Konkani Musical Show NATALANCHO KUNSVAR" in Bahrain
As scheduled, the Konkani Musical Show Natalancho Kunsvar under the
patronage of Young Goans Club was staged at the Baan Saeng Thai Restaurant
in Adliya, Bahrain on November 30, 2006. The following artists participated
in the show:
From Bombay: Ophelia and her daughter, Babli.
From Goa: William de Curtorim.
From Kuwait: Jose Rod and Francis de Tuem.
From Saudi Arabia: Domnic Fernandes.
From Bahrain: Benny (singer, composer and drummer), Jr. Luis, Santan,
Lorvino, Caesar, Lurdin, Norita, Kishod, Ophelia (local), Slenzitha, Claud,
Albin, Chris Noronha, and Pio Fernandes (Director.)
The attendance was quite good but not house full as expected, which is why
the show began late. Some people were involved in a religious activity at
the church and could not leave the session until past 9:00 p.m. They called
up and requested the director, if possible, to wait for them. The show was
a great success; each one of the singers and actors did well. I am sure
those who missed the show will now have regrets. Somehow, the crowd in Gulf
countries feels more confident with troupes flown in from Bombay/Goa than
with the local artists, but the former is not always justified as far as
performance is concerned and this fact was proven with Pios musical show on
last Thursday.
The musical show package consisted of 25 melodious songs, most of them
composed by Pio Fernandes, and two skits Bhormaxel Mental Hospitalant
and Natalancho Kunsvar (Christmas sweets.) The former is a comedy skit in
which Jr. Luis plays the role of a mentally imbalanced son. Domnic
Fernandes, Mental Hospital doctor, visits Claud, Luis father, and narrates
how his son saved his friend from drowning in a water pool in mental
hospitals garden and praises his sons bravery. Claud gets excited and
jumps with joy when the doctor tells him that his son will receive a bravery
award through the Health Minister when he visits the hospital next month.
The doctor then conveys the sad news that his sons friend committed
suicide by hanging himself in the bathroom soon after he was saved. At the
end of the play, the doctor revisits Claud and discloses him that according
to investigation the deceased had not committed suicide but that his son had
hanged him in order to dry him up after he was saved from drowning, which
was a confirmation that he was still mentally imbalanced; hence, there would
be no bravery award. Instead, they arrest Jr. Luis and take him back to the
Mental Hospital. Norita as Jr. Luis girlfriend did well.
The latter skit was a beautiful Christmas message. Two neighbors, Lurdin
and Ophelia just cant get along with each other. Lurdin always konnieo
uddovn zogddim korta (needs the slightest excuse to pick up a quarrel),
whereas Ophelia is God-fearing and knows how to control herself, but she
also has her moments when she loses her temper and displays her anger and
strength. She does this in a typical style by folding her kapodd in
between her legs and turning it into a kasotto and hitting her thighs with
hands like Japanese Sumo wrestlers, as a sign of her strength in readiness
of the fight. I couldnt believe Ophelia was still able to speak forcefully
and enact the role as in the past. When asked after the show, she said she
automatically turns into a lioness the moment she steps on the stage. She
said she gets possessed with the art and that its the gift of God. Later
on, she brings out her feelings through facial expressions and tears. At
the end of the skit, a robber (Caesar) breaks into Lurdins house and runs
away with a bag full of valuables but is nabbed by Ophelias son, Kishod.
When Lurdin returns home and comes to know that despite being enemy number
one, Ophelia and her family risked their lives, caught the robber and saved
her from losing everything she owned, she appreciates their action,
apologizes for the past misbehavior and becomes a friend. Christmas is the
time to give and forgive and this is the message Pio Fernandes has conveyed
to the public. Jesus sends the robber in order to unite both families and
this was the Natalancho kunsvar - not Natalancheo nevreo, etc. Both women
did justice to their roles in the skit and so did the others Kishod,
Ophelia (local) and their lovely daughter, Slenzitha, and Caesar.
Among singers, Jose Rod sang the first song of the show, which was
well-appreciated; he sang two songs. Babli mesmerized the audience with her
sweet voice and looks and reminded everyone of her fathers singing style;
she sang three songs. William de Curtorim was his usual with political
songs and was encored the most; he sang three songs. Francis de Tuem cut a
niche for himself in Bahrain. He sang two songs; he was encored four times
for the first song and twice for the second.
One of the songs, a duo, composed by Pio, stole the show. Claud begins to
sing the song but forgets the lines after the first chorus. Immediately,
one of the back benchers shouts at the top of his voice and questions the
singer as to why he forgot the lines. He loudly tells the public that
people spend money and come for the show not to see someone forget his lines
but to witness a good show and get the worth of their money. Some males try
to pacify the guy but he is in no mood; he becomes more violent and
uncontrollable. By now, the whole focus shifts from the stage to the guy at
the back in the auditorium; people stand up and watch the sideshow. People
are heard saying: We dont know why these guys make such a big issue out of
nothing; anyone can make a mistake. Some remarked: These guys shouldnt
come for the show; they should remain home instead of coming here and
creating problems. Some were heard saying: We know this guy; he is not
that type; what happened to him today? In the meantime, the director
apologizes to the crowd for the commotion and requests everyone to remain
calm and seated but the guy keeps shouting. The director then approaches
the guy and requests him to keep quiet but he wouldnt. The guy takes the
mike in his hand and repeats what he had been saying. When the director
tells him he is free to go on the stage and express himself to the crowd, he
angrily hits the beer can on the floor and marches to the stage where Claud
and he continue to argue. The guy gradually replies Claud musically. It
was at this stage that people realized it was a ploy. Even the Committee
members were not aware of the ploy. Congratulations to Pio for a superb
theme and hats off to Caesar for enacting a natural scene in the crowd!
I had acted with Ophelia in two dramas in Bahrain in 1978. She did visit
Bahrain later on but I was not there. I was very happy to meet with her and
her daughter, Babli. Since we stayed in the same apartment, we spent a lot
of time together and exchanged past and present memories. Ophelia, too, was
extremely happy to be in Bahrain. Pio Fernandes gave a speech and
introduced her to the audience who in turn welcomed her with a big applause;
she later on received a standing ovation. She told me she had witnessed
people like Amitabh Bachchan receive standing ovation and always wondered if
people like her would ever get such a chance. Her wish finally came true
when she received standing ovation from the crowd at Hawally Hall in Kuwait
on August 11, 2006 and now in Bahrain on November 30. Ophelia was overly
moved with audiences love, affection and feelings for her, which was
translated into streams of tears which rolled down her cheeks. As we all
know, Ophelia was seriously ill and had almost lost her sight but she
recovered miraculously. She told the audience the medicine of her recovery
was prayer. We pray to God to grant her good health and long life.
Ophelia is an inspiration to all stage artists. We hope she continues to
act in tiatros; of course, at her pace. We all love you Ophelia! Andrew
(Bobby) Fernandes, President, and Francis Correia, General Secretary of the
Young Goans Club presented Ophelia with a plaque.
Music for the show was provided by Chagas (Trumpet), Bernard (Saxophone),
Christopher (Keyboard), Bobby (Guitar) and Benny (Drums.) William de
Curtorim was all praise for the band.
As always, La Ferns Restaurants delicious sorpotel, sanna and snacks were
available for sale in the auditorium.
On the whole, it was a great show. Congratulations to Pio Fernandes for
presenting good entertainment to Bahrain Goans.
Moi-mogan,
Domnic Fernandes
Anjuna/Dhahran, KSA
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