Mr. M. BOYER (as he is popularly known on the Konkani stage or otherwise, born on 11th October, 1930 in Ponda as Manuel Santan Aguiar) whose with presence on the Konkanni stage has made a significant impact for over half a century.
With his in-born acting talents being apparent very early on, it seems at the age of 15, he composed and sang his first song which gained him all round appreciation.
While in School on account of his School Principal (at the Catholic Education Institute, where he studied upto the Xth Standard), being a strict disciplinarian, who would not allow his students to go into acting lest, they neglect their studies, made Manuel Santan Aguiar take on the pseudonym of M. Taylor (while acting) at first, but was to be caught once by his Principal and being accordingly reprimanded. But this did not deter him as his love for acting prevailed and thereafter, he took to the stage with the name of M. BOYER, a name by which he was to become well known and is being referred to, till date.
It seems that M. Boyer wrote & presented his first play “Rinkari” at the age of 18 and over the years he, with his talents as a composer, singer, script-writer, actor, director and producer by Writing, directing & producing more than 25-plays, participating in more than 5000 performances, Composing & Singing over a 1000-Songs, as well as performing in major Indian cities, in London, East Africa and the Gulf Countries, Mr. M. Boyer has contributed a lot to the Konkanni stage thereby, enriching the same and leaving his special mark on the same. He also has been a source of inspiration for a lot of other artistes.
During the course of our tete-a-tete, he mentioned about the late Mr. Anthony Mendes, who, he considers as a very good comedian as well as a kind hearted person and the one who was instrumental in giving him his initial break & also guiding him. But had to say that Mr. Anthony Mendes may have shown him the initial way, but he, himself, with his hard work was reponsible for making his main way in life and become what he is today.
Citing an example of staging a drama in the early days, wherein a lot of hassles were encountered and due to this, it seems many of the directors used to contract out their shows to contractors, but about himself, mentioned about his doing all the ground work and staging the shows by himself specially in the main centers and attributes this, as the main reason for he & his family being able to lead a comfortable though not a luxurious one.
M. Boyer mentioned that his relationship with the other artistes was very cordial and remembered the early days (when he was one of the youngest artistes) about his Seniors admiring him and also recalled the late Souza Ferrao, who, after listening to his songs, guiding him by offering him tips and and even pointing out his mistakes which he greatly appreciated then, and had to say that even today, if somebody was to point out any of his mistakes he would not mind, as constructive criticism does help one to do better and also as no one is perfect. Further added that the present day artistes may not take criticism very sportingly.
M. Boyer recalled of the time when he was taken to Bombay to act in Kamat de Assolna’s tiatra “Mai Ho Guiniam Tujo” in 1948, wherein it seems he played the main comedian’s role and also remembered an instance when he sang 7-songs in one tiatra which according to him was a record as it seems the most number of songs that any artiste would sing, were three.
Scribbling 