Tiatro KITEAK HO BAZAR CHOLTA?

TIATRO “KITEAK HO BAZAR CHOLTA?”.

One of the best tiatros of the season in Goa, “Kiteak Ho Bazar Cholta?” written and directed by the well known Goan Stage artiste Mini Mario, will be staged in Kuwait on 11th May 2007 at Hawally A/C Hall, starting at 3.30 p.m.

Acclaimed by the priests including Fr. Conceicao as the most educative tiatro and also by the sociologists and social workers, never in the past as per the information received such a tiatro was staged in Goa.

Its unique type of story depicted first time on the Konkani Stage by the renowned female artistes, namely the beauteous spots of Konkani Stage Anna, Felcy and Buskha (pretty daughter of Young Chico) mesmerize the audience. Where in the past the gigantic and renowned Konkani playwrights feared to stage such tiatros, young Mini Mario from Colva Salcette dared to show his boldness to depict the reality happening in Goa thru this tiatro. Hence, no tiatro lover should miss this opportunity to see this tiatro says the organizers Xavier and Manuel. Besides, according to those who saw this tiatro in Goa, the role the veteran Sabina plays is of such a magnitude that the entire depiction of the play is revolved around her only. And as per my information, if Sabina is not there for any reason, the director will not even dare to stage this tiatro. This shows the greatness of this lady artiste who has done wonderful job when she was an integral part of the then famed tiatro group Young Stars of Goa. The other atistes of this troupe coming from Goa are Sharon, Comedian Selvy, Peter D’Costa, Aurelio, Rizby, Roney, Willie and Mini Mario.

The local artistes who will give an added booster to this tiatro are Rosary Ferns, Comedian Philip, Michael D’Silva, Bab Agnelo, M. Luis, Salu Faleiro, Braz, Raina and Leena.

Gate Passes are available with Limra Cargo at Saliya Tower, Basement or contact Tel. Nos. 9423781, 6443767 & 4429704.

A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.

TIATRO 'MUNIS TUM'

As scheduled, Anil Olga (they are two different persons, Anil is a male and Olga is a female) jointly staged their famed tiatro “Munis Tum” on 13th of this month at Hawally A/C Hall. Instead of 3.30 p.m., the tiatro started exactly at 4.45. This is not the first time an unmarried couple jointly staged their tiatro. Earlier in early sixties, M. Boyer and Antonette both together under their joint direction staged their tiatro “Dililolo Jurament” which was also proved to be a hit then. When I entered the hall at 3.30 p.m., I was totally shocked to see only around 10 people sitting in the hall on the audience chairs. Seeing this my heart melted with pity because never before I witnessed such a poor scene in the hall at the scheduled time. I thought the tiatro was either cancelled or postponed for some valid reason. Then I went to the counter where tickets are sold and enquired and to my relief I got the news that the show will go on and tickets are sold in advance but as usual with due reverence to Goan Standard Time, the tiatro will start little late upon arrival of the remaining audience. Gradually, the crowd started to trickle in and finally thank God, half the capacity was seen attending the show which was the 75th. The opening presentation ceremony was well orchestrated by the organizers under Kala Mogui whose president Domnick Araujo from St. Cruz Goa and Felix de Merces the man who was responsible to bring Anil Olga’s Munis Tum tiatro exclusively to Kuwait only have really worked hard to stage this show. The traditional Cake cutting ceremony was done thru the hands of Anil & Olga in the presence of all the 12 visiting artistes of this troupe. A bunch of innumerable Balloons was also released in the air. This opening ceremony looked grand befitting the occasion. Before concluding this beautiful ceremony, Anil in his few selected words thanked the organizers and everyone.

Fr. Tony of Dom Bosco School as chief guest and guest of honour Mr. Lawry Pires the Sales Manager of Air Lanka both addressed the gathering and thru their hands especial commemorative Plaques were distributed to all the artistes, musicians and others who were involved in making this tiatro a reality. Air Lanka flies to Goa via Colombo thrice a week but shortly according to its sales manager, Air Lanka will fly to Goa daily. Air Lanka sponsored the travel of this troupe to Kuwait.

