| Jose Rod | |
| Birth Name: | Joseph Constancio Rodrigues |
| Birth Place: | Curchorem, Goa, India |
| Birth Date: | 18 January 1963 |
| Years Active: | –2013 |
| Children: | 2 |
José Remedios Rodrigues (born Joseph Constancio Rodrigues; 18 January 1963), known professionally as Jose Rod, is an Indian singer, composer, actor, director, playwright, and former footballer known for his work in khell tiatr and tiatr productions.
José Remedios Rodrigues, originally baptized as Joseph Constancio Rodrigues, was born on 18 January 1963, in Curchorem, Goa. Curchorem was a part of Portuguese India under the Portuguese Empire at that time. His parents were Constancio Anselmo Rodrigues, who hailed from Queula, and Maria Santana Rodrigues.[1] Rodrigues was the second child among four siblings, with an elder sister and two younger sisters. He grew up in the village of Sanvordem. Rodrigues completed his Secondary School Certificate (SSC) from Guardian Angel High School in Sanvordem. He pursued his undergraduate studies at Parvatibai Chowgule College in Gogol, Goa, and later obtained a postgraduate degree in Banking from Bombay University. Soon after completing his higher education, he decided to immigrate to Kuwait.[2]
Rodrigues made his debut in the tiatr industry at the age of 5, under the tutelage of Mike Mehta, a tiatr figure in the theatre field. His initial debut occurred in the theatrical production known as Nitik Sampoddlo, staged by Albert Carvalho from Sanvordem. This particular production garnered attention due to its professional cast, including performers like M. Boyer, Remmie Colaço, and Jacinto Vaz. Nitik Sampoddlo achieved popularity and was performed across various venues in Goa. In that historical period, non-stop shows were a widely popular entertainment format in Goa. These shows typically featured sets of 10-12 songs, each structured with a verse and chorus. The songs were intricately woven into the narrative of the play. Rodrigues showcased his talent not only as an actor but also as a singer in these non-stop shows. His dad's cousin, Mike Mehta, played a pivotal role in introducing Rodrigues to the tiatr scene, casting him in productions such as Papagai Canta e Bera (Parrot sings and bellows), Sunita, and Rogot Goykaranchem (Goan Blood). Rodrigues's abilities caught the attention of Anthony San, another popular figure in the tiatr industry. He was given the opportunity to participate in the non-stop show Darvontto, where he demonstrated his versatility as both an artist and a singer. Rodrigues assumed the role of composing songs for this production, imbuing them with his expertise and delivering performances on stage.[3]
Prince Jacob, another popular director, recognized Rodrigues's talent and offered him a prominent role in his non-stop show Pinzrem (Cage). Despite his young age of 20, Rodrigues portrayed the character of a villainous 70-year-old man convincingly. He continued to excel in villainous roles in subsequent non-stop shows directed by Prince Jacob, including Kagot (Paper) and Painnem. Following his successful collaborations with Prince Jacob, Rodrigues was approached by Roseferns to participate in three of his productions: Dovo Kavllo (White Crow), Girann, and Jem Tujem Tem Mhojem (What's yours, so is mine). These opportunities allowed Rodrigues to further refine his skills and gain experience on the tiatr stage. With his growing understanding of the nuances of tiatr and his accumulated stage experience, Rodrigues decided to embark on a creative venture alongside Anthony San. Together, they co-wrote and produced two tiatrs, namely Bhiradd and Punn Kiteak? (But Why?). These productions served as platforms for Rodrigues to explore new artistic directions and experiment with his creative abilities, further establishing his presence in the tiatr industry.
