Kuwait Nov 17, 2009: Prince Jacob’s drama ‘Zaiat Zage’ was more than what one could expect from a seasoned, professional showman of the Konkani stage.
The drama has more in it than just entertainment. The message is a hard-hitting clarion call to all Goans to wake up and unite, or perish.
The tale enacted with plenty of humor is presented in fluent style and is a real treat for the audience. It's a tongue-in-cheek drama that looks at how people from other states flock down to the beautiful state of Goa and set up their business and how Goans grow to become dependent on them.
The well attended show staged on 13th November 2009 at the Daiya Fencing Club Hall, Kuwait, was organized by Kala Mogui Kuwait to celebrate the 7th anniversary of its existence in Kuwait.
Kala Mogui's Dominic Araujo and Felix Fernandes were the main coordinators of the event.
H.E. Shri Ajai Malhotra, Ambassador of India was the chief guest on the occasion, the first Goan event that His Excellency has attended in Kuwait and surprisingly his first ever Konkani drama which he took pleasure in watching for over 2 hours till the half time.
Alban Pinto was the guest of honor. Other special invitees included Muriel Alphonso, President - IWA, Fr. Teo Fernandes, Fr. Frank, Fr. Lionel Braganza, Fr. Melwyn D’cunha and Joseph & Elvira D’Souza.
The evening began with the lighting of the traditional lamp at the hands of the ambassador.
Anjali Amonkar of Kala Mogui Kuwait compered the function.
:::Felicitation of the Prince:::
A memento was presented to Prince Jacob at the hands of Albano Pinto. A memento was also announced for Kamal El-Din Hussein of Kuwait Continental Hotel.
Prince Jacob, well-known for directing Konkani tiatrs beginning with the alphabet ‘P’ from ‘Pinzrem’ to ‘Padri’. After exhausting with ‘P’ he went on to ‘R’ starting with Rodonaka.
Today he commands a dedicated fan following not just in Goa but across India, Gulf, UK, etc. To tiatr loving Goans spread over the world, Prince Jacob represents a vibrant brand ambassador of contemporary dramas. He has dared to bring bold innovations to Konkani stage and tiatrs – from making a doberman act in ‘Pavnnek’ to doing magic in ‘Raza Raani’ and four roles in ‘Rupnem’.
Jacob's works include 16 centuries (100 shows) in tiatrs which have been appreciated by his countless fans who have helped him bag recognition through prestigious awards such as GoaPost Award, Gulab Award and Kala Academy Award, etc.
Surprisingly, it is after a gap of 12 long years that Prince Jacob has performed in Kuwait with his full production troupe.
It is to be highlighted that it was again Kala Mogui Kuwait who had screened Prince Jacob’s much acclaimed Konkani film ‘Padri’ in Kuwait.
One of the major activities of Kala Mogui Kuwait in previous years have been the Konkani monthly magazine Gulab’s 25th anniversary celebrations which took place in a series of events – a Konkani drama presentation by Mario Menezes, a Konkani Variety Show and the 1st Konkani Carols Singing Competition. Shri Fausto V. Da Costa, GULAB’s editor was the special invitee on one of the ocassions.
:::Star cast, script and stage setting:::
The drama ‘Zaiat Zage’ (Wake up) is a complete entertainment with excellent performances by Jacob, Humbert, Annie, Alice, Rafael, Eknath, Joe Rose, etc.
It was indeed a delight to watch this ‘established’ show with good direction, fine script and songs on various themes and subjects relating to Goa and Goan lifestyle. The drama has attractive settings and a huge star cast.
"It is certainly one of the best Konkani dramas that I have seen -- quiet diverse from the regular lineage of Goan dramas..!" -gaspersWorld
Annie Quadros heads the cast as the panch of the village with her strong acting and charming dressing. The only thing that demeans her role on stage is perhaps her diction of the ‘Saxttikar bhas’; a ‘Bardez’ accent would have brought much more richness and beauty to her acting.
