LABOUR UNREST IN KUWAIT.
The following write-up of mine appeared in the local Kuwait Times yesterday dated 16.08.08. I am now reproducing the same in this forum.
AVF.
"During these days and since last month’s problem of expatriate Bangladeshi Cleaners in Kuwait, lot of stories are in circulation saying that even innocent Bangladeshis were unnecessarily arrested and without any justification were deported. One of the innocent deportees as per information was a Bangladeshi Bakala owner having no link with any striking Cleaners. For his bad luck just because he was watching from close angle the striking demonstrators, he was arrested. Worst part of the whole scenario was that he was not even allowed to call his family in Kuwait to make them aware of his arrest.
This reminds me of the incident taken place exactly 18 years back in Kuwait. Early in the morning in Kuwait City on 2nd August when expatriates were going to work they were suddenly stopped at gun point by the Iraqi military soldiers, got them arrested and put them in the garden as prisoners opposite to Kuwait Sheraton Hotel. All who were thus arrested were kept there in the hot sun and later on many of them were taken to Basrah where they were kept a few days in a very horrible condition. Some of these arrestees were just in their boiler suits. While in detention they were not even allowed to call their family members in Kuwait to inform them of their unwarranted arrest. From Basrah they were taken to Baghdad and from there they were sent back to their countries in their dirty, torn and miserable clothes as if they were criminals.
Performing of this type of inhuman attitude was okay for inhuman personnel from Iraq under Saddam Hussein’s regime but definitely not for Kuwaiti personnel. I resent this type of uncultured attitude in any human beings. It brings bad name to the human species which was created by God with highest degree of pleasure. 18 years back when Iraqi personnel treated Kuwaitis badly in inhuman ways we condemned them in highest terms. How can we accept similar attitude from Kuwaiti personnel who were not like Iraqi brute invaders? Something basically has gone wrong somewhere which brings bad name to the security personnel and also to the security apparatus of Kuwait. What image these poor Bangladeshi Cleaners and other expatriates will carry home when they bid adieu to this country from where they earn their sustenance? Will they talk of gratitude for earning their sustenance in Kuwait or will they talk of hatred for Kuwaitis for treating them inhumanly by some inhuman Kuwaitis who are responsible for damaging the reputation of Kuwait?
The recent strikes and demonstrations by Bangladeshi Cleaners were not the first in Kuwait. The early expatriates in Kuwait from my home place in India were telling so many stories of mid fifties of how they were witnessing Strikes at KOC Centre under the British when the Asian manpower were victimized on the basis of the colour of their skin. These Asians especially Indians and Pakistanis were discriminated by the top British management in the matter of salaries and other facilities including poor food facilities provided to the non-whites. Even integration between whites and non-whites by decree was forbidden thereby giving an apartheid colour to the whole system. And on certain occasions when the victimized staff of KOC protested, the very next day they were sacked from their jobs and deported back home to their countries without any proper investigation.
The first major labour strike and demonstration in Kuwait took place in mid seventies, somewhere in 1978. One Indian construction company was awarded the major contracts to build Seif Palace and other works at Ardiya. It was a big project and when the management found wanting in many respects, the Indian contractual manpower started demonstration and strike against their management leading into all round chaos including stoppage of work. This resulted in the local authorities to reprimand the top management of the Indian construction firm. During the demonstration some Indian workers trying to act aggressive were not only sacked from their jobs but were also deported. Hence, to cool down the situation, Indian Government of Janata Party deputed it’s the then Industries Minister George Fernades who after preliminary discussion with the concerned parties local as well as Indian, rushed to the Amiri Palace and met with the late Amir of Kuwait and melted the whole boiling situation to the satisfaction of the concerned parties.
Where Indian diplomacy then succeeded the Bangladeshi diplomacy now failed. It is a pity to see now Bangladeshis in general are looked down with suspicion from all angles. Even the law abiding and innocent Bangladeshis are looked with suspicion. Is it the result of their revolt against the injustice meted out to them by the hard core management of Cleaning companies? While they were made to suffer, can others with right frames of mind remain as silent spectators? Is it not right to raise one’s voice against the injustice committed on the innocents? Is it not our religious duty to fight against the injustice done on poor people? When Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) was once asked when there will be justice in this world, came the reply within a split of a second saying “when everyone of us will gather courage to fight against the injustice committed on to others as if that injustice is committed on to us only, then only there will be justice in this world”.
Many segments of expatriates are suffering in Kuwait. They are made victims of injustice either by the defective prevailing system or by their own expatriate superiors who think they can do anything with the backing of the prevailing law. The lust for Dinar is creating monster in many of us. We have to raise our voice against the injustice the way we raised our voice in unison when Iraq committed injustice against Kuwait 18 years back.
A.Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait. "
August 17, 2008
August 15, 2008
15TH AUGUST.
15TH AUGUST.
