Media Release
Doha, Oct 13: On completion of five glorious and successful years, Mangalore Cultural Association (MCA), Doha-Qatar has taken a step forward and instituted 'MCA Kala Puraskar' to honour deserving Mangalorean Konkani artistes and activists who have contributed to the Konkani stage, art and culture in various forms and ways.
This year, the maiden 'MCA Kala Puraskar – 2013' will be awarded to three legendary Konkani stage artistes, Benedict Miranda populary known as Benna Ruzai, Charles Sequeira (Charlie Sequer) both from Mangalore and Mable Fernandes Nee Baretto who is currently residing in Doha-Qatar.
The Award consists of Rs 1,00,000, a shawl, citation and a memento. This award will be conferred on all the three recipients in Qatar on October 25 at the MCA’s annual event during which popular Konkani play 'Aami Nathlya Vellar' by the Daiji Rang Mandir artistes will be staged.
The event will begin at 5 pm at the Regency Halls, Near Al Ahli Stadium, D Ring Road, Qatar on October 25. Tickets are available with MCA executive committee members.
About Benedict Miranda (Benna Ruzai)
Born on March 21, 1946, Benedict Miranda is popularly known as Benna Ruzai. He is a renowned playwright, dramatist and journalist. He has acted in numerous popular Konkani plays since the last five decades. He considers the late Gabbu Urwa as his Guru.
As a playwright, he has written and staged many social and religious plays. To his credit he has a total of 5 social plays, 8 religious plays, 8 comedy short plays, and six poems.
As a journalist he was the sub-editor of Mai-Gavn (Konkani monthly) for 2 years and editor of Ruzaichin Laran, a newspaper of Ruzai parish for 3 years.
He was the vice-president of Konkani Natak Sabha for 6 years and the first president of 'Kala Sampath'.
He has been honoured by 'Kon Cab' Bangalore; 'Konkani Kutam' Bahrain; 'Kannik' Konkani Fortnightly; Konkani Lekakancho Ekhthar; 'Karnataka Konkani Academy'; Karavalli Konkans; and Konkani Natak Sabha Mangalore.
He formed an association called 'Bennar' and staged many musical nites and Konkani plays.
He has acted in numerous plays and with more than 40 writers, including Gabbu Urwa, V J P Saldanha, A T Lobo, Cha Fra D'Costa, Wilfy Rebimbus, Luvi Netto, J B Rasquinha, M P D’Sa, C G S Tacodde, Claud D’souza, Dolla Mangalore, Dolphy Cascia and many more popular Konkani writers.
'Shirap', 'Hanv Kunnigar Nhoim', 'Bernadett', 'Misther' 'Ankwar Moriachi Katha' , 'Sant Antonichin Tera Ajapan'are some of his plays.
His wife Thereza Miranda popularly known as Mina Ruzai is also a stage actress.
Charles Sequeira
Charles Sequeira was born in Derebail parish and it was here he made his debut dabbling in Konkani dramas. Charlie considers Donny Menezes Bejai as his guru and gratefully remembers that it was Donny who spotted his talent and initiated him to Konkani theatre. Charlie made his debut with the Konkani drama 'Mathlabi Piso' written by Alphonse D'Costa and directed by Donny Menezes. Under the association of 'Mithr Mandali', Derebail, many dramas were staged in Derebail parish giving an opportunity for Charles to showcase his all-around talent.
It is to the credit of Charlie Sequer that he has acted in over 100 plays doing justice to every lead role he did. Ás CGS says 'Charlie Sequeira is a unique actor who did justice to the roles be it comedy, tragedy or serious roles. If there is an actor who filled life into his roles with his booming voice and matched it up with his acting skills it is none other than Charlie Sequer. Konkani theatre aficionados still recall his acting in plays like ‘sequeram driver’. ‘chedun kashen laglen’, ‘kedi bona’, ‘devnsar nadtha’, ‘ran dukor’, ‘ramba root’, ‘thu maka naka’, just to name a few. His acting skills fetched him the role of a villain in Wilfy Rebimbus’s Konkani film ‘mog ani maipas’ and Charlie lived that character to the satisfaction of all. Roles came searching for him and Charlie also acted in a number of Tulu plays, which mirrors his versatility as an actor. Bhangar Munis, Gergi Bhutel, Anvkwar Mestri, Doro and many more popular Dramas brought to him the title of best actor. M P D’sa’s – Kazarachi Dotorn a short comedy play and as a Gurkar in Wilfy Rebimbus’s song 'Gurkarachi Bolaiki' has made even the most serious person to laugh out loud. Charlie has done justice to all types of roles be it serious, negative or as a comedian thus proving himself one of the most versatile actors Mangalore has ever produced.
