Ophelia Cabral
{{short description|Indian actress and singer (1938–2016)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Ophelia Cabral
| image = Ophelia alongwith her daughter and granddaughter (cropped).jpg
| caption = Cabral at Institute Menezes Braganza, 2013
| birth_name = Clara Merciana Ophelia Cabral
| other_names = {{hlist|Miss Ophelia|Ophelia Cabral D'Souza}}
| birth_place = Socorro, Goa, Portuguese India, Portuguese Empire (now in India)
| burial_place = Church Of Our Lady Of Victories cemetery, Mahim, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| nationality = Indian
| birth_date = {{birth date|1938|11|8|df=y}}
| death_place = Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| death_date = {{death date and age|2016|2|19|1938|11|8|df=y}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Actress|singer|playwright|director}}
| years_active = 1954–1998
| relatives = Mohana Cabral (sister)
| spouse = {{marriage|Bab Peter|1976|2005|reason=died}}
| children = 1
| awards = {{ubl|
- TAG's "Lifetime Contribution to Tiatr Award" (2009)
- TSKK's "Antonio Pereira Konknni Puroskar" (2011)}}
| website = {{URL|babpeterophelia.com}}
{{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729003328/https://www.babpeterophelia.com/}}
| notable_works = {{ubl|
}}
Ophelia Cabral e D'Souza{{Cite web |title=Goa state cultural awards |url=https://photogallery.indiatimes.com/events/goa/goa-state-cultural-awards/articleshow/21860366.cms |access-date=2023-12-16 |website=The ETimes Photogallery |archive-date=2023-12-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217060337/https://photogallery.indiatimes.com/pgrelatedgallery_new.cms?query=Cyriaco-Dias&sec1=2048921&sec2=3038955&slide_id=21859630§iondata=Events-articleshow&isPrime=0 |url-status=live }} (born Clara Merciana Ophelia Cabral; 8 November 1938 – 19 February 2016), popularly known as Ophelia Cabral, was an Indian actress, singer, playwright, and director known for her work in Konkani films and tiatr productions. One of the multifaceted performers of her time, she is referred to as the "Tragedy Queen of the Konkani stage" and was known for her roles in Konkani films such as Amchem Noxib, Nirmon, Boglantt, Bhuierantlo Munis, and Faxi Mogachi.
Early life
Ophelia Cabral e D'Souza was born as Clara Merciana Ophelia Cabral{{Cite news |date=15 December 2009 |title=Goa's Renowned Tiatrists |work=O Heraldo |url=http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=31150&cid=26 |access-date=15 December 2023 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20091215000000/http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=31150&cid=26 |archive-date=15 December 2009}} [http://www.goanvoice.org.uk/newsletter/2009/December/2009_December_15.html Alt URL] on 8 November 1938, in the village of Socorro, Goa, which was part of Portuguese India during the Portuguese Empire (now in India). She was the daughter of Gaulbert and Leena Cabral, and had three siblings: Eddie, Tony,{{Cite news |date=2016-02-19 |title=OPHELIA D'SOUZA |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/ophelia-dsouza/articleshow/51059976.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2023-12-16 |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=2023-12-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231216093306/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/ophelia-dsouza/articleshow/51059976.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live }} and an elder sister Mohana, known professionally as
Miss Mohana, who gained prominence as a Konkani actress and singer.{{Cite book |last=Fernandes |first=André Rafael |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vKAbygAACAAJ |title=When the Curtains Rise--: Understanding Goa's Vibrant Konkani Theatre |date= |publisher=Tiatr Academy of Goa |isbn=978-93-80739-01-4 |language=en |access-date=2023-12-16 |archive-date=2023-11-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231126045216/https://books.google.com/books?id=vKAbygAACAAJ |url-status=live }} Cabral spent a significant portion of her life and pursued her career in Bombay (now Mumbai).