Today 15th August 2008, India celebrates its 61st Independence Day. In 1961 on this date, at our Candolim Tinto there was heavy security conducted by the Portuguese Military soldiers from Aguada. Though they were soldiers yet they were very humane and friendly. Many times when I was going to Portuguese school on foot, they used to pick me up in their military jeep and drop me to my school. This was not for me alone; they used to do this type of help even to other students. Being closer to Aguada since it falls in the same locality as that of my village, I became very friendly to them. And since one of my brothers was employed at Goa Police Headquarters and also playing soccer for Goa Police Team consisting of Portuguese Whites and Portuguese Negroes, many of the Portuguese Police and soldiers were very friendly to us as they were regularly coming to our place with my brother. One of the Aguada soldiers who was very friendly to me named Mario was roaming at our Tinto along with other soldiers with Machine Guns in their hands as if they were ready for the war in Candolim. Around fisher women who were selling their fish at our Tinto the Portuguese Military personnel were moving with suspicious look. Even we the locals used to feel some difference in the total outlook around the whole Tinto. It looked fearful to see otherwise unarmed Portuguese Military soldiers in their full military kit. Then I asked Portuguese soldier Mario why you are carrying Machine Gun today as if you are going for war? Then Mario replied thus: Antonio, don’t you know today “QUINZE DE AGOSTO?” Then I asked casually, so what Mario? He was Sub – Chef in military rank. Mario said today being 15th August India may attack Goa and Indian terrorists may create murders in Goa and in Candolim itself. To protect Candolim and Goa from Indian terrorists we carry Machine Guns. Then he said “Indian Government of Nehru is trying to rob Goa, we have to protect it for the good of Goans”.
This was on 15th August in 1961. Was in December 1961 Goa robbed by Indian Government of Nehru? 15th August we celebrate as Indian independence day but to participate in this great event 61 years back the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi was absent not because of any accident or sickness but he refused to participate in this event as a mark of his protest for the luxurious life Nehru and his Congress colleagues wanted to lead. Ghandiji wanted simple ceremony without any pomp in tune with the poor status of Indians and India but Congressmen under Nehru were all crooks, led by the biggest crook Nehru who against the wishes of Gandhiji robbed our Goa by sending military to evict Portuguese from Goa. We did not want Portuguese to remain in Goa that was certain but neither have we wanted Indian chors in Goa who in the name of freedom are looting Goa and deGoanising Goa. The “chors, bamttes and crimidors” are enjoying the fruits of freedom in Goa. Sincere, truthful and law abiding Goans are totally neglected and from that time till now Gongressmen are robbing Goa.
Gandiji wanted every Indian to be self sufficient but the major portion of the Indian wealth is devoured and robbed by the ruling party personnel like MLAs, MP’s and Ministers. They are living the life of Maharajas. They act like British Viceroys and Monarchs. Gandhiji opposed to this life style. The wealth meant for the upliftment of poor Indians is pocketed by the few Indians namely the MLA’s, MP’s and Ministers of the ruling parties. Gandhiji hated this loot of Congressmen under Nehru. Gandhiji knew very well the psychology of Congressmen and feudal persons like Nehrus for this reason he wanted to disband Congress party but Nehru the great crook refused. The Congressmen wanted to use party flag and symbol to get them votes not only to rule India but also to loot India. For this reason Gandhiji refused to take part in the ceremony in New Delhi 61 years back. And as matter of fact, none of the Congressmen felt hurt or ashamed to go ahead with the hoisting of tri-colour flag minus Gandhiji under whose dedicated and sincere leadership India attained freedom for India. These Congressmen would even kill Gandhiji to get them pound of flesh. They never cared for Gandhiji and his advice once India got independence. They later on put Gandhiji on the secondary level and precisely because of this Gandhiji once remarked thus “this old man now has no value”.
India is a rich country but inhabited by poor people who are intentionally kept poor by chor Indian leaders. India is an atomic power and industrial giant but still we cannot create enough jobs for our people in our own country because crook people are ruling India. Because of this many Indians like beggars are migrating to foreign countries where many of them at many times are treated like slaves. To face and bear this type of humiliation did we attain independence for us? Who benefit from independence? In our own independent India many of us are still not independent, we are still under the bondage of our own Indian Brits who are acting more British than British themselves. Our elders fought for our independence to make us happy but are we happy in our independent India? No and will never be because India is ruled by Chors, Criminals, Crooks and people of worst category. Congressmen and also BJP men are having their own hidden agendas to promote their own ideologies though they harp on socialism and upliftment of the poor. They are liars. They are creating apartheid in India for this reason they don’t want to integrate with the poor by identifying themselves with the downtrodden. By living in posh luxurious Government bungalows, by using luxurious limousine cars, by living high profile life all at the cost of taxpayers money they will never improve the well being of poor and middle class Indians. They drove Gandhiji away because Gandhiji was opposing their feudal life style. They have no right even to utter the name of Gandhiji who was immaculate and perfect in his character. By uttering the name of Gandhiji and garlanding his statue todays politicians and especially Congressmen are disgracing the fair image of Gandhiji.
