News: Gasper Crasto
Pics: Rivon Gomes
Kuwait, Nov 16: Goan Konkani drama ‘Ami Khuxal’ written and directed by Braz de Parra and Manu de Mandur provided great and lengthy entertainment to a friendly audience at SIMS auditorium on November 10.
Story of the drama relates to issues faced by Goans especially in land scams, and land grabbing incidents which are nicely exposed and exhibited by the two directors who starred in the drama as well and both dazzled in the lead roles.
Produced under the banner of Avy Productions, the show was supported by Goan Cultural Centre and its president Carmo Santos.
Perhaps the title ‘Ami Khuxal’ left everyone guessing as the audience were glued to their seats till the final curtain. ‘Ami Khuxal’ stresses accountability of every Goan to ensure their property and heritage are preserved which would be the real happiness for generations to come.
Language used in the script-dialogues presented aristocratic vocabulary and quality.
The drama proved once again that talent of Konkani artistes based in Kuwait is as good as any era that was seen in the past.
It starred Manu D’Souza (Manu de Mandur), Braz Rodrigues (Braz de Parra), Jessie Dias, Laurente Pereira, Teotonio D’Costa, Gennifer Marshall, Gracy Moraes, Avlon Rodrigues, Gaudencio Gomes, Martinho Martin, Querobina Carvalho, Nelson Colaco, Lucy Aranha, Sheikh Amir, and Salu Faleiro.
Visiting singers from Goa and Dubai, and versatile local stars from Kuwait kept the crowd enchanted with some meaningful songs. Anand Sound Waves provided crystal clear sound.
At a short felicitation during the interval presented by Goan Cultural Centre, a few special artistes were felicitated as a token of appreciation for their service towards Konkani art and culture.
Artistes that were honored were Jessie Dias, Querobina Carvalho, Edwin D’Costa, Music Maestros Faustino Fernandes and Soccor de Melo.
Fr Xavier D’Souza, chief guest at the event, presented the mementos.
Special invitees present on stage for the presentation included Agnello Fernandes, Bosco Leitao, Elvira D’Souza, Joseph D’Souza and Carmo Santos.
Directors Braz de Parra, Manu de Mandur, child artistes Valentino Pinto, Valentina Pinto, Joshua Rocha, and Avlon Rodrigues were also felicitated at the hands of Fr Xavier, who incidentally attended his last social event before bidding farewell to Kuwait.
An audio CD of Rosario de Benaulim entitled ‘Lord I am Coming Home’ was released during the presentation.
Incidentally the 8th Audio Album of the superstar, Rosario chose to release the CD in Kuwait at the hands of Jessie Dias – the ‘mother’ of Konkani stage, and one of Rosario’s all-time favorite actress.
Fr. Xavier spoke on the occasion while the directors Braz and Manu, Rosario de Benaulim, Faustino, Soccor de Melo had a word to share with the audience as well.
Gasper Crasto conducted the proceedings.