Pics: Meryick D'Silva / Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (CLP)
Mangaluru, Mar 15: White Doves NGO on Sunday March 15 presented a meaningful Kannada play titled 'Antyadinda Arambha' depicting the life of Jesus Christ, in front of a huge crowd of over five thousand people at Padua grounds here.
Apart from marking the season of Lent, 'Antyadinda Arambha', beautifully directed by Corrine Rasquinha and written by Bannu Fernandes, was a fundraiser for a White Doves' project of building a 200-bed Psychiatric Nursing Home for the Destitutes at Maroli.
The play, narrated in song and act the life and victory of Jesus Christ, captivated the audience. Around 125 artistes of all age groups enacted the play and charmed the audience with their stunning performances. The lighting and sound and the stage setup were brilliant.
Prior to the staging of the play, a short stage programme was held in which MLA J R Lobo, Walter Nandalike, editor-in-chief of daijiworld.com, Fr Antony Serrao, parish priest of Bendore Church, George Pinto, deputy commissioner of excise, Udupi and Mangaluru, Rev Pramod Goni were the guests. Michael Santhumayor, principal of Padua College, Sunil Bajal, secretary of CITU, Sunil Baliga, former volleyball player, Jerome Coelho, treasurer of White Doves were present.
Corrine Rasquinha, president of White Doves, welcomed the guests with bouquets, and addressing the gathering she said that she set up White Doves in the year 1990 as she was motivated by the message of the lord. "Let this play touch the hearts of people like it touched mine. The motto of our NGO is to help the last, the least and the lost. Now we have about 120 inmates from various places irrespective of caste, religion or creed. We also feed over 100 people everyday in various streets of the city," she said.
MLA J R Lobo in his address lauded White Doves and said, "White Doves' service to society is praiseworthy. May god give more strength to White Doves to do more good works.
"The timing of the play is apt for the season of Lent. This play will showcase the real essence of Christian religion. At a time when people are flighting in the name of religion without understanding the essense of other religions, this is a very good medium to showcase to the people the real beliefs and values of Christian religion. The best way to have a peaceful society is to know the essence of other religions, the more you know about other religions the more peace will be prevail," he said.
"May this programme be successful and let there be peace and harmony in society," he added.
On the occasion, Walter Nandalike released 'All for You' music album by Corrine Rasquinha. The CD costs Rs 100 and the proceeds of the sale would go to the construction of a new 200-bed psychiatric building of White Doves.
Bannu Fernandes, writer of the play, was honoured on the occasion.
Jerome Coelho explained the importance of the programme and briefed about the history of White Doves. "This play is a fundraiser for the new White Doves project of building 200-bed psychiatric nursing home for destitutes at Maroli. I thank the bishop of Mangaluru Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza for giving us 49 cents of land for this cause. The project is estimated at Rs 6.5 crore we request everyone to donate generously," he said.
Rev Pramod Goni invoked god's blessings on the project and wished it all success.
Leslie Rego compered the event in his usual inimitable style.
Vitus Rasquinha proposed the vote of thanks.
The entry was free but as it was a fundraiser play, donation counters were placed at the venue and the crowd donated generously to the cause.