C. Alvares

C Alvares, the well-known stage name of Mr. Celestino Santana Francisco Alvares, is an Indian actor, singer, playwright, director, and producer. He was born on August 1, 1920. His unique acting style and way of attracting the audience made him an exceptional artist. In his journey of serving the tiatr stage for almost six decades, he has performed in 1000s of them and has written & produced around 107 tiatrs. He has also worked in many Konkani films like Bhuierantlo Munis, Mhoji Ghorkarn, Amchem Noxib, Uddta to Buddta, and Nirmon. Nirmon, the film that won a national award, also earned him a Best Actor award. He remains an Evergreen Hero of the Konkani stage.

Although he had no formal music training, he was a meticulous singer and composer of eloquent duets on different social issues. That is how he gained the title King Of Duets. He produced Faxi Mogachi, a Konkani film. He even has credits for encouraging female participation on the Konkani stage. He introduced many actresses to the Konkani stage, including Antonette Mendes, Miss Mohana Cabral, Betty Fernandes, Shalini Mardolkar, Cecilia (Albuquerque) Machado, Filomena Braz, Ophelia Cabral, and Jessie Dias. He also scripted Khuimcho Sacrament, an all-ladies show, and the debuted actresses became a part of significant films.

He died on February 28, 1999. His brothers, the late Assuncao’s sons, Alex and Fr Dominic Alvares, and their uncle, the late Tommy Alvares’ son, Mark Jude, and their cousins formed the C Alvares and Brothers Memorial Trust in his remembrance. On his 24th death anniversary, a road near his ancestral home in Saligao was named C. Alvares Marg after this great personality of the Konkani stage. His remarkable words, which are also a part of his song, Claudia, Vhodllo Man Sounsarant Boreponn Dovrit Zalear Vopon (translation: It is a great honor on earth to sow goodness), are inscribed on the plaque.