LORNA regales large crowd at KGTS Musical Show "Konkani Machiek Noman" - 2005

LORNA regales large crowd at KGTS' musical show
"Konkani Machiek Noman" in Kuwait
- By Welly Dias

6th February 2005

Kuwait-Goa Tiatristanchi Sonvsta (KGTS) in association with Goan Welfare Society (GWS) held its 2nd mega musical show entiltled "Konknni Machiek Nomann" (A Tribute to the Konkani Stage) at the Gulf English School Auditorium on 4th February 2005.

The show commenced with a short introductory note by Jose Rod, followed by a welcome speech by KGTS Vice President Sylvester Vaz. Fr. Lionel Braganza SBD, Principal of IEAS (Don Bosco) inauguranted the traditional Photo Gallery of Yesteryears Dramatists in fond rememberance of their good work to uphold the image of the Tiatr (Drama) Art. Mrs. Elvira & Mr. Joseph D'Souza were the guests of honour for the show.


The opening theme chorus sung by Junnifer Rod-Cajetan de Sanvordem-Sylvester Vaz was accompanied to the music of Succor De Mello and his ensemble of 14 Kuwait-based young and talented musicians ably supported by Goa's ace trumpeter Agnelo Dias who was specially flown in a week earlier. Jose Rod's prowess in presentation, direction, composition and singing were to the fore as his touch was visible during the presentation. Visiting Goan artistes Comedian Domnic, John D'Silva, Luis Bachan,
Francis de Tuem, together Nelson Colaco, Mario de Majorda, Jose Rod and others provided the humour element which sent the audience into raptures of laughter.

KGTS' beneficiaries this year are the senior retired Konknni stage artistes were announced. Trumpeter Agnelo Dias and actress Sabina were presented plaques. Rich tributes were paid to M.Boyer's contribution to the Konkani stage. M.Boyer is the only tiatrist to have been awarded the coveted Padmashree Award this year.

The late saxophonist Juju was remembered and a one minute silence was observed. His last recorded video footage at KGTS's musical 'Tiatr Ani Tiatrists' was screened.
The show was a success with some innovative presentation concepts, large crowd attendance, direction, singing, and more over being fruitful in attaining the cherished dreams to support the retired stage artistes back home in Goa and Mumbai.

KGTS members, contributors, artistes, musicians and all are to be congratulated for the successful presentation. A large delegation of reporters and press photographers were present.

United Club of Utorda honoured T-Bush, the young creative Goan film producer for his contribution to the tiatr faternity over the years. T-Bush's short English film "The Letter" directed by him and produced by Panico, London (UK) by was also screened during the show which has been awarded the coveted "Inernational European Short Film Student Award" on 1/2/2005.

A colourful souvenir was published to mark the occasion and the highlights of it was the publication of the page showing last years KGTS welfare beneficiaries, namely Prem Kumar, Roam Tony, John Nazareth, Paul Romy and the late Mary Vaz.

The evening's main draw was none other than Goa's nightingale, LORNA. Her rendition of most of the favourite oldies composed by the late Chris Perry with her awesome vocals regaled the audience. Visiting Menino Mario and Meena Leitao sang duets as well as solo numbers. During the course of the show there were solos, duos, trios, quartros and side shows which the Kuwait based artistes as well as the visiting
artistes contributed.

Kuwait-based Konkani playback singer, Adolf, rendered 2-songs from the Konknni film "Bhuierantlo Munis". Adolf also lent his vocals to the Tsunami song together with Jose Rod and Lorna, together with visuals highlighting the disaster. In his message published in the colourful souvenir, Bishop Francis Micalef O.C.D., Vicar Apostolic of Kuwait emphasized "To keep alive and enhance the century old musicial
and theatrical heritage of the Konkani speaking Goan ancestors giving it a deserved recognition in the world of Arts".

Francis Lewis and Patrick Lewis of Fitwell Tailors (Kuwait) sponsored the specially designed costume for the musicians. The objectives of KGTS established in 2002 with a vision to promote Konkani language, tiatr and to provide a platform for dynamic talented Konkani artistes in Kuwait. Presently it is the only association with a largest member base of the tiatr faternity in the region.

Over 175 individual contributors and several Goan associations supported the event and the organizers thanked and appreciated their gratitude and love for the Konkani stage artistes to keep the flag of the 'Tiatrists' flying high. The KGTS membership is open for persons of Goan origin actively involved on the Konkani statge in one or more of the following categories: Actor, singer, director, producer, organizer, script writer, playwright, musician, backstage technician, audio/video technician, sound engineer, lights controller, stage manager, stage setter, etc. For more info, contact KGTS members or email: kgts_10@hotmail.com

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Additional input: Gaspar Almeida, www.goa-world.com(c)
Pictures & Souvenir info & Highlights: KGTS
Photography by: Rewon Gomes
All rights reserved.
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