PANAJI
Fr Nevel Gracias, priest and playwright passed away on May 13 and humble tributes poured in from tiatrists, writers and playwrights across Goa. Known for his love for tiatr and his belief that this form of local art could be a strong medium for spreading the message of Jesus, Fr Nevel conducted his duties as a priest sincerely. Recalling him as a good priest who served others, Tomazinho Cardozo, president of Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG) states that Fr Nevel became more popular in Goa and elsewhere because of his dramas. “Fr Nevel used to bring one fresh tiatr every year in the Lent season with the teaching of Jesus and staged 50 plus shows in Goa. In fact, Lent tiatr was his thought and concept. And he religiously carried out this mission for almost 25 long years,” said Tomazinho.
“Fr Nevel was a good writer, director, producer with a lot of experience in writing and publishing books. He compiled all his tiatr in a book which is a documented literature for the future generations, he has done a lot of work for the Konkani language,” said tiatrist Roseferns.
Prince Jacob, who recently met Fr Nevel said, “He was a good friend and we interacted frequently. His demise was so sudden and shocking. Fr Nevel was a nice priest, a soft-spoken and helpful person. It is a great loss for the priesthood. He went too early.”
Paying tribute to his memories, Vincy Quadros, president of Dalgado Konknni Akademi said that Fr Nevel was a multifaceted personality, a good priest and a regular writer who has contributed to the tiatr field tremendously.
Currently busy in his new tiatr, ‘Mhoje Fattlean Yeyat’, Fr Nevel was conferred with Dalgado cultural award two years ago. “He couldn’t attend the ceremony due to health reasons but he never stopped writing till his last breath,” said Vincy.
Cultural activist Marius Fernandes remembered Fr Nevel as a hero, singer and playwright who used to participate in Kala Academy tiatr contests. “He has left an imprint culturally, made people sing and act.”
