Sammy Tavares

Sammy Tavares PPM
Tavares in 2023
Born	(1962-11-01) 1 November 1962 Cuncolim, Goa, India
Occupations	Playwright theatre director singer
Years active	1970s–present
Spouse	Aluxia Fernandes ​ (m. 1991)​
Children	1
Awards	President's Police Medal (2022)
Website	facebook.com/sammy.tavares.56

Sammy Caraciolo Tavares PPM (born 1 November 1962) is an Indian playwright, theatre director, singer, and former police officer of the Goa Police Service (GPS), who served as the Superintendent of Police at the Konkan Railway Police Station in Margao. He is known for his work in tiatr productions.

Early life

Sammy Caraciolo Tavares was born on 1 November 1962, in Cuncolim, Goa, India, to Teodosio Diniz Tavares, a seafarer, and Lila Pinto Tavares, a homemaker from Assolna, in a Goan Catholic family. He had an elder brother, Maxie "Max" (born 1961). Tavares's familial background is characterized of a connection to both the Goan liberation movement and the artistic tradition of tiatr. His father, Teodosio, also a figure of freedom in the struggle against Portuguese rule, utilized the platform of tiatr to voice his dissent through his song against the colonial regime. His performances, particularly in the region of Cuncolim, resonated with the local populace and contributed to the growing anti-colonial sentiment.

This act of defiance, however, led to Teodosio's imprisonment for eight months in the Aguada Jail. This pivotal song was later documented in the Marathi historical book Svotontr Laddeacho Itihas (Vol II) by Manohar Rai Sardesai. The family's engagement with tiatr extended beyond his father's activism. Tavares's relatives, including his uncles Theotoliano and Michael, as well as his brother Max, played a role in the tiatr genre as both writers and performers in their native town of Cuncolim. Tavares's own introduction to tiatr occurred during his school years in the late 1970s, marking the beginning of his personal journey within this artistic tradition.

Theatrical career

Tavares's introduction to the stage was characterized by a degree of trepidation. He made his full theatrical debut in the late 1970s, participating in his brother Max's penned tiatr, Vingas. Prior to this, Tavares's stage appearances were confined to guest roles in the performances directed by his father and brother, which took place at the yearly village festival. The trio, comprising Tavares, Astromir, and Milton, opted for a comedic song, which was met with approval from the audience. The group's performance was met with praise, resulting in several requests for them to reprise their act on stage.

Tavares's entry into the professional music scene occurred later in his life, following a performance at the Summer Tiatr Festival. The festival, coordinated by the Rising Club Sanvorcotto, an organization situated in Cuncolim, provided a platform for his song "Porot Ghara Vor" (Take me back home). The song, focusing on the struggles of senior citizens in care facilities, received recognition from members of the tiatr community. Comedian Agostinho and Xavier Gomes, impressed by the song's emotional impact and Tavares's songwriting talent, encouraged him to pursue a more active role in the industry. Motivated by this recognition, Tavares began composing, resulting in a collection of nine songs. These compositions were later recorded and released in his debut album, Police Porjek, in 2010. The album featured popular tiatr singers such as Lawry Travasso, Xavier Gomes, and Aniceto. Tavares continued to release music, with subsequent albums Dessak Bhettoi and Mhaka Mog Goykarancho (2013).

Tavares's career trajectory encompassed both public service and artistic expression. During the period of 1981–1982, he participated in the development of one-act plays and took the initiative to host competitions dedicated to one-act performances in the town of Cuncolim. In 1987, he transitioned into a career in law enforcement, enlisting in the Goa Police as a Sub-inspector. Despite the demands of his new role, Tavares remained actively involved in the Konkani theatre, balancing his police duties with his artistic pursuits. This simultaneous engagement was enabled by the support of his commanding officers, who granted the necessary permissions without any impediments. Nehanda, his daughter and a fellow police officer, noted that her father managed to fulfill both his police obligations and his passion for the Konkani stage without idling away his free time. Whenever he had time off from his law enforcement duties. Tavares actively participated in theatrical performances, noting his willingness to work late nights.

Tavares's work in the Goa Police Service (GPS) significantly influenced his involvement in tiatr, a popular Konkani theatrical tradition. His early roles as Station House Officer demanded extensive time commitment, limiting his opportunities to participate in tiatr. Upon promotion to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP), his responsibilities shifted to a supervisory role, affording him more time to pursue his artistic interests. Tavares's tiatr career enabled him to have international reach. In 2014, he temporarily stepped away from the Konkani theatrical scene, later reemerging in 2017 with a new play titled Police Officer. He achieved the distinction of being the inaugural tiatr director to perform in North America, with the debut of his second tiatr, Tim Thikam Sanddlolim, taking place in 2014. This production subsequently toured the UK, Dubai, and Kuwait. His debut play, known as Aplea Bhurgeam Sangata, premiered in 2012 and was showcased in multiple international venues, such as Paris, the United Kingdom, Dubai, Kuwait, and Muscat. The play Police Officer, his third production further expanded his international presence, performing in the US, Canada, UK, Dubai, Kuwait, Muscat, and Bahrain.

Personal life

On 13 January 1991, Tavares, aged 28, married Aluxia Agnel Antonette Fernandes, aged 24, a homemaker, at Our Lady of Health Church, Cuncolim. Six days prior, they had their civil marriage registration. His wife was born in Karachi, Pakistan, to Goan Catholic parents and was baptized at Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Karachi. At the time of her marriage, she resided in Sarzora, Goa. The couple had a daughter, Nehanda, who is a fellow police officer. Maxie "Max", brother of Tavares, was instrumental in the promotion of tiatrs (traditional Goan plays) among the Goan community in Bahrain. He organized performances featuring popular artists, including Roseferns, John D' Silva, Rosario Rodrigues, William de Curtorim, and the duo Wilmix/Sharon.

Max died in 1997, around the age of 36. Tavares identifies as a Catholic and is recognized for his deep religious convictions. He also holds a strong reverence for the Hindu goddess Shantadurga Kunkalikarin. Despite lacking formal training in singing, his musical development was impacted by the artistic contributions of his uncles, Theotoliano and Michael, during his formative years. Tavares is actively involved in supporting marginalized communities. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, he wrote a song highlighting the threats posed by the virus. He engaged in street performances to disseminate important information and alert the public about the health risks associated with the pandemic.