The GoaNetters Association with The Mangalorean Association of Canada, Presented the popular tiatr 'Adeus' on July 25, 2008 at the Hemmerson hall of the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga. The stunning performance by the 'Mando Mogi' troup from Goa, during the presentation of the Tiatr was the added attraction of the programme.
2008 INTERNATIONAL GOAN CONVENTION The 2008 World Goa Convention was held at the University of Toronto facility at Mississauga (UTM) from July 23 - 27, 2008. The theme of which was 'Goan Identity and Networking Today (G.I.A.N.T)' featuring Workshops, Panel Discussions, Goa Idol, 'Tiatr' (Play), Grand Convention Ball etc and was sponsored by several prominent Organizations of Ontario. The Principal convenors were Dr. Kevin Saldanha, Mrs. Lisette Saldanha, Mr. Ben Antao, Mr. Francis Rodrigues and Mr. Bosco D'Mello. 'Adeus,' a powerful drama of love and sacrifice, written, directed and participated by Jr. Menezes, in aid of The Goan Charitable Organization, was played as part of one of the features of the 2008 International Goan Convention and was presented on July 25, 2008 at the Hemmerson Auditoruim of the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga, Ontario. A brief review of the 'Tiatr' is given below. Any omission or errors are unintentional as I am not a professional critique. I did not find any write-up about this beautiful programme on any popular Konkani websites or may have missed out. So I have written what I saw and appreciated about the entire concert and the accompanied programmes. Thank you. Although my work schedule did not allow me to attend the other events organized during the 2008 World Goa Convention, it was my privilege to attend this most interesting presentation of the Konkani 'Tiatr' or concert titled "Adeus" (meaning goodbye) written, directed, and participated by the multi-talented and popular playwright, director, and actor, the Qupem, Goa born Raymond Menezes, better known by his stage name "Jr.Menezes." The event included the concert, songs in between the scenes, and most importantly the 'Mando' performance presented by the Goan Troup "Mando Mogi", especially flown from Goa for this event. The event went on from 7:00pm to a record well past midnight, but none of the audience seemed to be in a hurry to leave as the entire programme captivated the audience and kept them spellbound and nearly mesmerised. The entire audience thoroughly enjoyed and applauded the Concert, Songs and the 'Mando' performance received a standing ovation and hearty applause from the entire audience. I did not believe I will make it to this event, as I had made up my mind at the 11th hour and realized that only option to purchase a ticket at this late hour was through the box office which informed me that it will remain open 30 minutes after the show opens. Sadly I could not make it in time and found that the box office had closed. How I got entry is my good luck and well, that is another story! I believe this Tiatr "Adeus" was the third presentation in North America as it was presented in USA and in Etobicoke (Ontario) Canada in 2007. The plot revolved around young lovers; obviously the young lady from a rich family who falls in love with an unemployed young man from a poor family. Her choice is outright rejected by her father, although the mother is, as usually happens, sympathetic to the daughter, but her opinion is not considered by her husband, who typically admonishes her saying some thing like 'tum bithor vos' meaning not to interfere. The dejected young man tries his best to get a decent job and in the process is able to get a good job, but as the plot twists and turns, the concert climaxes in some unexpected end. I will not divulge further on the details because, in case it is played again, all must see ADEUS. The comedy segment is provided by the multi-talented writer, director Jr., who is employed in the household of the girl's family and he along with his side kicks 'Gavddin' Andrez in traditional costume and 'Ghanti' with a lungi and a torn singlet, but equipped with a cell phone and who has learnt to speak Konkani, provided ample laughter with their stage antics. In between the scenes, there were lovely songs, many of them sung by the actors themselves and by other singers that also included few Mangalorean songs, especially the romantic song 'Rozlyn muja mogachem.' The innovative (I saw it for the first time any way) audio-visual special effects involving the police chase, seemed as if they are really chasing through the thick jungle of Goa and the scenery of the roadside cross on a tall pedestal was really make believe that enhanced the thrill of the very exciting climax of the concert. To match the technology, the play was enacted in the Hammerson Hall, one of the well equipped auditoriums of the 'Living Arts Centre' that aptly complemented with fantastic sound and lighting facilities and the highlight was the entire concert dialogue was subtitled in English and beamed above the stage for the benefit of the non-native Konkani speakers. The dialogue delivery was in perfect native Konkani and was well delivered by all the actors. Author and main comic Jr. Menezes was hilarious and enthralled the audience by playing multiple roles, is being made to undress to bare minimum during interrogation by the police and presented himself in the role of tribal (Gavddi) in a 'kashti.' It seems Jr. is the only other actor to don the 'Kashti' after the late Prem Kumar who wore it in his Tiatro, 'Vavraddi' a long time ago. The entire audience burst into unbelievable laughter on this presentation. Special mention has to be made of the sidekicks, the tribal woman (Gavddin Andrez) and the 'Ghanti' for their very realistic acting and excellent delivery of the dialogue. At the same time, I must say that all the artistes enacted their part very well and as required by the play and their role in particular. Jr. Menezes (Raymond Menezes) has been active on the Konkani drama scene in Canada since 1989 and has directed nearly a dozen concerts. It seems the tiatr Adeus was modified to suit the taste of the Canadian Konkani concert lovers. The orchestra provided fitting background music during the entire concert and to the singers as well and I found that gave best and very impressive performance. At the end of the event, Jr. was presented with a painting of Mario Miranda in appreciation of his valuable contribution to the Konkani stage in Canada. CONVENTION THEME The Goan Goodbye Song (courtesy Ben Saldanha) Uddon ghelem parveamchem birem, Voir pautoch pisdun ghelem, Bessaum tumcher poddum re, Bessaum tumcher poddum re, Sorghinchea Deva – Bapachem. Viva re viva, viva viva, Viva re viva, viva viva, Viva marum -ia, Soglea goemcarachi Saud korum-ia. (Finally a note on the photographs, all these were clicked by me from where I was seated and technology changes by the day, my camera does not have the 'image stabiliser capability' and I did not use the flash so as not to disturb audience beside and in front of me. The pictures have been added to give some colour to this write-up – so excuse the quality. Maurice D'Mello (Toronto). Album:http://picasaweb.google.com/mmdmello/ADEUSCONCERTJULY2508?authkey=iOqAfU4mbkY&pli=1#
