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<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Indian singer and playwright (born 1949)}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}<br />
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2024}}<br />
{{Infobox person <br />
| name = Xavier Gomes <br />
| image = Xavier Gomes at tiatr Dabolim vo Mopa Ho Lok Sangtolo (cropped).jpg<br />
| caption = Gomes at a ''[[tiatr]]'' production, 2013<br />
| birth_name = Jose Xavier Gomes<br />
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1949|12|3|df=y}}<br />
| birth_place = [[St Estevam|Santo Estêvão]], [[Goa]], [[Portuguese India]], [[Portuguese Empire]]<br />
| other_names = X. Gomes<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jose Xavier Gomes ( X. Gomes ) {{!}} Directorate of Art and Culture, Government of Goa, India |url=https://www.artandculture.goa.gov.in/en/jose-xavier-gomes-x-gomes |access-date=2024-06-17 |website=www.artandculture.goa.gov.in |archive-date=2024-06-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240617122326/https://www.artandculture.goa.gov.in/en/jose-xavier-gomes-x-gomes |url-status=live }}</ref><br />
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|theatre actor|playwright|director}}<br />
| spouse = Luiza Gomes <br />
| children = 2<br />
| years_active = {{circa|1962}}–present<br />
| website = {{URL|facebook.com/xavier.gomes.108}}<br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Jose Xavier Gomes''' (born 3 December 1949) is an Indian singer, theatre actor, playwright, theatre director, and former drummer who works on the [[Tiatr|Konkani stage]].<br />
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==Career==<br />
Gomes began his [[performing arts]] career at the young age of 8, appearing on the ''[[tiatr]]'' stage in a village drama production. At 13 years old, he made the transition to [[Bombay]] (now Mumbai), where he got the opportunity to participate in theatrical performances under the direction of the popular [[Konkani language|Konkani]] theater figure, [[C. Alvares]]. In 1974, Gomes ventured to [[Kuwait]] seeking improved prospects, where he sustained his engagement in the performance and production of ''tiatrs'' in the region. During this period, Gomes also wrote and directed three of his own original ''tiatr'' plays - ''Kazaracho Inam'', ''Sonvsarant Korin Vhoddlo?'', and ''Hanv Tuka Kedinch Bhogxichim Nam''. In addition to his work as a singer, Gomes was a [[drummer]] who performed with various [[musical group]]s.<ref name=":0">TAG's Lifetime Contribution to Tiatr Award: Profile of Xavier Gomes via [[Tiatr Academy of Goa]] (TAG) publication (15 December 2015)</ref> He maintained an active presence in the Konkani ''tiatr'' scene in [[Goa]], appearing regularly in productions directed by popular figures such as [[Prem Kumar (Konkani actor)|Prem Kumar]], [[M. Boyer]], [[Prince Jacob]], [[Mario Menezes]], [[John D' Silva]], Mariano Fernandes, [[Lawry Travasso]], and Sammy Tavares, among others.<ref name=":1">Goa State Cultural Award: Profile of Shri. Jose Xavier Gomes (Tiatr) via Directorate of Art and Culture, [[Goa]] publication (30 November 2016)</ref><br />
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Gomes also contributed to the Konkani performing arts in other ways. He contributed his vocal abilities to various [[audio recording]]s, particularly [[audio album]]s, and independently produced multiple albums as well, including ''Bore Kristanv'', ''Otmeank Rozar Kor'', ''Jezuk Okman Kelo'', and ''Indian Passport''. Additionally, Gomes created popular [[video album]]s like ''Ghorkarachi Zodd'' and ''Bhavancho Ekvott''.<ref name=":0" /> Throughout his career, Gomes maintained a strong presence in the Konkani ''tiatr'' scene, performing regularly not only in Goa and Mumbai, but also in the [[Gulf region]] (mainly [[Bahrain]], [[Qatar]], Dubai, [[Abu Dhabi]], and [[Muscat]]), [[Western world|the West]] and also internationally in places like London, France, Germany. Over the course of his career, Gomes is estimated to have appeared on more than 200 Konkani audio and video recordings ([[CD]]/[[VCD]]s). He played a vital role in introducing and promoting the art of ''tiatr'' performances in Kuwait as one of the early pioneers in the field.<ref name=":1" /><br />
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===Introduction to drumming===<br />
Speaking about his transition from being a singer to becoming a [[drummer]], Gomes explains that before going to [[Kuwait]], he used to perform as a singer in ''[[tiatr]]s'' staged in [[Bombay]]. In Kuwait during the late 20th century, many ''tiatrs'' were also staged. One day, during a ''tiatr'' [[rehearsal]] in Kuwait, Gomes attended as a singer. At that time, he did not play the drums or own a [[drum set]]. Instead, he would play with [[cooking pot]]s and sticks at home, but not professionally. During the rehearsal, he noticed the [[Drum beat|drummer's beats]], which he did not like accompanying his song. Gomes asked the drummer to play the beats according to his instructions. In response, the drummer gave Gomes a serious and surprised stare. At the time he was in Kuwait, Gomes was quite new in the country, he was in his 20s,<ref name=":0" /> and his youth was the reason for moving to Kuwait. The drummer remained quiet when Gomes expressed his opinion. Later, Gomes once again urged the drummer, telling him that he was not comfortable with the beats. The drummer replied that "new kids often complained about the same thing, and that if one actually plays the drums, they would understand how difficult it is".<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Xavier Gomes {{!}} Aniceto Lourenco {{!}} Candid with Candida {{!}} Ep. 66 {{!}} Prudent {{!}} 271223 |url=https://www.prudentmedia.in/candid-with-candida/xavier-gomes-aniceto-lourenco-candid-with-candida-ep-66-prudent-271223/23217.html |access-date=2024-06-17 |website=www.prudentmedia.in |language=en |archive-date=2024-06-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240617115802/https://www.prudentmedia.in/candid-with-candida/xavier-gomes-aniceto-lourenco-candid-with-candida-ep-66-prudent-271223/23217.html |url-status=live }}</ref><br />
