-by
Gasper Crasto...12.12.2016
Kuwait:
People may not necessarily depend on news reports or reviews of events anymore,
the social media runs faster than the speed of light nowadays.
One
can find critics, pundits and analysts with expert opinion, observations and
advise especially on facebook, no sooner the final curtain is down of any show.
The
‘hit’ news of Maestro Shahu’s musical ‘Tiatristponn Devachem Dennem’ is no
Breaking News, just a summarized public view and afterthoughts on the event.
The
show has been termed ‘super’, ‘entertaining and enjoyable’ and as someone
called it ‘a Show for all Seasons’.
ORGANIZERS SFX
BOYS RAISE 6 LAKH RUPEES IN CHARITY
Organized
by SFX Boys and staged at SIMS school, Salmiya on 2nd December 2016, the
musical drew a capacity crowd and helped raise nearly 6 lakh rupees in charity.
It
is perhaps the first time that so many people came forward with contributions
to support a cause.
SFX
Boys have organized annual football tournaments in the past to raise funds for
charity, proceeds of which have been disbursed to different needy foundations
in Goa.
This
year, the boys teamed up with Maestro Shahu for a well-arranged show.
Apart
from a number of well-wishers and friends backing them up, SFX Boys comprise of
Marian Fernandes (St. Jose de Areal), Nazy Azavedo (Utorda), Nicholas Rodrigues
(Utorda) and Joe Pereira (Guirim).
As
a token of appreciation, SFX Boys presented each artiste with an artifact
memento during the break.
MAESTRO SHAHU
& THE MUSICIANS DELIGHT
Maestro
Shahu has been in the forefront of almost every Konkani show staged in Kuwait
ever since his arrival way back in 1998.
This
time, it was an extra task on the Maestro arranging artistes, music, musicians,
training the singers and directing the entire show. There are few musicians in
Konkani world who take up assignments of this magnitude and level.
Shahu
on keyboards, and his troupe consisting of Maestro Faustino Fernandes
(Trumpet), Flaviano Furtado (Bass Guitar), Rafio Gonsalves (Rhythm) and Tony
Fernandes (Drums) were at their super best and brought color to the show with
their assorted music.
While
Faustino was exceptionally well synced with Shahu, Tony on the drums was in
full blast along with Rafio and Flaviano.
At
the onset intro, Maestro Shahu played the keyboards as well as saxophone while
his little son Aerosmith took to the drums. It was a astonishing to see the
father and son playing together.
SUPERSTARS OF
‘TIATRISTPONN DEVACHEM DENNEM’
The
show saw a cream of some favorite Kuwait-based artistes on stage after a long
time apart from the celebrated Goan superstars Lawry Travasso and Rosario de
Benaulim, and the sweet voiced Goan singing sensation Shunaina Baptista, and
mimicry artiste Amresh Kamat from Qatar.
Kuwait-based
singers that took to the stage included Kuwait Trio Kings Cajetan de
Sanvordem-Mario de Majorda-Michael D’Silva, Gracy Rodrigues, Clemmie Pereira,
Esparansa Barretto, Laurente Pereira, Balthazar Pontes, Alberto Azavedo, Katty
de Navelim, Bab Agnel, Seby D’Silva, Seby Mascarenhas, Custodio de Cuncolim,
Pitu Ferns and Gasper Crasto
VISITING STARS
REGALE AUDIENCE
It
was a show where the visiting stars, as expected, gave their best in a most
friendly style while the local artistes too touched the sky with their
performance.
Both
Lawry and Rosario de Benaulim demonstrated their versatility and
professionalism in their singing and proved why they are the most sought after
artistes in Goa.
Both
the stars sang fluently and had a message or two in all the songs they sang.
Rosario’s
first song was on Vijay Mallya, the estranged Indian businessman. Linking Mallya’sexextravagant lifestyle to
ours, Rosario sang, “Amkam devan dilam dennem, tem voronk zaina konnem, tor
dasti kiteak kaddunk zai....”
Rosario’s
second solo was about his 25 years on Konkani stage which expressed his
dedication and love towards Goan drama and art. His other song was a duet with
Gracy Rodrigues which was marvelous.
