Shahu’s Musical Leaves Lasting Memories
Kuwait: Konkani musical show ‘UGDDAS DOVRUN GHELE’ presented by well-known magical Maestro Shahu Almeida will surely leave a lasting impression in the minds of many for the memories it brought especially in the opening-song tribute to departed Goan artistes who lived in Kuwait.
A capacity crowd watched the show produced by Chris-Armand Presentation on 11th October 2019 at SIMS auditorium; the audience was glued to their seats from 5 pm till the end of the show at 10 pm.
A contingent of iconic stars gathered from all across the globe by the director Maestro Shahu provided a variety of entertainment all throughout till the end.
With so much talent and enthusiasm, all artistes were incredible and well-rehearsed.
The musicians led by the Shahu Almeida were pleasant and harmonious; they played beautifully.
Shahu teamed up with London-based Goan drummer Mathias Sequeira along with musicians Jhovy Pereira on rhythms, and Dennis Gonsalves on bass guitar. He played the traditional ‘tokkad’ with his son Aerosmith Almeida for the opening warm-up.
‘UGDDAS DOVRUN GHELE’ was surely an upbeat musical.
The opening song of the show was a tribute to Goan artistes who lived their life in Kuwait and are no more in this world. Their depiction in look-alike masks brought melancholy memories of the stars.
STARS OF THE SHOW
The visiting stars from Goa, UAE, UK, Switzerland, Cayman Islands and Kuwait’s own were at their best.
Melody singer Lawry Travasso, superstar comedians Prince Jacob and John D’Silva, and Goa’s firebrand singer Francis de Tuem, trio stars Cajetan-Marcus-Xavier, mimicry artiste AmreshKamat, famed Sanio Fernandes, etc, all lived up to the expectations.
Other stars from across the globe included established singers Aliass Fernandes (Goa), Princewell Fernandes, Polly de Curtorim (UK), Eddie Fernandes from Switzerland, and Rafael de Macasana from the Cayman Islands.
Local line-up of artistes included Gracy Rodrigues, Clemmie Almeida, Esparansa, Katty de Navelim, Balthazar Pontes, Gasper Crasto, RollyDiniz, Pedro Fernandes, SebyMascarenhas, SebyD’Silva, etc.
All the artistes were amazing.
CHIEF GUEST AND OTHER DIGNITARIES
Shri Maurice Pereira, a prominent Goan based in Doha Qatar was the chief guest at the event. He spoke on the occasion and complimented Maestro Shahu for organizing a show with so many stars.
Ms Fadia Al Marzook, a distinguished Kuwaiti was a special invitee. She amazed everyone by addressing the audience in the Konkani language. “Koximasattumi?” she started her speech which brought thunderous applause from the audience.
Dynamic Goan personality from Dubai Mr. Armand D’Souza of Chris-Armand Presentation was present and shared his views with the audience.
Lawry Travasso, Prince Jacob, John D’Silva and Francis de Tuem each had a word for the Kuwait audience as well during the presentation of mementos.
All artistes were presented with artefact mementos by the director Shahu Almeida which were disbursed at the hands of Maurice Pereira.
As a special mention, Apolonio Cardozo, a helpful Goan in Kuwait was presented with a memento too for his unconditional support towards Goan art and culture.
In a commendable gesture, Chris-Armand Presentation presented Maestro Shahu with a special gift.
Earlier, compere Gasper Crasto introduced the guests. Bouquets of flowers were presented to the eminent guests.
Tase Noronha managed onstage coordination.
MAESTRO SHAHU – A FLAGBEARER OF GOANS
Once again, Maestro Shahu lived up to his reputation as an entertainer of the highest quality and second to none of the professionals.
Ever since his arrival in Kuwait back in 1999, the humble musician has been in limelight for his electrifying music which has become synonymous with Goans. Without a doubt, he remains Goa’s flag bearer for musical showbiz in Kuwait; he has maintained his peak for the last many years.