He earned more popularity with his comedy trio group Dol-Fel and Chal which ruled the Konkani stage for more than a decade and as part of nearly 100 Wilfy Nites in and around Mangalore, Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi and the Middle East.
It is rather ironic that the man who gave goose bumps to the audience with his booming voice and his very stage presence had lost his speech following the stroke he had 12 years ago. He had become completely dumb and it is only in the last five years he has regained his voice. His routine these days comprises going to church in the evening every day and attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings once a week every Wednesday. He is self dependent now but has difficulty only in counting money and therefore whenever he goes out he holds the required money for the bus in his hands.
Charles is married to Leena and has two children Manoj and Rekha who are married and settled in life.
Mable Fernandes Nee Baretto
Acting was her passion. It started right from her 1st std in the school. As her teachers found her talents, she was selected to perform first in Don Bosco Hall, Mangalore. From there on, in church functions and social events she was given different roles which were mostly played in Urwa church open ground.
In 1964 when she came to Mumbai, she was involved in many Konkani associations which were putting up several Konkani shows every month. Mable acted in all most every Konkani stage play from 1964 to 1976 in Mumbai and in Mangalore.
It was not an easy task for Mable to go on stage as her family had a strong objection; hence she requested her directors and writers not to publish her pictures in the weekly papers or in any advertisements. Mable is grateful to all her writers and directors who gave her their utmost support and guidance in acting, specially, Cha Fra D’Costa, Gabbu D’Souza, Baptist Mendonca, Stany Pinto, Sunny A D’Souza, Lorry Andrade, A C Misquith, Rose Karwar, Maurice Kabral, Wilfred Fernandes, Rocky Kirem, Austin Prabhu, Francis Fernandes and many more whose names she cannot recollect at this moment as it has been 35 long years since her acting career came to an end. Mable conveys her kind gratitude to Eddi Sequeira who helped her to come back again on the stage in Doha-Qatar for a short play. Among her famous plays are Shegunanchi Soon, Dev Ditha, Jillache Novre, Mamchi Bachhi, Gharacho Divo, Moryadichem Forman, Ragthache Thembe, Lottery Lagli, Bangar Piklam and many more.
At this point, she remembers famous singers who gave their music in support of her acting. They are Wilfy Rebimbus, Meena Rebimbus, Jerome D’Souza, Henry D’Souza and Peter Lobo.
In 1967, she got an opportunity to act in a Tulu play. It was a big success and further she was offered roles in Kannada stage which gave her great knowledge and experience. In such plays one has to be very sincere and dedicated in exhibiting one's talents. The directors were very strict, serious and expected the best from the artistes. These plays helped her to mould herself into a fine artiste. Today Mable proudly says that she got the chance to act in good plays with famous writers and directors in Mumbai.
Some of her Tulu plays are Baiyya Mallige, Saraswati, Mokeda Ponnu, and Kannada plays are Sathyam Shivam Sundaram, and Ammana Madilalli.
Then came a point where she had to make a difficult choice of giving up stage due to her family committments. In 1974 Mable got married to Wilfred Fernandes and settled in life. She came to Doha-Qatar in 1979 and was busy bringing up her children and hence she drew a curtain on her stage career. She has 4 children - Dr Glen, Floyd, Dr Wilma and Valin, all well-settled in life today. Even though her acting career ceased completely, Mable was actively involved in church activities. She taught catechism to the children in the church of Our Lady of Rosary, Doha-Qatar.
She says, "When I see today’s generation, I feel happy to see the parents' support towards their children to exhibit their talents in Konkani. I have tremendous love and respect towards my language as this is the main route of our homeland and keeps us united all the time."
Mangalore Cultural Association is proud to honour these great legendary actors whose contribution to the Konkani stage is incomparable and has enriched Konkani culture.