During the foreign rule, Indians were bowing down their heads in front of white skin foreigners but after the independence Indians not only bowing down in front of White Dhoti and White Topi but also prostrate before the feet of Indian Ministers who are generally “Chors” and they few are robbing Indian wealth meant for the betterment of all Indians. And unfortunately, we Goans are become victims of this Chors who nicely taught our Goans Chors to rob Goa and sincere Goans. Goan politicians have mastered the art of robbing public wealth so perfectly well that they surely surpass any other worst politician from anywhere in India. I feel pity because my Goa is in the hands of such Chors. In the words of Portuguese Sub-Chef Mario on this date in 1961, “ India is trying to rob Goa, we have to protect it”. My good friend Sub-Chef Mario, I don’t know whether you are alive or not in Portugal, but your prophetic words are come to reality. Goa was already robbed and you were taken as Prisoner of War by the Indian Military in December 1961. You were too weak to face the mighty military power of India that landed at Aguada to capture you and your colleagues alive though you tried to fire from your citadel to prevent Indian Army from approaching Aguada headquarters. Goa is robbed and India too is robbed and still our politicians are robbing India to make ordinary Indians poorer. Indira Gandhi’s Congress uprooted Indian Maharajas and their places are filled by the Congressmen and Montris. These Indian Montris are become new Maharajas. This is the result of Indian Independence. I don’t want such independence and I don’t want to participate in such functions. Like Gandhiji I want to be away from the functions organized to celebrate this day. Before 15th August 1947 Indians were kept under the bondage of Europeans but after 15th August 1947, poor and sincere Indians are kept under the bondage of Chor Politicians. This is not the true independence Gandhiji and other elders fought for.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
Today 15th August 2008, India celebrates its 61st Independence Day. In 1961 on this date, at our Candolim Tinto there was heavy security conducted by the Portuguese Military soldiers from Aguada. Though they were soldiers yet they were very humane and friendly. Many times when I was going to Portuguese school on foot, they used to pick me up in their military jeep and drop me to my school. This was not for me alone; they used to do this type of help even to other students. Being closer to Aguada since it falls in the same locality as that of my village, I became very friendly to them. And since one of my brothers was employed at Goa Police Headquarters and also playing soccer for Goa Police Team consisting of Portuguese Whites and Portuguese Negroes, many of the Portuguese Police and soldiers were very friendly to us as they were regularly coming to our place with my brother. One of the Aguada soldiers who was very friendly to me named Mario was roaming at our Tinto along with other soldiers with Machine Guns in their hands as if they were ready for the war in Candolim. Around fisher women who were selling their fish at our Tinto the Portuguese Military personnel were moving with suspicious look. Even we the locals used to feel some difference in the total outlook around the whole Tinto. It looked fearful to see otherwise unarmed Portuguese Military soldiers in their full military kit. Then I asked Portuguese soldier Mario why you are carrying Machine Gun today as if you are going for war? Then Mario replied thus: Antonio, don’t you know today “QUINZE DE AGOSTO?” Then I asked casually, so what Mario? He was Sub – Chef in military rank. Mario said today being 15th August India may attack Goa and Indian terrorists may create murders in Goa and in Candolim itself. To protect Candolim and Goa from Indian terrorists we carry Machine Guns. Then he said “Indian Government of Nehru is trying to rob Goa, we have to protect it for the good of Goans”.
This was on 15th August in 1961. Was in December 1961 Goa robbed by Indian Government of Nehru? 15th August we celebrate as Indian independence day but to participate in this great event 61 years back the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi was absent not because of any accident or sickness but he refused to participate in this event as a mark of his protest for the luxurious life Nehru and his Congress colleagues wanted to lead. Ghandiji wanted simple ceremony without any pomp in tune with the poor status of Indians and India but Congressmen under Nehru were all crooks, led by the biggest crook Nehru who against the wishes of Gandhiji robbed our Goa by sending military to evict Portuguese from Goa. We did not want Portuguese to remain in Goa that was certain but neither have we wanted Indian chors in Goa who in the name of freedom are looting Goa and deGoanising Goa. The “chors, bamttes and crimidors” are enjoying the fruits of freedom in Goa. Sincere, truthful and law abiding Goans are totally neglected and from that time till now Gongressmen are robbing Goa.
