TIATRO "TUKA ZAI TOXEM" BY COMEDIAN AMBE IN CANDOLIM AT ORDA.

On the 26^th of this month at Candolim Orda, St. Serbastiao Vaddo, on the occasion  of the feast of St.  Sebastiao Chappel at Orda, oganised the Tiatro of Comedian Ambe, “TUKAM ZAI TOXEM”.  The “Mattou” where the Tiatro was organized next to the Chappel was small and the attendees were full and the Tiatro went on well with the small but more nonsensical incident created by one local Bebdo who sitting by force next to the Drummer started shouting unnecessarily and disturbing the proceedings on the Stage. Seeing this  disturbance, the participants at the  Stage stopped their  proceedings forcing the Stage Manager to put off the Lights. Then the members of the organisers intervened and physically lifted the Bebdo like a doll and then the Tiatro was resumed.

This is the scene where Jessica & Tari seen praying

By seeing him on the Stage performing his comedy role, I found Comedian Ambe a good comedian but as the director and writer of the Tiatro I saw him first time just when I went to see this Tiatro in my village Candolim and seeing with my own eyes I can rightly say that he deserved compliments. However, it was again I found disgusting because the scheduled time of starting the Tiatro was not maintained and instead it was started at 8.30 PM as against the scheduled time of 7.30 PM.  Because of this delay some of the attendees were put into total inconvenience. Such incidents should be avoided in the future.

The story of the Tiatro is based on the blind parental love especially the father’s love for his only son by pampering him so much and giving him so much of pocket money finally turning him totally an irresponsible boy.  With this money the son becomes totally useless and goes after vices the main being the “Drugs” and finally dies in a tragic Motorbike accident while his girlfriend also a drug addict dies with the overdose.  The end comes very tragic.  

Seen above is Tari singing his most beautiful song

As a director, Comedian Ambe selected all the artistes well.  First of all the selection for the role of the father was truly deserving to Tari whose style of speaking with perfect clarity and his wonderful dress code similar to that of C. Alvares and Prem Kumar made him the most attractive actor in this Tiatro.  His acting was admirable and among the current artistes I can easily rate him  the best even from among the yesteryears’ Tiatrists. While Jessica whose attractive looks and majestic physical appearance would charm any hero like Mohana’s beautiful looks would do to any handsome boy during those good old days, performed the role of the mother wonderfully. One of her Cantos during the second part was very interesting and she also rendered it beautifully with her charming voice.  However, during the second part when she wears a black skirt and a Whitish Blouse and with the magnificent pair of foot-wear, it did not suit her especially during this time because of her motherly standing.  In this dress code she looks more youthful, neither her hair was given greyish colour. However the director should have paid  more attention to such aberrations.  To be a director is not a joke, there is a saying in Konkani “Har nachta mhonn Ghanndoi nachlear zata?”.  Intrestingly, it looks on Konkani Stage there are more Directors and less ordinary actors many of whom think that they are omnipotents but in reality they are more iditiots than the idiots themselves. It is only because of their concern for the minor aberrations that yesterday’s great directors namely C. Alvares, Prem Kumar, J.P.Souzalin, Alexinho de Candolim, M. Boyer, Milton and others of their like became great.  The greatness of direction either elevates or lowers the greatness of any Tiatro. I saw once in our village how C. Alvares scolded Mohana for not wearing appropriate dress meant for the aged woman in his most memorable Tiatro Jurament. During those days their beautiful Tiatros became more beautiful because their marvelous direction brought an extra beauty to their already beautiful directions.  Because of similar infringement I noticed Alexinho de Candolim in his Tiatro Santa Cecilia shouted at Miss Filomena Lopes.  Coming back to Jesisca’s dress code,  in this dress code she looked more younger.  Otherwise she deserved highest compliments for the wonderful role she played. It is mainly because of her magnificent performance and the superlative role played by Tari raised the otherwise already raised level of this Tiatro. The role of thse son was excellently played by Cajy de Kakoda.  He is showing all the attributes of the perfect Tiatrist.

                                       Seen above is excellent singer Cajy de Kskoda

The comedy part was well dished out by the director of this Tiatro Comedians Ambe, Ophelia and Riston,  the last one was no doubt a fresher  yet, at least to my eyes and from what comedy role he performed, it indicates there is a fabulous and enormous amount of comedy is stored in him but he must know to release it appropriately. He is very acrobatic and elastic but he must not give an impression while acting that he is prone to vulgarity.  His action should indicate that he is above the vulgarity which need not necessarily be in talking only but it can be also in action.  He must create his image in such a way that it must be “Caesar's wife should not only be not suspected but she should be above suspicion”.      