The 12 member troupe consisted of: Anil – Olga, Luis Bachan, Sheikh Amir, Salu de Loutolim, Tony de Ribandar, Irene Cardoso, Jr. Chico, Comedian Selly & Sucurro de St. Cruz. Stage setting by SPA – Santano Afonso. Musicians: Shahu, Rafiq, Agnelo and Frank. Mike system by: Ben.

Once again it is proved to everyone how disgusted people are become now on tiatros in Kuwait. This is the second time within a month that people refused to patronize tiatro in Kuwait inspite of heavy coverage done thru handbills, Internet and local English dailies with big photographs. Earlier it was Utorda organized tiatro of Simon Gonsalves that was rebuffed by the audience. Shortly in another few days there will be one more tiatro in the same hall and will history repeat itself there too? Time alone will tell but one thing is certain that people find it hard to patronise tiatros every month or twice a month. It is a heavy financial burden on the kitty of the tiatro goers. KD 5/- per ticket is too high for a family of 3 – 4 every month or twice a month. KD 5 means Indian Rupees approximately 850/-.

Secondly according to my observation people are fed up of the politics going on in Kuwait amongst the tiatrists who are creating rifts within themselves. The “Sonvstha” that was formed to promote tiatros and tiatrists itself is guilty of promoting disunity not only amongst tiatrists but in the community itself. None of the members of the Sonvstha is capable of doing something big for the cause of community and precisely because of this every member like a “Ghantta Boil” is allowing its leader to dictate his draconian terms to him in a Hitlerian way. The entire dislike for tiatros into the minds of some people was created by the main person of Sonvstha with the on-going principle “To Aslear Aum Nachona” and he is seen only once in a year on the stage and that too when Sonvstha organizes its annual event. Every member of Sonvstha thought that all the tiatros in Kuwait will be done under the banner of Sonvstha only and they only will dominate tiatros in Kuwait but instead Sonvstha is gone into oblivion showing its face only once in a year. This year when it organized its annual show in the same hall at Hawally, it proved to be a total disaster. It is from here the tiatro goers acquired dislike for tiatro and tiatrists and the outcome of this dislike is the thin attendance as it happened for the last two shows consecutively. I have my own fear; the next target of the people’s anger may be the immediate next tiatro though I very much like people to patronize this beautiful art in good number because many of us in the past have worked very hard and tirelessly to make tiatro a very attractive in Kuwait. Only Sonvstha tried to destroy what we built.

Thirdly very many people in Kuwait have started realizing that when Kuwait was under the occupation of Iraq none of the visiting tiatrists openly supported Kuwait’s cause.
Even when the late Amir of Kuwait died a few months back none of the tiatrists in Goa issued a condolence press release nor organized a condolence meeting when they gained and earned so much from Kuwait by organizing their tiatros, by acting on Kuwait stage and selling their CD’s, VCD’s & Cassettes. Visiting Tiatrists are the most ungrateful to Kuwait inspite of being strong beneficiaries of the liberation of Kuwait. There are so many troupes in Goa and they tour Kuwait regularly but when their turn comes to show their moral responsibility towards Kuwait which feed us and gives them so much in financial gains, they shy away. What a disgraceful culture!! It is the culture of Judas. People’s anger has reached to its zenith because they have realized the real “beiman” culture of many tiatrists.

Yet another reason for people to boycott tiatro is “bebdepon” in the hall. It is against the law in Kuwait yet “bebdes” are using tiatro venue freely to indulge in it. Many people told me that they don’t like to attend tiatro because of bebdepon in the hall. Because of few Bebdes innocent people will have to face the consequence. Because of this type of bebdepon Church hall was barred for Goan Tiatros. If we do not put an end to our bad habits then our bad habits will put an end to our tiatros in Kuwait. “Maguir Dadai na ani Puddveim na. Uprant Roddat”.