Gandiji wanted every Indian to be self sufficient but the major portion of the Indian wealth is devoured and robbed by the ruling party personnel like MLAs, MP’s and Ministers. They are living the life of Maharajas. They act like British Viceroys and Monarchs. Gandhiji opposed to this life style. The wealth meant for the upliftment of poor Indians is pocketed by the few Indians namely the MLA’s, MP’s and Ministers of the ruling parties. Gandhiji hated this loot of Congressmen under Nehru. Gandhiji knew very well the psychology of Congressmen and feudal persons like Nehrus for this reason he wanted to disband Congress party but Nehru the great crook refused. The Congressmen wanted to use party flag and symbol to get them votes not only to rule India but also to loot India. For this reason Gandhiji refused to take part in the ceremony in New Delhi 61 years back. And as matter of fact, none of the Congressmen felt hurt or ashamed to go ahead with the hoisting of tri-colour flag minus Gandhiji under whose dedicated and sincere leadership India attained freedom for India. These Congressmen would even kill Gandhiji to get them pound of flesh. They never cared for Gandhiji and his advice once India got independence. They later on put Gandhiji on the secondary level and precisely because of this Gandhiji once remarked thus “this old man now has no value”.
India is a rich country but inhabited by poor people who are intentionally kept poor by chor Indian leaders. India is an atomic power and industrial giant but still we cannot create enough jobs for our people in our own country because crook people are ruling India. Because of this many Indians like beggars are migrating to foreign countries where many of them at many times are treated like slaves. To face and bear this type of humiliation did we attain independence for us? Who benefit from independence? In our own independent India many of us are still not independent, we are still under the bondage of our own Indian Brits who are acting more British than British themselves. Our elders fought for our independence to make us happy but are we happy in our independent India? No and will never be because India is ruled by Chors, Criminals, Crooks and people of worst category. Congressmen and also BJP men are having their own hidden agendas to promote their own ideologies though they harp on socialism and upliftment of the poor. They are liars. They are creating apartheid in India for this reason they don’t want to integrate with the poor by identifying themselves with the downtrodden. By living in posh luxurious Government bungalows, by using luxurious limousine cars, by living high profile life all at the cost of taxpayers money they will never improve the well being of poor and middle class Indians. They drove Gandhiji away because Gandhiji was opposing their feudal life style. They have no right even to utter the name of Gandhiji who was immaculate and perfect in his character. By uttering the name of Gandhiji and garlanding his statue todays politicians and especially Congressmen are disgracing the fair image of Gandhiji.
During the foreign rule, Indians were bowing down their heads in front of white skin foreigners but after the independence Indians not only bowing down in front of White Dhoti and White Topi but also prostrate before the feet of Indian Ministers who are generally “Chors” and they few are robbing Indian wealth meant for the betterment of all Indians. And unfortunately, we Goans are become victims of this Chors who nicely taught our Goans Chors to rob Goa and sincere Goans. Goan politicians have mastered the art of robbing public wealth so perfectly well that they surely surpass any other worst politician from anywhere in India. I feel pity because my Goa is in the hands of such Chors. In the words of Portuguese Sub-Chef Mario on this date in 1961, “ India is trying to rob Goa, we have to protect it”. My good friend Sub-Chef Mario, I don’t know whether you are alive or not in Portugal, but your prophetic words are come to reality. Goa was already robbed and you were taken as Prisoner of War by the Indian Military in December 1961. You were too weak to face the mighty military power of India that landed at Aguada to capture you and your colleagues alive though you tried to fire from your citadel to prevent Indian Army from approaching Aguada headquarters. Goa is robbed and India too is robbed and still our politicians are robbing India to make ordinary Indians poorer. Indira Gandhi’s Congress uprooted Indian Maharajas and their places are filled by the Congressmen and Montris. These Indian Montris are become new Maharajas. This is the result of Indian Independence. I don’t want such independence and I don’t want to participate in such functions. Like Gandhiji I want to be away from the functions organized to celebrate this day. Before 15th August 1947 Indians were kept under the bondage of Europeans but after 15th August 1947, poor and sincere Indians are kept under the bondage of Chor Politicians. This is not the true independence Gandhiji and other elders fought for.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
August 12, 2008
TIATRISTS AND THEIR CONCUBINES.
TIATRISTS AND THEIR CONCUBINES.
Recently I came across the June Issue of Roman script Monthly Konkani Magazine “JIVIT”. Many articles are written by lot of writers, John Gomes Kokoy, Margao was one of them who wrote a nice article on “TRIO KING: ANTHONY SOUZA”. Kokoy is a good Konkani writer, writing on Tiatros and yesteryears Tiatrists is his forte. In that article, Kokoy describes Anthony’s full history as a tiatrist where Anthony boldly and very sincerely declares that it was “Alexinho de Candolim” who introduced him to the professional Konkani Stage at Mapusa in his tiatro “Sonvsarant Konn Konnacho”. According to elders in Candolim this tiatro Alexinho de Candolim wrote on the basis of his own personal experience. Not only this, Anthony further states that his share from Rs. 5/- changed to Rs. 50/- by Alexinho de Candolim only by showing very preferential treatment to Anthony because of his tiatro competence.