                                    Seen above is Agostinho de Calangute singing his nice solo

The Side Show songs were all well rendered and composed well too.  However, the best of the songs in the whole Tiatro was the one beautifully rendered and intellectually very well composed “Respect for your teacher”  by Tari.  In all respects this song is the super and not any other Ladru-Pedru type of Tiatrist can compose and sing such a great song.  Tari deserves the best of compliments for rendering this song where he indicates how the Ruler of Sultanate of Oman, Sultan of Qaboos who died recently once he came to the Muscat Airport to receive his guest from India the then President of India Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma who one was the Sultan’s Professor at the Unoversity  of Poona when Sultan was studying in Poona.  Not only this, as per the singer Tari, Sultan driving the Car himself like a driver took the visiting guest to Sultan’s Palace from the Airport without any shame for doing the job of a driver for the Indian President.  On the contrary Sultan felt proud for driving his teacher.   I feel happy Tari is full of wisdomatic and historical knowledge which he should keep on imparting to the Tiatro goers. 

                                          Both the beauties seen singing their duo

The other songs deserve mention here are the solo rendered by Xavier Gomes on the importance of Flowers, a solo on “Gaddiapon” by Cajy de Kakoda on “Gadfdiapon” which he sang with excellent timing and beautiful voice, another solo by Agostinho de Calangute, he also rendered a nice duet with the nice girl Ophelia, the beautiful duo renderd by both the beautiful females Jessica and Ophelia, it sounded so pleasing to the ears of the audience because of the professional type “Segundo” voice Jessica gave to this duo. Both the songs of the King of Political songs painstakingly composed and rendered, one a solo by Franciis de Tuem and the other a Trio he rendered along with Kakoda and Xavier Gomes. Both were highly political, in the Trio he lambasted Michael Lobo so much that he tore his ‘’Izzat” into pieces. With this reputation will Michael Lobo go for the election again? Asked many there. Time alone will give the testimony.

                                         Seen above singing his solo on Flowers.

A.Veronica Fernandes.

GOANS IN MOCAMBIQUE - AFRICA.

GOANS IN MOCAMBIQUE.

Mozambique was a colony of Portugal which got its independence in 1975. Mozambique capital was known  as Lourenco Marques but currently it is named as Maputo.  Lourenco Marques then was known as holiday spot and one of the top touristic destinations in that part of the world. In Goa this name was very popular because many of the Goans who migrated to Mozambique settled down in Lourenco Marques and thus this beautiful place gained prominence among Goans so much so that even one beautiful song was composed and rendered in Goa if I am not mistaken, by Joaozinho (Band Leader of the then topmost Johnsons and his Jolly Boys) from Siolim.  Johnson was the top Theatrist during those good old days and also a top foot-baller.

Wherever Goans went for greener pastures they first organised themselves in groups and named these groups after their Villages or Patron Saints or as Goa or as Goan Associations.  Similarly in Mozambique several associations were formed and after its independence, in 1975, they all disappeared. After the independence, and for decades, no official Goan association was formed. However, recently, in 2019, on the 8th of January the first legally an official association was formed known as - ‘’ANDAGOA” - and it is recognized by the Mozambican Government. ANDAGOA means Associacao Mocambicana dos Naturais, Descendentes e Amigos de Goa, Damao e Diu.

The main aims of this association is to disseminate and preserve the Goan culture, language and traditions through its members and community where it is located. ANDAGOA also aims to help the local community  in their needs in diverse fields. This association is already linked with the Indian High Commission in Mozambique and the goal is to increase day by day its rapport with the Indian Mission.

Last year on 16th June ANDAGOA organized a big event depicting Goan  cultural programme and Goan Cousine (Photos shown above). This event was attended by over 200 attendees comprising Goans, descendants, friends, who  all appreciated  the gastronomy, the songs and the dances. I myself was surprised when I watched the video of this event how beautifully the Goans from Mocambique under ANDAGOA joined together to organize this great event which was attended by over 200 attendees from different nationalities and not from the Goan community alone.  The Non-Goans who attended this event were highly pleased to see the different cultural items performed such as Goan Mandos and Dulpods, Dekhni etc. The cultural part included a musical theater which explained how the Goans first arrived in Mozambique, how they were received and the interchange of cultures which resulted from the bond created by the Goans and the locals. The Goan Cousine was impressive and tasty which impressed the guests. The event was a splendid occasion where Goan Mandos and Dulpods were eulogized and Goan language Konkani glorified, thanks to the excellent efforts made by all the members who worked so hard to make this event the most successful.

