Konkani stage emperor to perform in Sath Panvdde in Kuwait

By Vinod Lewis
Bellevision Media Network

Kuwait, 05 Nov, 2014: In a short span of years John D’Silva has achieved a tremendous landmark and fan-following in the Tiatr field. He has always been in the limelight as a Tiatrist ever since he made his foray on the Konkani stage, but he made the whole country to sit up and take notice of him when he made it to the Limca Book of Records in 2010 for the unique feat of writing, directing and producing over 25 Konkani Tiatrs with their titles having a double alphabet in it.

 

In the rich century old history of the Konkani stage, John D’Silva is incidentally the first tiatrist to enter the Limca Book of Records. It took him 12 years to create this unique record. For achieving this great feat, he was even congratulated by the Goa Legislative Assembly.

 

John D’Silva is the first Goan artiste to receive the first YuvaSrujanPuraskar Award from Art and Culture, Government of Goa for his immense contribution in the tiatr field. As his Tiatrs are always written with thought provoking dialogues, powerful moral and message, the script of his Tiatr ‘Bovall’ was selected by Goa Konkani Academy to publish in a book form.

 

 

This versatile tiatrist hailing from Sao Jose de Areal is indeed The Emperor of Goan and Konkani Stage being a well-known writer, director, actor and one of the best comedians at present.

 

Coming to his background, this Science under-graduate from S.P. Chowgule College, Margao, did not take up the usual pattern taken by most of the well-known tiatrists of today. In lieu, he went to the Gulf in 1984 and worked in Doha Qatar as a security guard for a Qatar Building Company for 3 years before his return to Goa.

 

Back home, he took the opportunity to discover his innate talent. His debut acting in Lino’stiatr called ‘Dhorm’ was amazing while he gave another telling performance in ‘KantteantlemFulBavoilem’. But his expedition on the stage had come to a standstill by then, as he made it to Doha Qatar once again after spending 3 years in Goa. For a second time he served as a security guard, this time for Dahaitsur Company, but returned home in 9 months.

 

Back in Goa, he found his calling and started his own production house. His debut venture ‘ChukleleRoste’ (1991) which he wrote and directed, was well received. Subsequently, he came out with ‘ChitarloloFator’ (1992), Jith (1993), LipleleRupkar (1993), Puja (1994), a video film ‘Xinn’ (1995) and thereafter, under the banner of S.B Art he wrote and directed over 30 Tiatrs each of which the title has a double alphabet in it.

 

The most acclaimed John D’Silva dramas are: Vell, Dennem, Ekvott, Vatt, Umannem, Sokallim, Menn, Avessor (Chapter), Bott (Finger), Somzonni, Magnnem, Bovall, Kirnnam, Porddo, Suknnim, Ugddas, Konn?, Vann, Vaitt, Jinn, Dhull, Xidkavnni, Voddem, Nattok, Devull, Kal,Kuttumb, etc.

 

John has staged his dramas in Mumbai, Pune, Thane, Malwan, Karnataka, New Delhi, etc. Outside the country, he has travelled with his troupe to Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Dubai, Muscat, London, etc.

 

 

John D’Silva in Video Films

Tiatrs apart, John has acted, produced and directed numerous Video films. The most prominent ones are Duddvankar, Fugddi, Jinn, Lofdde, Gondoll, etc.

 

When he made his debut on the Konkani stage, he did serious roles like ‘villains’ and other characters with negative shades, but in the year 1999 when he was not having a comedian in his troupe, he switched to main stream comedy in his Tiatr ‘Umannem’, which was a huge hit. Today, he is regarded as one of the top most comedians and one of the best script writers of Konkani stage.

 

John is the first one to enact triple role in his VCD film ‘Fugddi’ and a double role in VCD film ‘Lofdde’. He is the first Goan director to release his Tiatr ‘Nattok’ in London and Germany which was later staged throughout Goa.

 

It is not just his own dramas that John has acted in, but several times he has been to Kuwait to act in dramas directed by renowned directors such as Rosary Ferns, Jose Rod, etc. He has also been to London with the troupe of Fr. Lucas Diniz. Recently, he toured London and USA with Sammy Tavares’ troupe of ‘Tim ThikamSandlelim’.

 

John D’Silva was bestowed the Title ‘ Emperor of Konkani Stage’ by the magazine ‘Hello Margao, Hello Panjim’, for his immense contribution in the field of Konkani Tiatrs.

 

In the company of some selected comedians, the ‘Emperor’ is expected to make the American School Hall in Kuwait a sea of crazy laughter by his presence in ’SATH PANVDDE’ on 7th November 2014.