When Alexinho de Candolim died, somewhere in 1964, Anthony was a part of Trio Kings comprising Conception-Nelson-Anthony. While as a member of this trio Anthony was always singing in the trio and not solos or duets as he used to do earlier before joining in this trio. But to break from the tradition and as a mark of respect for the departed soul, Anthony rendered an especially composed solo on the death of tiatro wizard Alexinho de Candolim and received tremendous goodwill from the audience. Some of the lines of that historical and magnificent song run like this:
Poilo, Minguel Rod Devan tukam velo,
Uprant, Julinui sangat tuzo kelo,
Effie ani Almeidai kobar zalo,
Xekim Alexinho de Candolim kallzak tuvem toploi bhalo.
Cheallis ani Nou vorsam idad tuji,
Bhurgech ponnir uxearki dakoili vegglli,
Lhan actorank hath diun voir kaddunk sodhi,
Kednanch dhinasloi fals budi.
Khorench, penank tujea pavor also,
Dusreachem, tem aplem mhunnpi nhoi tum toslo,
Derrepent, kallzak tuvem amchea toploi bhalo,
Ugdasak dourun gheloi tiatro tuzo “To Bhavtto Dhormancho”
And concluded saying thus:
"Tuvem tor voir kaddunk nasloi zalear aum aiz palkar pavcho naslom”.
Very few tiatrists in todays era openly discloses the gratitude of their “gurus” and of those who give them helping hand. Anthony Souza was one of the rare tiatrists in many respects. Like Alexinho de Candolim , Anthony Souza was known for leading a decent and clean life as a tiatrist and also as a family man taking care of his wife and children. Nobody has heard any vulgarity and immorality in the lives of Anthony Souza and his guru Alexinho de Candolim who not only remained faithful to his wife but also took care of his wife and children till his death maintaining the holy vow he took in the Church at the time of his wedding. Because of his high morality and family life discipline he was respected in the locality and society too. Married men who jump from one tree to another like Monkeys by discarding their wives, children and family obligations are always treated with disdain by the society, if not externally then at least internally. And those who break the marriage vow and neglect their own wives and children the punishment for them from God is very harsh, if not today then tomorrow but surely it will come (Ravon na pavon). It is said marriages are made in Heaven and no power on earth can break them. Alexinho de Candolim preached this doctrine from the stage and used his stage talent to reprimand and correct those who are going astray from their married vows. His two songs “Dadlea, Adhartai Tum Vhoddli Chuk” is a very good lesson for those husbands who desert their wives and “Aik Moje Kazari Bhoinni” is a cautious warning to wives who desert their husbands too and live as concubines to satisfy the sexual lust of their illegal partners. And concludes saying that those ladies who destroy the family life of married men are bound to receive highest punishment from God – and this punishment in this world only. Such golden songs nobody in the current era can compose.
For this reason, the great Goan intellectual the late Fr. Mendonca, the then principal of Arpora School, once commented thus: Oh my God!! What Alexinho de Candolim is!! If this man had little educational background (meaning University Education), he would be a genius”. Normally, many of the top tiatrists are known to live a vulgar and illicit life not befitting their stage status thereby bringing bad name not only for them but also for the Tiatro. For this reason during earlier days tiatrists were considered as of low moral standard and elite class of Goans never used to patronise tiatro. Saib Rocha was the first known tiatrist to lead a vulgar and illicit life in the history of tiatro. He was the first Tiatrist in the history of Tiatro to have a concubine thereby breaking the natural law of discipline. Those who break the law of nature and lead an illicit life, finally they suffer. Saib Rocha finally inspite of being revered as “Saib” of Konkani stage died a miserable death in the Asilo run by Provedoria at Santa Inez, unwanted – uncared - unsung – unadored & unattended. When he died in seventies, somebody passed a remark saying “Kunkod melem funkott gelem. Jieta tosso morta”. Then as we know many of the top directors followed the bad example set by Saib Rocha. Now-a-days we see many of the directors and leaders of the troupes are having one of their actresses as their permanent mistresses who play major roles in framing the working of the troupe leaders. In fact they act more than legal wives of the troupe leaders and because of this many a time we noticed the disorders in the family life of the troupe leaders who even maltreat their own wives in a sadistic manner and thus receive curses from God. In Kuwait there is one well known actress who told me once that because of so and so mistress of the so and so director and troupe leader “I was kicked out of that particular troupe because the mistress of the troupe leader was jealous of my superlative performance which she could not digest”.
