HISTORY OF TIATRO IN KUWAIT.

The above is the Handbill of the first Tiatro in Kuwait on 14th Aug., 1958, staged at Ahmadi. Seen on top at left, is Edmundo Fernandes.

Candolim, Bardez is a very popular village in Goa. It is a birth place of world renowned Hypnotist Abade Faria (Abe Faria) whose house where he was born is still there and it is under the possession of Goa Government. The Portuguese School where I did my primary education in Portuguese was named after this great Goan genius as “ESCOLA PRIMARIA DE ABADE FARIA’. Abade Faria made Candolim internationally known while Candolim is made popular in Goan and Konkani world by renowned Konkani Tiatrists, namely Alexinho de Candolim whose songs and Tiatros dazzled the Konkani world and Young Menezes another singer of highest reputation known to compose and sing songs full of proverbs with perfect rymings. Young Menezes was the real Jet Speed singer of whose type still there is no one on Konkani Stage. The Vaddo where Abe Faria was born is known as Pintos Vaddo where another smart Goan was also born, named Antonio Maria Fernandes. During the British rule in India, Antonio Maria Fernandes worked for British Army as a Librarian where he had total access to all the books from where he acquired top knowledge in many subjects. He was highly literate man and highly knowledgeable person of whose type during those days there was none in our village. When I was young, I was his favourite young boy and used to sit with him listening to his flow of knowledge on any subject. From his mouth I acquired lot of knowledge. It was said, he knew everything except one that is when he would die. He was the father of once renowned footballer of Goa, Panvel and Dempo, the late Titus who played along with me in Goa. Because he knew everything except one, Antonio was nicknamed as Ninety Nine after his coming to Kuwait soon after the independence of India.

Antonio Maria Fernandes was directly recruited by Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) as an Auto Electrician in which trade he was also good. He had 2 more brothers; one was the late Paciencio Fernades who after getting a job in Dubai in mid sixties took innumerable villagers to Dubai. The other brother was Edmundo Fernandes who till some years back was employed in Kuwait. Edmund was a good Tiatrist and when Alfred Rose & Rita came to Kuwait in 1975 thru Tony Cal, Edmund acted in both the Tiatros of Alfred Rose, namely “Bhangaracho Voti” and “Angounnechi Vokol”. During my last visit to Goa, I had an opportunity to talk to Edmund since he and I are from the same village and Vaddo too. I asked him about the origin of Tiatro in Kuwait and this is what he told me:

“My brother Antonio came to Kuwait in 1950 and immediately he brought me to Kuwait and got me employed at Bechtel Co., Ahmadi Oil sector, as an AC Technician. I came to Kuwait via Ship S.S. Dumra from Goa to Karachi and then to Kuwait covering this distance in 10 days, ticket fare costing Indian Rupees 200/- was sent to me by my brother only. During those days in Kuwait the currency was Indian Rupees. My brother Antonio was regularly coming to meet me from Ahmadi where he was staying in KOC Quarters, at Fahaheel where I was staying with the then prominent Goan Felix Monteiro from Bastora. Mr. Monteiro was a very good singer and composer and had great liking for Tiatro. Then my brother while conversing with Felix asked him whether he is interested in staging a Tiatro at Ahmadi and if yes, he agreed to do everything for staging this Tiatro. When Felix said yes, my brother Antonio went to KOC Labour Office, spoke to the top British Boss, submitted the application, got it approved and thus the first Tiatro in Kuwait was staged on 14th August 1958 at 9.00 pm, in the Open Air next to the then South Wheel Hospital. The name of this Tiatro was “BODMAS OKOL” written and directed by Felix Monteiro. In this Tiatro I rendered a solo “Veronica Ostori” which was very much applauded by the audience. Being the first Tiatro in Kuwait, the audience was packed to capacity and some of them had to just stand having no seat. The ticket fares were Rs. 5/- first class and Rs. 3/- second class. Then other Tiatrists followed also thru the assistance of my brother. Felix Monteiro later on staged his second Tiatro “NOXIBACHEM NOKETR” again with the assistance of my brother and he then followed by another 2 more Tiatros. Then my “ghaum – bhau” from Candolim Orda, John Dias staged his Tiatro “UNTYCHO MOG” in Salmiya in 1963.
Later on Tony Cal came into the picture in full scale as director and started staging his Tiatros and encouraged others also and promoted new comers. According to me, said Edmund, Tony Cal has played a pivotal role in the promotion of Tiatro in Kuwait. But the major credit for the origin of Tiatro in Kuwait should go to my brother Antonio Maria Fernandes and then to Felix Monteiro”.