 

His comedy is half intelligence, half execution. It is not necessary for him to make faces to look comic, nor does he need catchy dialogues to tickle that funny bone. Even his silence extracts peals of laughter from the audience.

 

Well-known comedian John D’Silva, dubbed as ‘The Emperor of Goan Stage’ will be one of the major attractions in the mega show ’SATH PANVDDE’ scheduled to be staged in Kuwait - 7th November 2014, 4.30pm at American School Hall, MaidanHawally.

 

’SathPanvdde’ (Seven Steps), a Special Tribute to Rosary Ferns, a celebrated Goan singer who passed away in 2011, is written and directed by Rosary’s brother Fidelis Fernandes. It will feature a galaxy of well-known artistes from Goa and Kuwait.

 

Star artistes from Goa will consist of Lawry Travasso, Xavier Gomes, Francis de Tuem, Chitra, Andrea, Marcus Vaz, Comedian John D’Silva, Comedian Sally & Comedian Joana.

 

Kuwait-based artistes include Cajetan de Sanvordem, Mario de Majorda, Michael D’Silva, Katty de Navelim, Laurente Pereira, Bab Agnel, Xavier Furtado, Lopes Brothers, Clemmie Almeida, Esparansa& Gasper Crasto.

 

Music for the show will be provided by Kuwait’s magical maestro – Shahu Almeida accompanied by his Jolly Boys. London-based Goan drummer Matias Rosario will team up with the band. DJ Marlon will provide the sound while Lekinson will be in-charge of stage setting. Management of the Hall will be done by DerickGomindes& Julio Cardoso while Laurente Pereira &Katty will be Stage Managers for the show.

 

Ms. Kyoko Matsukawa, a Japanese Researcher based in Goa will attend the show as a chief guest. Special guests that will be in attendance are Francis Correia (Bahrain), Simon D’Silva (Qatar), Tony Gonsalves (UK), Anthony de Varca (Dubai), Raymond D’Sa&BoscoLeitao. (Kuwait).

 

The director Mr. Fidelis Fernandes hails from Colva, Salcette, Goa.

 

Fidelis is President of the Konkani Heritage Kuwait (KHK) which has, in the past, presented Konkani tiatrs, one-act play competitions, singing competitions, and Konkani ‘songitsanz’ (musical) shows in Kuwait under his able direction.

 

Kuwait based famous Goan singers -- Alex & Michael Lopes, popularly known as Lopes Brothers, will once again delight the Kuwait Konkani audience in the mega show ’SATH PANVDDE’ scheduled to be staged on Friday 7th November 2014 at the American School Hall, MaidanHawally starting 4.30pm sharp.

 

’SathPanvdde’ (Seven Steps) is a Special Tribute to Rosary Ferns, a celebrated Goan singer who passed away in 2011. The drama is written and directed by Rosary’s brother Fidelis Fernandes and features a galaxy of well-known artistes from Goa and Kuwait.

 

The Lopes Brothers have created a niche for themselves as one of the best duo partners on stage with their unmatched synchronized voices, and a style second to none. Perhaps they are the only brothers shining on Konkani stage after the legendary Kuwait-based Mendes Brothers.

 

In recent years, the Lopes Brothers have featured in almost every drama held in Kuwait and are well applauded for their presence and songs, and the message that they convey in each of their rendition. They also feature in some recent VCDs released from Kuwait.

 

The talented brothers hailing from Rivona, Goa, are all set to dazzle the audience with a special duo composed by their brother-in-law Nazareth Rodrigues, popularly known in tiatr circles as Nazy Rod – a renowned playwright and composer.

 

Apart from the Lopes Brothers, there are powerful and melodious duos, trios and quartets especially composed for Kuwait audience while the drama itself promises a captivating story full of dialogues and loaded with rib-tickling comedy sequences by star comedians from Goa.

 

Konkani tiatros are never complete without a Trio song. The team of Cajetan de Sanvordem-Mario de Majorda-Michael D’Silva have become greatly synonymous with the audience.

Known to be the ‘Thespian of Konkani Stage - Cajetan de Sanvordem, a Kala Academy Award winner for Best Actor and Konkani BhashaMandal’s Best Singer has been rendering his services to Konkani art (drama & films) since the 70’s, earlier acting as the ‘main hero’. He has ‘dressed up’ in almost every tiatr staged in Kuwait.

In Goa, Cajetan has worked for most of the well-known directors such as RemmieColaco, M. Boyer, Fr. Freddy J. Da Costa, Roseferns, Jess Fernandes, A. Morais, Patrick Dourado, M. Morais, Anthony San, etc, and has even staged two of his own tiatrs ‘BhatkarachemKortub’ and ‘Africar’ besides producing a DVD video album entitled ‘XiddukRavat’ that was well accepted by Konkani lovers.