“Munis Tum” tiatro was well written with full of suspense sequences at every step. People liked it. Anil and Olga performed their roles well so too by Irene Cardoso. Comedy was well performed by Bachan and Selvy yet I condemn the statements with double meaning cutting a vulgar figure of the artistes concerned. Though this was a traditional tiatro yet in many respects it emitted the aroma of Non-Stop Show performance. Howling and shouting at the top of their voices by some artistes was not palatable to the ears. It was not the trend of traditional Tiatro.

Amongst the side show songs, all the songs of Young Chico were well applauded by the audience. Sheikh Amir’s singing prowess imitating even Lorna was excellent. Though he is a Muslim yet he did his imitation so beautifully. William de Curtorim also does good imitation but Epa de Utorda’s son Estibeiro is much better than everyone. We managed to exhibit his super talent in imitation when we organized our Mando Festival in Kuwait about 8 years back at Plaza Hotel. The duo of Sucurro de St. Cruz and Tony de Ribandar “40 Dukor” was very bold referring to 40 MLAs of Goa, so also the trio of Olga-Sucurro-Salu “Udok-Petrol & Light”. Comedian Joana’s solo showing her artificially inflated back, turning her heavy padded “Bumpers” towards the audience was insulting to the audience and disgusting display of vulgarity, indiscipline and indecency not befitting our culture and tradition. Only her vulgar fans applauded her.

As usual, the musicians played well but at moments it was very loudly and also as usual they disturbed the attention of the audience when unwanted “musical feelings” was played when play was in progress thereby denying the audience the privilege of listening carefully to the words and statements released from the mouths of the artistes. This unwanted musical feeling is a chronic desease which must come to an end for the better understanding of the play. People pay money to watch the show attentively; their attention should not be disturbed. Organisers and directors must pay heed to this.

Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.

====The freedom of speech====

Frank Fernand Mourned in Kuwait.

KUWAIT KONKNNI KENDR MOURNS THE DEATH OF LATE FRANK FERNAND.

In its extra ordinary emergency meeting held in Kuwait City 2 days back, Kuwait Konknni Kendr deeply mourned the sad demise of one the greatest Goan musicians, the late Frank Fernand, in Bombay on 1st of this month. Every member of KKK expressed his sorrow over the death of Maestro Frank Fernand. As a mark of respect for the departed soul, a minute silence was observed and the condolence meeting ended with a fervent prayer for the repose of the departed soul.

The image of Konkani language was immensely raised by Frank Fernand thru his Konkani movie “Amchem Noxib” and that gave a very good booster for the promotion of Konkani when Konkani started facing opposition from Marathivadis under MGP in Goa. At this very crucial time, it was something unimaginable to have Amchem Noxib which created ripples all around the Konkani globe and beyond after the exit of Portuguese from Goa. First it was released in Bombay and while listening to the stories of visiting Bombay Goans about the greatness of Amchem Noxib, we in Goa were eagerly awaiting the screening of Amchem Noxib in Goa. And finally the day came and I as a young school boy saw it in Panjim and was satisfied to the brim.

It was not only the story and direction that enthralled the audience in the movie hall but more than that it was the superlative comedy role played by the legendary Anthony Mendes the father of the great tiatrists, Mendes Bros, namely Felix-Xavier-Derick who are all working in Kuwait since last so many years and now time and circumstances permitting, act in Kuwait.

