Shennoi
Goembab appears on stage
Sandesh Prabhudesai
26 April 2003
Shennoi Goembab, a legendary of the 20th century, would now
emerge on the Goan stage, thanks to Serafino Cotta, a young
hotelier-cum-writer.
"It's a fusion, of our traditional tiatr and a modern
natak", states Cotta, a young Goan who has simply fallen
in love with the great hero of Goan identity.
To pay his tributes to the 125th birth anniversary year of
Vaman Raghunath Varde Valaulikar that is being celebrated
as the Osmitai Vors (Identity Year),
the theatrical performances would begin from 28 April.
The first show would be held at the Kala Academy auditorium
in Panaji, followed by more shows in several towns and then
villages.
With a cast of 40, Ketan Bhat, the young Goan theatre artist,
would lead the team in a lead role of Shennoi Goembab.
After researching thoroughly over writings of the great historian
and linguist as well as the places he lived in Goa, Mumbai,
and other parts of the country in the 19th century, Cotta
has written the script with minute details.
"We have ensured that authenticity is maintained,"
he says.
Anil Kumar, the famous tiatrist who has directed the play,
has even screened the kantaram (typical Goan style of songs),
which would be presented in between, keeping in tune with
the rich tradition of saat poddeancho tiatr (the traditional
style of seven parts).
While each performance would cost him not less than Rs 40,000,
neither the state government nor any other organisation has
come forward to help him financially. To propagate the message
of Shennoi Goembab, he is still looking forward to the people
who could share the burden.
The cast includes famous tiatrists like Remmie Colaco, Anthony
San, Rico Rod, Anil Kumar, Felcy, Mil-Mel-Nel (trio), Ancete-Albert-Andrew
(trio), Young Chico and family, Ben, Jack de Colva, Peter
D'Costa, Rajesh Britton, Lawrie, Hortencio, Osvi Viegas and
several others.
Goa's Konkani theatre personalities, besides Ketan Bhat,
like Rajiv Hede, Sai and Anjali Palondikar, Siddharth and
Yogita Yazi, Mahendra Vaingankar and many such well-known
names are also part of the unique experiment.
Nonetheless, budding artists like Ashwini Kamat and Sarang
Palondikar would also make their appearance on the stage,
to make the experiment popular among not only the elders but
the children too.
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