Goans whenever they go abroad for employment they carry along with them the musical art. This is what they brought to Kuwait when they came to Kuwait immediately following the World War II. Tiatro is one form of Musical art, this art our elders kept firmly rooted in Kuwait. Producing of Konkani Albums in the form of Audio Cassette, CD, VCD and DVD helped our songs and dramas to preserve even for the posterity. Kuwait based Tiatrists done tremendous work in the promotion of Konkani musical art. Alfred Rose was the first Tiatrist to produce a Konkani Audio Cassette while Rosary Ferns was the first Tiatrist to produce the first Konkani CD, this was the history’s first Konkani CD released from Kuwait. Also Rosary Ferns carry the distinction of producing the first Konkani Audio Cassette from Tiatrists working abroad. Both these Tiatrists' contribution in the promotion of Konkani Musical art is immense, Rosary Ferms from Kuwait while Alfred Rose from India. Their names will remain written in golden letters in the history of Goans.
Besides Rosary, there are some more Kuwait based Tiatrists and Musicians whose contribution in the promotion of musical art thru Konkani Albums is also to be noted. Recently on 16th of this month Kuwait based and well known musician Shahu Almeida released his new DVD titled "TIATRIST" which I found good and as such it is worth seeing. Its clarity is excellent and its musical score provided by Shahu is worth admiring. It consists of Songs such as Solos, Duos, Trios and Quartets rendered by the well-known singers from Goa and Kuwait namely Lawry Travasso, Ben Evangelisto, Marcus Vas from Goa and Cajetan de Sanvordem, his pretty looking daughter Clemy, Michael D’Silva, Mario de Majorda, Bab Agnel, Katy de Navelim, Lawry Miranda and others.
Every song in this Album is good and meaningful giving some information and advices to the viewers but the trio "Gulfantleo Igorzo" beautifully rendered by Cajetan de Sanvordem – Michael D’Silva – Mario de Majorda is excellent. The one who composed it deserves highest compliments for doing good research in the style of History Professor. For historians it will be a very good information on the Churches in Kuwait; the duo rendered by Lopes Bros. on the late Rosary Ferns is worth listening where the singers described everything best in Rosary Ferns starting from his birth, upbringing, locality and contribution in the promotion of Konkani Tiatro Art. I don’t think any of the tiatrists can compose and sing such a beautiful song, for this reason Lopes Bros. deserve highest praises. The scene where ROSARY was shown while walking looked really he is alive; Bab Agnel’s solo gives excellent message to Kuwaitkars who keep live - in bachelors as guests; Katty de Navelim’s solo is very informative for the newly wedded couples and it is well rendered with his powerful voice,
Clemy’s duet with Marcus Vaz’s on Aids sickness is wonderful so also her opening title song with Bab Agnel, her husband Shahu, Cajetan, Michael & Mario de Majorda. She got all the required qualities of an artiste namely: good looks, admirable presentation, majestic personality, sweet voice and above all courage in front of the Camera, it is in her gene since she is the daughter of her tiatrist father. Even when she was very tiny girl of about 6 she showed her excellence by participating in Mando Festival held at Hotel Meridien organised by Kuwait Konknni Kendr about a quarter of a century back. She was leader of her group in children category and among all she alone stole the show. When I get time I still play the Video Cassette of this Festival and admire her performance at that so young age. The other songs that are to be applauded are of Ben Evangelisto as Nistemkan and of Ignatius de Xelvonn; Ben’s solo is a comedy solo beautifully rendered and Ignatius rendered his solo in style with his attractive voice.
Shahu deserved compliments for selecting nice songs worthy of appreciating. All the scenes are very beautiful worth admiring.
Mabrouk Shahu and your troupe.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
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