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Comedian Selvy
Correia at Institute Menezes Braganza, 2013
Born	Matheus Correia (1974-02-14)14 February 1974 Velim, Goa, India
Died	25 July 2022(2022-07-25) (aged 48) Goa Medical College, Bambolim, Goa, India
Burial place	St. Francis Xavier Church cemetery, Velim, Goa, India
Occupations	Comedian actor singer playwright director producer
Years active	1990s–2022
Notable work	Welcome M1LL10NS
Spouse	Candolina Fernandes
Children	2, including Jr. Selvy
Awards	Yuva Srujan Puraskar

Matheus Correia (14 February 1974 – 25 July 2022), known professionally as Comedian Selvy, was a Goan comedian, actor, playwright, singer, director, and producer known for his work in Konkani films 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 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: 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 VCDs. 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 Goan 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 (Jr. Selvy) 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 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, due to diabetes-related complications.

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

Select filmography

References

1. "Tiatr lovers will miss comedian Selvy". oHeraldo. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
2. "Comedian Selvy cause of death". 26 July 2022. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
3. ^ Mergulhao, Marcus (26 July 2022). "Comedian Selvy, who left audiences in splits for years, now leaves Goa in tears". The Times of India. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
4. ^ "Comedian Selvy will make Goans laugh no more". O Heraldo. 26 July 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
5. ^ "Thousands bid Comedian Selvy a tearful adieu". oHeraldo. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
6. "Selvy, the comedy king of Konkani stage". The Navhind Times. 26 July 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
8. ^ Pires, Mario (26 July 2022). "Tribute to Goa's comedian Selvy". Gomantak Times. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
9. Azavedo, Gary (24 October 2015). "Comedian Agostinho set to strike with his latest offering". The Times of India. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
10. "Tiatr Reviews". The Navhind Times. October 2014. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
11. "Tiatr Review - J P Pereira". The Navhind Times. 14 July 2015. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
12. "The consequences of extramarital affairs". oHeraldo. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
13. "Tiatr Reviews – J P Pereira". The Navhind Times. 15 December 2015. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
14. "Tiatr Reviews JP Pereira". The Navhind Times. 10 May 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
15. "'Sorry' to convey the importance of forgiveness". The Navhind Times. 24 July 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
16. "'Rinnkari'". The Navhind Times. 11 November 2011. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
17. "A man with great timing". oHeraldo. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
18. "KGTS mega musical show "tiatristponn devachem dennem" - visiting artistes share limelight with local goan talent". www.indiansinkuwait.com. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
19. "Kuwait: Comedian Agostinho & Troupe Accorded Grand Welcome". daijiworld.com. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
20. "Goan Tiatr Corruption Kabar in Kuwait". retributor25.rssing.com. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
21. "Eka Meka Pasot". The Navhind Times. 9 May 2017. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
22. "'Gospel Om Allah'". The Navhind Times. 28 December 2011. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
23. "Kuwait: 'My First Love' drama staged to packed audience". www.daijiworld.com. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
24. "Kor Kantar Taleigao: Mega musical treat". The Navhind Times. 6 November 2015. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
25. "8 Dis". The Navhind Times. 24 May 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
26. "Konkani film industry fighting against all odds". oHeraldo. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
27. Dsouza, Alfie (26 July 2022). "Laughter turned to Tears! Goan Comedian SELVY (48) of Konkani Tiatr No More". Mangalorean.com. Archived from the original on 28 February 2023. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
28. "Comedian Selvy Auchit Tiatr-mogiank Roddoun Geloch!". www.nizgoenkar.com. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
29. "Recipients of Yuva Srujan Awards" (PDF).
30. "23rd Jan 2013 - Yuva Srujan Puraskar to be awarded". Herald Goa. 23 January 2013. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
31. "Comedian Selvy recovering at GMC". oHeraldo. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
32. "Tiatrists, politicians call on ailing Selvy". The Goan EveryDay. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
33. "What Was Selvy Cause Of Death? Comedian Matheus Correia Died, Obituary & Funeral Updates". Dekhnews.
34. "The dead tell no tales". oHeraldo. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
35. "Comedian Selvy, the smiling face of tiatr, no more". The Goan EveryDay. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
36. "Comedian Selvy passes away". The Navhind Times. 26 July 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
37. "Funeral Service of Matheus Correia (Comedian Selvy) 27th July, 3.30 pm SFX Church Velim, Goa, India". Avada Music. 28 July 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
38. "Comedian Selvy will be laid to rest on Wednesday". oHeraldo. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
39. "Fans pay tributes to Com Selvy at '8 Dis' in Margao". The Goan EveryDay. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
40. "'8 Dis' staged in memory of late Selvy". oHeraldo. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
41. "Raza jeita kombo choita… Upholding the dignity of labour!". The Goan EveryDay.
42. Pires, Mario (18 June 2022). "Tiatr Review: '8 Dis'". Gomantak Times.

External links

• Comedian Selvy at IMDb 

• India
• Theatre
• Comedy
• Biography

• Media from Commons
• Data from Wikidata

• 1974 births
• 2022 deaths
• Indian male comedians
• Indian male actors
• Tiatrists
• Goan Catholics
• Indian producers
• Indian directors
• Indian male singers
• Konkani people
• Dramatists and playwrights from Goa
• People from South Goa district
• Film directors from Goa
• 21st-century Indian people
• Goan people
• Singers from Goa