Lawry
sang two rocking solos and a splendid duet with Clemmie Pereira.
WONDERGIRL SHUNAINA
LEAVES HER MARK
Young
girl Shunaina Baptista was wonderful in all the 3 songs that she rendered. She
was a figure of elegance on stage, and her voice modulation – melodious like a
‘nightingale singing at dawn’.
Shunaina’s
song ‘Mog Mhozo Kortai’ of late Alfred Rose, was her best song beyond a doubt.
It was Shunaina’s voice that made the difference to the lyrics - a voice with
impact and power.
Whatever
may be the opinion of Kuwait audience, one cannot deny the fact that Shunaina
is contributing her talent to take Konkani music to new heights.
COMEDY TAKES
TOP SPOT
It
is evident that comedy fascinates modern audience more than anything else
nowadays.
Comedy
skits in the show were hilariously performed by Kuwait’s much loved Mangalorean
darling Lucy Aranha Lobo, comedian Nelson Colaco, Mario de Majorda, Laurente
Pereira, etc.
There
were brief entries for little Aerosmith Almeida, Krisha and Acacia Almeida.
Lucy-Nelson-Mario
shouldered most of the jokes in the 4 skits they enacted which were greatly
fascinating, fluent and funny, with never a dull moment in-between.
Qatar-based
mimicry artiste Amresh Kamat, specially brought in for the show, was a pleasure
to watch. He was a great entertainment value for the Kuwait audience.
Amresh’s
mimicry of some well-known Goan tiatr artistes and other personalities was
thoroughly enjoyed and applauded by the audience. The biggest applause received
by Amresh was perhaps for his imitation of Kuwait’s superstar Jose Rod’s
well-known act.
Amresh
was accompanied on stage by local ‘all-rounder’ John Rodrigues.
KUWAIT
ARTISTES PERFORM ON PAR
Kuwait-based
artistes performed to a paramount level in all songs.
Bathazar
Pontes’ solo ‘Amchi Maim Bhas’ on dangers of the new generation losing our mother
tongue was very appealing.
The
song was set to beautiful tune with the chorus highlighting a message that said
it all, “Zolmolai maim desak, Englez uloun nettan, khuimsor vetai re pora...
Soglem visor, punn visornakai, Konkani mhojea Goenkara..”
Katty
de Navelim, one of the committed artistes in Kuwait, was in effortless form in
all the songs that he featured including the opening chorus and medley.
His
song ‘Pordexi’, a song on people speaking over the phone while driving, was a
great memorandum to Kuwait audience given the laws and regulations of the
country.
‘Moddlolo
Khuris’, Katty’s trio with Gracy and Clemmie, was a captivating song too.
DAZZLING STARS
LAURENTE PEREIRA & BAB AGNEL
‘Purtugez
Passport’ sung by Laurente Pereira and Bab Agnel was a commanding song that saw
a spectacular combination of the 2 powerful singers. A line from the song states, “O.C.I aslear
passun kaido boldun te amkam Martele fott… Uprant amcheach Goeam ami pordexi
zaunk naka vogoth, Goenchea Saiba tunch amkam rakh magtanv ami tuji mozot..”
Bab
Agnel’s solo ‘Xirap Futt’tele was a rendition with piercing message that would
melt hearts of many. Agnel’s lyrics run somewhat, “Ami zolman etana
"maim" kitle koxt kaddun amkam ginean eusor amcho kitlo mog korta…,
Punn ami kitem kortat zantti ti zatoch bailanchem aikon amche burgeanchi seva
korunk ticho ami vapor korta, Takach lagon hanv mhuntam, je konn aple avoi
bapaik tras kortat tankam xirap futt’tele..”
Laurente’s
solo ‘Misachi Bhett’ was a very sensible song, with lovely lyrics and rhythm.
One of the pillars of Konkani stage in Kuwait, Laurente was greatly expressive
with his words.
GRACY &
CLEMMIE GLOW UP THE STAGE
Gracy
Rodrigues and Clemmie Pereira need special mention for their part in the
musical. The duo, well-known for their stunning voices, brought glow to the
stage by their sheer presence.
