Jose Rod to release his first Konkani DVD/VCD today -
by Alex Fernandes (Kuwait Times)

Jose Rod, a Kuwait based Konkani dramatist needs no introduction with the overseas Goans risiding here sa he is one of the top artistes in the Konkani Arts and Theatre, who in the past has written, staged and directed a number of super-hit dramas besides compositing songs for them and to his credit he has released many albums like 'Menino Jesu', Augoun', 'Tarvotti', 'Adeus', 'Suskar' and the newly released 'Sopnam'. Rod is the first overseas dramatist fromn the Konkani Arts Academy who has bagged a prestigious award as a writer, director, singer, and actor at a go. It's a great honour and recognition for such an extra-ordinary artiste of Rod's calibre to acquire such an indelible award at a very young age. Rod, a humourous and soft-spoken personality, deserves to be highly commended for his well-penned scripts. He has written atleast over 30 of them, out of which 'Mauli' (Spider) broke 200 housefull show records all over India.

'Nisson' (Ladder) was also well acknowledged by all his ardent fans here, in India and all over the Gulf. Rod who is impressively popular with his singing and acting proficiency is also the first Goan of Konkani Arts and Theatre from Kuwait to be interviewed by Qatar TV, when he visited there with his team of versatile performers for hsi hit drama entitled 'Divorce'. Besides Qatar, Rod also travelled to other neighbouring Gulf states like Dubai, Muscat, Bahrain and Abu Dhabi with his offbeat plays. He also staged his most popular play 'Mauli' all over the Gulf. His new drama 'Deva Dilem Devncharan Velem' was well appreciated by one and all. He had 24 shows in 21 days held in the main cities of Goa like Panjim, Margao, Mapusa and Sanvordem. He also took the previlege to stage this hit show in the neghbouring Gulf states like Dubai, Qatar including Kuwait.

Rod is the only overseas artiste from Kuwait who needs to be highly praised for his supreme accuracy in his stage performance. His lyrics are so powerful and above all meaningful that one has listen to them carefully for his notable libretto. Rod can mould and extract the best performances from his artistes in his shows as well. He has introduced most of the senior (talented) artistes in his plays and this has proven his versatility as a great performer. Besides being an expert in penning his own scripts and lyrics, Rod is also one of the best vocalists we have today. His sentimental and racy numbers, which carries a lot of well-expressed flexibility without any blooper and blunder, is incredible. Rod, with his soft tonal voice shapes the configuration of the song in his own way, and later audition it competently in the recording studio with the musicians.

Some of Rod's songs from his different albums have become big hits with his fans here and in India too. He practises singing quite often by dedicating some of his valuable time - irrespective of the work pressure he gets in the office. His wife Judy who is also a professional singer assists him in singing for his new albums. Rod's hit songs from his albums 'Suskar' and 'Sopnam' can be heard on Kuwait Airways flights (all destinations) and his music schedule (songs) comes under the regional music category of the KAC Inflight magazine. He is the first overseas Goan actor/singer to receive such a recognition for his work - and all his enthusiastic fans who loves his good music and who travel all the way to India or else to other destinations all over the world can avail this opportunity to hear Rod's melodious vocie throughout their voyage. Rod, an outspoken personality who works hard in all his albums including the newly released one 'Sopnam' employs professional vocalists (including the Nightingale of Goa, Lorna) and musicians for his product. He makes sure that he gives his ardent fans his very best - be it on stage or in the recording studio.

Now to the suprise of all his fans, Rod is all set to release his first Konkani DVD/VCD 'Devan Dilem Devncharan Velem' with Roseferns, Jose Rod, Meena, Annie, Agnes, Tari, Menino, Mario, Anciet, Francis de Tuen, Cajetan de Sanvordem, Comedians Domnic, Augustine, John D'Silva, Louis Bachchan (not related to our Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan) and Succorine. His DVD/VCD will be released at the Goan Heritage Programme, which is to be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Thursday (today) evening (November 27, 2003). Rod is the first overseas artistes from Kuwait to announce his first DVD/VCD to his fans. 'Devan Dilem....' is initiated by none other than Fabian D'Costa, owner of the Manfa Music. This entire DVD rights is sold by Rod to Manfa Music under the banner of Rekka Production. 'Devan Dilem....' is dubbed separately in the studio by Magic Touch. Title sequences are being illustrated by none other than T-Bush. According to Rod, this is a novel concept first of its kind which has been never exhibited before to this fans. This DVD/VCD analyzes sharp dubbing strategy in a dubbing studio similar to Bollywood films. The concerned artistes according to Rod have done a fantastic job in dubbing their own dialogues and the background score, which is endowed with the flashback, is extraordinary. The title song 'Devan Dilem....' has some special effects parallel to the one we observe on the MTV and Channel V music channels with hi-tech digital sound. A lot of hard work has gone into the production of this first mega Konkani DVD/VCD. 'Devan Dilem....' DVD/VCD is available at all the local music stores in Kuwait.

