gaspersWorld

By Gasper Crasto; Image Designs: ImagEnations by Simon Dias

Kuwait: Tiatrs or dramas are one of Goa's traditional performance arts. Stories of more modern, social subjects are narrated with song and dialogues where musicians remain the vertebrae of the main music for songs and background score. 

The drummers, keyboard artists, and guitarists are all part of the show. 

Kuwait’s Magical Maestro Shahu Almeida will team up with London-based Goan drummer Sequeira Belisco Matais Rosario in the Konkani Musical ‘Sath Panvdde’ scheduled to be staged Friday 7th November 2014 at the American School Hall, Maidan Hawally starting 4.30pm sharp. 

'Sath Panvdde' (Seven Steps) is a Special Tribute to Rosary Ferns, a celebrated Goan singer who passed away in 2011. The drama is written and directed by Rosary's brother Fidelis Fernandes and features a galaxy of well-known artistes from Goa and Kuwait. 

Magical Maestro: Shahu the Great

Today, the Magical Maestro is one of the most popular Goan musicians in the Middle East. Hailing from Macasana - Goa, Shahu shines amongst the stellar bracket of Goa's top-notch musicians with his indispensable contribution towards the art. Apart from playing for dramas, Shahu has his own band known as 2#Sharp.


Shahu may be recognized more in the genre of dramas. But behind his simplicity, is the unmistakable halo of his talent as a star musician. 

Shahu, a dynamic talent with his keyboard, began his tryst with music drumming his way into the hearts of his school-mates at his school's Annual Gatherings, propelling him into the musical horizon forever. He is the alumnus of St. Francis Xavier High School, Macazana and Guardian Angel College, Sanvordem.

Evolving into an ace drummer, he had the rare and splendid opportunity of honing his musical skills under the baton of Chris Perry, the eternal icon and consummate genius of Goan music and playing alongside his son Errol Perry. 

With music flowing in his veins, his drum beats reverberated in many well-known Goan bands of the nineties such as 'Ultimate', 'Magic Touch', 'The News', 'Human Status', 'Black Lace', etc, to name a few. Shahu disclosed that he played in over 1000 weddings as a drummer with these groups.

But it was his evolution into a keyboardist that shot him into instant fame. Shahu’s musical creativity was elevated further after his arrival in Kuwait in October 1999. He began with a bang in Kuwait-based director Jose Rod's unmatched hit 'Tujem Nanv Vhodd zaum' which was staged all over in the Middle East and in Goa.

Shahu has toured London, Muscat, Doha, Bahrain, Bangalore, Darjeeling, etc, and performed for top directors such as Prem Kumar, Roseferns, Jacob, Menino de Bandar, Pascoal Rodrigues, C.D. Silva, John D' Silva, Ben Evangelist, Rosario Rodrigues, etc, besides other directors in Kuwait. He also did a short musical stint playing live music at Dubai's famous Viva Goa restaurant.

While Shahu has a successful DVD to his credit entitled ‘Musician’, his music is engaged for various audio/video albums. Although he is very popular, the humble musician is a down to earth person and plays regularly for the 8 o'clock choir at Kuwait's Holy Family Cathedral.

The Maestro is happily married to Clemmie with 2 kids, and celebrated his 10th Wedding Anniversary on 21st October 2014.

London-based Goan Drummer Sequeira Matais 

The talented drummer, a good friend of Maestro Shahu, last performed in Kuwait at the 2012 KGTS Musical ‘Tiatristanchi Moladikh Kola’ where his presence and popularity was sweetly felt.


Sequeira Matais was born and brought up in Goa in the beautiful Divar island of 'Sao Matias'. His grandfather was a great musician; hence Sequeira inherited music from him at an early age. 

Having a natural flair for rhythm, Sequeira started drumming at the age of 19 and played in several bands since then, one of them being the famed 'Purple Rain.

Drumming for a wide variety of bands, Sequeira also played for a cultural troupe 'Alegria' led by Maestro Messias Tavares for over 8 years performing all over India, Colombo, Singapore (Raffles's Hotel), Malaysia and Hongkong.

In 1995, Sequeira left for Bahrain where he played in a band called 'Falcons' and in April 1997 he moved to U.K. Since then he has been playing for a band called 'Mustang', a well-known band among Goans. ‘Mustang’ plays at weddings, dinner dances, parties, British clubs, pubs, etc. 

In 2004, Sequeira played for Lorna's musical show in London. Thereafter, he went on to play for almost all tiarts in U.K. Among the major ones, he featured in dramas of Jose Rod, Prince Jacob, Roseferns, Anil Kumar, Ben Evangelisto, Comedian Agostino, Samuel Carvalho, Tommy (Junior Nelson), Mariano Fernandes, Shahu’s Musical Show and several others. 

In July 2011, Sequeira played for Lorna’s show at the Goan Festival in U.K and in December 2011, he was sponsored to play for Lorna’s show in Canada. 

Drumming is a sound through which Sequeira expresses his emotions of joy and happiness. A humble, soft-spoken drummer, Sequeira lets his drums do the talking. Not too surprising then that this fine musician has music in his blood which has taken him places. 

Enjoy the gifted musicians ‘live’ on 7th November 2014.

Star-Cast of 'Sath Panvdde' 

Star artistes from Goa will consist of Lawry Travasso, Xavier Gomes, Francis de Tuem, Chitra, Andrea, Marcus Vaz, Comedian John D’Silva, Comedian Sally & Comedian Joana.

Kuwait-based artistes include Cajetan de Sanvordem, Mario de Majorda, Michael D’Silva, Katty de Navelim, Laurente Pereira, Bab Agnel, Xavier Furtado, Lopes Brothers, Clemmie Almeida, Esparansa & Gasper Crasto. 

Music for the show will be provided by Kuwait’s magical maestro – Shahu Almeida accompanied by his Jolly Boys. London-based Goan drummer Sequeira Matais Rosario will team up with the band. DJ Marlon will provide the sound while Lekinson will be in-charge of stage setting. 

Hall Management will be done by Derick Gomindes & Julio Cardoso while Laurente Pereira & Katty will be Stage Managers of the show. Publicity Designs for the event are done by Simon Dias (ImagEnations).

The director Mr. Fidelis Fernandes hails from Colva, Salcette, Goa. 

Fidelis is President of the Konkani Heritage Kuwait (KHK) which has, in the past, presented Konkani tiatrs, one-act play competitions, singing competitions, and Konkani ‘songit sanz’ (musical) shows in Kuwait under his able direction.

Chief Guests and other dignitaries

Ms. Kyoko Matsukawa, a Japanese Researcher based in Goa will attend the show as a chief guest. Special guests that will be in attendance are Francis Correia (Bahrain), Simon D’Silva (Qatar), Tony Gonsalves (UK), Anthony de Varca (Dubai), Raymond D’Sa & Bosco Leitao (Kuwait). 

A number of other distinguished dignitaries from Goa, Qatar, Oman, etc, are also expected to attend the show.

Gate-passes for the show can be availed from Benny – 66533229, Joe – 66625567, Derick Gomendis – 99659749, Julio Cardoso – 99519439, Nazi – 99663252, Katty – 96961548, Gasper – 99699514, Bernard – 55514282, Martha (Raja Stores) – 97634408, Rock Music – 50192530.