The fact that Shahu assembled and handled a mega cast and orchestrated the music of almost 30 songs single-handedly speaks highly about the maestro.
‘UGDDAS DOVRUN GHELE’ staged on 11th October 2019 was Maestro Shahu’s 5th annual musical in a row.
His past shows, some of them staged in other parts of the Gulf and UK, are as follows:
2013 – GoenchoRakhonddar
2016 – TiatristponnDevachemDennem
2017 – TumkanchLagon Ami
2018 – KonknniMachiechiSeva
2019 – UgddasDovrunGhele
LIFELONG MEMORIES
A sizeable audience enjoyed the event and applauded every item. Each and every singer exhibited top performance, singing with confidence and clarity, putting in their heart and soul into their performance.
The show began with a hymn of ‘St. Francis Xavier’, a regular feature at Shahu’s shows.
The audience sang Goa’s most popular ‘orasanv’ of the saint with lighted mobiles held high; a portrait of St. Francis displayed on stage spiraled into a transformation of colors.
A minutes’ silence was observed to respect the soul of Joao Almeida, brother-in-law of Maestro Shahu who passed away recently in Kuwait.
THE STAGE, SETS & LIGHTS
Maestro Shahu started the traditional warm-up ‘tokkad’ music with his 12-year old son Aerosmith Almeida on drums.
The Maestro was soon joined by his team of musicians.
Drummer Mathias, hailing from Divar, a regular feature at most Goan events organized in the UK and a good friend of Maestro Shahu, was at his best.
OPENING CHORUS
The stage was set alight with lookalikes of departed Goan artistes namely Rosary Ferns, Sunny de Quepem, Alex Lopes, Patrick Fernandes, and Xavier Mendes enacted to songs sung in playback by SebyMascarenhas, Balthazar Pontes, Sanio Fernandes, Gasper Crasto, Lawry Travasso, etc.
SONGS AND ARTISTES
There were a number of solos, duets, trios, and other songs.
A darling of the audience Sanio Fernandes captured everyone’s hearts with his voice, style, and wonderful lyrics while singing an immaculate song on Mother Mary.
Lawry Travasso, one of the pillars of the Konkani stage, showed top-class professionalism in his songs singing in his power-packed voice. As usual, he sang fluently and had a message or two in both the solos that he sang.
Other songs were by Raphael Noel de Macasana (2 solos), Eddie Fernandes, Pitu Ferns, Alias Fernandes, Katty de Navelim, Princewell Fernandes, RollyDiniz, Polly de Curtorim, etc.
Artistes who had come from another world to partake in the show were highlighted namely Raphael Noel (Cayman Islands), Eddie Fernandes (Calangute/Switzerland), Polly de Curtorim, Princewell Fernandes, etc.
DUOS, DUETS & TRIOS
Duet songs were by Alias Fernandes-Gracy Rodrigues and Esparansa-Gasper Crasto which were quite catchy.
A duo sung by singers SebyMascarenhas and SebyD’Silva was a treat to watch as usual.
Clemmie Pereira-Katty de Navelim-Gracy Rodrigues sang an amazing trio; the threesomes were wonderfully dressed.
Gracy Rodrigues featured in another trio with Balthazar Pontes and SebyMascarenhas which was well admired too.
In fact, all the songs were well applauded with the audience showing their love and admiration to everything that was presented.
FRANCIS DE TUEM SPITS VENOM
All eyes were on the firebrand singer of Konkani stage – Francis de Tuem. The superstar ‘lighted’ up the stage singing 2 solid solos. He was encored several times for his expressive and venomous lyrics about Goan politics.
TRIO & CHOVKO SINGERS
Kuwait’s original Trio Kings Cajetan-Marcus-Xavier lived up to people’s expectations singing 2 scintillating trios with their blend of incredible voices.
Their trio ‘Gate of India’ was called back several times.
