Pics: Anush Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Apr 9: ‘Tum Vhorto Dhonea', Konkani Biblical drama, was staged to a large audience at Holy Cross Church grounds at Kulshekar in city on Sunday, April 7.
‘Tum Vhorto Dhonea’ meaning ‘Lord, You are Great’ has been written and produced by Richie John Pais and directed by Arthur Rasquinha. This was the seventh show of the drama.
Alfred Bennis and Jeevan Vas were the organizers of the drama.
During the stage programme, held before the play, Fr Victor Machado, vicar, Holy Cross Church Kulshekar, Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza, vicar, St Lawrence Church Bondel, Fr Patrick Sequeira and Fr Santosh D’Souza, assistant parish priests of Cordel Church, renowned compere and dramatist Leslie Rego, Veronica Vas, wife of Jeevan Vas, Loy Noronha and Sathurine Monteiro from Cordel parish council, Harold Monteiro from Hope Foundation, Lancy Sequeira, Alfred Bennis with Arthur Rasquinha, Jerome Moras, and Richie Pais , director, assistant director and writer of the drama respectively, graced the stage.
Fr Andrew D’Souza, special invitee, wished all the best for the drama and said “We see more religious dramas during Lenten season. This is the right time to reflect more on our inner health and know more about the glory of our creator.”He hailed the organizers for holding the show at Kulshekar.
Fr Victor Machado, president of the event, wished the best for the troupe and said “Were you there when I created this earth? This is the question God asks Job Patriarch after testing his faith. The same question we should ask ourselves before we carry our Cross in life. God has plans for all people, mighty and weak both. . We cannot question God while we are in trouble but should strengthen our faith. Ultimately one gets rewards for his faith,”
Leslie Rego, the chief guest, said “When I wrote a song on Job Patriarch for my collection of hymns, I studied the Book of Job in the Old Testament. Job is one of the strongest personalities in the Bible. He gains what he has lost after his faith is tested. At no point he condemns God. People interpret things with the limited knowledge. But only God knows everything as Omniscient. We are petty creatures. The drama depicts this truth. I congratulate the people of Kulshekar for holding this drama and gathering in big numbers. When we are active in cultural activities, we get better chance to interact with one another and to uphold human values. I am also happy to note that more religious dramas are being staged these days,” He also praised Alfred Bennis and Jeevan Vas for organising the event.
Prajwal Lobo, who won 3 gold and 1 silver medals at Special Olympics held at Abu Dhabi recently, was felicitated on behalf of the organizers and drama troupe.
‘Silence to Sound, a Mobile Journey’
The promo of ‘Silence to Sound, a Mobile Journey’, a short film directed by Richie John Pais, was released by Leslie Rego on the occasion. The film is produced by Dolphy Vas Abu Dhabi. Femina Spinella Pais and Nia Francisca Pais were present on behalf of the producer.
Majority of the actors in the short film ‘Silence to Sound, a Mobile Journey’ have acted in ‘Tum Vhorto Dhonea’ drama.
Jude Noronha compered the event.
‘Tum Vhorto Dhonea’
The story is based on the book of Job in the Old Testament. Job Patriarch, the protagonist of the drama, is known for his unshakable faith. He does not lose his faith in his Creator in spite of losing all his wealth and children. His friends visit and comfort him, but they blame him for his misery. God appears to Job in the end and restores his wealth and health.
The drama has been praised for blending of creative abilities and technical brilliance. Appreciation came from the audience who experienced LED screen for the fifth time on Konkani stage after it was introduced on March 6, 2017 during the first show of the drama. The large audience remained till the end to witness the grand climax which ends with the restoration of health and wealth of Job Patriarch. Christine Pinto, Riya Albuquerque and Swetha Vas performed the climax dance.
Jeevan Vas, Usha Fernandes, Dorris D’Sa, Stany Machado, Steven Fernandes, Alwyn Tauro, Wilson Lobo, Prashanth Fernandes, Joachim Monteiro, Vincy Pinto, Kanny Cletus D’Souza, Victor Rasquinha, Roshan Rocco, Rohan Pinto, Roshan Lobo, Alphonse Saldanha, MacLean D’Souza, Stany Fernandes, Swetha Vas, Nia Pais, Avril D’Souza, Stallone Fernandes, Sara Furtado, Roydon Lobo, Roncia Lobo, Eva Lobo, Angel D’Souza, Ancia D’Souza and Rachana Ancita Crasta have acted in the play.
Jerome Moras was the assistant director of the drama while Jerald Concessao was the stage manager. Arun Noronha was lights manager and Chris Electronics provided sounds. Alwyn Tauro was the costume designer and Steven Fernandes was the property manager.
Ashith Pinto as the music director had composed special Biblical music. Narayan Raj was the technical in-charge who created special graphics.
The drama had 9 songs, all except the climax song, composed by Richie John Pais and tuned by Fr Walter D’Souza and Fr Maxim D’Souza. Denzil Pereira has provided the music for the songs. Frank Sequeira, Rajesh D’Souza, Joseph Pinto, Rony Crasta, Zeena Pereira, Neel Coelho, Disha Moras, Anisha D’Souza, Kajal Moras, Nia Pais, Luvina Noronha and Avril D’Souza were the singers.
The climax song was composed and tuned by Arthur Rasquinha. Kripa Rasquinha and Vandana Rasquinha have sung the soprano voices with other singers. The music accompaniment for the climax song was arranged by Joel Pereira.
Daijiworld was the media partner and Rahul Advertisers was the publicity partner for the drama.