News: Ron Roche Cascia

Pics: Stanley Bantwal

Daijiworld Media Network – Shivamogga(EP)

Shivamogga, Apr 27: The 68th show of Konkani drama 'Mataro Charbela' was held with the cooperation of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy on the open grounds of St Joseph's Auditorium near St Joseph's Church in Sagar in the evening on April 24. The drama was held in aid of the education fund of poor children. The 67th show of the drama was held earlier on April 23 in front of more than 800 people in Shivamogga.

The drama written by popular drama writer, Comedy king Francis Fernandes Cascia and directed by famous director and actor Joy Palladka was successfully shown to nearly one and a half thousand people. Whistles and laud laughters could be heard in appreciation from among the crowd every now and then.

President of the programme Roy Castelino, famous Kannada author Na D' Souza of Sagar, drama sponsors famous T3, Urban developers Chief Managing director V P Lobo and his wife Jyothi Lobo, parish priest Fr Venus Colaco were present. Roy Castelino and Uzvad magazine editor Fr Chetan draped Francis Fernandes and Joy Paladka with shawl and presented fruits and flowers to them.

Fr Venus Colaco, originally from Cascia and working hard for the congregation had cordially invited Cascia parishioners. Vithori Karkal, Lawrence D' Souza, Youth Congress secretary, dramatist and poet Lawrence D' Souza, Cascia, author J F D' Souza, Alfred Bennis, Claudy Roche of Cascia, poet and writer Vincent Mendonca, Cascia and nearly 40 donors and national army men were honored in the programme.

Francis Fernandes in his speech said that the people make fun of him calling him 'Mataro Charbela' at times. Jyothi Lobo said that she is the daughter of Sagar. She thanked God and the people of Sagar for giving her a chance to stand on the stage. She said that she made up her mind to present the drama of her family friend Francis Fernandes Cascia in order to give something for the natives of her hometown.

Roy Castelino said that Konkani is included in the eighth schedule of the constitution in order to inspire those who speak English and Kannada. “We the Konkani people should boldly come forward and give high status for Konkani language. Chief Minister who came to Shakthinagar Mangaluru to lay foundation stone for the museum recently said that Konkani is the brother of Kannada and that government will support the language. We should not remain behind in developing the language. Let us join hands with Hindus and Muslims writing Konkani in different scripts”, he said.

The drama by Francis Fernandes paved the way in Sagar and Shivamogga to create awareness and love of Konkani among all. There were changes in the drama during the last two years. 72 years old Francis Fernandes acted like a young man and made everybody laugh. The drama gave a message to be careful with wives and keep an eye on spirited old men. It surely has brought a smile on the face of the audience even after reaching home.