Dubai: Kapikad's Twin Plays Beat Windy, Dusty Weather of UAE

by B.G.MOHANDAS
Pics by Sujay Bendur
Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai

Devidas Kapikad honured with Title ‘Toulava Kala Chakravati’.

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Dubai, Feb 2: Tulu stage performers who earlier belonged to the legendary ‘Chaaparka Group’ and now performing under the direction of the Tulu stage doyen 'Telikeda Bolli' fame Devdas Kapikad and well known stage orgainser Karnoor Mohan Rai presented Tulu twin play sensations 'Dever Nadapaver' and 'Suddi Malpodchi' on Friday Feb 1, 2008 at the Nashawan hall of Al Nasr Leisure land in the city to the entertaining pleasure of over packed houses. The play was organized by Tulu Koota Dubai under the leadership of C R Shetty and his experienced team.

Braving heavy chilly weather and breezing sand storm the Tulu stage lovers thronged the Al Nasr Leisure land as never before. Those who flocked the arena to see the second drama ‘'Suddi Malpodchi'’ are to be appreciated and thanked for their valiant efforts to Que in outside in that most breezy chilliness of the season. Only their love for Tulu hilarious social dramas and the fame of Devdas Kapikad must have inspired them to triumph over such a treacherous weather.

The event started off with a stage programme wherein the organizers Tulu Koota Dubai honoured Devidas Kapikad with a Title ‘Toulava Kala Chakravati’. Ganesh Rai read the ‘Sanmana Patra’ and Dr.B.R.Shetty honoured in traditional style befitting the event.

Earlier organsiers C.R.Shetty and KR Tantri welcomed the Guests, Sponsors, Artists and the spectators. Chief Guest & Patron Dr.B.R.Shetty lead the glittering array of guests to inaugurate the event by lighting the lanp. Kalothur Shekar Shetty, Mrs.Sashi S Shetty , Sudhir Shetty, Harish Sherigar, Walter Nandalike, James Mendonca, S.Shetty, Shielesh Kumar, Naveen Mendonca, Ashok Pandit graced the dais.

Replying to the honour, Ranga Bhoomi Savyasachi Kapikad dedicated this title to Tulu Ranga Bhoomi and said that this honour is a tribute to Chaparka Team, Audience who supported and to sponsors who encouraged their performance for the last 23 years.

Before the start of the stage performance one minute silence prayer was observed as a mark of respect to the late Madhav Shakti Nagar, a veteran Tulu stage artiste who passed away in Mangalore on Jan 29, 2008. It may be recalled that in the year 1996, Devidas & Madhav joined hand to launch this ranga karma.

Breaking way from the traditional, histrionic and off beat Karnataka Theatre, the Tulu stage plays that combine common man’s humour to convey social theme came in to fore about two decades ago. The vibrant, fast, slang rich dialogues; the typical local characterizations; satirical way of conveying of social themes and ethics that are spice mixed to present Stage plays which are not only entertaining by stimulating rib splitting laughter but also succeed to subtly depict the social awareness; became hit with the audience.

In this tradition, Devidas Kapikad’s twin pays which were staged on 1st Feb succeeded splendidly to be rated as the best performance that Dubai witnessed in recent days.          

Both 'Dever Nadapaver' and 'Suddi Malpodchi' received thunderous response from the audience as plays were able to capture the audience owing to rib-tickling jokes that which kept them glued to their seats.  But plays did have an equal balance of jokes and serious scenes bringing out the moral of the story beautifully well in the end.

All the visiting actors and organizers were felicitated after the 'Suddi Malpodchi' play.

Telikeda Bolli Devdas Kapikad acknowledged that, first time in his 23-year career that the entire troupe has received such an overwhelming support and response. The popularity of the troupe and the plays was clearly evident with the fact that more than 300 people went back home disappointed without tickets while hundreds of people wanted to attend the show but could not book the tickets in advance.

Meanwhile more than 1500 people witnessed both the shows.

The delay in starting the first show resulted in entire crowd of the second show waiting outside the Al Nasr Nashwan Hall club for more than hour, despite chilly weather which was the result of dusty winds. In spite of this people were eagerly and patiently waiting to see the performance of one of Mangalore's drama troupe 'Cha Parka'.

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