{{Short description|Indian playwright and director (born 1970)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}} {{Use Indian English|date=August 2024}} {{Infobox person | name = Pascoal de Chicalim | image = Pascoal de Chicalim at Tiatr Day (cropped).jpg | caption = Fernandes at the Kala Academy, 2018 | birth_name = Pascoal Tony Fernandes | birth_place = Mapusa, Goa, India | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1970|3|15|df=y}} | occupation = {{hlist|Playwright|theatre director|producer|actor|singer}} | years_active = {{circa|1983}}–present | other_names = Pascu | notable_works = {{ubl| * ''Do Pal'' (1991) * ''Connection'' (2017) }} | spouse = {{marriage|Sharon Fernandes|1996}} | children = 2 | employer = Mormugao Port Trust | website = {{URL|facebook.com/pascoalf3}} }}
'''Pascoal Tony Fernandes''' (born 15 March 1970), known professionally as '''Pascoal de Chicalim''', is an Indian playwright, theatre director, theatrical producer, actor, and singer known for his work in Hindi, Konkani films, Marathi ''nataks'', and ''tiatr'' productions.
==Early life== Fernandes grew up with his sisters, including Sera, Felicia, Sabrina, and Dolsey.<ref name=":1" /> From a young age, he demonstrated an interest and talent in the performing arts. During his early adolescence, at 13 years old, he authored his inaugural ''tiatr'' performance titled ''Sogllim Ami Ektaim'' (All of Us Together), which debuted in his village as part of the annual festivities commemorating Mother Mary. Over the following years, Fernandes continued his literary journey by crafting ''tiatrs'' such as ''Bunead'' (Foundation) and ''Kupam'' (Clouds) specifically tailored for village feasts and communal celebrations. In his early career as a playwright, he crafted ''tiatrs'' for the parish church in Colvale,<ref name=":0" /> collaborating with amateur actors to present these theatrical works. Fernandes began his artistic career by predominantly presenting performances in rural villages and local environments.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2016-04-02 |title=Pascoal de Chicalim is on a mission to snuff out the 'devil' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/pascoal-de-chicalim-is-on-a-mission-to-snuff-out-the-devil/articleshow/51656382.cms |access-date=2024-08-11 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
Fernandes hailed from the town of Colvale,<ref name=":0" /> but later he made a transition to Vasco da Gama, Goa due to professional motivations and has chosen to maintain his place of residence there. There have been instances of confusion where individuals have incorrectly attributed Fernandes to the nearby region of Chicalim in Vasco da Gama, possibly owing to the similarity in names between the two locations.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=2013-05-08 |title=It's a case of mistaken identity sometimes: Pascoal de Chicalim |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/movie-details/news-interviews/its-a-case-of-mistaken-identity-sometimes-pascoal-de-chicalim/articleshow/19949911.cms |access-date=2024-08-11 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> Fernandes's upbringing was shaped by his mother Maria's insistence that the family master the use of a traditional grinding tool known as a ''Rogddo''. She was strict in ensuring her children, including Fernandes, learned to grind food items properly using this device, and would even resort to physical discipline if they did not cooperate. This resulted in Fernandes facing mockery from neighbors until his father Camilo acquired a mixer, which made the grinding stone obsolete.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=De Chicalim |first=Pascoal |date=21 July 2024 |title=ROGDDO The Grinding Stone |url=https://www.nizgoenkar.com/newsDetails.php?id=700 |access-date=2024-08-11 |website=Niz Goenkar}}</ref>
==Career== Fernandes' 1990 production titled ''Tuzo Rag Mhozo Bodlo'' (Your Anger, My Revenge) was a milestone, elevating him to widespread acknowledgment. Around the same time, he was given the stage name "Pascoal de Chicalim" by Fr. Savio Gama, a priest known for his healing abilities originating from Verna in the region of Goa, and connected to the Colvale church at the time. In addition to his own dramatic works, Fernandes also contributed to ''tiatrs'' (Konkani-language theatrical productions) created by other popular Goan artists. He collaborated with the Mapusa-based playwright Joe Boy, providing input for the ''tiatrs Soiro'' (Relative) and ''To Melo'' (He Died). These productions featured a cast that included Wilmix/Sharon, William de Curtorim, H. Britton, and Young Chico. Furthermore, Fernandes had acting roles in the ''tiatr Chitrakar'' ("Painter") by Bonaventure D'Pietro, as well as in a theatrical production overseen by Fermeena Khaunte.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Son of Colvale & Chicalim's pride |url=https://www.heraldgoa.in/Cafe/Son-of-Colvale-Chicalim%E2%80%99s-pride/164248 |access-date=2024-08-11 |website=oHeraldo |date=31 August 2022 }}</ref>
