Kuwait: Konkani Tiatr
in Kuwait has changed immensely over the years -- from a mere form of
entertainment to an event to be cherished. It has broken barriers of gender and
overcome problems of stage-setting, lights, sound, etc.
Today,
advanced stage lighting, sound, etc, has enhanced stage performance. In terms of
direction and acting, tiatr has improved, although, it still has a long way to
go, to match with Marathi and Hindi dramas.
Everything about a drama in Kuwait is fabulous
-- air-conditioned halls, comfortable chairs, etc, etc. Perhaps the only
complain people have is about the sound system.
Everyone in
Kuwait knows Goa’s great musician par excellence based in Kuwait – Maestro
Shahu. He is simply fantastic and second to none! But he should be in sync with
the sound guys who monitor and control the ‘happenings’ with their
sophisticated, hi-fi amps and mixers.
A
high-decibel sound can cause karkar-kirkir (noise) and give throbbing headaches
to the audience.
Most of the
guys who provide sound for dramas are professionals, but they are more familiar
with DJ music than dramas. They fail to understand that Konkani dramas –
especially the songs, unlike English rap, have meaningful words and are more
important than the music.
In most
dramas in Kuwait, people are left to ‘grab’ the words over a ‘deafening’ sound.
Distinguished guests sitting in the front rows will be lucky if they have
understood a word of the tiatr by the time they leave the hall.
The sub-standard ‘kissing microphones’ used
are failures too as most artistes are ‘mic-shy’ and tend to stand a kilometre
away from the nearest 'kiss' or are not very conscious about the system in the
'heat' of their act. One artiste who always ensured he was heard well was Jose
Rod. The much admired star rocked the hall every time he
took to the stage and kept
the crowd captivated with his voice reverberating - either acting or singing.
Tiatr lovers do hope to see Jose Rod, the pride of Kuwait Goans, back again on
stage -- soon. Well, nobody could beat popular William de Curtorim and his
powerful 'political' voice, he could sideline all the noise; while Marcus Vaz
could probably sing even without a mike!
Popular persona
John Furtado (above) who will be in-charge of the sound for ‘Ghonvddho’ is an
expert in his own right. He expected to provide high-sensitive, quality sound.
Well, he has a point to prove the audience on May 11 when the Konkani
Tiatr 'Ghonvdho' (Mason) is staged at the Kuwait Medical Association Auditorium,
Jabriya (near the Mubarak Al Kabeer Hospital).
Presented by Kuwait’s famed Lopes Brothers, the drama is written
and directed by Nazareth Felix Rodrigues, popularly known in tiatr circles as
Nazy Rod.
Writer-Director Nazy
Rod
Hailing from
Rivona, Goa, Nazy has written and staged several plays namely Krim Kednanch
Bogsona, Ekuch Rogot, Punn Konn Guneavkari, Voniek Lagon, Mhozo Fuddar Raklo,
Xirap, Xevott, etc. Nazy has also penned folk plays (Konkani Khell) such as
Xevott, Leenakshi, Hanv Guneavkari, etc, which were broadcast on All India
Radio, Panjim.
‘Ghonvddho’
will consist a galaxy of eminent stars. Renowned artistes and celebrities of the
Konkani stage will be flown in all the way from Goa to enact in the drama. The
star cast includes Comedian Anita, Steffie Goes, Comedian Luis Bachchan, Marcus
Vaz and Francis de Tuem.
Francis de Tuem, the admired Goan singer blessed
with a clear and pleasant voice, has carved a niche for himself on Konkani
stage. The top-most singer, best known for his political songs, is expected to
sing 3 enchanting solos.
Among the
popular Kuwait based artistes that will take part in the drama, Sylvester Vaz,
the 'Hitman of Konkani Stage' one of the superstars of Kuwait is set to sweep
the audience off their feet. Other Kuwait based stars in the show are Irene Vaz,
Agnes, Cajetan de Sanvordem, Sylvester Vaz, Micheal D'Silva, Mario de Majorda,
Salu Faleiro, Edward Estibeiro, Lopes Bros, Luis de Sanguem, Micky, Braz de
Parra, Francis, Seby, Manuel, Bab Joshua and Nazy Rod.
There will
be powerful and melodious duos, trios and quartets especially composed for
Kuwait audience while the drama itself promises a captivating story loaded with
rib-tickling comedy sequences by comedians Luis Bachan, Anita and Salu
Faleiro.
The music
for the show will be provided by Maestro Shahu and his troupe. Stage-sets and
lights will be provided by Thomas while John Furtado will be in charge of the
sound system.
To reserve gate-passes please contact:
Salmiya - M&M Confectionery - Tel: 25619946 – 97521134 or Mac -
66185487, Manuel - 99923176, Cliff - 99301347, Luis - 97895742, Nazy – 99663252,
Agnello – 66512602 and Alex - 67645893.
Mangalorean.com - 
