Pic: Abhijith N Kolpe

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Jul 25: Vicar general of Mangaluru diocese Fr Maxim Noronha released Kannada television serial on the life of St Anthony at Bishop's House in the city on Thursday, July 25.

St Anthony's Ashram Jeppu Mangaluru is the producer of the serial on the life of St Anthony. The serial will be telecasted on DD Chandana from July 28 at 2 pm. The serial has eight episodes of half hour duration. The serial on the life of St Antony in Kannada to be telecasted on a national channel is a first-of-its-kind.

Vicar general of Mangaluru diocese Fr Maxim Noronha said, "St Anthony has created several miracles and has followers all over the world. Devotees visit in large numbers to the holy places of St Anthony. To produce a serial of this nature is a great challenge. Through this serial, the values of St Anthony must be known and spread widely. It is a proud moment for all of us that the serial on the life of St Anthony will be telecast from July 28 at 2 pm.”

Director of St Anthony's Ashram Fr Onil D’Souza said, "TV serial will be in Kannada language on the life and miracles of Saint Anthony, so that people around the globe can view the same and benefit from the devotion of St Anthony. St Anthony Ashram Jeppu is the producer of this serial. Mogachi Lahra fame, Vincent Fernandes has done the direction and cinematography of the serial. The script is written by John M Permannur.

Fr Onil further said, "St Anthony was born in the 12 century. He was a true follower of Jesus and committed to his vocation. Saint Anthony preached and performed number of miracles in the name of Jesus. The phrase 13 miracles go along with the name of Saint Anthony as synonymous. He is also known as the Saint of impossible, meaning to say that impossible things become possible through his intercession. He is specially invoked when things are lost. The devotion of Saint Anthony has been in existence in Mangaluru for more than a century. There are devotees of Saint Anthony around the world who visit the Shrine at Milagres Church and also Saint Anthony's ashram which takes care of 400 destitute.”

The serial is directed and edited by Vincent Fernandes of Mogachi Larha fame and producer-cum-director of ‘Choliye Chatrai’ Konkani serial. John M Permannur, well-known dramatist, has written the script. Popular cine actors like Ramesh Bhat, Asha Latha, Anoop Shetty and Prarthana have acted in the serial. Renowned singer Ravindra Prabhu has sung the title song.

Assistant directors of St Anthony Ashram Fr Thrishan D’Souza, Fr Roshan D’Souza, director Vincent Fernandes, John M Permannur and others were present.