Jaison Taccode
Moodbidri, Mar 2: In a rare occasion in the history of Konkani language and literature the inauguration of the Malayalam book 'Visudha Poulose - Vijathiyarude Appostholan' translated from Konkani mega play book called 'Jenthilancho Apostle San Paul', (St Paul: An Apostle to the Gentiles) took place at Holy Cross Church, Taccode, recently.
The Konkani Biblical mega play book 'Jenthilancho Apostle San Paul', was authored by Dr Mark Castelino St Agnes Special School ground, Bendore, Mangalore, on the occasion of staging the said mega play in Konkani language on ten elevated drama stages with the co-operation of 100 artists to a crowd of more than 6,500 spectators.
The staging of Konkani Biblical mega play 'Jenthilancho Apostle San Paul', by Dr Mark Castelino is the only mega programme held in honour of St Paul in India.
The translator Rony Gonsalves is working as senior superintendent, a gazetted officer, in irrigation department, Tellichery, Kerala, presented the translated Malayalam books to Dr Mark Castelino, the author and the parish priest of Holy Cross Church, Taccode, for inauguration. Alfred Bennis, the convenor of staging 'Jenthilancho Apostle San Paul', the Biblical Konkani mega play, was present on the dais at this occasion. Jossy Rodrigues, the then vice president of Kelarai Church, who played a dominant role in staging this mega play in 2009 was also present on the dais at this occasion.
The inauguration programme was conducted by Gregory Mendes, former vice president of Holy Cross Church, Taccode. Jaison Taccode was present on behalf of Namma Bedra.com. The copies of the Visudha Poulose - Vijathiyarude Appostholan are available throughout Kerala. The Konkani book and DVD are available with the author.
Usually when the play is held on the stage no drama books are made available to the general public. But this is the first time in the history of Konkani language and literature that a printed drama book was made available to the general public just a few minutes before the commencement of the drama on ten elevated drama stages. This printed book was inaugurated by the Bishop of Mangalore in 2009 at St Agnes Special School ground, Bendore, Mangalore. Though many books on various topics in Konkani language have been published, no Biblical mega play books had been published when the actual play takes place on the stage. As plays of various religions have been given opportunity to study at High School or at the College level let Konkani language also get such opportunity to study Konkani religious drama/play books at High School, College or university level.
Under the guidance of founder correspondent and educationist Dr Mark Castelino, a team of 40 volunteers were mobilized to tap various resources from general public and donors were sought for the beginning of the English medium school at Kelarai for the sake of poor children. In this laborious task of tapping the various resources, one of them was staging Konkani mega dramas in Lent for successive three years. Along with the local leaders Alfred Bennis and Jossy Rodrigues played a dominant role for successfully staging Konkani religious mega dramas in Bendore, Mangalore. By staging the Konkani Biblical mega play 'Jenthilancho Apostle San Paul', the Kelarai parish was able to collect six and a half lakh rupees of income (excluding the expenses) to its English medium High School for the poor. As a result the poor children get the benefit of studying in English medium High School without paying donation.
Kerala is known for its 100% literacy in India. But this type of Biblical mega play book on the life of St Paul is not available in Malayalam language. First of all the Catholic Church must congratulate the author Dr Mark Castelino for writing and staging this Konkani Biblical mega Play on March 8, 2009 for the Year of St Paul. Secondly, Malayalam speakers must also congratulate the translator Rony Gonsalves for translating this mega play book to Malayalam language so that the people from Kerala can also read and understand the depth of the Biblical mega Play, written by the author, which illustrates the missionary work of building the early Christian Church. St Paul is known as the second founder of Christianity. Thirdly the Church in Kerala must also congratulate Sophia Printers and Publishers, Kerala, for publishing this rare pearl of Bible as Biblical mega Play in Malayalam language.