According to those who saw Anthony Mendes performing regularly in Tiatros in Bombay and Goa, the comedy role that Anthony Mendes played in Amchem Noxib was just superb. To attain this level Anthony Mendes was ably supported by the great Kid Boxer and the then darling of Konkani stage Antonette Mendes. Besides, the role of C. Alvares was something extra ordinary and his the then hero’s look and elegant dress code brought an extra colours to this movie. The introduction of Mando was an added feather in the cap of Amchem Noxib. In no other Konkani film we see Mando like this. The introduction of Mando singing and simultaneously beautifully dancing in Amchem Noxib was an excellent depiction. If this trend is stopped I am afraid our future generation will never know the greatness of our folklore. This Mando makes Amchem Noxib also a Folkloric movie. The major credit for all these go to the initiator of Amchem Noxib, the late Maestro Frank Fernand who like all other great yesteryears Goan musicians developed his musical skill in his village Parochial School. Where are these Church schools gone now? They are dead and buried eternally never to resurrect again and precisely because of this now a days Goa is not producing gigantic musicians like those of olden days. The great musicians of yesteryears like Cruz Noronha (Jajwala), Anthony D’Souza (ex Emissora de Goa), Joaozinho Carvalho (Johnson), Maestro Isidore Menezes, Joe Perry and many more were the products of Village Parochail Schools.

"Nirmon" is yet another Konkani Film of Frank Fernand which further brightened the image of Konkani not only amongst the common people in Goa but even at the official level in Delhi. Thru this Nirmon Film we Goans proved even to Delhi, leave aside the anti-Konkani and anti-Goan rascals Martivadis and MGP vadis in Goa that Konkani is not an ordinary language, it is a great language with great tradition and culture. I salute Frank Fernand for his enormous contribution in the promotion of Konkani language thru his Nirmon which bestowed especial Film Award to C. Alvares as the best actor and this award was handed over to him in Delhi by none other than the late Prime Minister of India, Mrs. Indira Gandhi who according to one source then was just amazed to see the handsome looks and attractive magnetising eyes of C. Alvares. May be, being a woman and that too with her hidden romantic instict, Indira Gandhi could recognize better the charm in C. Alvares’ eyes.

Who was the late Frank Fernand? He was genuine Goan and the follower of Romi Konkani. Nagrivadis in Goa who are treating Romivadis as second grade Konknnivadis must put their heads down in shame for not being able to do even an inch of what Frank Fernand has done for the cause of Konkani. Nagrivadis in Goa instead of promoting and raising Konkani to the pedestal as done by Frank Fernand are promoting Marathi “Nattkam” and thus embracing concubines instead of their own wives. The Film Nirmon brought Konkani an extra honour. The roles played by C. Alvares, Shalini, Anthony D’Sa were superb. So the roles of Ophelia and Antonette. The song rendered by Robin Vas “Gaddi Gevunu Zatreku Vetam” was the most attractive and meaningful song. So also the song "Aura Vetai Kuraddi Mahn Khandari" which has lot of folkoric and cultural attributes. The small role played by Souza Ferrao deserved highest compliments and the comedy of Jacinto Vaz was appreciated. By the way, would Jacint Vaz be able to get a chance to act in this Film if Anthony Mendes was alive? I doubt and being a secondary in rank compared to Anthony Mendes, I feel only Anthony Mendes would get the opportunity to further mesmerise the Nirmon viewers.

For the promotion of Konkani if any body deserves highest award and accolade then it is none other then the late Maestro Frank Fernand the father of two greatest Konkani Films, namely Amchem Noxib and Nirmonn. Konkani made piercing and resounding effects all around not by the Nagri frauds like Bhembres – Naiks, - Kelekars – Mauzos and their ilk who think they are the "Bhattkars" of Konkani and we Romivadis as "Mundkars" but by Frank Fernand. Both his Konkani Films “Amchem Noxib” and “Nirmon” has fabulously enriched Konkani and for posterity will always look upon Frank Fernand with great admiration. Can any one in Konkani world be it from any script honour appropriately the late Frank Fernand at least posthumously?

And by the way, can we Goans and Goa produce another Frank Fernand? I doubt!! Such legends come into this world once in centuries. And according to the current trend in Goa and Konkani world, I feel Goa will never produce another Frank Fernand.

May the great soul of great Goan Musician from Curchorem, Maestro Frank Fernand Rest In Peace.

Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.