Both
Gracy and Clemmie featured in atleast 5 songs each.
While
Clemmie’s duet with Lawry Travasso was an awesome presentation with Clemmie
confidently toning up to the superstar’s voice, level and charisma. The song
speaks about happily married couples standing up to the test of love and
commitment to each other despite people and forces around trying to dislocate
the relationship at times.
Gracy’s
duet with Rosario de Benaulim was equally splendid and stylish.
Clemmie
& Gracy’s duet ‘Sukhan Bhorcho’ was a class song, smartly sung with voices
blending to the core. The song spoke about things missed out back home and
critical situations faced by people working abroad especially to reach out to
their family.
The
two stars also appeared in a striking trio ‘Moddlolo Khuris’ with Katty de
Navelim citing examples of Hindus and Muslims going out of the way to get best
things done for their religion while Catholics showing slipshod attitudes in
giving a helping hand to improve our religion or deepen our faith.
Clemmie
and Gracy featured in the Opening Chorus and the final medley as well.
OTHER NOTABLE
SONGS & ENCORE OF THE TRIO KINGS
Custodio
Coutinho sang a comedy song soon after the break that was well acknowledged.
Albert
Azavedo’s song ‘Povitr Pustok’ a sincere pious message was weaved into a fine
tune and lyrics.
Seby
D’Silva and Seby Mascarenhas sang ‘Pai’, a beautifully rendered song on the
age-old Goan subject of having parents dumbed into old age homes. The two
singers were a treat to watch, their ‘segundo-primer’ voices pleasing to the
ears.
Pitu
Ferns, a singer with deep baritone voice sang ‘Divorce’, a thoughtful song
throwing light on the escalating marriage issues in our society.
Esparansa
and Gasper Crasto sang ‘Goa-Goa’ to a rhythmic beat and synchronized dancing
steps. Many a song has been sung on Goa, however, this one was made extra
special by Maestro Shahu’s ‘punk-rock’ style music and Tony’s drums.
The
Kuwait Trio of Cajetan-Mario-Michael, favorite singers of the audience,
entertained with their song ‘Jivit Goenkaranchem’; the trio were encored 3
times on stage.
The
trio’s other song ‘Konn Zait Tho’ was similarly well accepted and clapped by
the audience.
The
Trio Kings are perhaps the only singers on Konkani stage to be presenting their
songs in a diverse, dancing style, and they have been a novelty on stage every
performance.
OPENING CHORUS
& FINAL MEDLEY
Cajetan
de Sanvordem led the final medley which brought memories of some yesteryear
Konkani hit songs. The thespian star, along with Mario and Michael, was also
involved in the opening chorus.
The
attractively composed opening chorus of ‘Tiatristponn Devachem Dennem’ set the
stage ablaze to an entertaining evening. The song comprised of Bab Agnel,
Laurente Pereira, Clemmie Pereira, Gracy Rodrigues, Katty de Navelim, Gasper
Crasto, Seby D’Silva, Seby Mascarenhas, and the Trio Kings.
The
final medley was sung by Cajetan de Sanvordem, Bab Agnel, Katty, Clemmie, Gracy
Rodrigues, Laurente Pereira, Mario de Majorda and Gasper Crasto.
Earlier,
the show began with everyone in the hall participating in singing the ‘orasanv’
of St. Francis Xavier, patron saint of Goa. SFX Boys served cake to everyone in the audience to
commemorate the festive occasion.
AUDIENCE TO
THE PARTY
The
audience in attendance showed great respect to the program. Every song, every
move was applauded; of course, the show left little room for catcalls.
The
fact that the show started right on the dot made it even more respectful to
begin with. During the interval, the ‘Housie’ played was well participated;
everyone cheered the artistes receiving mementos.
Special
guests invited on stage, and the organizing members received equal applause.
Mr. Tony Dias, Lawry Pinto, Fr. Lionel Braganza and Fr. Franco Pereira were
main invitees for the evening.
In
his speech Fr. Lionel Braganza praised the commendable efforts of SFX Boys to
raise funds for the needy and destitute; he praised everyone who supported the
cause.
