Great Show By Kuwait’s Hidden Pearls
Kuwait: Goan Musical show organized by Kuwait Konknni Mogi (KKM) on 9th Sept 2016 entertained a capacity crowd at the Salmiya Indian Model School auditorium.
Overseas stars especially flown in for the event showed their class while the talented amateur Kuwait pearls captured everyone’s hearts with their performances.
CHIEF GUEST AND SPECIAL INVITEES
Joseph D’Souza, a strong supporter of Konkani art and culture in Kuwait was the Chief Guest while Bahrain’s dynamic Goan personality Francis Correia and his wife Carmen Correia were special invitees on the occasion.
During the break, the guests were introduced on stage by KKM president Domnic Fernandes. While speaking on the occasion both dignitaries shared their love and respect towards the efforts put up by KKM in organizing the show.
Fr Franco Pereira, Fr Lionel Braganza, Fr Xavier D’Souza, Fr Derick, Carmo Santos, Bosco Leitao, etc, were other invitees called on stage.
Carmo Santos and Bosco Leitao, the two popular Goans in Kuwait, came up for special praise from KKM for their tremendous support.
Domnic Fernandes, one of the brains behind the show thanked everyone and spoke on the objectives of KKM and their desire to provide entertainment to Goans residing in Kuwait.
While praising his artistes, sponsors and guests, Domnic said, “This is the 5th year running that KKM has organized a Konkani musical show in Kuwait. The encouragement and respect shown by people around have made us feel proud of their love for Konkani drama; it inspires us to do all that we can, in return.”
‘KANTARAM’ and COMEDY SKITS
It was a show that kept the Eid-holiday crowd glued to their seats till the end.
On the musical side, it consisted of some 25 delightful, interesting songs, while the comedy skits enacted were amusing too.
The show began with a flamboyant ‘chovko’ sung by KKM members Gennifer Marshall, Agnelo Rebello, Salazar Pires de Menezes and Domnic Fernandes.
Star artistes flown in for the show from Goa, Mumbai and Bahrain lived up to their image and fame.
Kenny Zuzarte, the maverick entertainer that he is, singing in a female voice, mesmerized everyone with his stage presence, colorful ‘dresses’, singing and swaying. He was encored several times for his 2 rhythmic songs.
LEGENDARY PETER V. FERNANDES DELIGHTS
Peter V Fernandes was wonderful singing in his ‘legendary’ voice that most people had only heard and admired on cassettes.
Summing up the show and his visit to Kuwait, Peter Fernandes, in his own words stated, “The organizers KKM were highly organized like the meticulous, hardworking ants — right from receiving the artistes at Kuwait airport, putting us up at the best hotel, taking good care of us and showing us everywhere around, planning of the program, themselves performing well in the show, and finally giving us a warm send-off.”
Peter further added, “What surprised me most about Kuwait was, people remember me till date, although more than a decade has gone by since I stopped producing my audios. I am truly overwhelmed by the love and affection..!”
Benny de Aldona, one of Goa’s sensational singer was excellent with his songs and truly stood up to his ‘professional’ calibre.
BAHRAIN STARS SHINE
Bahrain’s Konkani stage artistes Comedian Jr Luis Fernandes and Claude Ferreira, performing outside of Bahrain for the first time ever, were one of the stars in the show.
The Bahrainkars were amazing with their blend of voices and style singing ‘JivitMonxachem’, while ‘TiatranchoMog’ sung by Jr. Luis in a power-packed voice was a super song indeed.
HILARIOUS COMEDY
Well-known Goan comedians Agustine, Ambe and Luis Bachan were at their usual best with the comedy skits although they could have done much better performing for a one-off overseas show.
Goa’s Comedy Queen QuerobinaCarvalho, based in Kuwait, teamed up with the comedians for some hilarious laughter and gave the Goan comedy stars run for their money.
KUWAIT ARTISTES
Kuwait-based artistes who performed in the show included:
Querobina Carvalho (Majorda),
Succorine de Sanguem,
Zelia Rodrigues (Calangute),
Esparansa & Gasper Crasto (Navelim),
Alex Lopes (Lopes Brothers) – Quepem,
Baltazar Pontes (Aldona),
Felix de Aldona,
Martinho Martins de Quepem,
Milagres Cardozo (Benaulim),
Seby Mascarenhas (Utorda),
Custodio de Cuncolim,
Gaudencio Gomes (Shirvodem – Navelim),
Alberto Azavedo (Vasco),
Salazar Pires de Menezes (Telaulim -Navelim),
Agnelo Rebello (Cortalim),
Gennifer Marshall (Verem) and
Domnic Fernandes (Raia).
MUSIC & MUSIC DIRECTORS
Music for the show was directed by Maestro Shahu Almeida (Keyboards) and Maestro Faustino Fernandes (Trumpet).
Flaviano Furtado (Bass Guitar) and Tony Fernandes (Drums) were other members of the band.
Maestro Shahu was instrumental in training the local artistes, which given the fact that most were amateurs is no easy task.
While Shahu was a class in his own right and drummer Tony (Navelim), a showman on stage, it was Maestro Faustino who stole the limelight and won everyone’s hearts with his incredible fluency on trumpets.
AUDIENCE RESPONSE
Public opinion, though often formed upon a wrong basis, yet generally has a strong sense of justice.
An overwhelming response with thunderous applause from the audience for every song was a testimony of how much people loved the show and appreciated the efforts of the organizers.
Although critics exist everywhere, nothing adverse has been said about the show. It is rare that the public sentiment decides immorally or unwisely, and the individual who differs from it ought to distrust and examine well his own opinion.
The band was highly praised while the wonderful sound system provided by DJ Cheslee D’Souza and Anand of Waves Digital Sound was pulled out for applause too.
The whole event was captured on camera by popular Goan photographer Rivon Gomes.
Domnic Fernandes and Gasper Crasto compered.
Kuwait Konknni Mogi committee, who left no stone unturned to ensure a smooth show, consisted of:
Domnic Fernandes (President),
Salazar Pires de Menezes (Vice-President),
Agnelo Rebello (Treasurer) and
Gennifer Marshall (Secretary).
A number of friends and well-wishers, many behind the scenes, assisted and supported the organizers.
It should be noted, Kuwait Konknni Mogi has been in the limelight for quite some time now, they have kept Konkani art and language vibrant in Kuwait.
For sure, the handful of members needs more encouragement from every passionate music and drama lover.
Indeed, the main coordinator Domnic Fernandes deserves full credit and blessings for putting up a memorable show of the Hidden Pearls.