Career
Cabral made her acting debut in 1954 in the tiatr production titled Opurbayechi Sun, which was produced by A. F. Rod. Her portrayal of a daughter-in-law with negative traits garnered favorable reception from both the audience and her peers in the tiatr community. She further gained recognition as an actress for her performance in the tiatr production Avoicho Xirap (Mother's Curse), written and directed by C. Alvares. From then on, Cabral delivered performances in numerous tiatrs, that showcased her versatility and maturity in portraying various roles.{{Cite web |title=Tragedy queen of tiatr Ophelia Cabral passes away |url=https://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/Tragedy-queen-of-tiatr-Ophelia-Cabral-passes-away/99110 |access-date=2023-12-15 |website=oHeraldo |date=20 February 2016 |archive-date=2023-12-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231216093309/https://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/Tragedy-queen-of-tiatr-Ophelia-Cabral-passes-away/99110 |url-status=live }}
File:C. Alvares and Ophelia in Amchem Noxib.jpg from the Konkani film Amchem Noxib, ft. C. Alvares and Cabral.]]
Throughout her career, Cabral had the opportunity to collaborate with tiatr industry figures, including Master Vaz, Dr. Simon C. Fernandes, C. Alvares, J. P. Souzalin, and M. Boyer. In addition to her acting accomplishments, Cabral ventured into writing and directing her own tiatrs, including productions such as Mhojim Bhurgim (My Children) and Bailanchi Sobai (Woman's Beauty). She also partnered with her husband to produce and direct eight tiatrs, which received acclaim from the general public.
Beyond acting, Cabral was known for her singing abilities. Her artistic contributions were not limited to the regions of Goa and Bombay (now Mumbai), as she also performed in international venues in Bahrain, Muscat, Dubai, and Beirut. Cabral had a presence in the Konkani theater for a span of 44 years, beginning her career at the age of 16 under the guidance of A. F. Rod. She was known for her portrayal of tragic roles. Alongside tiatr performers like C. Alvares, M. Boyer, Prem Kumar, and her own spouse, Cabral also showcased her singing abilities, lending her voice to several audio cassettes.{{Cite web |title=Tragedy queen Ophelia passes away |url=https://www.thegoan.net//tragedy-queen-ophelia-passes-away/11435.html |access-date=2023-12-15 |website=The Goan EveryDay |language=en |archive-date=2023-12-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231216093242/https://www.thegoan.net//tragedy-queen-ophelia-passes-away/11435.html |url-status=live }}
Cabral had been actively involved in the production of various Konkani video films. She also played a role in the creation of the first Konkani video film, Faxi Mogachi, under the production of C. Alvares. Furthermore, she has contributed to the development of other video films such as Tuka Kitem Podlam and Natalancho Kusvar. She has also written and directed her own theatrical productions, including Mhoji Bhurgim and Bailanchi Sobai. Apart from her independent projects, she has also supported her husband, Bab Peter, in directing a total of 18 tiatrs.