Following his experience in tiatrs, Rodrigues embarked on a solo career as a writer and director. His theatrical presentation known as Mauli (Spider) reached a significant achievement by successfully concluding 2,018 performances in Goa, establishing a new record for the fastest century of non-stop shows in history. Expanding his creative endeavors, Rodrigues ventured into the music industry with the release of his debut album, Noman, in 2005. The album featured a collection of twelve solo songs, all performed by Rodrigues himself. Despite its experimental nature, Noman garnered favorable reception from listeners. Rodrigues further explored his musical talents by releasing additional audio cassettes and CDs. When crafting his songs, Rodrigues meticulously gauges the pulse of his audience, incorporating elements such as familial narratives and love songs to create a comprehensive and commercially viable musical package. As a tiatrist, Rodrigues has encountered various challenges throughout his career. During a particular occasion, on his way to the first showing of his stage play Bhiradd in Panjim at 6:30 pm, Rodrigues was informed that his main actor, Mike Mehta, had been in an accident and was being treated in the intensive care unit. Mehta portrayed a wealthy character in Bhiradd, while Rodrigues himself was slated to depict a beggar. Within the same tiatr production, Rodrigues was tasked with delivering comedic performances, while the absence of Comedian Philip at the Mapusa show presented a challenge. Communication with fellow artists during that era, when mobile phones were not yet ubiquitous, proved to be a complex endeavor. Rodrigues adeptly assumed the roles of comedian, villain, and hero, effectively showcasing his artistic versatility.
Rodrigues as a versatile artist was known for his talents in acting and singing. He has also left a mark on the realm of football. He represented Goa (U-19) in the sport and even played for the senior division of the Goa football team. Despite his prowess on the football field, Rodrigues' true liking lies in the world of tiatr, a form of theatrical performance. Such is his dedication to tiatr that he declined a job offer from a football club, opting to pursue his theatrical career instead. In 2009, Rodrigues faced a significant health challenge that necessitated surgery. This led to a substantial break from his artistic pursuits as he focused on receiving medical treatment and making a full recovery. However, as of 2020, Rodrigues has emerged from this hiatus and embarked on a new creative endeavor. Currently, he is in the process of recording a new album, the details of which he prefers to keep under wraps. Rodrigues guarantees that the forthcoming album will be characterized by its uniqueness and innovative approach, boasting a diverse range of songs featuring popular vocalists.
When it comes to songwriting, Rodrigues gravitates towards themes connected to family, including heartfelt love songs. He takes pride in the warm reception his compositions and performances have received from audiences, and he envisions a similar level of support in the near future. Additionally, Rodrigues nurtures a dream of returning to the stage with a compelling drama production. This undertaking holds a special purpose for him, as he intends to express his deep gratitude to the audience and fans who supported him through their fervent prayers during his challenging period. Rodrigues has made contributions to the music scene. His vocals can be heard in several songs, and he has released a total of nine Konkani audio albums. Among his works are Menin Jezu, Angounn, Tarvotti, Adeus, Suskar, Sopnam, Govai, Teag, and Noman. The album titled Noman showcased Rodrigues singular artistry, with all songs composed and performed solely by him.
Rodrigues has a professional certification as a specialist in documentary credits. He has familial connections to London, United Kingdom, where his two sisters reside. Rodrigues has established a production company named Reka Productions, which serves as a tribute to his late youngest sister, Reka. On 5 May 1993, Rodrigues underwent a civil marriage registration with Judy Philomena Mendes, a resident of Bombay and the daughter of Konkani singers Antonette Mendes and Romeo Mendes at Quepem. Subsequently, their wedding ceremony took place on 6 June of the same year at Guardian Angel Church in Sanvordem. As of 1993, Rodrigues lived in Cariamoddi, Curchorem. The couple has a son named Jrosky, who currently works as an investment banker in Kuwait, and a daughter named Juricle, who has obtained certification from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and is employed by Amazon, based in Bangalore.
In 1994, Rodrigues made the decision to immigrate to Kuwait, where he embarked on a career in banking at Burgan Bank.[4] On 12 March 2012, Rodrigues's father died at the age of 69 in his residence located in Curchorem, Goa.[5] In 2009, Rodrigues underwent a surgical procedure to address a brain tumor that had been diagnosed. Despite the passage of time, he continues to face health challenges, necessitating ongoing medical treatment. When questioned about his perspective on tiatrists utilizing YouTube as a platform to showcase their artistic endeavors, Rodrigues expressed a favorable stance, emphasizing that tiatrists will be valued by enthusiasts regardless of the specific platform employed. Furthermore, Rodrigues is known for his devout Catholic faith. As of 2022, he resides in Goa, where he is said to be recovering from his illness.[6]