Media Release
Bahrain, Nov 27: The long-awaited Konkani comedy play, ‘Bolpho’ was presented by Asal Kalakaar troupe from Mangalore, at Bishop Tirinanzi Auditorium here at 9 pm on Thursday November 26.
About 1,100 spectators had gathered to enjoy the much-talked about and eagerly awaited play. Ajay Kumar, 1st secretary in the Indian embassy here, chief guests, Leo Rodrigues and Lavina Rodrigues of Abu Dhabi and guests of honour, Louis Rodrigues from Kuwait and Florine Mathias from Bahrain, were accorded a warm welcome by the president of Karavali Konkans Association, Ronald D F D’Souza.
The fluent Konkani and masterly voice modulations of Roshan D’Silva (Dubai), who compered the event, enchanted the audience. At the outset, D’Silva requested the president of the Association to accompany the guests to the stage.
During the programme, both Louis Rodrigues and Florine Mathias, were honoured by draping shawls around and garlanding them, besides presenting a bouquet and memento each. Ajay Kumar, 1st Secretary of the Indian embassy, conferred on Leo Rodrigues, the ‘Karavali Konkanso Suputru’ award on the occasion, by placing the ‘Mysore Peta’ on his head, draping a shawl, garlanding and presenting flowers and memento.
Leo Rodrigues in his address, thanked Karavali Konkans Association for its kind invitation extended to him, to attend the maiden show of ‘Bolpho’ here. He also thanked all the Konkani- speaking audience to support Konkani language, irrespective of where they live or work.
Louis Rodrigues, in his address, thanked the president of Karavali Konkans Association for inviting him to the show. He also expressed his elation at seeing a huge crowd that had gathered to witness this comedy play, and requested them to continue to support Konkani language.
Florine Mathias, who has been residing in Bahrain since the last 51 years, spoke about her close involvement with various Konkani associations and the way some maids who were facing problems, were helped with the support of the Indian embassy and also about organizing various medical camps for the poor labourers.
Later, Fr Dinesh Mendonca spoke in Konkani and asked the audience to converse in Konkani alone without fail, at home with their children.
Ajay Kumar said that since the last one year, he has been taking lot of interest in the regional associations, which have been celebrating various feasts and festivals. He congratulated Karavali Konkans Association for bringing a Konkani drama from India to Bahrain.
Association president, Ronald D F D’Souza, thanked all the artistes, distinguished guests and all the audience for their support for the cause of Konkani language and drama.
On behalf of the Association,all the artistes of the play and the volunteers were felicitated. The donors were also thanked and feted for supporting the cause of holding the show of ‘Bolpo’ here, through sponsorships.
After the felicitation programme, artistes from Mangalore, led by Nellu Permannur, presented the play, ‘Bolpo’. The acting skills displayed by the artistes of the play, punch lines, hilarious scenes and perfect dialogues ensured that the audience kept on laughing since the beginning of the play, till the very end. They were happy for deciding to be there to see the play, which enabled them to forget the dreariness at home and work, and laugh to their hearts’ content. The play also taught them to take life lightly, and that life is too short to be whiled away, worrying about silly things.