In this way, I asked Edmund “can we call your brother Antonio Maria Fernandes as PAI KUWAIT TIATRIST? Good suggestion, answered Edmundo.

Unfortunately, Antonio Maria Fernandes died in Dubai about 30 years back while Felix Monteiro died in Canada recently.

In 1978 approximately, Felix Monteiro helped Dost Kumar another well known Goan Tiatrist to stage his Tiatro in the Church Hall, Kuwait City.

To add something more on Antonio Maria Fernandes, he was such an intellectually dynamic man that somewhere in 1958 at KOC Center where he was working, in honour of Portuguese Government of Goa he collected all the likeminded Goans in the morning at 9.00 on the National Day of Portugal and hoisted the Portuguese Flag and rendered the Portuguese National Anthem “Heroes do Mar”. When this news went to British Embassy looking after the interest of Portugal in Kuwait, it immediately sent a message to Portugal in Lisbon and Salazar personally applauded Antonio Maria Fernandes. When he went to Goa for good before the forced entry of Bharat into Goa, Salazar thru his last Governador of Goa, Vassalo e Silva, asked Antonio what he wants…… Then the history which I have recorded in my forthcoming book.

Antonio Maria Fernandes was a terrific daring man. 4 Days after the annexure of Goa by Bharat, some rascal Bharati military soldiers stationed at Aguada started acting like Dadas of Goa at our Tinto. They were hungry for foreign liquour, not only foreign liquour but anything foreign bullshit. They were the hungry, thirsty and cheap Bharatis from the streets in the land called Bharat descended on Goa with the excuse of liberating Goa. But in reality they did just the opposite. After consuming “Bann bhor Soro” at Casa Manica Bar, they refused to pay and on top of it started acting abusive with the owner of Casa Manica who 4 days earlier shouting at the top of his voice saying “Jai Hind. Nehru Zindabad – Salazar Murdabad. Jai Swaraj – Jai Hindu Raj. Antonio Maria Fernandes was nearby and when he saw the owner of Casa Manica was trembling with fear of the invaders, ran to the rescue of Goykar owner of Casa Manica, caught hold of one Sardarji militaryman by his hand, argued with him forcefully in pure Hindi and made the millitarymen to surrender, effect payment and disappear from the scene . That was his guts.

A. Veronica Fernandes,

Kuwait.

BABRI MASJID DEMOLITION CULPRITS.

Seen in the picture from left: Vajpayee - Advani - Joshi. This was the trio of ANTI-INDIAN traitors responsible for the demolition of Babri Masjid in India on 6th December 1992. They are ANTI - MUSLIMS.

Finally it was officially declared thru enquiry commission that BJP was the main power behind the demolition of Babri Masjid on 6th December 1992. It took 17 long years to come out with the truth thru the enquiry commission set up under Justice Liberhan who indicted clearly and loudly former Premier of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee along with the current Opposition leader L.K. Advani and former BJP President Murli Manohar Joshi as the main culprits. It also states that Advani was watching the demolition from 200 metres away from the Babri Masjid.