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In Kuwait, there was a sort of practice within the ''tiatr'' tradition during the 1970s. If a ''[[tiatrist]]'' came to perform in a ''tiatr'' in Kuwait, their whole family would accompany them, usually consisting of 2–3 family members. During the ''tiatr'' rehearsal attended by Gomes, there were many audience members present. The drummer once again played the drums, but Gomes did not like the beats as they did not match his singing. Gomes asked the drummer once more to rectify the issue as he himself was not comfortable with it. In response, the drummer threw his [[drum stick]]s onto the drums in front of the audience. This incident occurred during Gomes' first ''tiatr'' production as an amateur singer in Kuwait. Witnessing this reaction from the drummer, Gomes felt embarrassed. Gomes' roommate Marcus, a [[Konkani language|Konkani]] singer who performed with Gomes as a [[duo (music)|duo]], encouraged Gomes to play the drums. Initially hesitant as he had never owned a drum set or played drums professionally, except for playing on cooking pots and sticks at home, Gomes gathered the courage, and prepared himself to play the drums.<ref name=":2" /><br />
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During their ''tiatr'' rehearsal, there was a [[band leader]] who was a [[saxophonist]]. He instructed Gomes, a singer with no prior knowledge of playing the drums, to play the instrument in any way that felt comfortable to him. Gomes informed the band leader that he was not a drummer and could only identify incorrect beats with instructions. Despite this, the band leader persisted in asking Gomes to play, as their original drummer was tired of being criticized by young Gomes for his incorrect beats. When the band began playing, Gomes surprisingly played the correct beat for one [[Verse (music)|verse]]. While playing the drums, Gomes would also sing. Following this, Gomes spoke with the original drummer, asking him to play his beats while Gomes sang along to that [[rhythm]]. The drummer was shocked by this response. The drummer had ongoing issues cooperating with other band members, and within a month for some unspecified reason, the band decided to part ways with the drummer. Subsequently, two band members visited Gomes at his residence in Kuwait, informing him about their previous drummer's departure and expressing their need for a new drummer. Gomes explained to them that he was not a professional drummer and did not even own a drum set.<ref name=":2" /><br />
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Upon learning that Gomes was somewhat hesitant to join their band, the two band members assured him that they would guide and support him. They informed him that there was only 1–2 months remaining until a show scheduled for 31 December. Upon hearing this, Gomes became nervous as he would have to play the drums for a specific number of [[musical piece]]s and songs. He requested a few days to consider their offer. Gomes resided in a [[Bachelor pad|bachelor's residence]] with 6-7 other boys in [[Kuwait]]. There was an elderly woman living nearby who offered encouragement to Gomes, advising him to purchase a [[drum set]] since he did not own one, and she promised to assist him. Due to his limited salary, Gomes could not afford to buy a drum set. The elderly woman paid for his drum set, and Gomes contacted the band members. His first drum set was from [[Pearl Drums]]. Gomes then began daily rehearsals for the upcoming show, focusing on basic drumming without incorporating techniques like [[drum roll]]s. Subsequently, Gomes continued to play the drums for the next 17–18 years until he became a professional drummer.<ref name=":2" /><br />
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==Personal life==<br />
Gomes resided in [[Kuwait]] from 1974<ref name=":0" /> until his retirement in 1993, after which he returned to his home state of [[Goa]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=A voice made for the stage |url=https://www.heraldgoa.in/Voice-Of-Tiatr/A-voice-made-for-the-stage/139878 |access-date=2024-06-17 |website=oHeraldo |date=31 August 2022 |archive-date=2024-02-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223180834/https://www.heraldgoa.in/Voice-Of-Tiatr/A-voice-made-for-the-stage/139878 |url-status=live }}</ref> He is married.<ref name=":2" /> According to the ''2012 Directory of Tiatr Artistes'', Gomes lived at Palmar Vaddo in [[St Estevam]], Goa.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=45_WlAEACAAJ |title=Directory of Tiatr Artistes, 2012 |date=2012 |publisher=Tiatr Academy of Goa |pages=119 |language=en |access-date=2024-06-17 |archive-date=2024-06-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240620184716/https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Directory_of_Tiatr_Artistes_2012/45_WlAEACAAJ?hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref><br />
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==Style==<br />
Gomes is recognized for his unique performance style, characterized by dancing to the [[rhythm]] of the [[Introduction (music)|introductory music]] before he begins to sing. This ritualistic stage entrance is a customary feature of Gomes's performances, with audiences anticipating his performances when the band plays his signature beats.<ref name=":2" /><br />
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==References==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
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{{Authority control}}<br />
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Gomes, Xavier}}<br />
[[Category:Living people]]<br />
[[Category:1949 births]]<br />
[[Category:Tiatrists]]<br />
[[Category:Musicians from North Goa district]]<br />
[[Category:Writers from North Goa district]]<br />
[[Category:Konkani-language singers]]</div>MarcyThompson89