Media Release
Sharjah, Nov 30: The preparations for the Konkani theatre festival are in full swing for the ‘Konkani Theatre Festival’ to be held at Sharjah on December 1. The plays ‘Zhuz’ and ‘Anvkar Mestri’ will be performed at the festival to be held at Sharjah Worship Center, Next to St Michael’s Catholic Church, Sharjah at 7 pm sharp.
The teams, Padua Ranga Adhyayana Kendra and Astitva, Mangaluru arrived at Dubai International Airport on Friday, November 29. SMMKC Core Committee and Working committee welcomed the artistes. Fr Stephen Lewis, Spiritual Director of St Michael’s Mangalorean Konkani Community of Sharjah spoke at the occasion and said, “This is a lifetime opportunity for the Mangaloreans residing in UAE to experience this unique event and see top artistes of Konkani Theatre performing here in Sharjah.”
Fr Alwyn Serrao, Writer of play ‘Zhuz’ spoke and said, “Team Padua Ranga Adhyayana Kendra is performing Zhuz for the 32nd time. This means people have liked and appreciated the’. Denis Monteiro, Director of play ‘Anvkar Mestri’ said ‘This is one of the best Cha Fra’s plays. There is a misconception that common people do not understand Cha Fra’s language. Anyone can understand this drama. I am sure that people will like the play’. Speaking at the occasion director and actor Christy Neenasam said ‘This is my third visit to UAE. During previous show I have not acted in the plays. This is the first time I will be performing on state in UAE. I am really excited.”
The event will also feature UAE well known singers Aenson Mathias, Melwyn Antony D’Souza, and Navee Magundi. The event will also feature Arushi, Disha and Sarah, students of well-known Bhartanatyam trainer Nritya Ratna Rohini Anant.
The organizers are sure that the show will enthrall all Konkani Theatre lovers in UAE. They said the show will start at 7 pm, requested the audience to take their seats on time.
Konkani Theatre Festival – SMMKC’s fourth major project
After the humongous success of Wilfy Nite in the year 2016, ‘Konkani Theatre Festival’ is a dream project initiated by SMMKC. The main purpose of the show will be in line with their motto to bring Mangalureans together one more time and present them with unique experience through these quality plays.
The teams are set to play two much acclaimed dramas namely ‘Zhuz’, written by Fr Alwyn Serrao, with acting and direction by Christy Ninasam and Clanwin Fernandes and presented by Padua Ranga Adhyayana Kendra, Mangaluru, and ‘Anvkar Mestri’, written by Amar Cha Fra D’Costa, directed by Denis Monteiro, and presented by Astitva, Mangaluru.
About performing groups
Padua Ranga Adhyayana Kendra, Mangaluru
Padua Ranga Adhyayana Kendra is an organization of theatre lovers. The members of the organization include lecturers, film actors, teachers, students and literature & art lovers. The organization trains theatre students in acting, directing, music, lights and sound operation and preparation of props. The members meet to read and discuss stories and scripts. So far, the group has written and produced many plays in Konkani, Kannada and Tulu languages. It also has organized drama festivals and participated in state and national level festivals. Rejuvenation of Konkani and experimentation in theatre is the main thrust of the organization.
Astitva, Mangaluru
A spark of small thought is the reason for the establishment of this group. When people run behind modernization, the main objective of the group is to find our lost identity. The group consisting of youth started under the programme called ‘Payana’ which means journey. Under this programme, the group travelled to villages, lived with villagers and worked in fields from fishing to manuring the fields. The group is comprising of art lovers, who professionally are lecturers, nurses etc. Astitva has performed in various parts of Mangaluru and Mumbai.
This indeed will be a once in a lifetime opportunity for all Konkani theatre lovers in this region. For more details and invitations, contact:
Godwin: 050-1085195, Sannu: 050-8531834. Deepak: 050-8765446 and Laveena: 050-5762946.