"AMCHO DISPOTTO AMKAM DI" BAGGED THE TOP HONOUR
in One Act Play Competition in Kuwait

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After only a four-weeks time given for the preparation for this year's one act Konkani play competition, rehearsing, creating sets, lighting effects, costumes and props, the performances of the five teams of directors and cast was a great delight to watch. This is the 3rd edition of the one-act Konkani play competition organized by United Club of Utorda and the Goan Welfare Society-Kuwait, held on 30^th January 2004 at the Gulf English School Auditorium, Rumeithiya, Kuwait. The plays created a unique spin on the stage but were certainly something the audience enjoyed and were entertained. The Playwrights and the young talented Directors well known for their unique blend of absurd storytelling, quirky characters, and whimsical humor, and their selected cast did not leave any stone unturned to bringing the plots to this vision to life. The stories were astonishingly simple woven around the characters which impressed the audience.

A support cast of stage technicians and the surround sound music by Spiders interspersed throughout the set and create the sense of a strange and timeless place through manipulations of the set and lighting and sound effects and musical accompaniment throughout the show under the able direction of Shahu Almeida. The proceeds of the show will go to Our Lady of Lourdes Church - Utorda, as in the past two years. A galaxy of artistes - the finest among the Goan community in Kuwait - supported the show including Jose Rod, Cajetan de Sanvordem, Marcus Vaz, Mario de Majorda, Joe Frank, Donald & Jane, Sandra, Simon Gonsalves, Laurente Pereira, Sylvester Vaz, Micheal D'Silva, Seby & Seby with Kuwait's youngest trio Jonathan-Clifford-Terence with Goa's pearls of the Konkani stage, Jr. Chico and sister Busca Chico and a new star in the marking was introduced - Graham Rodrigues. At the start of the evening, Milagres Rodrigues, Vice President of United Club of Utorda welcomed the audience and Chequinho (Francisco) Fernandes, President scotted the chief guest, Mr. Junifer Rodrigues to the stage and Abigail Pereira presented a flower bouquet. In his brief speech, the chief guest highlighted the efforts made by the United Club of Utorda for being the pioneers of the one -act Konkani play competitions. He stated that, he himself being very much involved on the Konkani stage for over two and half decades in Kuwait as well as in Mumbai, he brought to the attention of the audience that a lot of efforts, time and dedication is required to get a show on the stage. He wished all the participating writers, directors and their troupe all success.

Later, before commencement of the competition, a one minute silence was observed in memory of late Konkani writer and actor, George Pinto from Mangalore (who had participated in the previous year's competition). Interspeared after every one-act play there were songs, duets and duos by professional as well as amateaur singers. The show was ably compered by Konkani poet and writer, Lino Dourado. Lino has was at his best on the 'Amchea Vinchar Tumchea Zabab" (Our Questions, Your Answers) where were on and off put up and the audience won scores of prizes. Benny Vaz was incharge of the stage management, with Santano Afonso SPA for the stage and lighting. The panel of judges comprising of Xavier Mendes (Mendes Bros. fame), Ronny D'Cunha (from Mangalore) and Kuwait-Goa Tiatristanchi Sonstha (KGTS) President, Francis Fernandes (de Verna) had a tough time to evaluate the performances of the five one-act plays, and the outcome was to the satisfaction of the participants and the audience. The first prize winner of the competition was "Amcho Dispotto Amkam Dhi", written and directed by Joe Ferreira (Assolna), who also took the coveted Best Director Award. The Best Actor Award also went to Donald, the main character of the play and Ms. Pia was declared the 'Best Actress'. Mogachi Zhor, written and directed by Simon Gonsalves (Panchwadi) came a close second and who was also awarded the Best Stage Setting. Tumi Kudd'de, written and directed by Salu Faleiro (Betalbatim) was awarded the third prize.

The Best actress award went to Pia and the Best Script Writer wen to Simon Gonsalves. The first consolation prize was awarded to "Oxech Sompetele", written and directed by Felix de Merces, and Paichi Girestkai Kaiden Veli, written and directed by Anthony Carr (Quepem) was awarded the second consolation prize. Laurente Pereira gave a vote of thanks, and Chequinho (Francisco) Fernandes declared the results. The prize distribution was conducted by Nicholas Rodrigues. Spinneys Confectionery-Kuwait, U.A.E. Exchange, Wataniya Telecom (Finance Department), and Expressions - The Flower Shop (Goa), Aleluia Fernandes, Bernardo Fernandes, Blandino Viegas, Brito D'Costa, Cajetan Godinho, Celine Fernandes, Francis Mascarenhas, Gustavo Fernandes, Hipolito Fernandes, Joe Noronha, Jose Rod, Kostinant Borges, Mathew, Menino Fernandes, Menino Monteiro, Mr & Mrs. Lucas Pereira (Dubai), Mr. & Mrs. Surjit Azaredo (Dubai), Nisha Baby Azavedo, Rabindra Pimenta, Roque Gonsalves, Sarto Baptista, Saturnino Pereira, Thomas Dias were among the hosts of sponsors. A special thanks was made to all the directors, singers, actors and actresses and to Goan Welfare Society (GWS), the principal and management of Gulf English School - Rumethiya, Albano Pinto, Santano Afonso SPA, Menino de Ribandar, Spiders for Sound, Shahu Almeida - The Musician, Antonio Pereira (Utorda), Gaspar Almeida (General Secretary, GWS), Rewon Gomes (professional photographers) and to the chief guest and guests of honor, and to Arab Times, Kuwait Times, The Times, Goanet, Goa-world.com and Raja Stores (Kuwait). Marcus Vaz dedicated his song to the fond memory of Alfred Rose, Joe Frank's sang the opening song titled "Maddas", Jane & Donald remembered the earthquake victims, Jr. Chico's Hanv Zatam Kazar was a surprise item sung from the midst of the audience and then joining on the stage. Graham Rodrigues' voice was heard for the first time and his song penned by Lino B. Dourado titled "Nach Atanche" was well applauded. Simon Gonsalves song titled "Peter D'Souza of Panchwadi" brought his good works to the attention of everyone, while Kuwait's youngest trio "Jonathan-Clifford-Terrance" was based on sportsmanship titled "Khellgodi". Busca Chico who is visiting the Gulf for the first time was a delight to listen to and her song "Ostoreank Tiatrant Nachum Dhi" brought in a thunderous applause. Laurente Pereira & Sylvester Vaz sang a duo on "Catering", with Micheal D'Silva's Kristanvponn, Jr. Chico & Busca Chico's "Ami Bhurgim", Kuwait's Trio Kings "Cajetan-Marcus-Mario" on "Margai", "Visiting-ak Hadd" by Seby & Seby, Sylvester Vaz's "Pattok" and Jose Rod's "Mubaichi Taxi" , and Jr. Chico's two solo songs "Poir Kazarak Ghelom Hanv" and "Komde ka Anda" and Busca Chico's "Maka Fottoilem" were other songs which added a good mixture on different subjects and received encore galore.