Matheus Correia (14 February 1974 – 25 July 2022), known professionally as Comedian Selvy, was an Indian comedian, actor, playwright, singer, director, and producer known for his work in Konkani cinema and tiatr productions. Referred to as the "Comedy King of the Konkani stage" by The Navhind Times, he is regarded as one of the greatest Konkani language comedians of his generation. He was noted mainly for his comedy performances and was deemed "Goa's most loved comedian".
Career
Tiatrs
Correia always had an immense love of, and keen interest in, the Konkani stage. He began acting at the age of 8 in his elder brother, Saude's
tiatrs and village
folk plays. Correia was also active in traditional
Carnival folk plays (
Konkani language:
Zomnivhele khell) before becoming a full-time professional
tiatrist. He was first discovered by Tony Park who noted his skills in comedy and cast him for his non-stop tiatr.
Correia had previously worked in the
water resources department of the Goa Government before getting his big break at age 24 in 1998 as a professional comedian in John D'Silva's tiatr
Vatt (Way).
During his career span of more than two decades as a Konkani comedian, Correia has acted in more than 60
tiatrs and was cast by prominent Konkani directors such as John D'Silva (14–15 tiatrs), Agostinho Themudo
(23 tiatrs) from 2007 to 2019, beginning from the
tiatr Sir to signing off in
Pai (Father)
and
Roseferns (20 tiatrs)
in the late 1990s, 2000s and 2010s.
He was also cast by other notable
Goan tiatr directors like
Mario Menezes,
Comedian Sally,
C. D'Silva, Pascoal Rodrigues and Milagres de Chandor. Joyel Fernandes, known professionally as Comedian Joyel, an emerging Konkani comedian from Maina-
Curtorim also recalls that Correia was his inspiration
to take up the comedy genre.
VCDs and CDs
Correia was also featured in more than 200
. He produced 5 of them namely,
Bekar Louddi,
Second Hand,
Garbage and
Wrong Number.
He was also known for his singing skills,
and has sung in about 25 CDs.
After attaining much success in his
tiatr career, Correia went on a global tour with his troupe in places like
United Kingdom,
Paris, The Middle East
to perform for his audience.
Directoral debut and films
Correia eventually started writing, producing and directing his own tiatrs.
Raza Jeita Kombo Choita and
8 Dis (8 Days)
remain his only and most popular productions till date, which resulted in a tremendous positive response from the
Goans diaspora in the United Kingdom.
The latter also crossed the
silver jubilee mark prior to his death and was on the way towards the
golden jubilee with a scheduled show in
London in late July.
Correia was also known for his role of Mad Man in the 2018 Konkani film, Welcome M1LL10NS. He was also seen acting in his last Konkani film, Rong (Colour) directed by Aggi Rod and produced by Joywin Fernandes, which was posthumously released on YouTube on 24 August 2022.
Personal life
Matheus Correia was born to
Goan Catholic parents, Jose Correia and Joana Batistina Fernandes, on 14 February 1974 in Velim, hailing from Fursabhatt.
He was a practising
Roman Catholic and was married to Candolina Fernandes, with whom he had two sons, Myron (
Comedian Myron) and Ryan.
Awards
Correia was honoured by the Gulab Award in 2007
and Dr. Jack de Sequeira Memorial Award for his contributions towards the
Konkani language stage. He was also a recipient of the Yuva Srujan Puraskar award
from the Arts and Culture Department of the Goa Government for the year 2011–2012.
Death
Correia had complained to his troupe about uneasiness and toothache while performing in his
tiatr,
8 Dis (8 days). On 15 July 2022, he visited the South Goa District Hospital in
Margao for a checkup during which he was informed by the examining specialist that his diabetes and haemoglobin levels were showing negative signs.
He was moved swiftly to Goa Medical College and was admitted on 16 July 2022. Selvy's elder son, Myron Correia, informed the media that his father's diabetes was under control but the blood platelet count was still low.
He later was shifted to the intensive care unit of the hospital, wherein he received many telephone calls from his loved ones. Several Goans also offered to donate blood to save his life after many blood donation requests were made.
However on 25 July 2022,
Selvy unexpectedly died at the age of 48.
Reactions
The Chief Minister of Goa,
Pramod Sawant and several other political leaders gave their condolences to the bereaved family.
