What made you start compering?
Right from my school days at Monte Guirim, I used to take part in debates and elocutions. When I went to college, I was selected as the Dramatic Secretary of my college.
But it was in the year 1981 when my cousin was getting married and was looking out for a compere, that he decided that I should compere his wedding. I accepted the request and I have been into this line ever since then.
What are the requirements that bring out the best in a compere?
An extempore speaker makes an excellent compere. Apart from that a good control of the language, good diction and fluency of the language are the other requirements.
How do team games help individuals?
Team spirit helps groups in organisations to bond. It also brings in trust, creativity, imagination and this increases the productivity of an organisation.
How do you prepare for an event?
I do a lot of compering for weddings which requires a thorough study of the sequence of the events. Each wedding is different and special to the couple as in India people as such get married only once. I see that all the arrangements are done and the requirements of the couple are met. As such different weddings have different guests and if you have done well at one wedding it does not necessary mean that the next wedding too will go the same way. All people may not like to dance for example, and forcing them to come on the floor may unnecessary upset them. However everyone must carry pleasant memories of the wedding and that is where I have to prove my worth. Similarly for conferences too one must know the audience, what they want and what they like. Conferences as such are more organised and people are generally ready to take part in all the activities.
You are also a good dancer. How does it help complement your work?
As a child I was fascinated by the brass bands and would stand for hours listening to them at our band stand at Velim. That gave me my musical rhythm. I am a classical guitarist and have even played in the 10-member orchestra called Take 1 led by Shubert Cotta in 2002. I have learnt ballroom dances, the foxtrot and jive, through observation. In fact it was through a dance performance many years ago that I got to know my wife as our Parish was putting up a dance performance and I wanted a partner. The parish priest arranged a partner for me, who then danced into my life as my wife. Today I am in a position also to train a couple getting married to dance as many couples wishing to marry may have never danced in their entire life but want to put up a good show at least on their wedding day.
Your message to youngsters wishing to take up compering.
Work hard and you will succeed. If one has the flair and fluency for compering, then it is easy. However one should know how to adapt to different situations and changes.
