Apoline Monteiro, first ever stage Konkani actress of Mangaluru honored by Rang-Antrang

Bellevision Media Network

Mangaluru, 17 Aug 2016: The first-ever actress to perform in a Konkani play, Apoline Monteiro, now 93 was felicitated during ’Sur Surngaar’, an evening of music and drama, at Don Bosco hall on Independence day, August 15, organized by ’Rang-Antrang’, a theatre group that was formed last year to promote Konkani plays of quality.

 

Born on January 27, 1923 at Kadri, Apoline is the second child of the late Marcel D’Silva and Theresa. She completed her education at St Agnes Girls’ High School.

 

 

Bestowed with talents, beauty and brains, Apoline, at the age of 23, was chosen to play the lead role of Genevieve in the Konkani adaptation of ’Genevieve’. Her husband, Antony Baptist Monteiro played the role of King Seigfred, husband of Genevieve. The play was conceived, planned and executed by the late Fr Philip Neri. It was his dream to build a theatre for the Catholic community of Mangaluru and this dream was realised through ’Genevieve’. The proceeds of the play provided the initial capital for the Don Bosco hall. Incidentally, like Genvieve in the play, Apoline too was pregnant when she performed the play. ’Genevieve’ was staged in the year April, 1946 in the Milagres School grounds to a packed audience and on public demand was staged a second time and a third, but this time the heavens opened and the play was called off.

 

Apoline Monteiro is now a young 93 years. Mother of 15 children, she has 23 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. Her children are well settled in India and overseas. Her son the late Victor Monteiro was a renowned theatre personality of Mangaluru. Apoline still gives her children a run for their money in terms of her alertness, wit and her skill at scrabble and WhatsApp. She spends her time challenging people to word games and playing solitaire.

 

Apoline Monteiro was introduced to the audience by H. M. Pernal, editor of Kittall.com and honored by Fr. Paul Melwyn D’Souza OFM, Superior of St. Ann’s Friary Bijai and the incumbent president of the Konkani Natak Sabha. Apoline Montiero, in her brief but emotional reply, thanked the organizers for honoring her 70 years after the event, and recalled that it was Fr. Phillip Neri, who persuaded her to act in the play, the opportunity for which she was grateful even today.

 

 

Earlier, the evening began with the voices of talented singers of the coastal districts rendering songs from various albums. These included Prajoth D’Sa, Ashwin D’Costa, Kevin Misquith, Royston Pinto, Senet D’Cunha, Shilpa Cutinha and Ashwija Mendonca. Specially video graphed and edited clippings for the songs were projected on an LED backdrop. The event was compered by young poet Sapna Saldanha and Wilson Kateel, the famous lyricist and author.

 

Konkani play ’Varsak Ek Pavtim’ (Once a Year) of one hour duration was performed to thundering applause. This seriously comic drama with clean humor was once again brought to life by the superlative acting of veterans Denis Monteiro, Leena Crasta, and Asumpta Pais. Eddie Sequeira directed the play and played the main protagonist’s father as he came alive on the stage to advise his son on his life choices!

 

The Don Bosco hall was packed and the audience enjoyed every minute of this musical and dramatic extravaganza.