Fernandes was actively involved in various aspects of ''tiatr'' production, including scriptwriting, performing, and singing. He exhibited a fervor for vocal performance, actively engaging in village theatrical performances called ''tiatrs'', where he formed collaborations with the comedian Leslie. This demonstrated his versatility as a performer, able to transition between various roles within the ''tiatr'' medium. Beyond his work as a performer, Fernandes also contributed to the ''tiatr'' canon as a playwright. The theatrical production ''Gulfache Udok'' (Water of Gulf) was written by him specifically for the producer Seby de St. Jose de Areal, assembling a cast of seasoned ''tiatr'' artists for this production. The play was staged 11 times, showcasing the talents of the performers under his direction. Fernandes also leveraged opportunities to showcase his talents on a larger stage. In 2010, he participated in the annual ''tiatr'' competition organized by the Kala Academy, presenting his work ''Pojisanv'' (Position), which secured the fourth place. This recognition encouraged Fernandes to expand his reach, and in 2012, he transitioned to the commercial ''tiatr'' circuit, continuing to present his artistic endeavors to a wider audience.<ref name=":0" />
Since the early 2010s, Fernandes has written and directed Konkani plays that have achieved commercial success and were characterized by an element of suspense in their storytelling, including ''Doria'' (2013), ''Viva Sao Joao'' (2014), ''Devchar'' (2015), ''Anj Boddvo'' (2016), ''Sopon'' (2017), ''Kolakaram'' (2018), ''Rochnna'' (2019), and ''Hanv Goemcho Saiba'' (2022).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tiatr staged to support Konkani newspaper |url=https://www.thegoan.net/goa-news/tiatr-staged-to-support-konkani-newspaper/87198.html |access-date=2024-08-11 |website=The Goan EveryDay |language=en}}</ref> In addition to his playwriting and directorial work, Fernandes has experience as a stage manager. He collaborated with the Goan theatrical figure Irineu Gonsalves in the creation of the ''tiatr'' performance ''Goy Goykaranchem'',<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Team |first1=Herald |title=Go Irineu… Go… Let's Tiatr! |url=https://www.heraldgoa.in/Review/Voice-Of-Tiatr/Go-Irineu%E2%80%A6-Go%E2%80%A6-Let%E2%80%99s-Tiatr/82995 |access-date=2024-08-11 |website=oHeraldo |date=31 August 2022 }}</ref> (Goa Belongs to Goans), which was Gonsalves' first such production. Fernandes' adeptness in regional languages, particularly Marathi, has facilitated his diversification into theatrical endeavors beyond Konkani productions. He has performed in four Marathi village ''nattaks'' (dramas), with two productions emphasizing social themes, while two others centering on historical subjects. Fernandes' creative contributions extend beyond the theater. He played a role in the 2017 Konkani movie ''Connection'' produced by Silvester Fernandes<ref>{{Cite web |title=This 'connection' is strong! |url=https://www.heraldgoa.in/Cafe/This-%E2%80%98connection%E2%80%99-is-strong/125259 |access-date=2024-08-11 |website=oHeraldo |date=31 August 2022 }}</ref> and also appeared in the 1991 Hindi film ''Do Pal'' alongside veteran actors Paresh Rawal and Akshay Anand.<ref name=":0" />
While Fernandes's primary creative outlet is acting, he has scripted ''tiatrs'', particularly in crafting suspenseful narratives. As an actor, he is particularly known for his abilities in character acting on the ''tiatr'' stage. This sometimes overshadows his skills as a singer. He prefers embodying complex character roles, often of a suspenseful or dramatic nature. Fernandes' output as a ''tiatr'' practitioner is constrained by his professional responsibilities at the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT). In contrast to certain peers who often stage several ''tiatr'' shows each season, he dedicates his attention to creating a single significant production annually. However, he dedicates significant time and attention to refining this singular annual ''tiatr'', with the aim of delivering a performance that thoroughly captivates the ''tiatr''-going audience.<ref name=":0" />
==Personal life== Fernandes moved to Vasco da Gama, Goa,<ref name=":2" /> to work near the Mormugao Port Trust, where he is currently employed.<ref name=":0" />
==References== {{Reflist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:de Chicalim, Pascoal}} Category:Living people Category:1970 births Category:Tiatrists Category:People from South Goa district Category:Dramatists and playwrights from Goa