ESPIRITO Santo Fernandes’ association with dramatics began at St. Mary`s Convent HS, Ponda and as an enthusiastic and adventurous youngster was inspired to write his first Konkani drama Ghatki Ixtt for the Santa Cruz village feast, Ponda. With his simplicity and creativity he drew the attention of top playwrights, directors and producers of the Konkani stage.

THE KONKANI music album Konkani Classics Revisited produced and marketed by Global Music has great songs of melody king Alfred Rose in a re-mixed version. It was astounding to hear the voice of Alria Rose the daughter of late Alfred Rose. She lent her mellifluous voice to four tracks viz., Kitem Korum, Ye Johnny Ye, Mog mhozo Kortai, Novem Voros and Suknne Suknne, the last two being duets with Anthony San. It was a voice with a difference, a voice with impact and power.

THE WORLD’S biggest sporting extravaganza World Cup football hosted by South Africa took off on June 11, 2010 and this month-long event will culminate on July 12, 2010. As the first round matches progress, we have already had many surprises and shocks from England’s goalkeeper Robert Green exhibiting buttery fingers and letting in a silly goal at the World Cup to the world’s second ranked team Spain getting shock treatment at the hands of the world’s lowly ranked (at no 24) Switzerland, who handed them a 1-0 defeat. But, as Asians, we should be proud of North Korea who put up a commendable display against world’s mightiest team Brazil and could maintain the score at 2-1 at the end of 90 minutes.

SAREGAMA INDIA has recently released two good music albums on a CD format under the name Konkani Classics Revisited (Vol I and Vol II). The first volume contains some selected all time greats of Melody King Alfred Rose in a remixed version. The original music score and lyrics are by Alfred Rose.

John has won the honour by etching his name in the Limca Book of Records by merely scripting, directing and producing 25 Konkani shows with titles of double alphabets. It may sound simple to some, but it is indeed a noteworthy effort on part of the playwright to select a title for his play, which incidentally uses a double alphabet in it. And do not forget he has done this 25 times and more!

JAJU FERNANDES, the versatile character artist of the Konkani stage, has recently released his first audio CD album Xim. The album contains 12 tracks on a variety of topics interlaced with four jokes by comedians Janet, Selvy, and Agostinho. Lenoy Gomendes has scored the musical score for the album while it has been produced by Music House, Mapusa.

By Daniel F de Souza

I HAD an opportunity to watch the golden jubilee show of Fr Nevel Gracias’ much talked about Lenten play Tuji Khuxi Zaum at Kala Academy on March 29, 2010. The Archbishop Patriarch Rev Filipe Neri Ferrao was the chief guest. He felicitated and presented mementoes to artists, musicians and backstage artists of the troupe. Tomazinho Cardozo, president of Tiatr Academy - Goa (TAG), and wife Irene Cardozo were the guests of honour.

MAINK Lagon takes off focusing on a happily married couple Simon (Rose Ferns) and Carmin (same stage name). Carmin is expecting her first baby after many years. The couple is excited and happy. Carmin’s brother, Dr Elvis who is based in Mumbai, insists that she move to Mumbai for better medical care. Simon agrees unhesitatingly to this suggestion and Carmin moves in with her brother in Mumbai.

By Daniel F de Souza

THE FIRST ten-day popular tiatr festival of commercial tiatrs organised by the Tiatr Academy Goa culminated on March 6, 2010 at the Pai Tiatrist auditorium, Margao, with the awards presentation ceremony. Ten commercial tiatrs fulfilled the criteria for participation and competed in the first ever tiatr festival organised by TAG since its inception.

BY DANIEL F DE SOUZA

MANFA MUSIC has released a couple of music albums and VCDs during the last few months. I had the opportunity to listen to some new audio albums as well as watch another VCD.