According to me, I feel this Association must create a link between itself and other Goan associations spread all over the world so that more and more contacts are created among  the Goans in Mocambique and Goans in Goa and Goans elsewhere.  I understand that there is lot of liking for our Tiatros and songs in Mocambique among Goans though young generation is not too hungry for the same but still they long to see on the Stage in front their eyes Lorna singing best of her songs. "

A.Veronica Fernandes.

CM BLAMES NEHRU FOR NOT LIBERATING GOA 14 YEARS EARLIER.

Referring  to the news item in the local media on 15^th of this month where CM Pramodh Sawant who like a real "kalcho Poircho Pot'to" in his kiddy statement accused the then Premier of India Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, saying “Nehru delayed Goa’s liberation by 14 years”.  Let me confess  saying "Let the Heaven and Stars bear the testimony to the truth that I am writing now". As a genuine Goan my love for Goa is not of the one whose roots are outside Goa and I feel by delaying 14 years to annex Goa, Nehru government has saved us Goans from experiencing another 14 years of corrupt rule and disgraceful administration under the corrupt Bharati system. At least our elders escaped from another 14 years of misrule, another 14 years of sleepless nights out of fear for the robbers, during those 14 years they lived a fearless life from the murderers as these murderers were kept well checked of their nasty movements by the strict Portuguese laws, in other words 14 years of peaceful life.  Our CM who was a kid then should know that Goa was not liberated by Nehru but Goa was conquered by the Congress Government headed  by Nehru.  At least some of our elders were lucky to enjoy better life and better administration under the Salazarist regime of Portugal for 14 more years even though I dislike Salazar’s dictatorship and hate colonialism over my Goa from any one, either from local or foreign governments.

We suffered less from the Portuguese regime but now under the Bharati regime we are suffering more.  At least under dictatorial Portugal when promises were given to fulfill our requests they were immediately fulfilled but in the so called democracy of Bharat where the democratically elected Premier Modi during his election campaign at Merces roundabout promised us the Special Status and immediately after his victory shamelessly refused to honour his promise. Who is better, dictator Salazar or democratic Modi?  I think “it is better to be a master in the Hell than a slave in Heaven”. Portuguese should have been evicted from Goa but definitely not to replace by the local Portuguese – to quote Mahatma Gandhi.

Sawant further said because of these 14 years Goa lacked in the field of Military knowledge.  No doubt Goa missed 14 years of its involvement in Military but surely even then Goa acquired laurels in the appointments of so many Generals and even the  Chief of Indan Army.

 

     A.Veronica Fernandes.

THE LATE ROSARY FERNS WHO DIED ON 12.01.11.

It was in 2011 on 12^th of this month at dawn our most beloved friend the late Rosary Ferns died and in the early in the morning at 6.00, I got the news telephonically from Kuwait while I was preparing myself to go to work. The woman who called me that early morning was Elvira D’Souza asking me first, “Veronica do you have the news of Rosary?”  Listening to this question, I guessed something tragic must have happened and replied to her saying “No” expecting the worst news.  She then told me an unimaginable, an unexpected and an unbelievable worst news saying “Rosary is expired”. I exclaimed within myself saying “Oh my God!” Then  went into total silence unable to talk further and seeing my silence, Elvira too went into total silence and within a few seconds our telephone automatically stopped.

Then I went to my company, applied for an emergency leave to attend to his funeral on the next day, came to Airlines Office in Kuwait city, blooked the ticket and in the same evening went to Goa  by direct flight.  Our flight landed at Dabolim Airport in the morning and without going home to Candolim, I directly went to Rosary’s place to see his dead body and pay my respect to this great Tiatrist of whose type there was none among the Konkani Stage Artstes.

He was the great because he was the great script writer, the great director, the great Canto writer of the type only the legendary Minguel Rod penned and tuned, in fact the most sorrowful Cantos in the history of Konkani Tiatros were scripted by Minguel Rod by beautifying them with most sorrowful tune like that of most sorrowful Motets, when those Cantos were delivered by those great Tiatrists I saw once by sitting on the  lap of my mother as a baby boy, nothing but stream of tears flooding thru the eyes of great number of attendees.  In one Tiatro “Ghorib Sezari” one renowned Candoicar Dr. Gustavo Monteiro sitting in the front row and watching the Tiatro, I saw him crying like a small  baby and when he found his handkerchief wet he removed the second one from his pocket to  wipe his tears.  Seeing my mother sobbing relentlessly, without knowing well what was going on, I too started crying. That was the power of those Cantos of which type we don’t see now among current tiatrists.