 

Cajetan first came into limelight when he was just 8 years of age singing in school and village dramas. His smile and style simply lights up the stage.

Cajetan’s recent action was an important role in Sammy Tavares’ tiatr ‘ThimThikamSandlelim’ while his role in the Konkani E-Cinema ‘Black’ apparently remains one of his best performances – yet to be seen by most Goans.

Employed with the Ministry of Civil Information in Kuwait, Cajetan is a well-known public figure involved in social activities and heads several Goan associations.

The thespian was recently awarded by the Tiartrist Academy of Goa (TAG) for his immense contribution in the field of drama. Cajetan de Sanvordem is apparently the founder member of the Kuwait Trio. Cajetan, along with Marcus Vaz and Xavier Gomes had formed the trio years ago. While Cajetan holds the fort, Mario de Majorda and Michael D’Silva have been around as a team for quite a while now.

Apart from singing, Cajetan plays a key role in ’SathPanvdde’ alongside famed Goan actress Chitra Shirwaikar.

Stage great Mario de Majorda is one of the stalwarts of Konkani stage -- a well-known writer, director, character-actor, comedian and a composer-singer of immense talent. Perhaps he has one of the best voices among male singers too.

 

Mario started as a singer at a young age of 13 in ’SomdiraniLharam’ of Felly Lucas and later sang in Jeoffrey de Majorda’s ’To MonisKonn’.

 

Coming from the beautiful coastal village of Calata-Majorda, Mario first came to Kuwait in 1983 and has been active on stage ever since.

 

Initially, Mario pursued his great enthusiasm for acting by helping out in the Holy Family Cathedral’s Parents Day programs where he wrote and directed numerous skits, and also sang. He is currently the Choir In-charge at the church. His presence and works in Kuwait-Goa TiatristhanchiSonvstha (KGTS) and Goan Welfare Society (GWS) are hugely notable.

 

Michael D’Silva – one of Kuwait’s most popular singers, has been singing on stage in Kuwait since 1994. Known for his poetical compositions, Michael first sang in Mario de Majorda’s drama ‘Sambau’. His rhythmic singing style is perhaps unmatched on Konkani stage.

 

In recent years, the Kuwait Trio has performed in London, Qatar, Goa, etc, singing on various topics. They have given hit-after-hits, and are known to be professional-perfect in their art with their synchronized voices and captivating lyrics.

 

The Kuwait audiences expect nothing but the best from their adorable idols.

 

Star-Cast of ’SathPanvdde’

Star artistes from Goa will consist of Lawry Travasso, Xavier Gomes, Francis de Tuem, Chitra, Andrea, Marcus Vaz, Comedian John D’Silva, Comedian Sally & Comedian Joana.

 

Kuwait-based artistes include Cajetan de Sanvordem, Mario de Majorda, Michael D’Silva, Katty de Navelim, Laurente Pereira, Bab Agnel, Xavier Furtado, Lopes Brothers, Clemmie Almeida, Esparansa& Gasper Crasto.

 

Music for the show will be provided by Kuwait’s magical maestro – Shahu Almeida accompanied by his Jolly Boys. London-based Goan drummer Matias Rosario Sequeira will team up with the band. DJ Marlon will provide the sound while Lekinson will be in-charge of stage setting.

 

Hall Management will be done by DerickGomindes& Julio Cardoso while Laurente Pereira &Katty will be Stage Managers of the show.

 

The director Mr. Fidelis Fernandes hails from Colva, Salcette, Goa.

 

Fidelis is President of the Konkani Heritage Kuwait (KHK) which has, in the past, presented Konkani tiatrs, one-act play competitions, singing competitions, and Konkani ‘songitsanz’ (musical) shows in Kuwait under his able direction.

 

 

Chief Guests and other dignitaries

Ms. Kyoko Matsukawa, a Japanese Researcher based in Goa will attend the show as a chief guest. Special guests that will be in attendance are Francis Correia (Bahrain), Simon D’Silva (Qatar), Tony Gonsalves (UK), Anthony de Varca (Dubai), Raymond D’Sa&BoscoLeitao (Kuwait).

 

A number of other distinguished dignitaries from Goa, Qatar, Oman, etc, are also expected to attend the show.

 

Gate-passes for the show can be availed from Benny – 66533229, Joe – 66625567, DerickGomendis – 99659749, Julio Cardoso – 99519439, Nazi – 99663252, Katty – 96961548, Gasper – 99699514, Bernard – 55514282, Martha (Raja Stores) – 97634408, Rock Music – 50192530.