Hanv To Tarvotti and directorial debut (1960–1970s) Mendes commenced her stage career as a vocalist at the age of 15, making her debut in her father's
tiatr production titled
Hanv To Tarvotti (It's me, the Seaman) This early exposure led Mendes to partake in the
tiatr Fuddar (Future), helmed by the Konkani playwright
Kid Boxer, which was performed in
Bombay and
Goa. This significant opportunity served as a turning point in D'Souza's career, subsequently affording her the prospect of embarking on a journey to
East Africa, where she showcased her talents in three
tiatrs: Kid Boxer's
Bancruttam Bancrutt, as well as
Fuddar (Future) and
Alfred Rose's
Dotor Advogad (Doctor Advocate). Shortly thereafter, Mendes ventured into the realm of directing, marking her directorial debut with her father's
tiatr Dilolo Jurament. She continued to expand her creative horizons by writing and directing her own
tiatrs, including productions such as
Obgath,
Tum Saiba Konn, and
Don Ghoram (Two Houses). Her abilities paved the way for her participation in
Chris Perry's seminal
musical show in
Bahrain in 1978, as well as her involvement in Rico Rod's
tiatr Bailek Lagon in
Kuwait. Additionally, Mendes embarked on extensive tours alongside various
tiatr troupes, across East Africa, Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Qatar. Initially acclaimed for her vocal prowess, Mendes subsequently garnered admiration for her portrayal of compelling
character roles as an actress. Her memorable contributions encompassed not only her acclaimed songs released by
His Master's Voice but also her appearances in
M. Boyer's
tiatrs.
Wilson Mazarello writes, "Mendes' performances drew numerous
tiatr aficionados, who were enticed by the mellifluous quality of her voice and the heartfelt manner in which she delivered her renditions." Over the course of her career, Mendes had the privilege of collaborating with directors, including
J. P. Souzalin,
Kid Boxer,
Master Vaz,
C. Alvares,
Prem Kumar,
Alfred Rose,
M. Boyer,
Remmie Colaço, Joe Rose,
Jacinto Vaz, Bab Peter, Rosario Rodrigues, Mendes Brothers,
Anil Kumar,
Titta Pretto,
H. Britton, Paul Romy, and various others. These performances garnered her recognition and acclaim.
Association with M. Boyer and Konkani cinema Mendes holds the distinction of being one of the longest-serving cast under
M. Boyer's tutelage. Her association with Boyer commenced with the tiatr production
titled Besanv (Blessing), marking the beginning of a long and fruitful collaboration. Known for his exacting standards, Mendes fondly recalled Boyer's commitment to perfection in both singing and acting. Throughout her career, Mendes delivered memorable performances, but it is her portrayal in
Mauli (Gardener), a non-stop
tiatr written and directed by her son-in-law,
Jose Rod, that stands out as her most unforgettable achievement. In the past, she had several major successful
tiatrs such as
Sounsar Sudhorlo,
Adim Tem, Atam Hem,
Mog Kazar Divorce (Love, Marriage, Divorce),
Angvonn,
Darunn Voddil, and
Gharachem Sukh. Mendes's artistic endeavors extended beyond the realm of
tiatr, leading her to make contributions to the
Konkani film industry. Her talent and professionalism on stage earned her roles in three Konkani films.
Pio Esteves of
O Heraldo writes, in the film
Amchem Noxib (1963), directed by A. Salaam, Mendes's chemistry and lively performance alongside the comedian
Anthony Mendes remain etched in the memories of audiences. Notably, her spirited rendition of "Tum Nasloi Punn Tuka Sweater Kori" showcased her versatility and garnered widespread acclaim. Another significant film in Mendes's filmography is
Nirmon (1966), also directed by A. Salaam, where her melodious interpretation of "Claudia" resonated deeply with audiences. Interestingly, it was during the production of
Nirmon that Mendes encountered her life-partner,
Romeo Mendes, who portrayed her
on-screen brother. This serendipitous meeting added a personal dimension to the film's significance in her life. In addition to her contributions to Konkani cinema, Mendes showcased her talent in
Al Jerry Braganza's
Sukhachem Sopon, a film that further exemplified her range as an actress. Her presence extended beyond the Konkani film industry, as she also appeared in Bonifacio Pereira's
Zababdari and portrayed a comedic role in Jagdish Narulia's
Hindi film Mohabbat Zindagi Hai (1966). Furthermore, Mendes displayed her artistic versatility by playing a significant role in
Cyrus Mistry's English play titled
The Legacy of Rage.
Introduction to Konkani music and audio albums (1980s–1990s) Pio Esteves of
O Heraldo writes, in the realm of
Konkani music, Mendes made a significant impact and stands out as a pioneering female singer. Prior to the rise of
Lorna, Mendes held the position of being the unrivalled "queen of the
Konkani stage". Mendes's entry into the music world was facilitated by
Alfred Rose, who provided her with opportunities to showcase her talent through
LPs for
His Master's Voice. Her popular solo performances include "Nursichem Fugasaum" and "Cheddum Xetcamteachem." Collaborating with Alfred Rose, Mendes delivered memorable duets such as "Kazari Bhoinnik Lagon," "Fottoilem Deva," and "Ago Mojea Sundorea." Her songs garnered popularity and were frequently requested on
All India Radio. In addition to her musical achievements, Mendes also ventured into writing and directing
tiatrs, having created three productions as of 1995:
Abghat,
Tum Saiba Konn, and
Khuimchem Mojem Ghor (Which one's my house?). One of her collaborations was with the Konkani musician
Chris Perry, resulting in the creation of the masterpiece "Piti Piti Mog". Mendes boasts an extensive discography, with her vocals featured in over 500
audio cassettes, CDs, and LPs by various artists, including her son-in-law
Jose Rod and
Anil-
Fatima. During the 1980s, Mendes and her husband Romeo created a collection of audio cassettes, starting with
Jivit Ek Sopon, which was successful. The series was introduced by
Bollywood actor
Amitabh Bachchan, who gave an opening speech in
Konkani. They went on to release albums like
Rosacho Dis,
Padr Agnel, and more, ultimately producing a total of 15
audio albums together. Mendes not only produced numerous audio cassettes featuring her own songs but also recorded for His Master's Voice. As a
tiatrist, she travelled extensively to foreign countries, including Africa, England, and the
Gulf countries. As of 1995, despite the passage of time, Mendes remained an active singer and actress, regularly appearing in
tiatrs directed by popular directors. ==Personal life==