ADEUS JR. ROD.

ADEUS JR. ROD.

A few months after the death of his father Minguel Rod, over sixty years ago, the great Tiatrist Anthony D’Sa especially came to Goa from Bombay to stage Minguel Rod’s  Tiatro “Open to Close”, with the help of Goa based Jacinto Vaz. Jr. Rod as a small boy of around 8, rendered a beautiful song in that Tiatro, wearing a Chimney Pot Hat in his father’s style and  eulogizing his father’s contribution in the promotion of Konkani  Stage.  Some important lines of this song I state here:

Aikotoch Pai Radiar tosso Gramaphonar tallo tuzo,

Tum assai so dista jivo, pun amchea noxiban Pai tum na favo

Kitlech Pai tuvem Tiatro boroilet bookar,

Pun tanchim solfam sarkim nant mapar

Toxech kitlech tuje Tatro amkam mellonknant sabar,

Haddun dixeat tor vhodd zait upkar.

While he was singing this song, his widow mother was holding her small daughter in one hand and her other son was standing next to her holding his mother’s hand.  Seeing them all on the Stage, I saw many in the audience especially the elders were crying  and while Jr. Rod singing his sorrowful solo he was also crying when describing the hard life they are facing after the death of their  bread winner.  Though I was very young then yet I too was  crying because my mother was crying.  This Tiatro was held in Mapusa while outside it was raining heavily.

In that one particular song rendered by Jr. Rod so beautifully with appropriate timing, indicated  that a mighty Tiatrist was in the making though not of the caliber of his father because Tiatrists of Minguel Rod’s  caliber do not come twice in this world.

A few years back when we brought him to Kuwait to participate in our Show, we kept him at my place for a few days and during this period I observed him as a thorough gentleman, a soft spoken Tiatrist but a Lion once entered the Stage. His love for Goa and Goan causes was supreme and he loved Kuwait Goans especially, for their enormous contribution in the promotion of Konkani and other activities for the cause of Goans.  He even went on record to sing a song in one of his Albums praising Kuwait Goans including me in particular.

During Sixties to Nineties he gained the supremacy of Konkani Stage by singing very good and meaningful decent solos, duets, comedy songs and staging some of the old Tiatros of his father such as, Lembdo Santan, Pobre Fidalgo and others. 

His real ascendancy to the zenith reached when he partnered Rom Tony and Remy in forming their Trio known as Rom-Rem-Rod to expose the ill deeds of MG Serkar.  For some years this Trio created a havoc of politicians in Goa where Jr. Rod played a major role.  It was he who initiated the imitating songs, that is singing songs imitating other singers. 

That he died so early is a sad news and that his death will create a big void on Konkani Stage is another sad reality.  May his soul Rest In Peace.

A.Veronica Fernandes.

NEW TIATRO "REVOLUTION" BY IRINEU GONSALVES.

TIATRO “REVOLUTION”  By Irineu Gonsalves.

Above Irineu thanks the audience

Yesterday, 19.06.16, at Ravindra Bhuwan, Vasco, at 7.45 PM, I saw the new Tiatro “REVOLUTION” written and directed by the renowned Tiatro personality Irineu Gonsalves.  It was well attended by the near capacity crowd.  This is the first time in the history of Tiatro, according to my knowledge that such a rich, educative and informative Political Tiatro was staged on Konkani Stage.  

Olga singing her solo

It contains not only politics but also Political Science.  Like a University Professor, script writer Irineu Gonsalves teaches Political Science in this Tiatro and the entire audience with rapt attention watched every act and every word released from the mouth of every artiste.

A scene: Sylvester-Jessica-Tari

The role played by Tari as an activist deserved highest compliments, so also by attractive Jessica, Sylvester and handsome youngster Johnathan.  Irene too played her role well. They all rally behind Tari as youngsters to bring about the Revolution because Revolutions are the work of youngsters. 

Another scene: Sheikh Ameer & Com. Humbert

The script is made rich by the quotes of politically intellectual  statements of some of the world renowned Revolutions, like Marie Antoinette telling her own people “To Eat Cake if there is no bread”.

Benny de Aldona sings his solo

The statement inculcating the sense of Revolution into the minds and hearts of the next generation to avenge the killing of Fr. Bismark indicates the philosophy of the ancient Greek Philosoher, Socrates.   The director is to be applauded for making use of his high literary and educational background. 

