Mangalore: Karavali Konkan Confers Kala Award on Benna Ruzai, Stages 'Misther' Play
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, Aug 16: Konkani theatre activist and playwright Benna Ruzai (Banedict Miranda) was awarded the 2nd “Karavali Konkans Kala Award” instituted by the Karavali Konkans (R) Mangalore, in a glittering ceremony held at the Don Bosco Hall here on Wednesday August 15.
Fr Joseph Martis, Rector of St Joseph's Seminary, Jeppu, who presided over the function, presented the award to Benna Ruzai. Fr Martis felicitated Benna Ruai and his wife Minna Ruzai (Tereza Miranda) with a shawl and flowers amidst loud cheers of thousands of Konkani theatre lovers who had assembled at the Don Bosco hall in large numbers. Konkani poet Melvyn Rodrigues, who was the chief guest on the occasion presented Benna with the citation and flowers. President of Karavali Konkans Leslie Rego presented a cheque for Rs. 50,000/- to Benna as part of the award.
It was the greatest Independence Day gift for Benna and Minna couple in recognition of their continued and valuable contribution to Konkani theatre. Karavali Konkans payed the greatest tribute to theatre artist Benna Ruzai by staging the play “Misther” (mystery) written by Benna Ruzai 30 years ago, soon after the presentation of the award. It goes to the credit of the writer and his farsightedness that the theme of his play (that a woman can make or break a house) holds good even after 30 years of its creation.
Accepting the award Benna Ruzai said that for him writing and staging social and religious plays is like a dream comes true. “For me whether people who stage my play seek my permission or not is immaterial. I am happy that my play is enacted on stage and the theme holds good even after many years”, he stated. While thanking all the people in the course of his theatre journey spanning 49 years Benna Ruza credited his wife Minna for what he is as a playwright. “For 42 years of our married life she has been like my pillar of strength for me and without whose support and cooperation I would not have been able to achieve anything” Benna pointed out giving full credit to his wife for his achievements. He further said “I have given very little to the people but whatever little you have given to us will be remembered in life”.
Fr Joseph Martis in his presidential address declared that language represents the identity of people. “This language can be in the form of words, prose, song, poetry, lecture, thought, song etc., and plays bring together all these elements of different forms to have that cumulative effect of all in one and that is what makes it an attractive proposition”, Fr Martis declared. Pointing out that Konkani has grown to a great extent in the last few years he said “today if Konkani is what it is today it is because of the influence of our plays. Playwright Benna Ruzai is one such playwright and artiste who made that vital difference to Konkani language”, Fr Martis stated. He further stated that at a time when English has become the major language in our country, credit should be given to Karavali Konkans for retaining the flavor of Konkani language among people by showcasing one play at least a year.
Poet Melvyn Rodrigues in his address said plays are nothing but the presentation of the piecemeal events of life woven together and in a comprehensive way to make it into a play. Talking about the dismal condition of Konkani theatre artists Melvyn pointed out “in the absence of professional Konkani theatre groups in Mangalore it is individual play writers who had to shoulder the entire burden of every aspect of staging a play. Benna Ruzai is one such theatre person who has suffered a great deal, the suffering which cannot be explained in mere words”.
Melvyn pointed out that though Benna Ruzai had trained many artistes and given happiness to thousands of people through his plays, when he expected some happiness in return he got nothing. He congratulated Benna Ruzai on winning the award and also the Karavali Konkans for their foresight in instituting such an award and bestowing it on people who truly deserve it.
Earlier, President of Karavali Konkans Leslie Rego welcomed the guests and the winner of Karavali Konkani Kala Award Benna Ruzai and his wife. Secretary Claude D'Souza proposed vote of Thanks. Sheldon Crasta compered the programme.
The stage programme was followed by the play “Misther” (mystery) written by Benna Ruzai 30 years ago. The Don Bosco hall was packed with Konkani theatre lovers who had assembled to see the family drama. The play is directed by Dolla Mangalore, with Claude D'Souza as associate director. Lesli Rego, Dolphy Saldanha, Melvin Almeida, Meera Pinto, Denis Monteiro, Dimple Pinto, Nigel Pereira and Sunil Crasta were the main artistes in the play. It was a brilliant performance by the entire cast of the play with able support from good stage arrangements, background music score, proper stage lights and sound and other arrangements. The 2 ½ hour play with crisp dialogues and creditable performance from the lead actors was worth a watch and was thoroughly enjoyable.
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