Lawry
Travasso also spoke on the occasion, praising Maestro Shahu for his efforts in
enriching Konkani drama & art in Kuwait. Lawry ended up singing some
emotional lines in adulation of the Konkani language.
Nazy
Azavedo of SFX Boys proposed a vote of thanks; Gasper Crasto compered the
function.
FANTASTIC SOUND
SYSTEM & PHOTOGRAPHY
DJ
Cheslee D’Souza and Anand of Waves Digital Sound were in great control of the
sound, there was never a moment to complain.
Agusto
Fernandes and Rivon Gomes captured the images in photographs; the latter was
presented with a memento for his yeomen service towards the Goan community.
CREDITS
In
a statement to social media, Maestro Shahu thanked the organizers St. Francis
Xavier Boys, his artistes from Kuwait, Goa & Qatar and to all the lovely
audience for being a part of ‘TIATRISTPONN DEVACHEM DENNEM’.
SFX
Boys had a word of gratitude for well-wishers and supporters in a slide
presentation displayed in the hall. The
boys wholeheartedly thanked:
MAIN PATRONS
OF THE SHOW:
Exotique
- Ladies Beauty Salon, Salmiya; Clifford Pinto (Mangalore); Derrick Gomendes (Curtorim),
Valent Fernandes (Sanvordem), Tony Dias (Shuwaikh Electricals (Raia), Raymond
D’sa, Sivi Paul (Kerala); Peter Dsouza (Verem); Everest Creado – Rex Auto Garage; Derrick Brook,
Lawry Pinto (Mangalore), Bosco Leitao (Chinchinim); Al Mishra Group Of Companies,
Micheal Mitchell (Benaulim), A Well Wisher (Panchwadi Goa), Super Middle East
Freight & Logistics Co;
ASSOCIATES:
Kaifan
Boys (Kuwait), Moez Ali (Natmed), Fidelis Fernandes (Colva), Xavier Furtado
(Assolna), Amaldo Fernandes (Curtorim), Sarto Baptista & Fly (Majorda),
Darwin Dcruz (Raia), Rony Carvalho (USA), Franky (Toy Land – Goa), Paul Pereira
(Goa), Well Wisher (Vasco), Well Wisher Tiatrist (Kuwait), Abigail &
Clarisa Pereira (Utorda), Baby Sherwin & Baby Aiden (Mangalore)
SPECIAL SUPPORTERS:
Savio
Gomes (Varca), Lino Fernandes (Nuvem), Avelino Dias (Navelim),
Britto
Pereira (Navelim), Norman Noronha (Navelim), Cookie Fernandes (Mapusa), Dominic
Pereira (KIFF President) - Orlim, Zelito Fernandes (Guirim), Benny Rodrigues,
Casiano (Sanvordem), Benny Fernandes (Navelim), Breeto Xavier, Filano Braganza
(Ponda), Christopher J Fernandes (Tivim), Joaquim Rodrigues (Utorda), Duarte
Ferrao (Navelim), Albert D’Sa (Chinchinim), Manu Fernandes (Sanguem), Seby Dias
(Curtorim), Lawrence Cardoza (Colva), Clara Rodrigues, Saturnino Pereira
(Velsao), Anthony Pires (Navelim), Nicky Reveredo (Curtorim), Urban & Margaret,
Well Wisher (Guirim), Well Wisher (Betalbatim), Alleluia Fernandes – Colva,
Marcel Fernandes (Marzouq Al Marzouq), Fayne & Shayne Fernandes
(Sanvordem), Svetlana & Criselle Rodrigues (Per-Seraulim), Nazy Rod
(Quepem), Sandy (Aldona), Cajie (Sky Net) (Sanguem); Brian Fernandes
(Bicholim), Country Club, etc.
SPECIAL
THANKS:
Shahu
& the Troupe, Ravi Mathias, Merci
Dias, Laurente Pereira, Julio Cardoso, Gasper Crasto, Anthony Fernandes (CRC
Goalkeeper), Mario de Majorda & Jonathan Fernandes.
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