Yet another scene: Anil - Sylvester-Sundeep

The story is very relevant especially now since the election is coming soon.  It tells the opposition to unite in the form of “alignment” of likeminded parties on the Bihar pattern.    It tells of something new method like holding of “Primary” type of selection or election of the candidates of the choice of constituents and then make them contest the general election.  In this way, we can prevent splitting of the votes.  

Saby de Divar singing his solo

All the dirty and corrupt ideas implemented by our political figures and ministers are nicely indicated in this Tiatro.  The role of the corrupt Minister was beautifully enacted by Anil Pednecar whose presentation, dress code, delivery of  the statements and words were worth admiring.  Though as his “Chamcha” the role played by Sundeep Calangutecar was excellent yet some of his actions were found overdone. 

Sylvester singing his solo

The comedy part was nicely handled by both the ace comedians Humbert and Domnick. 

Olga and Anil singing their duet

Special mention here must be made of the magnificent role of the CM played most appropriately by Sheikh Ameer imitating exactly the CM in walk, talk and action.

Jonathan singing his solo

The Side Show songs were good qualitatively with number of encores and especial mention must be made of the political solos of Olga, her duet with Anil, again solo of Saby de Divar and his Trio with Benny de Aldona and Sylvester.  

Sylvester-Benny-Saby singing their trio.

However, the best song in the Tiatro was rendered with his beautiful voice by Benny de Aldona on the importance of “Goenchi Mati”, meaning to work in Goa. 

Jessica and Anthony San sing their duet

Since the next election is approaching fast, I feel no Goan should miss this Tiatro because it is worth watching.

                                              Sheikh Ameer-Tari & Jonathan in one scene
                                   

While concluding, let me congratulate script writer and director, Irineu Gonsalves, so also his entire troupe including Musicians.

A.Veronica Fernandes.

AN OPEN REQUEST TO ALL THE NON-BJP POLITICAL PARTIES.

AN OPEN REQUEST TO ALL THE NON-BJP POLITICAL PARTIES.

Every Political Party in Goa wants to dethrone BJP from the power.  Every Political Party in Goa is disappointed with the functioning and performance of BJP and hence every Political Party rightly wants a change in the government.  But how to bring about this change?  Every Political Party gives an impression that it is in a better position to form the next government and hence all should rally behind  them. 

However, according to my assessment NOT a single Political Party is in a position to defeat BJP on its own however much they may boast of their power.  Many of the candidates opposing BJP, without the support of other likeminded outfits will not only lose miserably but lose even their deposits.  There is not a single Political Party in Goa capable independently to withstand the mighty power of BJP.  Political Parties dominated by “KALCHE PORCHE POTTE” fit to play in “GODDE” cannot win the election.  In view of this, all Non-BJP Political Parties must stop fooling the people of Goa of their inflated and fake capacity to defeat the BJP in the next election, without aligning with other likeminded Political Parties.

It is now imperative in order to defeat BJP, for all the Non-BJP Political Parties to come under one banner or have Seat Adjustment among themselves and fight the next election.  In this way splitting of Non-BJP votes could be avoided otherwise Non-BJP votes will be splitted and BJP votes will remain intact thus giving advantage to BJP to win.  Hence, it is my request to all who wants to snatch political power from BJP to come under one banner in a best possible manner to fight the next election.

Also, it is time now for all the voters in Goa seeking ouster of BJP for good governance, to put pressure on every political party to have an alignment with other likeminded political parties and fight the next election. Otherwise they will be responsible for giving the victory in 2017 on Silver platter to BJP. Congress, AAP and other regional political parties must show their wisdom and maturity to find a solution to this problem. 

As it is, BJP is showing some signs of the nasty actions it is going to take.   Indira Gand atleast introduced Emergency in 1975 and lifted it after 19 months but BJP will go for the worst to convert the current system of their choice and while doing so they will not care for anyone. They are hard hearted.  See Parricar after promising so much made U turned.  He is not even ashamed to show his traitor's face to Goa and Goans.  This BJP cadre is  irresponsible and to give one more term to them is like committing suicide.

A.Veronica Fernandes.