When Babri Masjid was demolished the entire Muslim world cried with hurt feelings and in Kuwait I too along with my Muslim brothers showed my hurt feelings and disappointment openly over this demolition while co-religionists of this TRAITOR trio showed total silence in Kuwait. Was there no suitable brain in Kuwait amongst them to voice their condemnation when it was deserving? Where were all the clever brains gone to voice their opinions? Where were all the top category personnel earning four figure and fat salaries? Sleeping under the petticoats of their wives? Religious sentiments are deep rooted in human beings and once they are hurt then it becomes very difficult to repair the damage. I am not a Muslim, I am a Christian and Catholic for that matter but as a Christian I showed my total disgust over the demolition of Babri Masjid thru my three articles published in the local daily Kuwait Times within a week of the demolition. Then I was called at Indian Embassy to attend the meeting under the chairmanship of acting Ambassador Sapra where we discussed the ill effects of this demolition and how it is hurting. Flaying tempers of some were controlled. All the Muslims in Kuwait were hurt as elsewhere.

By the demolition of Babri Masjid our political leaders in India from BJP rank and their allies comprising Hindu fundamentalists showed that how parochial they are. They are not meant to rule secular India and in such case they are anti Indian. To give my allegiance to such anti-India leaders is against my principle. Secularism is one of the main pillars of Indian constitution and those who refuse to acknowledge this pillar should be considered as anti-Indian and secessionist. All these anti-Indians should be punished with severe punishment and sent to Tihar Jail.

When this enquiry report message was brought to his notice, Vajpayee refused to accept it. Vajpayee is the biggest liar, you cannot believe him. During the rule of Janata Party Government at the Centre in India, he was the Foreign Minister of India. During this period, one of the top Israeli diplomats clandestinely visited India and had meetings with Morarjee Desai the then Premier of India and also with Vajpayee. Later on this news leaked out and when it was leaked out openly thru the mouth of Indira Gandhi, Vajpayee immediately denounced it and denied it. But Morarjee Desai the symbol of straightforwardness and truth, openly acknowledged the truth putting Vajpayee into shame. Hence, I say Vajpayee is the liar. He lied to the nation saying he was against the demolition of Babri Masjid but inquiry commission under justice Liberhan held Vajpayee also guilty of complicity in this episode.

Why BJP and Hindu fundamentalists only. Even the ruling Congress Party Government at the centre under Premier Narshinma Rao should be held responsible. Being the Prime Minister of the country Rao had access to all the intelligence to detect anything from anywhere. Why his intelligence failed and who was responsible for this failure? Kar Sevaks that is the butchers of the Babri Masjid with their deadly demolition instruments in their hands such as Crow Bars and Pickaxes even came from Goa travelling in the Railways for 3 days from Goa to Ayodya. Nobody noticed their movement? Was Narshima Rao as premier of India and his Congress Party Government sleeping? Congress Party and its Government should also be held responsible and accountable.

And by the way, why it took 17 long years to open this enquiry report by the Government? Is there any hidden agenda of ruling Congress Party Government behind this timing? I have my doubts because Congress Party men are equally crooks. This was the same party that let lose terror on poor and innocent Sardarjis in India in the aftermath of the assassination of the disgraceful premier of India the late Indira Gandhi whose greatest and most disgraceful sin was the introduction of Emergency in India where all the civil liberties were killed and Hitlerism ruled India under her control. And we adore her as icon of Nehru family. My foot!! She was the traitor and killer of democracy and butcher of innocent Indians during the 19 months of Emergency rule in India. This period was the darkest period not only in the history of independent India but also in the history of India as a whole.

As a citizen of India I feel ashamed to be an Indian because of my crook leaders from all parties. They are a disgrace on India. Their behavior is a black mark on my Indian citizenship which is not by choice but by force in 1961 December 19th when my Goa was forcibly annexed by Nehru’s Congress Government without consulting us. Because of its forcible annexation, Goa lost all its pristine genuine attributes due to the influx of all rubbish non-Goans in Goa from North – South – East – West, educated and illiterate, all falling in one category of “Rubbish Indians”. It is very difficult for us to get a sincere, dedicated and patriotic leader in India. Most of them if not all, are traitors and anti Indian.

Once again, while concluding I say as I said in Kuwait Times 17 years back that “As an Indian, I put down my head in shame and condemn the demolition of Babri Masjid at Ayodya, in India by the Indian Hindu fanatics”.