Diana’s acting as Saku is super while Alice with her Bihari and alien Konkani was perfect as the migrant Rabadi.
Humbert is seriously super as the ‘Susegad Goenkar’ while Jacob is ideal in his act as the migrant Bihari. Both the comedians have kept the chunk of dialogues for themselves and provide plenty of laughter with fine timing in the humorous sequences.
The entire drama runs on the sets of a village ward where two brothers played by Mario and Jacinto are seen arguing with each other over their share of ancestral property.
The entire drama runs on the sets of a village ward where two brothers played by Mario and Jacinto are seen arguing with each other over their share of ancestral property.
Padri fame Newton plays the role of Mario’s son who in love with Joe’s (Joe Rose) daughter Sonia played by Filina. Their neighbors include Rafael in the character of Subramaniam, a Keralite settled in Goa, and a Hindu couple - Jairam and Saku. Their son Anil, an electrical engineer does not want to work in Goa but dreams only of working on a cruise liner.
Maria, played by Annie Quadros, as the panch, rules over the villagers and her husband Salu (Humbert) with an iron hand. Into this neighborhood enters Jai Prakash Yadav, a migrant from Bihar who starts a small store in the area by bribing the panch. Soon he is joined by his wife Rabadi and their trade flourishes.
Maria, played by Annie Quadros, as the panch, rules over the villagers and her husband Salu (Humbert) with an iron hand. Into this neighborhood enters Jai Prakash Yadav, a migrant from Bihar who starts a small store in the area by bribing the panch. Soon he is joined by his wife Rabadi and their trade flourishes.
The play continues to end with forewarnings of unthought-of predictions on the fate of Goa and Goans in years to come.
The opening song, fantastically choreographed will bring about memories of Golden Goa to any Goan living abroad with the traditional ‘gummot’ drum rhythm.
The opening song, fantastically choreographed will bring about memories of Golden Goa to any Goan living abroad with the traditional ‘gummot’ drum rhythm.
In between the acts there are songs by Joe Rose, Rafael, Sanyo, Annie, Alice, Filina, Jr Reagan, Jacob, Humbert, etc. Joe Rose’s song on the tunes of M.Boyer’s ‘Bhurgim vo Baulim’ was the pick of the songs with some philosophical lines.
Musicians Dominic de Arambol and his troupe were loud and clear. Full marks for Anand D’Souza for his excellent sound system.
The unique stage set presented for the drama needs a special mention too. People who worked behind the scenes to make this possible for a one off show in Kuwait included Felix de Merces, Benny Rebello, Lorry Fernandes, Joaquim Rodrigues, Sushil Amonkar and Dominic Araujo. It took hours of ground work, carpentry, decor and painting and a full day’s erection labor and a touch-up till dawn.
The unique stage set presented for the drama needs a special mention too. People who worked behind the scenes to make this possible for a one off show in Kuwait included Felix de Merces, Benny Rebello, Lorry Fernandes, Joaquim Rodrigues, Sushil Amonkar and Dominic Araujo. It took hours of ground work, carpentry, decor and painting and a full day’s erection labor and a touch-up till dawn.
Agnelo Rebello, Benny Vaz and Nicholas Rodrigues were some of the other field supporters who worked for the success of “Zaiat Zage”, together with the goa-world.com team responsible for press and publicity.
:::Acknowledgements:::
:::Acknowledgements:::
The organizers Kala Mogui Kuwait gratefully acknowledged the generous support and cooperation of Kuwait Continental Hotel, Air Arabia, Daiya Fencing Club management, Gulf Mart, Winners Restaurant, Qatar Airways, Reaven D’Souza, www.indiansinkuwait.com , www.kuwaitsamachar.com, http://mangalorean.com, www.daijiworld.com , Arab Times, Kuwait Times, The Times, Q8india.com, Al Watan, B.M. Viegas, Lino B. Dourado, Goan associations, and all Konkani lovers in Kuwait.
:::The above news review was published in Kuwait's Arab Times dated 18 November 2009:::