Personal life
Cabral married Peter D'Souza, known professionally as Bab Peter, a noted Konkani actor and singer who was 13 years her junior, on 22 May 1976. The couple had one daughter, Tatum D'Souza (b. 1977), known professionally as Babli, and is a singer.{{Cite news |date=2017-11-13 |title=Story of Bab Peter & Ophelia - A daughter's tribute to immortal love |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/story-of-bab-peter-ophelia-a-daughters-tribute-to-immortal-love/articleshow/61630689.cms |access-date=2023-12-16 |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=2023-12-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231216093306/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/story-of-bab-peter-ophelia-a-daughters-tribute-to-immortal-love/articleshow/61630689.cms |url-status=live }} She is married to Sameer Ganapathy{{Cite web | date=2020-07-09 |title=In her parents' footsteps | newspaper=The Navhind Times |url=https://www.navhindtimes.in/2020/07/09/magazines/buzz/in-her-parents-footsteps/ |access-date=2023-12-16 |language=en-US |archive-date=2021-03-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210329132500/https://www.navhindtimes.in/2020/07/09/magazines/buzz/in-her-parents-footsteps/ |url-status=live }} and they have one daughter, Nia. According to the 2012 Directory of Tiatr Artistes, Cabral resided in Mahim, Mumbai.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=45_WlAEACAAJ |title=Directory of Tiatr Artistes, 2012 |date=2012 |publisher=Tiatr Academy of Goa |language=en |access-date=2023-12-16 |archive-date=2023-08-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230827202743/https://books.google.com/books?id=45_WlAEACAAJ |url-status=live }} On 19 February 2005, Cabral's husband died after suffering a heart attack at the Bahrain Defence Force Hospital in Bahrain.{{Cite web |date=19 February 2005 |title=Versatile Konkani actor Bab Peter passes away |url=http://www.oherald.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=395 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20050219000000/http://www.oherald.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=395 |archive-date=19 February 2005 |access-date=2023-12-16 |website=O Heraldo}} [https://www.mail-archive.com/gulf-goans@yahoogroups.com/msg01127.html Alt URL]
Awards
File:Goa State Cultural Awards - Ophelia Cabral e D'Souza.jpg in 2013.]]
In 2009, Cabral was honored with the "Lifetime Contribution to Tiatr Award" by the Tiatr Academy of Goa.{{Cite web |title=Tiatrists recognised for life-time dedication to the art-form |url=https://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/The-Sunday-Roundtable/tiatrists-recognised-for-lifetime-dedication-to-the-artform/23314 |access-date=2023-12-16 |website=oHeraldo |date=16 February 2009 |archive-date=2023-12-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217060325/https://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/The-Sunday-Roundtable/tiatrists-recognised-for-lifetime-dedication-to-the-artform/23314 |url-status=live }} Recognizing her contributions to literature, she also received the "Goa State Cultural Award" for the years 2010–11.{{Cite web |title=Recipients of Goa State Cultural Award |url=https://www.artandculture.goa.gov.in/sites/default/files/documents/47_doc_Recipients-of-Goa-State-Cultural-Awards.pdf |access-date=9 August 2023 |website=Directorate of Art and Culture |archive-date=5 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805030337/https://www.artandculture.goa.gov.in/sites/default/files/documents/47_doc_Recipients-of-Goa-State-Cultural-Awards.pdf |url-status=live }} In January 2011, Cabral was bestowed with the "Antonio Pereira Konknni Puroskar" (APKP) by the Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr (TSKK) for her extensive contributions to Konkani tiatr and films.{{Cite news |date=2011-01-23 |title=TSSK award for tiatrist Ophelia |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/tssk-award-for-tiatrist-ophelia/articleshow/7344269.cms |access-date=2023-12-16 |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=2023-12-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217060320/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/tssk-award-for-tiatrist-ophelia/articleshow/7344269.cms |url-status=live }}
Death
On 19 February 2016, Cabral died in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Her death occurred on the 11th death anniversary of her husband Bab Peter. The funeral service took place the following day at Victoria Church in Mahim, Mumbai. The Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG), representing the tiatr community and enthusiasts, expressed their condolences to the mourning family of Cabral.
Select filmography
=Video films=
Selected stage works
Further reading
- {{cite book |last=Vilsana Mājhārelo |first=Vilmiksa |year=2000 |title=100 Years of Konkani Tiatro |location=Goa, India |publisher=Government of Goa, Directorate of Art & Culture |pages=148, 176–178 |oclc=71174491 }}
- {{cite book |last=Fernandes |first=André Rafael |year=2010 |title=When the Curtains Rise: Understanding Goa's Vibrant Konkani Theatre |location=Panaji, Goa, India |publisher=Tiatr Academy of Goa|pages=37, 56, 137, 149|oclc= |isbn=9789380739014 }}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|id=4107573}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Cabral, Ophelia}}
Category:People from North Goa district
Category:Indian theatre directors