'Konnakuch Khobor Nam' drama thrills Bahrain audience

Report: Hilary Tellis
Pics: Francis Lobo
 
Bahrain, Jun 3: The Konkani Community of the Sacred Heart Church (KCSHC) won accolades from a full house for their presentation of the Konkani drama 'Konnakuch Khobor Nam' recently. The drama written by Anthony Cruz and jointly directed by Peter Fernandes and Jr Luis Anthony was held at the Our Lady of Arabia Auditorium of the Sacred Heart Church (SHC) in Manama.

The most difficult task of amalgamating a story that would be acceptable to the Konkan community of Goa and Mangalore was made to look 'as easy as abc' by the writer and directors of this tiatr by this presentation. Even the comedy interludes in between the main acts were so fascinatingly blended that it kept the entire audience of hundreds of people glued to their seats until the end. The thunderous applause from the audience as the curtains came down on the show was a sign of honour and respectability for the courage and passion of the directors in having gathered a mega cast together to stage the show against all odds.

The story, though simple, concluding with a message of strengthening faith in one's religious beliefs, had a powerful effect on the audience as the entire cast performed their roles with great enthusiasm and fluency in dialogues. 'Konnakuch Khobor Nam' can surely beat a few professional tiatr groups, commented some spectators as they walked out of the hall at the end of the show.
 
Mina, in the main role lighted up the show with her superb acting. Her fluency in dialogues and her expression of sentimental emotions brought many to tears in the audience. Little master Reagan astounded everyone with his glowing performance and Danby, the other child artiste was also the star in the concluding scene. George and Nirmala were superlative as the Mangalorean couple. Co-director Peter Fernandes was at his best as a priest. Quixote as Mina's husband and Agnelo as Doctor executed their roles in a commanding styles. The comedy acts kept the entire audience rocking in their seats with pills of laughter. Hilary as Roldanv Batkar from Mangalore and Sujay as his son Tomator combining with the director Jr Luis Anthony imitating the Goan tiatrist Ben Evangelist in role of Maxen supported by Lurdin, Norita, Lorwin and Claude were a treat to watch with their witty dialogues.

Among the singers, the visiting 'Dubai Trio' stole the limelight with their trios based on current topics relating to Goan politics. Their success could be judged from the 'encore' for all the 3 trios they presented in the drama. They presented their songs displaying relative posters of the songs thereby making their performances more effective and attractive to the audience. Slenzita, the youngster excelled in her song as 'Ghantin'. 'Shirandharincho Pavs' was well rendered by Ronald and Melba. Francis, Lucy, Freddy and Menino also joined the party of singers with their parts.
 
Fr Freddy D'Souza, spiritual director of KCSHC, and Fr Orfin Menezes, visiting priest from Goa who were present for the show applauded the efforts of the community leaders in organisng this show for a good cause. Core committee member Freddy D'souza proposed a vote of thanks. The programme was compered by cordinator of the drama G R Crasto.
 
The event was supported by several establishments and prominent personalities from the Konkan community of Bahrain, including Lavender, Al Mansoori Fabricators, Lucky Rediators, Simon Machado and Family, Edward, Meena and Arnold Fernandes, Rudy and Shilpa D'Silva, Rony D'Cruz, Y K Almoayed-FORDMotors, The Nass Group, Steven Dias and Fly, LIC International, Francis Correia and fly, Al Yusuf Thermo Glass Co WLL, Annesco Tailors, Transgulf Maritime Shipping, Coca Cola, Jalal Travel Agency, Express Cool, Bahrain Goans, George, Sujay, Nalson , Maxim, Bosco (sound system), Felix Rodrigues, Maria Pereira and Francis Lobo.