Pics: Rons Bantwal/Praveen Tauro
Daijiworld Media Network – Chikkamagaluru
Chikkamagaluru, May 23: “Plays offer valuable lessons for life and therefore there is a need to encourage greater interest in theatre. Celebrating 100 performances is itself a remarkable record and should become a part of history. Such great artistes deserve long life and continued support. Art lovers must collectively strengthen artistes so that theatre culture flourishes and performers are encouraged further,” said founder and managing director of Daijiworld media, Walter Nandalike.
He was speaking as the chief guest during the felicitation programme held on the occasion of the 100th performance of the Konkani play ‘Mhataro Charbela’, staged on Saturday evening at Kuvempu Kala Mandir in Adarsha Nagar, Chikkamagaluru.
The event was organised by Catholic Konkan Sanchalan Chikkamagaluru and Hassan. The play was presented by the Mumbai drama troupe led by veteran Konkani theatre personality, Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy award winner and comedy actor Francis Fernandes Cassia.
Guests including Karnataka civil judge Nithin Coelho, Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy president Joachim Stany Alvares and journalist Rons Bantwal praised the tireless efforts and love for language shown by the drama troupe, stating that reaching 100 performances was a landmark achievement in Konkani theatre.
On the occasion, Francis Fernandes and Joy Paladka, the key forces behind the play, were specially honoured and felicitated. Other artistes and guests were also honoured during the programme. Judge Nithin Coelho was felicitated on the occasion as well.
Special invitees at the programme included Daijiworld’s Praveen Tauro, MCC Bank director advocate A P Monteiro and others. Catholic Konkan Sanchalan president Joaquim D’Souza, vice-president Kiran D’Souza, former president Pramod Pinto, honorary secretary Leo Mathias, honorary treasurer Vincent Furtado, joint secretary Dimple Coelho and patron member Stany D’Silva were also present.
The play ‘Mhataro Charbela’, written by 83-year-old veteran artiste Francis Fernandes and directed by senior theatre organiser and artiste Joy Paladka, successfully completed its 100th performance with many of the original artistes from three decades ago reprising their roles.
Francis Fernandes Cassia played the lead role, while Joy Paladka, Betty Nhaz Bandra, Julie Vaz Marol, Flora D’Souza Kalmady (Jerimery), Shanthi Barboza Boliye, Gregory Sequeira Niddodi, Peter Pais Basrur, Peter Coutinho Mundkur and Lavina D’Souza Jerimery also performed and won appreciation from theatre lovers.
A dance performance was presented by Gandhavya Academy, while Vincent Fernandes rendered Konkani songs during the event.
Drama lovers and admirers of ‘Mhataro Charbela’ accorded a grand welcome to Francis Fernandes and the guests with musical processions as they arrived at the auditorium.
Leo Mathias delivered the prayer, Veena Lobo welcomed the gathering, Jennifer Andrade read the felicitation citation, Vincent Mendonsa introduced the artistes, Jennifer Vaz compered the programme and Sylvester Saldanha proposed the vote of thanks.