By Gasper Crasto / Kuwait; Photo Courtesy: Rivon Gomes
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗳𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲.
Kuwait Konknni Mogi (KKM) organized their star-studded UNIQUE MUSICAL SHOW in Kuwait (29th Nov 2019) to a surprisingly, pretty sparse audience which raises a question about the future of Goan shows in Kuwait.
If the audience keeps diminishing to such a percentage, directors/organizers may be discouraged in planning any more shows in Kuwait.
Or, was the sparse attendance due to Black Friday? Many stores in Kuwait and the world over offer highly promoted sales on 29th November, a day called as Black Friday.
Were the audience out shopping?
𝗦𝗘𝗟𝗙𝗟𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗢𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗢𝗡
I am not here to comment on anyone’s opinion, but I don’t think there was anything UNIQUE about anyone’s human intelligence who watched the show.
To be ‘unique’, the challenge is to be different than anyone can imagine.
I personally did not find anything UNIQUE about the musical except for the fact that a guest of honor - a visiting Goan Minister of Art & Culture sang ‘Meera Meera’ on the occasion.
All the same, am sure everyone enjoyed the evening.
𝗞𝗞𝗠’𝗦 𝗛𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗞
KKM’s speciality and hallmark in encouraging children to sing was well demonstrated once again and greatly admired by everyone.
The kids Valentino Pinto, Valanka and Aaron D’Souza were amazing, and one of the highlights of the evening.
Valanka’s song as ‘Hubli-kan’ was melodiously sung by the little kid with matching dance steps while Valentino’s ‘Kakonnkar’ and Aaron’s solo were well presented and greatly applauded by the lovely audience who witnessed.
Aaron D’Souza’s song, tune n lyrics were too comatose for a sparkling, bubbly kid who sang stylishly nevertheless.
The trio by the kids Valentino-Valanka-Aaron was the cream of the show.
Another new-found talent Alitia Fernandes had 2 nicely tuned songs ‘Goenchem Hindu, and ‘I love you’; Alidia sang the first one in a highly commanding voice.
𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗦 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗔𝗨𝗗𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗜𝗖𝗘
Be it coincidence or fate, there were as many as 5 songs and more only connected with the word ‘Mog’ (love).
Looked like the singers had run out of subjects, or did they think they were singing for a Valentines Day Program?
Most of the songs were set to ‘ancient’ tunes, ‘humdrum’ everyday lyrics, and typical Goan tiatr style except for a handful which were ‘musically class’.
𝗟𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗞𝗔𝗥𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘
Both the London stars Agnelo Valentino Lobo and Joao de Zuari sang about ‘love’; the singers simply seemed fascinated and possessed by the subject.
Bizarre as it was, both singers sang two solos each on the same ‘mog’ topic which itself is an age-old subject in tiatr circles, to say the least.
Joao’s ‘Mog’ was set to a wonderful tune, and melodiously sung.
Joao de Zuari’s other song, ‘Mog mhozo kor’ was a super-melodious Englebert-tuned rendition.
Joao’s charming smile made it even more eye-catching and ‘unique’ but strangely the song had just one verse and a chorus.
Joao’s third song was on artistes (kalakar).
𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗘 𝗗𝗘 𝗠𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗔 𝗥𝗢𝗖𝗞𝗦
If the ‘Mog’ topic was not enough, Antonette de Maina had another one on the same theme – a solo.
The sexy star who is much in demand on Konkani stage electrified everyone by her rocking singing, dazzling style, showmanship and an ingredient much needed to make musical shows 'unique'.
Apart from that song and the opening chorus, Antonette dominated in leading another pulsating song, a romantic duet (of two lovers) with Agnelo Lobo which left everyone tickled pink, surely.
The star performer commands lot of admiration and attention from some fans for her talent, and glitzy presence on stage but can be a little intimidating at times with her choice of costumes!
