KONKANI SHOW BY "KONKANI KULLVAR KUWAIT.

On last Friday 20th of this month at Indian Community Senior Girls School, Salmiya, I had an opportunity to witness the Konkani function organized by our Managalorean brothers and sisters under “KONKANI KULLVAR KUWAIT” to mark the Konkani Day, that is, the day on which Konkani was accorded official recognition and introduced into the Eight Schedule of Indian Constitution. It was well attended by a good number of people, Mangaloreans and Goans. The day was fittingly dedicated to the late Konkan Kogul Wilfy Rebimbus .

The day's programe consisted besides other items, of songs, play and honouring of renowned melodious Konkani Singer Gratian D’Souza.

The programe was started with the lighting of traditional lamp. Then the convenor of Kullvar Lancy Pinto Nayak welcomed the gathering.

The first part consisted of songs in which Joylene, Jovita and others participated. The singing part gave a very good punch for the function.

The second part consisted of honouring of the renowned and melodious singer Gratian D’Souza

The third part consisted of a Play scripted by Shan Bondel and directed by Lancy Pinto Nayak. The major roles played in the Play “Shivonn” by Ida D’Silva and Bondel were of excellent caliber. Their ending part together as husband and wife was of highest degree giving a very professional touch in a real artistic manner. Ida’s dress code as commoner house wife gave genuine touch to the scene reminding me of those golden days of Konkani Stage artiste Shalini who under the direction of great J.P. Souzalin used to wear such “Kapod”. Young boy Jeremiah Vaz played his role of a naughty boy well.

The honouring ceremony of melodious singer Gratian D’Souza was beautifully done in a true tradional manner. Mr. Gratian is the singer of very high caliber having very sweet and attractive voice. Currently in Kuwait among Konkani singers there is no one having as melodious voice as he is having. He is the pride of Konkani Stage and he deserved this honour even though it came very late.

Fr. Harry a young and youthful Mangalorean priest attached to Kuwait Catholic Church rendered a nice song of course to the surprise of the audience. A very charismatic and humble priest, without pride and arrogance, Fr. Harry during his brief speech to the audience on the greatness and importance of mother tongue Konkani, in a Tagorean manner he highlighted the greatness of one’s mother tongue and thereby showed his very high literary background. When I was informed that he was a writer and author of very high caliber back at home in India, I was surprised why he is wasting his time in Kuwait where intellectual capacity of his colleagues and faithfuls is very poor. In such a situation, he will never be able to promote his intellectual work. For such intellectuals you need very good surrounding and colleagues. He will never find such around him.

Opening ceremony

Opening song

A scene in the Play

Honouring ceremony of Gratian D'Souza

Right, Fr. Harry seen singing a song.

A. Veronica Fernandes,

Kuwait.