Anthony Souza has done enormous services for the cause of Konkani, Goa, its culture, tradition and history from the stage His trio composition was surely wonderful. He has devoted fully and wholeheartedly for the cause of Goa and not for the cause of money as most of the current tiatrists do. During Bandodkar’s time he made havoc of MGP rule, what UGP could not do in the Legislative Assembly, Anthony did thru his trios. Compared to many of the today’s bribe prone tiatrists, Anthony was different. Bandodkar tried to induce this trio into silencing them and when everything failed to work in Bandodkar’s favour then Bandodkar introduced Salazarist censorship and entertainment tax on tiatros only to punish the trio kings. Like his guru Alexinho de Candolim, Anthony too had challenging nature. Alexinho de Candolim during those strict Portuguese days challenged Portuguese Government of Goa and rendered a beautiful song on the murder of the son of his own Professor in Candolim. Because of Portuguese censorship he was denied permission to sing this song in Goa. Hence he fled to Bombay with this song. It was on his colleague who was brutally murdered in Candolim by the Portuguese military Negroes. It was beautifully composed and beautifully rhymed. Some of the lines of that golden and highly politically challenging song, I give herebelow:
Konnuch vollkonastana aschenant bhavani hangasor,
Agostinho de Souza Candolim Igorjecho Professor,
Mistirpon tanne choloilem vorsam cheallis bhor,
Bharkaen tachem jivit ami niallun pollen tor,
Bharikuch also khoro pun xinkop tachem chodd vhodd,
Tachea hathan kitle xinkon zalet bandmastor,
Kantorist sadoitat stage ani Igorzanche kor,
Derrepent melo babddo saiba sorg taka favokor.
Ch.
Burgo Felix Put tacho ekloch apurbaecho,
Pai moron adhar na zaun hanga thuim zaito boumlo,
Akrekh Augadchea Comenadiche Choriek sampoddlo,
Decembrache tin tarker ratcho taka dhorlo,
Justis kornastana hath paem bandun Aguad haddlo,
Kotta team zonglli khapreani taka vatter jivoch marlo,
Xekim moddem passun dhi nastana kotta Sinquerech purlo .
Zori tor hi ghoddni anink khuincheai ganvan ghoddti,
Ghanv ekttaim zaun suru zateleo asleo morti
Pun Candoikaranchea rogtak bhavani aiz aili sukti, etc.
The beauty of this song lies not only in the wordings but more than that in the ryminc. In the history of Tiatro and tiatrists it is said only two tiatrists were excellent in composing songs with perfect ryminc and they were from the same village Candolim - Alexinho de Candolim and Young Menezes.
In order to sing this song, Alexinho de Candolim had to flee from Goa to Bombay where he sang this song of course to the anger of Portuguese administrators of Goa. Portuguese chamchas of Candolim even tried to put a blockade to his returning back to Goa. About his Professor Agostinho Desouza, during those days he stood first amongst all the Parochail Mestiris in Goa in their examination of writing and reading solfas. According to my father Mestiri Agostinho Desouza was writing Solfas like writing Shorthand. I have seen Anthony Desouza from Siolim, the former music director of Emissora de Goa also writing Solfas similarly. They were genii in their own ways.
Alexinho de Candolim in fact gave push to many tiatrists even in his own village Candolim. He was the first director to introduce Hindu artistes on the Konkani stage. Some of his songs were recorded at Emisora de Goa and they are worth listening. Such songs are not composed by anyone now and nobody will ever do in future too. He was not only a very good composer but a very good singer as well with very sweet and melodious voice. He was my father’s colleague in Parochial school where he was a very good choir singer. As a small Choir boy in my village I once sang along with him Motets in our Church during the Lent season and also a Latin song “Laudate – Laudate – Laudate Maria”, he was lending his beautiful higher second voice while me as “primeiro”. It was not very easy to sing along with him. He was a perfect singer. When he first time came to Bombay to sing on the stage, the then The Goa Times Editor commented thus “Konkani palkar ek novo kunvor udela”.
His songs from All India Radio Panjim should be collected and converted into a special CD for posterity because they are golden songs, as done for Minguel Rod’s songs by his son Julie. There are so many Konkani activists and organizations in Goa. They should come forward to do the needful before the remix “Chor” would destroy the original beauty of his golden songs. The popular “chor” “remixvale” are now prowling on beautiful old songs of yesteryears great tiatrists and by altering the originality destroy the greatness of the original songs. This has to be stopped otherwise the remix “chor” will destroy everything best in those beautiful songs. The remix “chor” are shameless, they take law into their own hands and do as they want. The immediate family members of Alexinho de Candolim if they can afford must do something to preserve the treasures of Alexinho de Candolim. His songs are priceless.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
Recently I came across the June Issue of Roman script Monthly Konkani Magazine “JIVIT”. Many articles are written by lot of writers, John Gomes Kokoy, Margao was one of them who wrote a nice article on “TRIO KING: ANTHONY SOUZA”. Kokoy is a good Konkani writer, writing on Tiatros and yesteryears Tiatrists is his forte. In that article, Kokoy describes Anthony’s full history as a tiatrist where Anthony boldly and very sincerely declares that it was “Alexinho de Candolim” who introduced him to the professional Konkani Stage at Mapusa in his tiatro “Sonvsarant Konn Konnacho”. According to elders in Candolim this tiatro Alexinho de Candolim wrote on the basis of his own personal experience. Not only this, Anthony further states that his share from Rs. 5/- changed to Rs. 50/- by Alexinho de Candolim only by showing very preferential treatment to Anthony because of his tiatro competence.
