In the forthcoming One Act Play and Solo Singing Competitions organised by KONKANI HERITAGE KUWAIT, one of the Plays will be staged by a well known Filmi Personality Mr. Arif Kazi, a Konknni person having Konknni culture and tradition. Born in Saudi Arabia and brought up in Bombay where he studied in Christian School and College and graduated in Science, Mr. Arif is a born stage artiste. Acting was hereditary in him since his father was a well-known stage artiste in Ratnagiri. While studying at Mazagon Bombay at St. Joseph High School when performing in one of the school concerts, he came into limelight and since then there was no stopping for young Arif Kazi who is become very popular in Kuwait. He is having his own drama group and they are performing in many parts of Kuwait including at Indian Embassy Auditorium and Indian Arts Circle. In his group artistes from Goa, Mangalore, Bombay and other parts of India are enrolled and he himself write the scripts and directs. He has undergone in Bombay special courses and training in this art since he was very much associated with some of the top Hindi Film actors, directors and Filmi world at large. Performing comedy role is his forte and since he was associated with the then top Hindi Film comedian Mehmood, Arif learnt a lot from his idol Mehmood. While still in College, he came in contact with �Khader Khan Ke Kalakar� stage group and this group performed not only in Bombay but also in other parts of India, of course in Hindi and Marathi. Gradually due to his enormous fame in Bombay he was absorbed by Bombay Doordarshan in 1980 where he performed his programmes regularly. Though he acted in Marathi Films, TV Serials and Hindi Documentary Films yet he could not make to top Hindi Films due to parental disapproval and hence he missed a very good chance to move further.
In 1998 he came to Kuwait and since then he is performing his shows and known to his vast followers. Besides acting in Kuwait he performed along with his group in many parts of Gulf. One of his Plays �Wa Re Wa Bombay� was a terribly hit drama and when I saw this Play at Indian Embassy Auditorium even the Ambassador of India praised him fabulously. In case anybody is interested in having his shows even for personal and private functions as I also saw him performing for such functions, he is ready, said Arif. By the way, all his shows and dramas are in Hindi. Sometime back in Kuwait one more Public Transport (Bus) was started known as City Bus. These Buses are equipped with TV sets where special programmes are shown. These programmes are especially prepared and organized by Arif Kazi since he signed a deal with City Bus management. In Kuwait he is performing first time for Konkani Show and his play �Sombond� will be something different from what is normally seen on Konkani Stage, said Arif. He many times attends Konkani Shows and has high respect for Konkani Stage. Yet if any artiste is willing to learn more of Stage acting, he said he will surely share his experience and knowledge. He admires Querobina Carvalho and Rosary Ferns for their acting prowess and script power respectively. He has intention to induct Querobina Carvalho in his group where they perform Hindi Plays. He also got a plan to make a Film in Kuwait. He finds no difficulty in staging his Play on Konkani Stage as he is known to Konkani Stage and Konkani language and as he puts it �being a Konknni origin, my culture is very close to Goa culture and tradition�. He said he will only direct the play but all his artistes males and female from Konkani world including George D�Souza who is very popular in his group will create something unique for which the people should watch his Play and bear testimony to what he said. The theme of his Play as he puts it � the way marriages are made in heaven �Relations are made in Heaven�. How? I asked him. He said, �come and see my play�.
A. Veronica Fernandes, Kuwait.
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