Daijiworld News Network - Mangalore (GA)

• First -ever Sounds and Lights play by Konkani Natak Sabha
• Directed by Dolla
• Music by Wilfy Rebimbus

Mangalore, Mar 11: When the younger generation is gradually losing taste for Konkani culture and heritage, there are some institutions and individuals who are still striving hard to nurture and keep the light of Konkani still burning.  Konkani Natak Sabha is one of the oldest yet vibrant cultural bodies of Konkani.  It would not be exaggeration to tell that it has been the vanguard of Konkani culture for long.

Its contribution to Konkani culture, especially to Konkani plays, music has been commendable. Despite lack of cooperation and support, Konkani Natak Sabha has carried on its mission.  Now on Sunday March 12 evening, it is all set to create new record in Konkani theatre world.  "Udenticho Chouto Rai", a 2-hour-long play directed by Dolla which will be staged at the St Agnes Special School open grounds, will be the first ever sounds and lights play by Konkani Natak Sabha.

While this correspondent spoke to some of the senior artistes and playwrights of Konkani, most of them were of the opinion that "Udenticho Chouto Rai" is not only the first sounds and lights play by Konkani Natak Sabha but it could be the first sound and lights play in the history of Konkani.

Speaking to Daijiworld, director Dolla said, "I am not sure about the history of sounds and lights play in Konkani.  Though I tried to found out from a lot of persons, no one could throw a clear light on the history.  What I could say is that this is a first experience for Konkani Natak Sabha to stage sounds and lights play.  I am well aware about short skits, tableaux staged by various organizations such as White Doves.  But a full pledged 2 hour play in Konkani could be the first in this region."  May be some of the Konkani artistes and buffs across the globe could throw a more clear light into this.

When asked as what made him to introduce this innovation on Konkani stage, he said that he was inspired by priests and brothers of Carmelite congregation who stage a sounds and lights play every year at Mariapura in Bangalore during the lent season.

"Udenticho Chouto Rai", is a story about the magi from the east who visited Jesus after his birth and offered their precious gifts.  Though the scriptures say that only three Kings from the Orient had come, some of the legends say that there was one more who started his journey but never reached Bethlehem.  One legend even tells that he was searching for Jesus throughout his life.  But at the end he was able to see Jesus when the latter was hanging on the Cross at Calvary.

So "Udenticho Chouto Rai" is based on this legend written by an anonymous writer.  Fr Ronald Serrao has penned the dialogues and Wilfy Rebimbus has scored music for the play. Claud D'Souza is the assistant director of the play.  Over a 70 artistes have acted in the play.

Konkani Natak Sabha, which has created many ‘firsts’ in Konkani, is now all set to create another record.  This innovation by Dolla will surely pave way for great future for Konkani play.  If the audience support this feet, there is no doubt that more and more artistes and cultural bodies will come forward to give a new life to Konkani plays.