.  

Coming back to Rosary, he was the top Mandoist, best Dulpodist, best  Operetta composer and the best songster  with very good topics. Such persons come to this world only once in centuries. In his death Konkani Stage became poor. May his soul rest in peace.

He had unique distinction of producing the first Konkani Songs CD in Kuwait.

May his soul rest in peace.

A.Veronica Fernandes.        

TIATRO "OJEAP ZAINAKA" BY WELL KNOWN TIATYRTIST BENNY DE ALDONA.

IN Calangute there is one Vaddo called “Porbavaddo” where  some of the residents were very well known in different areas.  In fact some of the prominent Landlords – Sportspersons and foot-ballers especially, singers etc from well known village are from this Vaddo.  It is said by the elders that God has blessed this Vaddo abundantly.  Some of the people of this Vaddo are very generous and charitable and one of them is the young man  from this Vaddo Vila Lobo, an Engineer by profession turned a businessman, the son of the famous Lobo family in Calangute was generous enough to reconstruct the local Chapel of St. Francis Xavier situated at  Porba Vaddo – Calangute, by spending over 50 lakhs of rupees  from his own pocket.  In this endeavor his dynamic and pretty  looking wife Sharyl Lobo who is also the Panch Member of Calangute Panchayat assist him too. The reconstructed Chapel dedicated to our Patron Saint St. Francis Xavier celebrated the feast of our Patron Saint on 10^th of this moth and during the Mass the local Pr. Vigar preached such a great homily on St. Francis Xavier that many people attending the Mass were really surprised to know some of the historical facts happened during his time.

Seen watching the Tiatro are the above 4 prominent personalities of Calangute namely 

from right Jerry Cal, Vila Lobo, his dynamic wife and Zezito Lobo.

Seen above are the Musicians playing for the Tiatro

Vila Lobo was the President of the feast yesterday and being a charitable man he is very much known in Calangute. He is also the member of the Board of Gulf Goans Hotels Company. 

Seen above is the local Pe. Vigar saying the prayers

Along with his wife and uncle Zezito he attended the Tiatro “OJEAP ZAINAKA” written and directed by Benny de Aldona, yesterday, exactly at 8.00 PM which was attended by the good number of attendees, of course it was F.O.C. It was organized in the Calangute Church Compound, courtesy Calangute Pe. Vigar.

 is the local Pe. Vigar saying the prayers

                                   One of the Scenes

                                                  Jerry Cal singing his solo

The Tiatro for which musical score was provided by Xavier and his colleagues was well performed by all the artistes however especial mention must go to the great artiste Anil Pednekar who did the role of young husband of young attractive wife Sonia whose flawless role gained her a lot of goodwill from the audience and Pradip Naik who did his role appropriately well along with much experienced and seasoned artiste Angelwhose role of the mother was superb. Then the Cantos she delivered were excellently composed and tuned in fact all the Cantos were beautiful.

Benny de Aldona on his solo

Another scene - Sonia-Anil-Anjella

The comedy part was good and all the comedians namely did their roles well however, especial mention must be made to the roles played by Caetano Fernandes and Aurelio.  Though they are all not seasoned comedians yet they entertained the audience well.

Seen above are the comedians who performed so well  

                                             A scene where both  ace actors performed so well

The comedy part was good and all the comedians namely did their roles well however, especial mention must be made to the roles played by Caetano Fernandes and Aurelio.  Though they are all not seasoned comedians yet they entertained the audience well.

                                             A scene where Sonia rendering a beautiful canto
     

                                       Seen singing a beautiful trio on exploitation by doctors/hospitals

·          The Sideshow songs were well performed and all of them were meaningful but the best among of these songs were the solo of the Mnarch of Political Songs Olga Vaz whose one political solo totally changed the impression of the audience on this Tiatro and precisely because of this she was called back again and again. One has to admire her boldness in her expression especially when she said “Viva Portugal” and tell the audience not to get afraid of any one to say so. The other songs worth admiring were the Trio of Robert de Calvim on the chicanery of Doctors and Looting Hospital; the solo and the duo of Tony de Ribandar, both the solos of Benny de Aldona.  His role of a priest was excellent and in view of this I can easily put him in the  bracket of the great yesteryears Tiatrists who excelled in playing the role of the Priest, name;y J.P. Zouzalin, Anthony D’Sa and Cyriaco Dias.     

                     The best solo of the tiatro by Olga on politics with number of encores.

A.Veronica Fernandes.