Gomes strategically used his influence to bolster the Konkani ''tiatr'' scene.<ref name=":1">{{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=349–351 |language=en}}</ref>

Gomes played a pivotal role in the establishment of the [[Man of the Year]] award, an annual accolade presented to the outstanding ''tiatr'' performance held in Bombay for a period of time. This recognition was made possible through the collaborative efforts of influential figures such as [[Murli Deora]], the former [[Mayor of Bombay]] and ex-[[Indian National Congress|Congress]] [[MP (India)|MP]], and Nolasco da Gama, a former Goan [[corporator]] in Bombay. Gomes, in addition to his involvement with ''tiatr'', made contributions as a writer, regularly contributing articles on ''tiatrs'' and various other Goan subjects of interest to Konkani publications including ''The Goa Times'', ''Gulab'', and ''The Goan Review''. Beyond Gomes, there existed a cadre of journalists who undertook the regular [[review]] of ''tiatrs''.<ref name=":0" /> Among these individuals were those who not only reviewed the scripted and directed performances but also displayed their acting prowess. Their multifaceted involvement played a significant role in the advancement of ''tiatr''. Among these influential figures were Dr. [[Simon C. Fernandes]], Evagrio Jeorge, Elliot de Elly, Anthony Fernandes, Zito Almeida, Ervell Menezes, Alfred D'Cruz, John Gomes (Kokoy), and Fr. Lactancio Almeida [[Society of the Missionaries of St. Francis Xavier, Pilar|SFX]], among others. The contributions of these artists to the evolution of ''tiatr'' have been documented in the ''125th Tiatr Commemorative Volume'' book. Writer [[Wilson Mazarello]] aptly acknowledged Gomes' dedication to the Konkani ''tiatr'' in his capacity as a journalist for the English newspaper, ''The Times of India'', stating that his contributions surpassed those of any other individual during that time.<ref name=":1" />

Gomes played a significant role in bolstering the presence and reputation of ''[[tiatr]]s'' in [[Bombay]]'s theatrical landscape. His contributions were inclusive and impartial, extending support to both established and aspiring actors, as well as to ''[[tiatrist]]s'' and [[Tiatr#Khell tiatr|khell-tiatr]]ists alike. Gomes' assiduity to the [[Tiatr|Konkani stage]] was evident through his proactive efforts, such as organizing previews, securing free advertisements, and generating favorable [[review]]s for these performances. His influence transcended regional boundaries, as his previews and reviews served as a gateway for non-[[Goans]] to discover and appreciate the [[Konkani language|Konkani]] ''tiatr''. In his writings, Gomes exhibited a marked positive inclination towards this form of theater, ensuring that his previews were filled with enthusiasm and his reviews offered [[constructive criticism]]. His goal was to highlight the ''tiatr'''s strengths while providing suggestions to address any shortcomings, all delivered in a manner that was respectful and non-detrimental. Author Wilson Mazarello aptly noted Gomes' affection for the Konkani ''tiatr'', emphasizing that his previews and reviews consistently reflected this sentiment. As of 1995, despite retiring from ''[[The Times of India]]'', Gomes continued to support his cause by collaborating with the media to offer [[insights]] and [[critiques]] for every ''tiatr'' performance in Bombay.<ref name=":1" />

==Personal life==
Gomes was an advocate and enthusiast of the [[Konkani language|Konkani]] ''[[tiatr]]'', a theatrical art form. He displayed an ardor for the genre and actively contributed to its development and welfare. Gomes willingly extended his support and guidance to aspiring ''tiatrists'', offering them insights into the ethical aspects of pursuing a successful stage career. Gomes was also an admirer of several ''tiatrists'', who were performers in the [[Goan]] traditional theatre form known as ''tiatr''. In 1995, Gomes resided with his family in Vijaywadi, situated off [[Girgaum]] Road in Bombay.<ref name=":1" /> On 5 August 2003, Gomes died at the age of 78 in his ancestral Gomes building located in [[Chira Bazaar]], [[Mumbai]].<ref name=":0" />

==References==
{{Reflist}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Gomes, Orlando}}
[[Category:1925 births]]
[[Category:2003 deaths]]
[[Category:Writers from Mumbai]]
[[Category:Indian theatre critics]]
[[Category:People of Goan descent]]

Orlando Gomes - Revision history

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