A chovko by Marcus-Xavier-Lawry-Francis de Tuem was also repeated several times.
COMEDY BY JOHN D’SILVA & PRINCE JACOB
Comedians Prince Jacob and John D’Silva entertained the audience with their clean dialogues as usual. Every joke enacted was hilarious and well enjoyed by the audience.
The comedy was simple while they conducted it with great respect and dignity.
MIMICRY MAN AMRESH KAMAT ENTERTAINS
Mimicry artiste AmreshKamat, performing in Kuwait for the fourth consecutive year, was a pleasure to watch. With his variety of mimicry in voice and song, he was a hilarious entertainer.
Although Amresh followed the same pattern of mimicry that he performed last 3 years, his imitation of some well-known Goantiatr artistes and other personalities, in vocals, songs, and action, was thoroughly relished by the audience.
SOUND AND PHOTOGRAPHY
DJ Cheslee D’Souza and Anand of Waves Digital Sound provided the stage sets and sound. The whole event was captured by popular Goan photographer Rivon Gomes.
GOAN WELL-WISHERS
It is an enormous task to organize an event in Kuwait, more so in recent times.
Maestro Shahu deserves all credit to host such a memorable show and entertain Goans in Kuwait who crave for Konkani shows like ‘UGDDAS DOVRUN GHELE’.
A number of Shahu’s friends and well-wishers assisted and supported the show.
In a running slide-show on TV screens either side of the stage, Maestro Shahu profoundly thanked all those who supported him.
Prominent personalities who provided their support included:
Agnello A.S. Fernandes & Neeta Fernandes, Bosco Leitao, Tony Dias (Shuwaikh Electricals), Cassiano D’Souza (Capxem Boys), Babit Dourado (Verna), Norman & Tase Noronha (Navelim), Britto Pereira (Navelim), Salvador Dias (Kuwait/Maina), Santurnino Pereira (Cansaulim), Lavina & Melvin Fernandes (Kuwait/Sanvordem), Maxima & Maurice D’Costa (Navelim), Nazy Rod, Antush & Katty de Navelim, Willy Dias (Kaifan Boys), Gabriel Felix Fernandes, Good Shepherd Family, Nicholas Rodrigues, Nazi Azavedo, Sarto Baptista, Kevin Vaz, Zelito Cardozo, Benny Vaz, Edwin Almeida (Curtorim/Bahrain), Albino Lourenco (Santacruz/Kuwait), Royven Estibeiro, Derick Gomindes, Fidelis Fernandes, Alfred & Sabina (Kuwait / UK), Thomas Dias, Frankie Baretto, Bony Ferns (Colva/UK), Agnelo D’Costa& Jenny D’Costa, Jacqueline’s Saloon D’Spa (Navelim), Luis Lopes, Shally (Macasana / USA), Patson (Macasana / UK), Remos Da Costa (Benaulim/Doha), Alex & Mona Mascarenhas, Heitor Fernandes (Curtorim Maina/UK), Lawrence Pinto, Augusto & Gracy (Ribandar/Kuwait), Ramdas Revadkar, Jerome & Succorin D’Costa, Santan & Succorin D’Costa, Agnelo Rebello, Shirley Crasta, Mabel, Patrick Lewis, Francis Lewis, and Flavian Lewis, Xavier Dias (UK), Anthony Diniz (Colva), Domnic Mascarenhas (Varca), Peter Franco, Urbano & Margaret D’Cruz, Nester Coutinho, Joe Almeida, A well-wisher from Velim, Anthony Fernandes (International Paints), Nixon (Kuwait), AgneloD’Costa (Macasana/UK), Domnic Pereira, Braz Rodrigues, Rafael Noel / Rosy Noel (Cayman Islands), Alex Rebello (Cayman Islands), Claver (Cayman Islands), Paolo (Cayman Islands), Aaron (Bahamas), etc.
News Report by Gasper Crasto; Photographs: Rivon Gomes