TIATRO CHALLIS DIS ANI CHALLIS RATI
The Tiatro Challis Dis ani Challis Rati written and directed by Simon
Gonsalves and presented by United Club of Utorda was successfully staged on
Friday 23rd of this month at Hawally A/C Hall. It started exactly at 4.25
pm.
Though attendance wise it was poor but performance wise it was rich.
According to Pal Soares one of the wellknown Tiatro writers and directors
from Utorda and who has even staged his Tiatro in Delhi on request a few
years back, thereby bringing honour for his village Utorda, full marks to
Simon Gonsalves for the nice script.
It was a pity that many of the regular Tiatro goers by abstaining from
watching this Tiatro have missed a golden opportunity of witnessing one of
the memorable Tiatros in Kuwait. I am sure such a Tiatro with beautiful
scenes even in Goa people will not be able to see. Though in the past I have
seen Religious Tiatros during the Lent seasons especially written and staged
by the great J. P. Souzalin, Manuel DLima and others but Challis Dis ani
Challis Rati has got its own class. In this Tiatro the writer does not
enact the Biblical enactment of the Lent but gives meaning and example of
the Lent season.
In this Tiatro the audience is advised what to do during this season and how
to purify and change our life as Simon Gonsalves himself did in his role.
First being a naughty boy along with his other rowdy friends, Simon Gonzales
a la Potta Retreat making a firm resolution to change his life habits
got himself changed to better man in life. This change was realized only
because of the of fasting, sacrifices and penance he made during the 40 days
and 40 nights of the Lent period.
During those golden days of Konkani Tiatro, J. P. Souzalin was adored by the
Christian community as if he was the Pope of Konkani Religious Tiatro. His
greatness lies in beautiful scenes. In his Sath Dukhi Tiatro when Jesus
Christ (Anthony DSa) walks with the Cross, the most beautiful Motet Filius
Filius Et Jerusalem played by the musicians was creating totally
different sense.In another scene in the same Tiatro one could listen to yet
another beautiful Motet Nolite Flere. In order to listen to this music and
enjoy its depth fully, I saw this Tiatro twice.
Simon Gonsalves also introduced beautiful scenes but he missed the
introduction of Motet on music especially when he shows the scene of Jesus
Christ crucified on the Cross. It was really great to see some blood drops
falling from both the hands of hanging Christ.
The other scenes to be admired were of the Serpent trying to tempt a man
the way Eve was tempted, the Serpent looks like live one. Yet another scene
to be admired was that of the Last Supper where at one particular moment
it shows how Jesus Christ slowly gets up from his seat.
And yet another scene to be remembered was that of the sudden appearance of
Jesus Christ from the rock that was splitted into two.The scene of the
Alter where a priest shown saying the Mass was also impressive. Mario de
Majorda whom we call as Comedian Mario played the role of a priest very
nicely. Howerver, if he was directed by the knowledgeable person to imitate
the walking style of J. P. Souzalin or Cyriaco Dias as a priest then his
role would have been still better. Otherwise his acting and talking as a
priest was good. I am sure his long time association in the Church as a
Choir Boy has gained him lot of experience to play the role of a priest.
Simon Gonsalves played the major role and shouldered the greater
responsibility of the Tiatro a la Prem Kumar and as a writer and
director he knew exactly what to do. Otherwise, as an actor and a talented
partist he is always impressive.
The others also played their roles well making the Tiatro interesting.
Veteran Cajetan de Sanvordem and the beautiful and attractive Sandra as his
wife did their roles very well as husband and wife. Sandra in her beautiful
and meticulously dressed Sarees mesmerized the audience. All the 3
comedians, locals Philipe and Salu Faleiro and the outstation Agostinho
Temudo played their comedy roles extremely well and this time Agostinho was
at his best. Only once before I saw him in Rosary Ferns Tiatro along with
Prince Jacob doing such an excellent comedy. As earlier, this time too he
arises Goanness in Goans. He shows lot of Goan patriotism which is not
normally seen in many of the other Tiatrists. Salu Faleiro this time proved
that he is capable of doing comedy with any top comedians and in fact his
comedy was liked by the audience.
Amongst the side show songs, Jessies solo on ungrateful son who leaves
his mother and embraces his mother-in-law was excellent. Her role in the
play as a mother was also done extremely well. She is one of the surviving
artistes of C. Alvares era. It is very difficult to get another Jessie who
is so perfect in this profession. Befitting her stage experience she
performed her role very well giving an added booster for the Tiatro. Sanny
de Quepems song mingling with the audience was excellent based on Biblical
incidents. The tune was also very good a la Alfred Rose and he rendered
it with his normal sweet and attractive voice. Unfortunately too many songs
were rendered on the same topic.
The singers who deserve highest compliments were the duet of Mangalorean
couple Roney and Jasmine, both their duets were based on religious teachings
but the first one was the most appreciated, while singing Roney in
particular was like a hero of the entire show while his wife Jasmine
supported her husband on the Segundo which too was sweetly and excellently
rendered.The musicians also played very well while Roney and Jasmine
rendered their songs. Never before I saw this duet singing so powerfully and
so beautifully. While singing they created an atmosphere normally existing
during the International high profile Concerts which many times I attend in
Kuwait. They must next time show their stage elegance by not wearing the
same dress again and again.
Effervescent Querobina Carvalho in addition to her role in the play as a
side comedian also rendered a nice solo which she sang very beautifully, of
course in her normal attractive voice. Her residence in Kuwait is a big
booster for the promotion of our Tiatros. During the show and thru the hands
of the Chief Guest Jannet Franco e Fernandes, 5 Artistes from Utorda
Calata Majorda for their contribution in the promotion of Tiatro Art were
honoured, namely Comedian Mario, comedian Philipe, Marcus Vaz, Laurente
Pereira and Querobina Carvalho.
Though it was announced that Francis de Tuem will participate in this show
yet he was not seen at all on the stage and neither it was announced his
absence during the show. Some of the people who came to see him singing were
disappointed.
Though the musical score provided by Sahu and his troupe was good yet the
musical feelings that were played during the play created, as usual,
irritation to the ears of the audience and also a disturbance. Mike system
was excellent and stage setting was good and the attendees were very
disciplined.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait
===
A frequent, chronological publication exclusive, unpublished and hybrid
personal thoughts of A. Veronica Fernandes -- can now be read at
http://goa-kranti.blogspot.com/
===
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