Report by Viju Mangalore
Pics by Praveen Tauro Kulshekar and Viju
10.45pm, IST, April 2, 2006 for Daijiworld News Network
Mangalore, April 2: To portray on stage the role of the women who accompanied Jesus Christ throughout his journey on earth, is indeed a challenging job. The Holy Bible brings to the fore several women, who stood by Jesus and followed him amidst a society, which was male dominated. While there were few women who cared for him, they were others who became his followers and those brave hearted ones who closely followed Jesus on his way to Calvary.
An attempt to bring all these women live on stage with light, music, and performance took place at Kalangann on Sunday April 2 evening.
The first performance of the play ‘Jezu Bovari Ashcheu Striyo’ written and directed by Arun Raj was indeed a praiseworthy effort to bring to the people the women who were with Jesus.
Exposing the injustice meted on these women, Jesus on every occasion taught his followers on justice and equality among the sexes.
A rational thought process is noticed all through the play with lessons to learn in every woman character that adorns the stage.
The touch of Indianism was vivid in the costumes and more appealing with the live music by Charan Kumar of the Ashok Charan duo fame, who spiced the show with the music of Indian sytle.
A special note needs to be made of the special shadow technique adopted to depict the scene of the lashing of Jesus Christ by the ruthless soldiers.
The pain of womanhood, her sacrifices, her affection, care and concern and the struggle in a patriarchal society was brought out with Biblical episodes.
The wedding at Cana where a mothers concern is shown; the Samaritan woman at the well where Jesus discloses that he is the spring of living waters; bringing Lazarus back to life where a sister lays her faith on Jesus, the immense faith with which the women suffering from severe bleeding touches the edge of his mantle, the episode of Martha and Mary and several scenes from the bible were woven into a fine piece of stage craft.
The two-hour play had the following characters
Jesus Christ- Anil Coelho and Suraj Machado
Mary of Nazareth- Gloria Veigas
Mary Magdalene- Melita Pinto
Mary of Bethany- Jacinta Saldanha
Women who touched Jesus’ cloak-Leena Crasta
Samaritan Women-Metilda Pinto
Veronica-Reena
Martha-Maizy Nazareth
Lazarus-Victor Rasquinha
Disciples of Jesus-Deepak D’Souza and Pradeep Albuquerque
Other cast- Meriolla Pinto, Praveen Neri, Gilban, Blasy Monteiro,Wilfy Mascarenhas and Clifford D’Mello
Team
Assistant Director-Wilson D’Souza
Lyrics-Rony Crasta
Tunes- Eric Ozario
Music -Roshan D’Souza
Vocals-Maizy Nazareth, Jacinta Saldanha and Kingsley Nazareth
Music Director- Charan Kumar
Make up- Giriyappa Idya
Light and Sound-Kingsley Nazareth (Angels)
Stage setting-Blasy Monteiro and Wilfy Mascaranhas