𝗢𝗟𝗚𝗔 𝗩𝗔𝗭 - 𝗪𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗡 𝗣𝗢𝗪𝗘𝗥
The Queen of Political songs was encored 6 times for her first song
Olga's voice and lyrics were super, the song itself was set to a beautiful tune, rhythm, and lyrics.
Her other solo was a cryptic, political pop song, beautifully sung and to a super tune.
Olga’s duet ‘Robot’ with Benny de Aldona had a beautiful concept and won accolades for her striking costume.
𝗝𝗘𝗡𝗡𝗬 𝗗𝗘 𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗬 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗔 𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗡𝗬
When we look at the spectrum of Goan female singers in recent years especially of the Goencho Avaz & Voice of Goa type girls, the most successful singers haven't just been gifted vocally, they are most alluring in their singing style as well as song selection.
And that's just a bonus to their unmatched talent.
Sure, some women can't look like Aphrodite ofcourse, but that's not to say their beauty and past brilliance is easily forgettable.
The world has moved since Jenny moved to Germany. Jenny, however, still has the same snail-paced tunes of the past which was evident in her first song Khuris which was more of a hymn than a musical show song.
Her next song Amontronn was a comedy solo on a typical comic tune but the lyrics failed to move any bones.
Jenny’s third song was her own story, rendered strongly and fluently even though the band gave her a wrong start.
𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗦
Benny de Aldona sings melodious songs no doubt and he never disappoints, but he does not fall into the crowd-pulling singers of Konkani stage.
Benny’s song on the new generation was well sung.
The final curtain-closing song was nicely sung by the only known local-artistes from Kuwait apart from the kids - KKM Managing Committee members Domnic Fernandes (President), Salazar Pires de Menezes (Vice-President), Agnelo Rebello (Treasurer) and Gennifer Marshall (Secretary).
𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗬 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗗
The comedy skits never rose to desired heights. Did the comedians come rehearsed?
While comedian Neto appeared just an average touring visitor relying heavily on the stand-up comedy of the magnificent Sally; Comedian Anita looked more interested in bashing up everyone on stage.
Except for the KKM Committee, and the band on stage, Anita spared no one in flooring down. Perhaps she thought Kuwaitkars are fascinated by WWF and find it amusing.
The band on stage comprised of Shawn Rodrigues (keyboards), Maestro Roy Menezes (clarinet/saxophone), Maestro Faustino Menezes (trumpet), Menino Fernandes (bongo), Denis Gonsalves (bass guitar) and Tony Fernandes (drums).
The band had nothing extraordinary to play for, it takes no genius to observe that a one-man band was enough to handle the whole show.
Regrettably, the band always delayed in catching up in-between songs, and were seen taking sweet, lengthy breaks during skits thereby delaying again in strapping back.
The ‘sutrasonchaloks’ Domnic Fernandes and Richard Rodrigues managed well but made no efforts to hasten the proceedings.
𝗚𝗢𝗔𝗡 𝗔𝗨𝗗𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 & 𝗙𝗨𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗞𝗨𝗪𝗔𝗜𝗧 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗪𝗦
Kuwait shows have always provided great entertainment.
However, it is a huge task nowadays to organize shows in Kuwait with so many restrictions and limitations.
As such, directors/organizers rely greatly on sponsors and individual Goan well-wishers to help out. The vanishing audience will surely give a heart-break to many a director.
Nonetheless, KKM’s efforts in bringing entertainment to the Goan community and to pull off another huge show against all odds in Kuwait will always be remembered.
Congratulations to them, their past shows will remain chronicled as follows:
2019 – UNIQUE MUSICAL SHOW 2013 – SONGIT SANZ
2018 - VAVANK CHUKLEAR GANVANK CHUKTA (TIATR)
2017 – MUSICAL - PALKACHIM NOKETRAM KUVEITTANT
2017 - MAIM PAI TIM MAIM PAI (TIATR)
2016 – MUSICAL - HIDDEN PEARLS OF KONKANI STAGE IN KUWAIT
2015 – MUSICAL SHOW BY KKM
2014 – EASTER SUNDAY ‘KHELL’
2013 – SONGIT SANZ