Kuwait: Mangalorean Tiatr Staged at KCWA's Kala Milan
Report and Pics: Wilson Saldanha, Shirthady/Kuwait
Daijiworld Media Network – Kuwait
Kuwait, Apr 10: The mega event presented by Kuwait Canara Welfare Association (KCWA) – ‘Kala Milan’, was staged on Friday April 9, 2010 at the American International School Auditorium (Dr Kamal Al Rayes Auditorium), Maidan Hawally, Kuwait, under the presidentship of Rudy D’Souza. KCWA, which was established in 1988, is one of the premier organizations in Kuwait, having established poor children’s education funds in more than 150 schools in Coastal Karnataka to provide primary education to the children, regardless of their caste and creed. In Kuwait, KCWA has been instrumental since the last several years, in successfully organizing various cultural events and providing an opportunity to the Konkani singers/composers to come to Kuwait and showcase their talents.
The programme started with KCWA anthem by Rudy, Jossy, Jovita and Joyline, followed by a formal welcome by KCWA president, Rudy D’Souza. Kala Milan Song was also sung by the KCWA members.
The show was a mixed bag of entertainment with theatre, music and dance. The maiden Mangalorean Konkani Tiatr,‘Kuwait Soddun Vetana’, that had been staged recently, was performed again on this occasion, having regard to the public demand and the overwhelming popularity of the Tiatr. This indeed was a golden opportunity for the people who missed last time to view the Tiatr, which depicts the real family drama and trauma of thousands of Mangaloreans working in Kuwait. The Tiatr, which was originally written by Rosary Ferns (Goa), was translated into Mangalorean Konkani by Lancy Rodrigues, Bondel, who also directed it with the same cast/artistes for the Tiatr.
The singers, musicians and the cast for the Tiatr were Cynthia Pinto, Jaison Lasrado, Gratian D’souza, Valerian D’souza, Joyline Gonsalves, Jovita Fernandes, Anil Menezes, Renny Menezes, Anil Fernandes, Wilfred Lobo, Vally Sanctis, Bernard Fernandes (Goa), Joyston D’souza, Joe D’souza, Ozwald D’souza, Fr Melvin D’Cunha, Vinay Lewis, Gladys Lorena, Vineetha Pinto and Kiran Gonsalves. The flashback scenes of the Tiatr were pasteurized by Alban D’souza and Blue-Ray Video and Photography, while the editing work was handled by Rick's Entertainment (Michael Monis). ‘Illuminations’ (Anand D'souza) provided state of the art sound and lights, while the flashback projections were done by Steven Misquith.
In between the sentimental scenes of the Tiatr, a highly popular comedian among the Mangalorean community, Stephen Machado, in the company of Agnel Saldanha, along with other local artistes, played a totally new rib-tickling comedy sequel written and directed by Lancy Rodrigues.
Moreover, to mesmerize and entertain the music lovers and to further brighten the event, visiting artiste, Victor Concessao, one of the popular Konkani singers from Mangalore, presented super hit songs like Sath Daryacha Paltodi, Love Letter, Idli Chutney, Yore Moga, Tara, Mogacha Rita and Dubaichem Zitta, in his melodious voice, along with local singers, Lancy Rodrigues, Joyline Gonsalves, Jovita Fernandes, Gration D’Souza, Jossy D’Cunha and Roshan Olivera. Foot-tapping and sensational dances for the songs were performed by one of the most reputed dance groups of Kuwait, ‘Jovas XLNC’, choreographed by Sunil and Jyothi Noronha.
During the felicitation function, ambassador of India, Ajai Malhothra, and Fr John Harry D’Souza, spoke words of appreciation and extended their support for KCWA’s future ventures. Sponsors, guest artiste, Victor Concessao, director, Lancy Rodrigues, and writer, Rosary Ferns, were felicitated and honored with mementos.
A tribute to ‘Konkan Kogul’, Late Wilfy Rebimbus, was paid during the programme with a slide show and a few words from KCWA president, Rudy D’Souza. Gration D’Souza rendered a song of Wilfy, which took the audience back to those days when Wilfy Rebimbus visited Kuwait and sung for the Kuwait audience. The programme was well compered by Lydia Misqith and Ida D’Silva. Music was provided by Suneeth Noronha, Clifford Rodrigues, Anil Pais and Austin Salins. The programme was sponsored by Property Real Estate developers, Emmanuel Constructions Private Limited, and Al Rathath Est.
The proceeds of this event will be forwarded to KCWA Poor Children’s Education Fund.