Pics by Alex Lewis
Daijiworld Media Network – Dubai (SP)
Dubai, Oct 1 : Konkani musical fiesta and presentation of an award-winning Konkani play, 'Bhangar Monis' by Mangalore Konkans Dubai, ensured that the evening of Friday September 30 stood true to its title, ‘Ek Saanz Mazechi’, as the packed-audience at Shiekh Rashid Auditorium, lapped up the programme of rich entertainment which unfolded before their eyes.
Mangalore Konkans, through this programme, aimed at providing a bigger platform for the singers who had won the coveted titles at 'Gulf Voice of Mangalore' in the years 2008 and 2010. Vinay Lewis and Gladys Lorena from Mangalore, Warren D'Souza from Kuwait, Preema Pinto from Doha, and Ivan Fernandes and Dony Correa from Dubai, proved their fine talents yet again through their melodious voices and deft voice modulations. Songs they presented, which were picked from some of the Wilfy Rebimbus, Mandd Sobhann, Gration DSouza, Vincent Fernandes, Chris Pery and other albums, succeeded in thoroughly entertaining the audience. Sangeeth Guru, Joel Pereira, had especially flown in from Mangalore to direct the music of the event.
The event started on time with Roshan D'Silva, Vamanjoor, a talented compere, taking charge of the proceedings, and leading the programme from the front.
There was a surprise visitor to the event in the form of Veerappa Moily, union minister for corporate affairs from India. Moily, who was on a two-day visit to the UAE, and accompanied by NRI entrepreneur, Ronald Colaco, briefly appeared on the dais to the thunderous applause from the audience. Walter Nandalike of Daijiworld introduced the minister to the audience. Moily, speaking on the occasion, thanked the NRIs for their rich contribution to the growth of the nation, and said that India has been growing fast, thus throwing open enormous opportunities for self employment and entrepreneurships.
The highlight of the day was a Konkani play written by the late Cha Fra Dcosta, and enacted by Stany Alvares, Denis Monteiro, Swapna Saldanha and Asumpta. Superb dialogue delivery and natural acting skills of the artistes transported the audience to a different world. The high standards of the dialogues as well as acting skills were much appreciated by the audience throughout the play. The troupe, which had earlier presented this play at several places in and around Mangalore, had come here specifically for this performance.
The story of the play revolves around a family that has been relocated from Mangalore to Bangalore. Janna is a well-known person and a social worker in his place. Into this family enters Monna, an old lover of Inna, both of whom had lost contact after Inna got married to Janna.
Monna is a drunkard. In a distant past, Janna had helped him. Inna had also financially helped him. Now he is back once again in their lives, with hardly any changes in his living style. He is always drunk, he is hungry, and still claims to have respect for Janna and love towards Inna.
The plot of the play develops and creates extremely farcical situations with both Inna and Mary trying to hide Monna from Janna, and Janna searching for him with the help of his neighbours.
In the process, the audience come to know about the internal differences between Janna and Inna in their marital life and their attitude towards each other, as well as others. The play is a satire on marriage as a coming together of two individuals. The play goes on to challenge social and biblical understanding of marriage and roles of husband and wife in a marriage.
The event concluded around 10.30 pm. Mangalore Konkans Dubai, which is known for professionally organizing the events, proved this once again. The event was disciplined and very entertaining for the Konkani music and theatre lovers. President, James Mendonca, hailed his team members for the efforts put in by them to present the show as well as making it highly successful.
The sponsors of the event and artistes were felicitated during the event. Parish priest of Beltangady, Fr James Dsouza, was present at the event in the capacity of a guest.