(courtesy: Kuwait Times)
 

A Brief Review of JOSE ROD's DRAMA  “DEVAN DILEM DENVCHARAN VELEM”.
By Wellington Dias.
 

Kuwait based Konkani stage’s playwright, director, actor, composer - Jose Rod (from Curchorem, Goa), whose immense talents have regaled audiences and also, at the same time gained laurels for himself, by way of being interviewed by Qatar Television during one of his jaunts down there, he, incidentally happens to be the only Gulf based Goan dramatist, to have toured all the drama/tiatr staging Gulf states of U.A.E., Oman, Qatar, with his troupe besides staging shows in Kuwait), and lately been accorded the title of "Pride of the Konkani Stage" by the AVC Goan Overseas Sports & Culture Association (Kuwait).

His other achievements include directing more than 20-dramas (as per his advice) of his own (one of which crossed the double century mark), producing seven Konkani albums (3 of them CD’s), his songs being included in Kuwait Airways Corporation’s in-flight entertainment programme., etc.

On 13th Sept., 2002, Jose Rod staged the premiere of his latest non-stop drama “DEVAN DILEM DENVCHARAN VELEM” at the Gulf English School’s auditorium with a cast of renowned artistes from Goa namely, Roseferns (the King of Centuries), Meena Leitao, Annie, Antonette Mendes, Comedians - Agostinho, Domnic & John D’Silva, the Kuwait based artistes were Donald, Jane, Laurente, Mario de Majorda,  Comedian Philip & Cajetan de Sanvordem while Bab Peter and Valanka flew in from Bahrain to complete the cast.

The main storyline centers around a household consisting of Roseferns (who plays the part of a tough Supdt. of Police & an autocratic Father), his Wife (Meena), three daughters (Annie, Jane & Valanka, whose personal lives & future are put into turmoil due to their Father’s autocratic ways), Mother (played by Antonette Mendes) and Son-in-laws (Donald and Bab Peter).

Jose Rod also plays a significant role in the drama, in which, he weaves a plot with a few twists & turns, replete with a mix of sacrifice, romance, suspense, heart-breaks and of course humor.

The humorous antics from the comedy quartet of Domnic, John D’Silva, Philip and Agostinho, sent the audience into ripples of laughter.

Cajetan de Sanvordem plays a cameo role at the drama’s start.
Laurente also did a cameo and rendered a duo with Jose Rod.

As no drama can be complete without songs, Jose Rod & Antonette sang a duet, H. Briton rendered 2-solos, a solo by Jose Rod,  a duo by Cajetan de Sanvordem & Mario de Majorda,  a solo by Antonette, while H. Briton’s 3-young grandsons drew a lot of applause from the 800–plus audience for their singing. I hope this applause & encouragement serves as an encouragement for these youngsters to entertain Konkani drama lovers in future as their Grandpa did over the years.
Valanka, Bab Peter & Comedian Domnic rendered a trio.

All dramatists played their roles well and are now set to tour Qatar and Dubai for subsequent shows.

The musical score was arranged, sequenced and provided by Norman (from Nuvem, Goa) who did quite a good job.

Titling for the screen projection was done by Tibush with Toni taking care of the visuals.

@2002 Copyrights Reserved
Wellington Dias
E-mail : wellydias@hotmail.com
 

Kuwait Goa Tiatristanchi Sonvstta’s gesture towards Rosario Rodrigues.

Many a time, the stage artistes are known to come together to raise funds for some cause or the other or help out their fellow dramatists in need. This time, the beneficiary happened to be the terminally ill Rosario Rodrigues (responsible for the Konkani non-stop drama’s innovation).

The Kuwait Goa Tiatristanchi Sonvstta & other individuals collated funds (by way of requests & other means) to a tune of a little over IRS. 90K (Rupees ninety thousand) and forwarded the same to the ailing Rosario Rodrigues (which was duly acknowledged), with Cajetan de Sanvordem bringing this gesture of theirs towards Rosario Rodrigues to the audience’s notice claiming that it was everyone’s right to know as to how the funds were utilized.

Jose Rod and Roseferns have released their Konkani albums & CD's entitled "SOPNAM" and "GURU", respectively.