Connie M

Conceicão Diogo da Silva (born 21 August 1948), known professionally as Connie M, is an Indian singer, actor, drummer, and playwright who works on the Konkani stage.

Early life

Conceicão Diogo da Silva was born on 21 August 1948, in Per-Seraulim, Goa, which was a part of Portuguese India during the time of the Portuguese Empire. He was born into a Goan Catholic family, with his father Joaquim Tomas da Silva working as a seafarer and his mother Maria Rosada Fernandes being a homemaker. Maria Rosada Fernandes also had a background in '' khell tiatrs'' and hailed from Vanelim, Salcete. Conceicao had five siblings, two sisters named Escolastica and Catarina, and three brothers named C. D'Silva, a Konkani actor and singer, Agnelo, and Constancio.

Career

D'Silva embarked on his musical journey in 1960 when his older brother Constancio Menino bestowed upon him his first drum set as a generous gift. This act of kindness enabled D'Silva, who lacked the means to purchase his own equipment, to pursue his passion for drumming. From that point onward, he displayed dedication to his craft.

In 1965, D'Silva joined forces with Ignatius & His Swing Band as their drummer. Notably, during that same year, he left an impression on the audience with a performance that nearly caused damage to the drum set and left him with a torn T-shirt. As the emergence of beat groups took hold, D'Silva found himself drumming for Ebony, where his talent garnered recognition as the town's premier drummer for weddings and beat shows.

Subsequently, D'Silva embarked on a musical odyssey, lending his drumming prowess to a succession of bands including CIC Band (Raia, Goa), Luis & his Melodians, Radio Serenaders, AVC Pops, and Melody Makers. In 1983, he took a step in his career by establishing his own ensemble, Fantasy, which became one of the most popular dance bands of the 1980s. They performed at numerous weddings and dances, with festivities often commencing at 10 p.m. and extending well into the early hours of the morning in an era devoid of sound restrictions.

In addition to his drumming prowess, D'Silva held a deep fascination for the traditional Konkani ''tiatr'', a form of musical theater. During his formative years, he ventured into the realm of dramatic arts, participating in various productions and showcasing his vocal abilities through humorous songs. Fortuitously, his brother C. D'Silva, a Konkani actor and singer, provided D'Silva with a platform to nurture his singing talent. His theatrical journey commenced with appearances in Santos de Arossim's ''Catkar'' (Cheater) and Casiano D'Costa's ''tiatr Kuniad'' (Brother-in-law), and from that point onward, he never wavered in his pursuit of artistic prowess. Notably, D'Silva frequently collaborated with his brother C. D'Silva, who was acclaimed for his versatility in portraying myriad characters on stage.

D'Silva, as a musician, dedicated 37 years of his life to mastering the art of drumming. However, in 2002, he made the difficult decision to relinquish his drumsticks due to disagreements with his band members, who insisted on incorporating recorded music into their performances rather than relying solely on live instrumentation. D'Silva had been integral part of the band Fantasy, which had gained immense popularity as the star attraction at prominent beat shows in Salcete and the now-disbanded Arlem Festival.

Following his departure from drumming, D'Silva redirected his focus towards singing Konkani songs for ''tiatrs'' (Goa musical dramas) and other musical shows. Demonstrating his talents as a vocalist, J P Perieira of ''The Navhind Times'' writes, D'Silva captivated audiences with his own compositions, earning widespread acclaim in various productions under the direction of figures such as Patrick Dourado, Rafael Noel, Prince Jacob, Ben Evangelisto, Oldrin Sequeira Tony Dias, and many others.

While D'Silva's musical pursuits afforded him opportunities to perform abroad, including onboard cruise liners with his band, it was his active involvement in the Konkani stage that enabled him to showcase his talents in diverse international settings. Throughout his illustrious career, D'Silva has been unreserved in expressing his deep admiration for Alfred Rose, a Konkani singer, whom he regards as his ultimate idol. D'Silva continues to honor Rose's legacy by incorporating his songs into his repertoire alongside his own compositions. He holds Rose's voice and distinctive style in the highest regard, considering him the vanguard of all musical shows. D'Silva asserts that the current generation of singers falls short of Rose's exceptional talent, emphasizing the unparalleled contributions Rose made to the music industry.

In June 2015, a musical event took place at the Pai Tiatrist Hall, located in the Ravindra Bhavan in Margao. The event, meticulously arranged by D'Silva, showcased am ensemble of prominent artists from the Konkani stage. Notably, the performance featured the band Fantasy, with D'Silva himself demonstrating his mastery on the drums and lending his vocal talents to two songs. Adding to the allure of the event, emerging talents Sunaina, Aveena, and Cielda Pereira graced the stage, infusing the Goan music scene. Furthermore, the occasion served as a platform for D'Silva to anticipate the release of his highly anticipated Konkani audio album titled ''Silver, Golden Jubilee''. The concert was a collaborative effort between the Department of Art and Culture and the Ravindra Bhavan committee. Following the conclusion of the three-hour spectacle and the launch of his sixth CD, ''Best of Connie M'', D'Silva made the decision to step away from regular performances, reserving his appearances for select and special occasions.

Awards

D'Silva has been honored with the "Goa State Cultural Award" in the field of music for the year 2007–2008. He was recognized for his lyrical composition in the ''tiatr'' performances ''Family Day'' and ''Kurl'leo'', winning the "Best Lyrics" prize for his songs "Osotori" and "Moronn" respectively. Furthermore, D'Silva received a special acknowledgement from the Ravindra Bhavan, Margao for his significant contributions to the ''tiatr'' domain.

Selected stage works

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:M, Connie
Living people
1948 births
Goan people
Tiatrists
Indian male singers
People from South Goa district