Media Release
Doha, May 2: Mangalore Cricket Club (MCC) Qatar, an associate organization of Indian Cultural Center under the aegis of Embassy of India, celebrated its 27th annual day presenting ‘Natak Festh’ with much-acclaimed dramas of Kalakul 'Budthugol' and 'Paying Guest' on April 26 at the DPS School Auditorium in front of Konkani drama lovers.
Theatre lovers witnessed a rare, classic entertainment in modern theatre through these two Konkani comedy dramas 'Budthugol' and 'Paying Guest' written and directed by Arunraj Rodrigues and presented by young professional team of 10 male and female artistes' troupe from Konkani's lone theatre repertory 'Kalakul' of Mandd Sobhann from Mangaluru. The audience witnessed the finest exhibition of acting skills by young budding artistes with thorough professionalism.
The evening began with an introduction from Master of Ceremony Naveen D'Souza followed by welcome song on MCC composed by Remy D'Souza, MCC member. Welcome song was sung by members Agnel Ullas DSouza, Carol DSouza, Eva Wilma Pinto, Neil D'Silva, Naveen D'Souza, Melita D'Souza, Riana Pinto, Shaila Menezes and Wendy D’Silva. With no
further delay, the stage was opened to the audience with the first play 'Budthugol' with an intro from the writer Arunraj Rodrigues. ‘Budthugol’ had a valuable message to all with a call for action to save the environment and how its destruction will cause loss to human and wild life around us.
A short stage programme was held during the interval between the two plays. President Sunil D’Silva and vice-president Joachim D'Souza escorted founder member and advisor Jerald D'Mello, and other MCC advisors Henry D’Souza, Francis Quadros, Jessy Mendonca, Alwyn D’Souza, Prakash Noronha and Riana Pinto to the stage. President Sunil D'Silva welcomed the gathering and presented his address updating members of past and future activities. He spoke about MCCQ Educational Trust launched last year in Mangaluru and also informed that it had contributed for education assistance to 60 students of primary school. This year it will be contributing education assistance to 20 children of 11th class both of Mangaluru and Udupi diocese, he said.
Presidents of the various Karnataka-based organizations namely Venkat Rao of Karnataka Sangha Qatar, Asmath Ali of Tulu Koota Qatar, Deepak Shetty of Bunts Qatar, Ibraiz Khan of KMCA, Abdul Majeed of SKMWA, Aloysius D’Souza, PRO, Mangalore Cultural Association, and Raghunath Anchan of Billavas Qatar, were welcomed and greeted with a rose by MCC executive committee members namely Sonia, Shaila Menezes, Ryan Renjar, and Ashith Rodrigues.
Naveen D'Souza then conducted the felicitation of the artistes. Jessy Mendonca, Francis Quadros, AlwynD’Souza and Sunil D’Silva honoured all the 10 drama artistes and playwriter-director Arunraj Rodrigues with mementoes. The artistes were Arun Raj Rodrigues, Flavia Rodrigues, Vikas P Lasrado, Sushmitha J Tauro, Murthi Vishwanath Shet, Sunil Anthony Siddi, Savitha Saldanha, Amrin C D’Souza, Manish G Pinto, and Flavia V Mascarenhas. Arunraj Rodrigues addressed the gathering on behalf of his troupe and mentioned about Kalakul activities and requested all to encourage the artistes. He also thanked MCC for giving Kalakul troup a second opportunity to present their dramas in Qatar.
MCC souvenir 'Sugandh' was presented by editorial committee Kavita Tauro, Wendy D’Silva, Prabha Rego, Riana Pinto and Prakash Noronha for its release. Founder member and main sponsor Jerald D’Mello released ‘Sugandh’ souvenir. The advisory committee and executive committee members joined the guests on dais for its release.
Advisor Henry D’Souza then released a Konkani songs CD named ‘Mai Gaanvaa’ and a spiritual CD ‘Tujya Vinyaak’ both composed by Apolinaris D’Souza on the occasion. Apolinaris is a well known musician and singer, popular choir master in Oman for the past three decades.
Shaila Menezes, joint cultural secretary then rendered the vote of thanks. Mishal Lobo thanked all sponsors and handled all the announcements.
After the stage programme, the second comedy drama ‘Paying Guest’ was presented by the talented artistes and had the audience into split of laughter also giving a valuable message.
MCC Qatar in an effort to promote Konkani language and culture, organized ‘Natak Festh’ theatre plays and it was well accepted by the crowd. The audience had a rare opportunity to witness modern theatre drama and to witness the finest exhibition of acting skills by young budding artistes with thorough professionalism. Both the plays sent the audience into split of laughter also giving a message.
MCC congratulated the whole Kalakul team, the writer-director Arunraj Rodrigues for the great plays and for his excellent direction, fantastic background score, stage setup and all their young actors for their immense talent and wished them the best in their future programmes.
MCC also thanked the main sponsor Joyston and Joyline Infrastructure Co WLL, co-sponsors Al Balagh Trading and Contracting Co WLL, Gulf International Enterprises, Advanced Technical Services (ATS) and Integral Food Services (IFS), media partner Daijiworld.com and all other sponsors for their support and for the success of the event. MCC also thanked all its members and volunteers for all their help and support extended in staging the event.