A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.

CONTROVERSIAL HAND BALL IN SOCCER.

Seen above is the skipper of France,Thierry Henry reacting to the shouts of the opponenets for handling the ball after France scored that controversial goal.

On last Wednesday soccer match between Ireland and France created a sensation on and off the field when France skipper Thierry Henry handled the ball in the goal area facilitating his colleague William Gallas to score an equalizer and thus pave the way for France to qualify for the next year’s World Cup tourney in South Africa. France was lucky to get this equalizer in the dying minutes. Watching from the TV and agreeing with the confession of Henry, it was a clear handball; Henry has clearly stopped the ball with his left hand though it may not be an intentional handling. Such incidents thru instinct do happen while you are deeply engrossed in the game. It happened to me once in 1971 at Campal ground in Panaji during the inter collegiate final between Dempe College and Xaviers.


I was playing for Xaviers as a deep defender and only 3 minutes were remaining for the final blow by the umpire who was showing lot of bias against Xaviers. It looked the final was going into extra time. While I was guarding our citadel, near the penalty area, suddenly the ball came in front of me. Since, I was unable to head it, instinctively my hand went out for it and there the referee blew his whistle and from the resultant penalty kick, Machado of Dempe College scored the all important winning goal. Next day everywhere especially in our College my name was tarnished saying Veronica did the penalty purposely to favour Dempe. But it was not correct. However, the damage to my credibility was already done and it was seen more from the anger of Xavierite girls who earlier were treating me like a hero but because of this unintentional penalty they started treating me like a zero. Moreover, one of my girlfriends who promised me to accompany for the movie the next day at Alankar, Mapusa, by bunking morning lectures, was so angry at me that finally she dropped the idea of joining me at Alankar creating strong disappointment in me.

During those days, a soccer match between Dempe College and St. Xaviers College means like a war between India and Pakistan. The student spectators from both the Colleges would shout and encourage their respective players vociferously. Defeat means a big setback and in this final supporters of Xaviers were deeply hurt and for their hurt feelings they made me responsible even though because of my great game on that day Dempe missed at least 3 goals

Maradona in 1986 World Cup also committed such a foul when he handled the ball and scored the first goal of Argentina against England. Though it was a clear handball for Maradona yet he never admitted that he handled the ball, he pretended as if he carried the ball thru his head. It was very difficult for the referee to judge that was a handball but Maradona philosophically said after the match that “it was the hand of God and head of Maradona” that created the whole magic. Maradona knew what the truth was but he never openly and publicly confessed it while Thierry Henry immediately after the match against Ireland clearly and openly admitted that he handled the ball but he said he was not the referee to point out the infringement.

By all means every team and every player wants to win the match and if the referee has given this victory to France on silver platter, then why Thierry Henry and France refuse this victory which is so essential for them? After all, soccer World Cup is the most prestigious sport in the world and every footballing nation loves to play in the World Cup, including France a gigantic footballing nation in the world.

After the match people called Thierry Henry a Thief but was he a real thief? I don’t think so. Handball is part of the game and Henry’s handball was not something unusual. On the contrary he should be applauded for admitting his mistake frankly but corrective method was not in his hand. If law permitted replay, it would have been fine for Ireland and for Henry as well but France refused to accept this proposal. The best course for Ireland would have been to claim handball very forcefully before restarting of the match after scoring the equalizer. Ireland players should have strongly insisted with the referee and Linesman too to reverse the goal.
In 1982 World Cup in Spain when Kuwait noticed that the goal scored against them was wrong, the Kuwaiti players insisted with the Russian referee to reverse his decision and they succeeded in their claim.

Meantime, the President of France Sarkozy in his message to the Premier of Ireland, Brian Cowen offered his apology for the controversial goal that sent France to South Africa next year but disagreed for the replay and went further telling the Prime Minister “don’t ask me to substitute for the referee or the French football authorities or the European football authorities, leave me right where I am”.

A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.