Director Domnic Fernandes (centre) releases his DVD at the hands of B.M. Viegas & Carmo Santos, also flanked by Agnelo Rebello, Lawry Pinto and Amaldo Fernandes
Report by Gasper Crasto / Kuwait
Kuwait: Konkani dramas, music and dance are some of the things close to Goan people’s heart in Kuwait. With a number of restrictions on social and cultural activities, passionate Goans in Kuwait rely much on Video CDs from Goa for entertainment.
Kuwait-based Goan Shri Domnic Fernandes, hailing from Dongrim-Raia, recently released the DVD of his Tiatr ‘Amchem Khoim Chukta Sodun Kadd’ in Kuwait in the presence of Kuwait’s prominent Goans.
Writer and Director Domnic released the DVD at the hands of KIFF President Mr. B. M. Viegas and Carmo Santos at a presentation during football matches of the Kuwait Indian Football Federation. Others present on the occasion were Fidelis Fernandes, Cajetan de Sanvordem, Bosco Leitao, Nicholas Rebello, Katty de Navelim, Julio Cardoso, Lawry Pinto, Salvador Dias, Amaldo Fernandes, etc. Gasper Crasto compered the presentation.
‘Amchem Khoim Chukta Sodun Kadd’, a tiatr with a solid theme and dialogues was staged all over Goa in the monsoon of 2014 and received rave reviews for the excellent story, comedy and songs from almost every Goan newspaper and magazine.
The DVD too is a crystal clear in sound and picture quality, and nicely edited. The whole tiatr is well enacted by all artistes and deserve high compliments. It is a sheer pleasure to see some of the greats of yesteryears still acting so very well namely Titta Pretto, Betty Ferns, Antonette Mendes, Jessie Dias, Wilson Mazarello-Sharon, etc.
'Amchem Khoim Chukta Sodun Kadd’ - Dignitaries displaying the released DVD
Some of the prominent Goan personalities present on the occasion
The story is based on 5 different themes, and especially on our religious activities, and differences between Catholic faith and Believers in Goa; and our unity in married life. The script is greatly relevant to the current happenings in our midst because of the blossoming of Believers in Goa and its effect on Catholics.
Michael Gracias plays an excellent role as pastor of Believers while on the other side of the fence Wilson, Sharon, Betty Ferns, Titta Pretto and others play their respective roles with great charisma. Comedian Netto with his flexible physique and philosophical terminology performs his comedy role to a great applause. The comedian can easily be rated as one of the best new comedians in Goa at present.
Legendary Antonette Mendes has rendered two beautiful solos with her mellifluent voice which is very pleasing to the ears. Her clarity, timing and delivery as usual are excellent and her voice still evergreen.
Betty Ferns does not lag behind, she demonstrates all her former attributes afresh. Her excellence is still the same while her earlier charm and beauty is not lost either.
Titta Britto though aged, yet while performing his role he looks much younger.
Music for the drama is provided by young trumpeter Selvin Braganza, Reagan (saxophone), Ivo (drummer), Fexon (bass guitar) and Johny Pereira (keyboards). Videography and editing credits of the DVD go to Johny Pereira, Exodus Studio.
While sharing extreme happiness on the success of the drama and the release of the DVD, Shri Domnic stated, “I hope the message portrayed in the drama reaches far and wide which has been my main aim in producing ‘Amchem Khoim Chukta Sodun Kadd’.
Dominic Fernandes has an inbuilt passion for dramas, acting and singing. He began acting and directing dramas at a tender stage of 14 years with his first drama ‘Dothiche Axek Lagon’. He later went on to stage ‘Piso’, ‘Dukh’, ‘Posro’ (23 shows), etc. Under DA Production, he also wrote and directed Carnival Khell for 5 years when he was just 17 years old in the late ‘80s, and also acted in Khell of Milagres de Ganapoga (Raia).
Grandson of the famous (San Joao), and born to Joao and Pedrinha. Domnic is happily married to Maria Conceicao Natalia Cardozo (Concy) and has 2 kids – Danisha Jewel and Chrisanne Pearl.
Domnic has been working in Kuwait since 2001 and is strongly involved in supporting the church activities, Konkani language and drama.