Mangalore: Devdas Kapikad Hails Nellu Permannur as New Leader of Konkani Theatre

News by Praveen Tauro Kulshekar
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (RD/CN)

Mangalore, Jul 12: The ‘muhurat’ of ‘Bolpo’, the fourth Konkani drama by playwright Nellu Permannur was held at Kalaangann, Shaktinagar, at 5.00 pm on Sunday July 12.

It was also the third anniversary of ‘Asal Kalakar Manglur’.

Devdas Kapikad, Kannada movie actor and director of Tulu play ‘Telkeda Bolli’, was the chief guest.  Speaking on the occasion, Kapikad said that 14-year-old Shawn Rodrigues is the youngest director of plays in the history of mainstream theatre in the state.

He commended the Konkans for their support in staging Tulu plays over the past two decades across Karnataka and abroad.  

“Tulu plays indeed sustain several artistes’ families.  It is the acting talent that is displayed on an 18-feet stage which has to be nurtured by philanthropists and play enthusiasts.  With up and coming playwright Nellu Permannur, Konkani theatre will reach new heights in the coming days”, he said.   

Steven Dias, Hemacharya, editor, ‘Daijiworld Weekly’, and Luvi Pinto, president, ‘Mandd Sobhann’, were the guests of honour.

Hemacharya said that Nellu had experimented with new ideas in each of his plays.  “He has a bright future as he is committed to giving his best to Konkani drama”, he added. 

Steven Dias said that it was Nellu’s commitment that stands steadfast helping him reach his goals thereby giving Konkani play enthusiasts the best. 

Luvi Pinto said that Nellu is known to accept challenges and added that Mandd Sobhan will give him an opportunity to stage his plays on the second Sunday of every month at Kalaangann in order to support Konkani theatre.  

Actors Alwyn Veigas, Felix Lasrado, Dimple Pinto, Abraham Pashan, Apoline Saldanha and Nellu Permannur, Sharmila Kapikad, Konkani play directors Percy Urwa and John M Permannur, Konkani Prachar Sanchalan president Roy Castelino, and Mandd Sobahann Gurkar Eric Ozario, were present on the dais.  

Nellu Permannur, actor Felix Lasrado, and actor and young director Shawn Rodrigues were also present on the dais.

Felix Lasrado welcomed the gathering while Alwyn Veigas proposed vote of thanks.  Stany Alvares compered the programme.

Nellu Permannur’s maiden show of Konkani play Bolpo will be staged at Town Hall, here during August and at Kuwait, Bahrain and Dubai in November.  Nellu Permannur’s Konkani plays Bongo and Bonglo has seen 10 shows each, Bokro has seen 13 shows so far in Karnataka and abroad while his next play Bostu will be ready to premier in a few months.