When Alexinho de Candolim died, somewhere in 1964, Anthony was a part of Trio Kings comprising Conception-Nelson-Anthony. While as a member of this trio Anthony was always singing in the trio and not solos or duets as he used to do earlier before joining in this trio. But to break from the tradition and as a mark of respect for the departed soul, Anthony rendered an especially composed solo on the death of tiatro wizard Alexinho de Candolim and received tremendous goodwill from the audience. Some of the lines of that historical and magnificent song run like this:
Poilo, Minguel Rod Devan tukam velo,
Uprant, Julinui sangat tuzo kelo,
Effie ani Almeidai kobar zalo,
Xekim Alexinho de Candolim kallzak tuvem toploi bhalo.
Cheallis ani Nou vorsam idad tuji,
Bhurgech ponnir uxearki dakoili vegglli,
Lhan actorank hath diun voir kaddunk sodhi,
Kednanch dhinasloi fals budi.
Khorench, penank tujea pavor also,
Dusreachem, tem aplem mhunnpi nhoi tum toslo,
Derrepent, kallzak tuvem amchea toploi bhalo,
Ugdasak dourun gheloi tiatro tuzo “To Bhavtto Dhormancho”
And concluded saying thus:
"Tuvem tor voir kaddunk nasloi zalear aum aiz palkar pavcho naslom”.
Very few tiatrists in todays era openly discloses the gratitude of their “gurus” and of those who give them helping hand. Anthony Souza was one of the rare tiatrists in many respects. Like Alexinho de Candolim , Anthony Souza was known for leading a decent and clean life as a tiatrist and also as a family man taking care of his wife and children. Nobody has heard any vulgarity and immorality in the lives of Anthony Souza and his guru Alexinho de Candolim who not only remained faithful to his wife but also took care of his wife and children till his death maintaining the holy vow he took in the Church at the time of his wedding. Because of his high morality and family life discipline he was respected in the locality and society too. Married men who jump from one tree to another like Monkeys by discarding their wives, children and family obligations are always treated with disdain by the society, if not externally then at least internally. And those who break the marriage vow and neglect their own wives and children the punishment for them from God is very harsh, if not today then tomorrow but surely it will come (Ravon na pavon). It is said marriages are made in Heaven and no power on earth can break them. Alexinho de Candolim preached this doctrine from the stage and used his stage talent to reprimand and correct those who are going astray from their married vows. His two songs “Dadlea, Adhartai Tum Vhoddli Chuk” is a very good lesson for those husbands who desert their wives and “Aik Moje Kazari Bhoinni” is a cautious warning to wives who desert their husbands too and live as concubines to satisfy the sexual lust of their illegal partners. And concludes saying that those ladies who destroy the family life of married men are bound to receive highest punishment from God – and this punishment in this world only. Such golden songs nobody in the current era can compose.
For this reason, the great Goan intellectual the late Fr. Mendonca, the then principal of Arpora School, once commented thus: Oh my God!! What Alexinho de Candolim is!! If this man had little educational background (meaning University Education), he would be a genius”. Normally, many of the top tiatrists are known to live a vulgar and illicit life not befitting their stage status thereby bringing bad name not only for them but also for the Tiatro. For this reason during earlier days tiatrists were considered as of low moral standard and elite class of Goans never used to patronise tiatro. Saib Rocha was the first known tiatrist to lead a vulgar and illicit life in the history of tiatro. He was the first Tiatrist in the history of Tiatro to have a concubine thereby breaking the natural law of discipline. Those who break the law of nature and lead an illicit life, finally they suffer. Saib Rocha finally inspite of being revered as “Saib” of Konkani stage died a miserable death in the Asilo run by Provedoria at Santa Inez, unwanted – uncared - unsung – unadored & unattended. When he died in seventies, somebody passed a remark saying “Kunkod melem funkott gelem. Jieta tosso morta”. Then as we know many of the top directors followed the bad example set by Saib Rocha. Now-a-days we see many of the directors and leaders of the troupes are having one of their actresses as their permanent mistresses who play major roles in framing the working of the troupe leaders. In fact they act more than legal wives of the troupe leaders and because of this many a time we noticed the disorders in the family life of the troupe leaders who even maltreat their own wives in a sadistic manner and thus receive curses from God. In Kuwait there is one well known actress who told me once that because of so and so mistress of the so and so director and troupe leader “I was kicked out of that particular troupe because the mistress of the troupe leader was jealous of my superlative performance which she could not digest”.
