By Gasper Crasto
Kuwait: It was more than a
century ago that the seed of Konkani ‘tiatr’
was first sowed in
Mumbai. The uniqueness of tiatr lies
in the fact that the main plot has its own story theme, while the songs deal
with a different subject.
Indeed, Konkani drama
has walked a long way over the years with Goans settled abroad staging their
love for the art and our mother tongue in various parts of the globe.
Goans in faraway Cayman
Islands of the Caribbeans led by Director Rafael Noel popularly
known by his stage name as Rafael de Macasana are set to stage a
landmark drama entitled, ‘Anik Nam’ at St. Ignatius Loyola Hall, Grand Cayman
Island – 2nd December 2018.
First time in the history
of Caymans, the drama features Goa’s superstars Prince Jacob and John D’Silva
apart from firebrand political singer Francis de Tuem while Kuwait-based
magical music Maestro Shahu is specially flown in to provide music along with
other local musicians.
HISTORY OF DRAMAS IN
CAYMANS
Most Goan communities
around the world strive to promote understanding and cooperation among Goans on
matters of common interests, foster cultural links, and heritage and keep the
flame of our mother tongue burning.
According to history,
Rafael’s drama is going to be his 4th Konkani show on the island.
Apart from Rafael, other
directors who have staged shows in Cayman include Anthony Silviera (Calangute),
Seby Coelho (Majorda) with his popular drama ‘Surya’, Pascoal Noronha (musical
show), Seby Pereira (musical show) and Camilo Fernandes (Tiatr).
The average audience for
any show in Caymans is about 300 people. That number is sure to double with the
legends performing.
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR – RAFAEL
DE MACASANA
Rafael has been acting in
dramas right from a very young age.
He has written and acted in
a number of ‘khell-tiatrs’
and dramas during his years in Goa. He also plays the trumpet as a hobby.
On the professional stage,
he has performed for renowned directors including Roseferns dramatic troupe and
toured many places.
Rafael’s love for Konkani
dramas is unmatched; in recent times he has travelled to
Kuwait and Bahrain from Cayman to sing in musical shows directed by Maestro
Shahu.
Hailing from Povacao,
Macasana, Rafael’s style and voice
has a ‘typical’ impact of great Goan tiatr singers.
‘ANIK NAM’ (No More)
features Cayman-based Goan actors.
STARS TO WATCH
Rafael’s ‘Anik Nam’ is the
first drama in Caymans to have overseas artistes.
For the Goan superstars and Maestro Shahu, it will be quite an experience
performing to an audience in a ga-ga land -- who are not aliens to dramas
though.
Most of the local artistes are
expected to make their debut in the drama.
Stars to watch are – new
comer Bab Andrew, character actor Paulo, director Raphael de Macasana,
and young Shannan Coelho who is going to make her first appearance on stage
although she has acted in a video film before.
Full cast
of ‘Anik Nam’ comprises of Newman, Rosario, Osvy, Shannan, Ashwin, Melisa,
Herman, Claver, Master Herman, Domnic,
Roque, Seby,
Andrew, Priscila, Paulo, Quintina, Jercina,
Mario, Marvel, Clinton, Master Ethan, Master McAllister and Rafael de Macasana.
MAESTRO SHAHU – FLAGBEARER
OF KUWAIT GOANS
Maestro Shahu is sure to
make his presence felt in Caymans for sure. One of the ‘Most natural and gifted
Goan Musician’, Shahu Almeida remains a popular figure in Kuwait.
Starting his music career
as a drummer, Shahu dazzled for 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 confirms that he
played for over 1000 weddings as a drummer.
Over the years, the
talented musician has evolved into an ace organist and continues to excel. He
can now play the drums, keyboards, saxophone, trombone, etc, with equal ease.
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, Prince 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.
Shahu has 3 successful DVDs
to his credit entitled ‘Musician (2010), ‘Tiatrist’ (2012) and ‘Hea Music-ak Lagon’
(2014) which had remarkable success, liked and appreciated by many across the
Konkan world.
Shahu renders his music for
audio/video albums, he also runs his own band called 2S#arp.
:::The Goan
community in Kuwait wishes Shahu best on the tour and the director Raphael de
Macasana/artistes/stars
a memorable performance in ‘Anik Nam’:::