Funeral
Correia's funeral was held on 27 July 2022 at St. Francis Xavier Church, Velim.
It was attended by tens of thousands of
Goans, including his family, friends, tiatr fraternity and political leaders.
He was later laid to rest at St. Francis Xavier Church cemetery, Velim.
Legacy
On 31 July 2022, Correia's
tiatr 8 Dis (8 Days) was staged posthumously in response to public demand and as a fulfillment to his last wish. Myron, Correia's elder son, also mentioned that prior to his father's death, he wanted the doctors to discharge him so that he could perform in the show. Hundreds of
tiatr lovers were seen paying their respects at Ravindra Bhavan in
Margao, and a one-minute silence was observed to honor Correia.
Selected stage works
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| | Amchem Chintop Tumchem Xixop | Comedian | |
| | Amontronn | Comedian | |
| | Aslelim Dukhi Naslelim Sukhi | Comedian | |
| | Avessor | Comedian | |
| | Bott | Comedian | |
| | Bovall | Comedian | |
| | Budhvontank Fatranchem Xit | Comedian | |
| | Daddy | Comedian | |
| | Dessak Luttinaka | Comedian | |
| | Dev Boro Dis Dium | Comedian | |
| | Devak Zai Zalear | Comedian | |
| | Dhull | Comedian | |
| | Ekvott | Comedian | |
| | Fight For Right | Comedian | |
| | Il’Lixi Chuk | Comedian | |
| | Jem Devan Goddlam | Comedian | |
| | Jezu Amkam Ilaz | Comedian | |
| | Jezuchem Povitr Rogot | Comedian | |
| | Jinn | Comedian | |
| | Kaideachem Vo Faideachem | Comedian | |
| | Kazari Put Konnacho? Maicho Vo Bailecho? | Comedian | |
| | Kirnnam | Comedian | |
| | Konn? | Comedian | |
| | Magnnem | Comedian | |
| | Match Fixing | Comedian | |
| | Menn | Comedian | |
| | Meulelem Naka Sandlelem Zai | Comedian | |
| | Mhaka Sangat | Comedian | |
| | Mhoji Sun Mhoji Dhuv | Comedian | |
| | Mhozo Suskar Tum! | Comedian | |
| | Monisponn Vo Devosponn | Comedian | |
| | Mummy | Comedian | |
| | Nhoim Mogache Pun Rogtache | Comedian | |
| | Osleo Sunnom Gharant Ietoch | Comedian | |
| | Pai | Comedian | |
| | Pavsa Pavsa Yo Re Yo | Comedian | |
| | Peleachea Vostunchu Axea Korum Noie | Comedian | |
| | Police | Comedian | |
| | Porddo | Comedian | |
| | Purtugez Goenkar | Comedian | |
| | Que Sera Sera – Zaunchem Zatelem | Comedian | |
| 2019 | Raza Jieta Kombo Choita | Director & comedian | |
| | Rogot | Comedian | |
| 2007 | Sir | Comedian | |
| | Sokallim | Comedian | |
| | Somzonni | Comedian | |
| | Sorry | Comedian | |
| | Sot’tor Pautti Saat | Comedian | |
| | Sounsarant Borem Naum Dovor | Comedian | |
| | Sukhnneachem Ghor Ghontter Nhoi | Comedian | |
| | Suknnim | Comedian | |
| 2016 | Strike | Comedian | |
| | Tem Tuka Naka | Comedian | |
| | Tempa Pormonnem | Comedian | |
| | Udok | Comedian | |
| | Ugddas | Comedian | |
| | Umannem | Comedian | |
| | Undir Mhojea Mama | Comedian | |
| | Undir Mogan Podlo | Comedian | |
| | Vaitt | Comedian | |
| | Vann | Comedian | |
| 1998 | Vatt | Comedian | |
| | Voir Marlolo Fator | Comedian | |
| | Xezarim Mornnak, Soirim Jevnnak | Comedian | |
| | Xik Aikpak, Aik Xikpak | Comedian | |
| | Zero | Comedian | |
| 2022 | 8 Dis | Writer, director & comedian | |
Select filmography
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| 2018 | WELCOME M1LL10NS | Mad man | |
| 2022 | Rong | Comedian | |
External links