Anthony Souza has done enormous services for the cause of Konkani, Goa, its culture, tradition and history from the stage His trio composition was surely wonderful. He has devoted fully and wholeheartedly for the cause of Goa and not for the cause of money as most of the current tiatrists do. During Bandodkar’s time he made havoc of MGP rule, what UGP could not do in the Legislative Assembly, Anthony did thru his trios. Compared to many of the today’s bribe prone tiatrists, Anthony was different. Bandodkar tried to induce this trio into silencing them and when everything failed to work in Bandodkar’s favour then Bandodkar introduced Salazarist censorship and entertainment tax on tiatros only to punish the trio kings. Like his guru Alexinho de Candolim, Anthony too had challenging nature. Alexinho de Candolim during those strict Portuguese days challenged Portuguese Government of Goa and rendered a beautiful song on the murder of the son of his own Professor in Candolim. Because of Portuguese censorship he was denied permission to sing this song in Goa. Hence he fled to Bombay with this song. It was on his colleague who was brutally murdered in Candolim by the Portuguese military Negroes. It was beautifully composed and beautifully rhymed. Some of the lines of that golden and highly politically challenging song, I give herebelow:
Konnuch vollkonastana aschenant bhavani hangasor,
Agostinho de Souza Candolim Igorjecho Professor,
Mistirpon tanne choloilem vorsam cheallis bhor,
Bharkaen tachem jivit ami niallun pollen tor,
Bharikuch also khoro pun xinkop tachem chodd vhodd,
Tachea hathan kitle xinkon zalet bandmastor,
Kantorist sadoitat stage ani Igorzanche kor,
Derrepent melo babddo saiba sorg taka favokor.
Ch.
Burgo Felix Put tacho ekloch apurbaecho,
Pai moron adhar na zaun hanga thuim zaito boumlo,
Akrekh Augadchea Comenadiche Choriek sampoddlo,
Decembrache tin tarker ratcho taka dhorlo,
Justis kornastana hath paem bandun Aguad haddlo,
Kotta team zonglli khapreani taka vatter jivoch marlo,
Xekim moddem passun dhi nastana kotta Sinquerech purlo .
Zori tor hi ghoddni anink khuincheai ganvan ghoddti,
Ghanv ekttaim zaun suru zateleo asleo morti
Pun Candoikaranchea rogtak bhavani aiz aili sukti, etc.
The beauty of this song lies not only in the wordings but more than that in the ryminc. In the history of Tiatro and tiatrists it is said only two tiatrists were excellent in composing songs with perfect ryminc and they were from the same village Candolim - Alexinho de Candolim and Young Menezes.
In order to sing this song, Alexinho de Candolim had to flee from Goa to Bombay where he sang this song of course to the anger of Portuguese administrators of Goa. Portuguese chamchas of Candolim even tried to put a blockade to his returning back to Goa. About his Professor Agostinho Desouza, during those days he stood first amongst all the Parochail Mestiris in Goa in their examination of writing and reading solfas. According to my father Mestiri Agostinho Desouza was writing Solfas like writing Shorthand. I have seen Anthony Desouza from Siolim, the former music director of Emissora de Goa also writing Solfas similarly. They were genii in their own ways.
Alexinho de Candolim in fact gave push to many tiatrists even in his own village Candolim. He was the first director to introduce Hindu artistes on the Konkani stage. Some of his songs were recorded at Emisora de Goa and they are worth listening. Such songs are not composed by anyone now and nobody will ever do in future too. He was not only a very good composer but a very good singer as well with very sweet and melodious voice. He was my father’s colleague in Parochial school where he was a very good choir singer. As a small Choir boy in my village I once sang along with him Motets in our Church during the Lent season and also a Latin song “Laudate – Laudate – Laudate Maria”, he was lending his beautiful higher second voice while me as “primeiro”. It was not very easy to sing along with him. He was a perfect singer. When he first time came to Bombay to sing on the stage, the then The Goa Times Editor commented thus “Konkani palkar ek novo kunvor udela”.
His songs from All India Radio Panjim should be collected and converted into a special CD for posterity because they are golden songs, as done for Minguel Rod’s songs by his son Julie. There are so many Konkani activists and organizations in Goa. They should come forward to do the needful before the remix “Chor” would destroy the original beauty of his golden songs. The popular “chor” “remixvale” are now prowling on beautiful old songs of yesteryears great tiatrists and by altering the originality destroy the greatness of the original songs. This has to be stopped otherwise the remix “chor” will destroy everything best in those beautiful songs. The remix “chor” are shameless, they take law into their own hands and do as they want. The immediate family members of Alexinho de Candolim if they can afford must do something to preserve the treasures of Alexinho de Candolim. His songs are priceless.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
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