Doha: John D'Silva's 'Ranvotti' Musical Play Conquers Hearts
Report: Reena Castelino
Daijiworld Media Network - Doha
Pics: Sunil Crasto
Doha, Nov 17: He came, he performed and he conquered hearts. Ace comedian and playwright John D'Silva's new Konkani musical play 'Ranvotti' was staged on Friday November 16 at the Al-Ghazal Club Hall (QP) at 3:30 pm by the Goan Welfare Association in Doha-Qatar. The show was witnessed by a jam-packed audience
Last year in November the same troupe had performed a successful Konkani musical show 'Vollokh'.
The Tiatr was held as a part of the Goa Day Celebrations in Qatar. Goan Welfare Association under the able leadership of Simon D'Silva has been in the forefront of social and cultural activities in Doha. The Association over the years has grown into a premier forum in Doha giving fillip to Goan culture, theatre and traditions through its various programmes. A dynamic community leader, Simon D'Silva has led the association from the front with single-minded dedication and commitment to social causes.
The story of Ranvotti revolves around a youth, who, at the age of seven was lost in the jungle and was brought up by a man from the jungle. After spending 14 years in the jungle, the youth comes to the city only to be lost in its bad vices. His jungle life was free of bad vices, but when he lands in the city, circumstances around transform him into a wild man.
The central theme of the tiatr highlights that sex, crime, rape, prostitution and corruption have become part of city life. The drama came to an end with a powerful message for the audience that underlined the reality of life in the city.
The script by John D’Silva was thought provoking, with meaningful dialogues, accompanied by a variety of songs like trio, duet, choral song, decent solos and comedy solos with clean and decent comedy.
While John D'Silva was at his witty best driving home powerful message through his crisp dialogues, the rest of the cast, namely, Mita Afonso, Alice Correia, Joe Dicarpale, Soccorro de St. Cruz, Peter De Pedda, Marcus Vaz, Nato Vales mesmerized the audience with their acting and singing. The actors were ably supported by the musicians Filipe de Sanvordem, Christo, Jose Carvalho and Roque.
Alex Soares, General Manager of Middle East Inforamtion & Publication was the chief guest and Lavina De Souza, Councillor of Marmagoa Municipal Council, Vasco Da Gama, Goa was the guest of honour. The chief guest in his speech praised GWA for their efforts in staging Konkani Musical Shows in Qatar and assured his support to the association for their upcoming Konkani programmes. Fr Anand Castelino from the Church of Our Lady of Rosary was present at the occasion.
Lucky draw was conducted for the audience and attractive prizes were given away. First prize was a ladies pearl necklace, and eight wrist watches for ladies and gents were handed out. John D’sa compered the stage programme and John D’silva thanked one and all who supported him to present the musical show in Qatar.
Qatar Airways was the official airline, Radison Blue the official hotel and Daijiworld.com the media partner of the event.
About John D'Silva:
John D' Silva, the well-known writer, director, actor and one of the top most comedians of Konkani stage has entered Limca Book of Records of 2010 for writing, directing and producing 25 Konkani Tiatrs with their titles having a double Alphabet in it.
The tiatrs that brought him laurels are Vell, Dennem, Kolle, Ekvott, Vatt, Umannem, Sokallim, Menn, Avessor, Bott, Somzonni, Magnnem, Bovall, Kirnnnam, Porddo, Suknnim, Ugddas, Konn?, Vann, Vaitt, Jinn, Dhull, Xidkavnni, Voddem and Nattok. In the history of Konkani Tiatr, John is the first tiatrist to enter into Limca Book of Records and it took him 12 years to create this unique record.
His first drama "Vell" was released in 1996 and the 25th tiatr "Nattok" was released in UK and Germany in 2008 and then it was shown throughout Goa. He is the first tiatrist to receive the first "Yuva Srujan Puraskar" Award by Art and Culture, Goa government, for his immense contribution in the tiatr field. Recently, Multidimension AIDS Awareness Social Trust (MAAST) from Margao, presented him award of appreciation for his tiatr "Kuttumb" which conveys a strong message on AIDS and ill effects of alcohol. He is rated as one of the best writers of the Konkani stage today.
With his tiatr troupe he has travelled to Mumbai, Pune, Thane, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Delhi, London (UK), Canada and Germany. To his credit, he is having five super Hit comedy VCD films namely Duddvamkar, Fugddi, Jinn, Lofdde and Gondoll.
Ever since his first tiatr 'Vell' that was released in 1996, John has become a household name among Goans both in Goa and abroad. Though he began with series of villainous characters portraying negative shades, his leading role as outright comedian in the 1999 tiatr Úmannem' gave turn to his career. The tiatr ended up creating several records in the Goan Konkani theatre. Thereafter John has hardly put forward a wrong step. His tiatrs are known for powerful dialogues, moral and social message relevant to the times.
In the month of July and September 2012 he travelled London, Paris and a few of the Gulf Countries, to perform in the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sammy Tavares’s Tiatr ‘Aplea Bhurgeam Sangatak’ and after returning back from the tour his new Konkani musical show “Ranvotti” has been released in Goa on October 26.