{Report by Gaspar Almeida as published by Kuwait Times and Arab Times of March 2, 2004 with pictures - Page 16 of both English Dailies }
It's kind of magical – KGTS 'Tiatr & Tiatrist' mega
Konkani musical in Kuwait
- Gaspar Almeida
An artistic work is a rare opportunity. It's very exciting to watch the development of a musical show right before your eyes. It's a window straight into the creative minds on-stage as performed by Kuwait's best Konkani stage artistes and the finest among the Goan community here, popularly known as "Tiatrists" this week. That was really kind of magical and wonderful in itself as the mega musical show "Tiatr
Ani Tiatrist" unfolded to the audience, organized by Kuwait-Goa Tiatristanchi Sonstha (KGTS) - the largest premiere dramatists association of the Goans in Kuwait
in association with Goan Welfare Society (GWS). This musical extravaganza -an abbreviated but always humorously intended look back at tiatrs and tiatrists
(dramatists) art of the last hundred plus years- in [just over] 4 hours 15 minutes. Showcasing young talents with the versatile professional ones (all members of KGTS) on a high priority with the best combination of vocalists, singers, actors, actresses and musicians to the stage, there were also comedy skits and sketches, and of course, music by the 22 men orchestra. Under the direction of Tony Coutinho,
Faustino (trumpet) and the ever popular Soccor D'Mello (guitar), with Juju (saxophone), Agnelo Dias (trumpet) and Luis Rodrigues (trumpet) – all flown from Goa.
Kuwait-based musicians Ben, Jhovy, Joel (guitar), Denis (bass guitar), Agnelo (drums), Francis, Flaviano, Menino (percussion), Chaminda (octopad), Philip, Shahu, Syham (keyboard), Frederico, Marlinda (piano), Mahadev (flute), David (violin); with digital sound provided by Spiders added to the orchestra's resounding effects. Lighting was used effectively and the stage was utilized to the maximum. Among the
seniormost Goan artistes specially flown in from Goa and Mumbai were illustrious Remmie Colaco, Anthony of Trio Kings fame, together with Jr. Rod, Joe Rose and
Joa quim as well as Peter-Roshan and Comedian Domnic. The show commenced at 3:45 p.m. with the inauguration of the photo gallery of the famous tiatrists of yesteryears in their fond rememberance at the hands of Derrick Mendes (son of late Anthony Mendes).
A brief introduction of KGTS president Francis de Verna followed, who highlighted KGTS founder Marcus Vaz, and thanked all those who contributed towards Rosario Rodigues for his medical expenses. A cheque of Rs. 96,000/-. It would be worth mentioning that this fund was collected from Konkani lovers without organizing a show or a tiatr. The inaugural group song by Junifer Rod, Marcus Vaz, Francis de Verna, and Cajetan de Sanvordem with a chorus by Clifford-Jonathan-Terence, Manuel de Santa Cruz, Jose Rod, Sylvester Vaz, and Domnic Araujo. The re-enactment of the age old carnival 'khell' (street play) titled "Put Mumbai Voita" directed by Junifer
Rod caught the attention of the audience reminiscing the now-extinct carnival tradition of South Goa. The cast included Lucas Deniz, Comedian Nelson, Comedian
Philip, Anthony Carr, Martinho Martins, Mario de Majorda, and Jose Anthony. Seniormost artiste, Remmie Colaco, aged 79 years, from Sanvordem, received a
thunderous applause. In his inimitable style a song entitled "Goenkarponn" was sung by him with the grace and perfection. Laurente Pereira and Gracy Morais were impressive in their 'duet' rendition. This was followed by comedy skit by well known comedians Nelson-Philip-Mario. Ketty de Navelim was his usual best in his solo. Joe Rose's "Preparation-Separation" was well received whereas Cajetan-Marcus-Mario trio's
song on the Almighty's might over mankind. Comedian Domnic and Party has the audience in peels of laughter in their comedy skit. Peter-Roshan's introduction to
the audience for the first time in Kuwait was a welcome change and their duet "Maico-Paico" had a good effect, well worded and rhymed. From Goa, the direct relay of interviews of retired tiatrists, Rom Tony, Master Vaz and M.Boyer was something novice to the tiatr audience. Well done, Augusto Morias! So also was the clipping on Amitabh Bachchan and Shahrukh Khan, dubbed in Konkani with an interesting theme on
'Sour Ground'. And the crowd just loved it.
