Hortencio Pereira, a name to reckon with
BY J P PEREIRA
A former footballer, a dramatist and a businessman. That is Hortencio Saluzin Edward Pereira, son of Custo Jose Pereira and Conceicao Vaz from Curchorem. Although, his parents were not into dramatics, Hortencio was an entertainer right from his school days where he schooled at the Guardian Angel High School, Sanvordem where he would act in tiatrs presented by Jess Fernandes.

Later, he joined Chowgule College, Margao where he completed his BA. He represented the college for four years in football and still continues to play for the veterans. Once, for the college wallpaper, he wrote a poem in English and dedicated it, to the girls in the college who were his friends. The poem had the names of girls, each one beginning with the letters in the alphabet. It was humorous, much loved and highly appreciated by the teaching faculty. This can be said to have marked the beginning of his career in dramatics, especially, composing lyrics for songs.
Hortencio has written and directed Konkani dramas like ‘Odruxtt’, ‘Onath’, ‘Guirestkai’, ‘Bhas’ and ‘Gharachi Chavi’. He has also acted for most of the top directors in Konkani theatre. There was ‘Tuje Dolle’ with C Alvares, ‘Ekuch Rosto’ with M Boyer, ‘Vauraddi’, ‘Noxibacho Divo Palloulo’, ‘Ordhi Bhakri’ with Prem Kumar, ‘Gharachem Sukh’ with Remmie Colaco, ’Govachem Ghor’ with Jacinto Vaz, ‘Divorce’ with Airistides Dias and ‘Portugez Kollvont’ with John Claro.
The list does not end here. He has also acted in productions of Robin Vaz, Alfred Rose, Joe Rose, Mendes Brothers, Wilmix Trio, Bab Peter, Chris Perry, Mike Mehta, Julie Rod, Jr Nelson, C D’Silva, Anil Kumar, Roseferns, William de Curtorim, Jose Rod, Rosario Rodrigues, Rosario Dias, Tony Dias, Vitorino Pereira, Maxcy Pereira, Anthony San, John D’Silva, Anil Pednekar, Patrick Dourado and many others, in a career spanning at least four decades.
He has played all type of roles, from a hero, to a villain. He has played various supporting roles and has excelled in comedy. At present he acts for Anthony Sylvester in two dramas, ‘Sorg Tujea Dolleannim’ and ‘Tum Londonkar vo Goemkar’.
Hortencio has performed for Chris Perry with Lorna and Alfred Rose, in their musical shows. He has also released audio albums like ‘Avoicho Mog’ (a bestseller), ‘Sovostkaiechim Lharam’, ‘Rochnnar’, ‘Khobrank Lagon’, besides others and a video album titled ‘Kumarincho King’. ‘Avoicho Mog’ will have a second release on CD and VCD in October, 2010. A good composer, his songs always carry a good message while the humorous songs, leave the listener in splits.
Hortencio feels that good clean comedy is one of the strengths of a tiatr. He is the proprietor of Mathor chemicals, manufacturing cleaning materials and chemicals and lives in Curchorem with his wife Matilda and children, Svetlana, Shruti and Shilton. We wish you all the best Hortencio and many more years on the Konkani stage.