By H M Pernal/Pics Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore
Mangalore, Mar 31: “I too started my Konkani career with dramas. But today, staging a drama, that too in Konkani, is not an easy task especially when there is tough competition from the easy entertainment industry around. In this situation, if some amateurs come together and form a theatre group, Konkani people should support them. This is a good beginning,” said Hemacharya, senior Konkani writer, theatre personality, and editor of ‘Daijiworld Weekly’.
He was speaking at the ‘Muhurat’ of Konkani play ‘Dubavacho Dunhvor’ written by eminent Konkani playwright and journalist Dolphy Cascia at Sandesha, recently. Sangathi Kalakar, Mangalore, is producing this detective social play.
Fr Valerian Mendonca, director, Sandesha, was the guest of honour. He distributed copies of the script to the actors. Fr Mendonca said, “Today, Konkani dramas are rare and there is no age to write and stage a good drama. We should encourage the efforts of Sangathi Kalakar”
Senior Konkani writer Manu Bahrain lit the lamp and inaugurated the programme. Ace director M. John Permannur read out selected dialogues from the play to the actors. He is directing the play.
Senior Konkani playwright Dolphy Fredrick Lobo, from Cascia, now settled in Vamanjoor, is popularly known as ‘Dolphy Cascia’ his pen name. He is the winner of prestigious awards from Daiji Dubai and Konkani Kutam. He has written 25 plays in Konkani.
Dolphy Cascia started his career in theatre, writing Tulu dramas. ‘Drohi’ was his first Tulu drama in 1970. He wrote his first Konkani drama ‘Koimsor Asa Bachavi?’ in the year 1971. So far, he has written and staged total 9 Tulu, 1 Kannada, and 25 Konkani plays.
From 1974 to 1986 he ran a theatre group in the name of ‘Chetan Kala Kendr’ and travelled to Bombay, Bangalore, Karwar, and other parts of India and staged many plays.
M. John Permannur is a talented director and music composer. His drama ‘Ratnagiricho Sardar’ based on William Shakespeare’s play ‘Julius Caesar’ won the ‘Best Drama’ title in the All India Konkani Drama Competition organized by Daiji Dubai–Konkani Writers Forum in UAE during their decennial celebrations. Dolphy Cascia says, “It is M John Permannur who introduced sequence music in Konkani dramas for the first time through his first Konkani play in the year 1971.”
Floyd D’Mello Cascia, Martin D’Souza Vamanjoor, Leslie Ferrao Permannur, Alwyn Miranda Jeppu, and Felix Monteiro Ranipura are playing the lead characters in the play.
Sangathi Kalakar is a newly formed theatre group of amateurs in Konkani headed by John M. Permannur.
Dolphy Cascia welcomed the gathering and Felix Monteiro proposed the vote of thanks.
Roshan M. Kamath compered the programme.
Senior Konkani writers Eddie Netto, J F D’Souza, Machcha Milar, Lawrence D’Souza Cascia, Konkani Prachar Sanchalan president Roy Castelino, Navin Kulshekar, Arun Raj Rodrigues, Christopher Neenasam, and many Konkani writers and artists were present at the programme.
John Permannur can be reached on 9845210125 for the shows of this sensational play.