The play directed by Jose Rod, with Cajetan de Sanvordem, Gracy Morais, Laurente Pereira, Domnic Araujo was very well done. The trio kings – from the set of 9 artistes specially flown from Goa - Anthony-Jr.Rod-Joaquim reminded of the sacrifices made by "M.K. Gandhi" to live in harmony. "Ami Touristam" by Joe Rose and Peter-Roshan, duo by Slyvester Vaz and Laurente Pereira, and solo by Comedian Domnic winded up the first session of the musical with an innovative idea of combining the same a la "Aiwa" advertisement. It was pleasant to see the third generation youngsters willingness to continue in the tradition for which KGTS and other Konkani-promoting organizations. Kudos to their parents as well as all those who compose songs, train and give the youngsters a helping hand to shine on the Konkani stage. During the break-time, a game of bingo was conducted. Vincent D'Cunha was
declared the winner for the 25" Television set. The second part continued with Mario de Colva and Joe Frank's duo, followed by a duet by Slyvester Vaz and Gracy Morais.
The comedy skit by Domnic and Party took away the strength of laughing more! Remmie
Colaco's "Mai Paichea Khoxt" had a good moral for the youth. Bi-lingual "Love Song" by Jose Rod had the ingredients of his trade mark composition and voice modulation. The video clippings and jokes continued so also the solos by Comedian Philip, Jr. Rod, Roshan, and Joe Rose, in addition to Peter-Roshan's duet titled "Fashion" and the trio kings traditional hallmark of "xupatteo" songs. The houseful audience
could not believe when the concluding "The End" re-run of the "Aiwa" advertisement was shown, as they expected more! The proceeds of the musical show was donated by KGTS to the welfare of the retired artistes namely Rom Tony (Goa), Mary Vaz (Goa) - wife of late Jacinto Vaz, Prem Kumar (Mumbai), Paul Romy (Mumbai) and John Nazareth (Kuwait) as a tribute of love.
Other KGTS members under its fold include Milagres de Benaulim, Santana Afonso, Remy Rebelo, and Zoro. The concluding comedy item – the silent act – was a delight to watch with Comedian Domnic, Mario de Majorda and Comedian Philip.
At a separate dinner hosted in honour of the visiting artistes and musicians , members of the orchestra and families of KGTS members, KGTS felicitated Remmie
Colaco. Mementos were bestowed on the visiting artistes as well as individual gifts presented to all members of the orchestra. T-Bush, the silent supporter of the tiatrist's faternity who specializes in designing audio and CD artwork, publicity leaflets as well as computer generated video clippings, was also felicitated on the occasion.
All said and done, it's not too surprising to note that hundreds of hits
were recorded on the KGTS website after the show
http://www.geocities.com/kgts_10/Home.html . I will not be astonished if the other artistes of the tiatrist's faternity join the KGTS to make it one of the biggest entities of like-minded association in the history of "Tiatr Ani Tiatrist" not only in Kuwait, but worldwide. Well done, KGTS. For more info, email kgts_10 at hotmail.com (Ends)
Links to KGTS musical:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gulf-goans/message/3816
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gulf-goans/message/3808
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gulf-goans/message/3806
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gulf-goans/message/3804
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gulf-goans/message/3795
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gulf-goans/message/3789
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gulf-goans/message/3786
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gulf-goans/message/3770
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gulf-goans/message/3767
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gulf-goans/message/3760
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gulf-goans/message/3755
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gulf-goans/message/3728
(Thanks to Ulysses Menezes, goa-world.com)
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