“Challis Dis ani Challis Rati”

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IN OUR LIVES........

What would happen in our lives if we stripped away the facade of "being a good Christians" and looked honestly at the struggles in the midst of job, money, lifestyle, parenting, relationships, schooling and more? What happens when we stop pretending that it’s so easy to follow the Almighty One? Can we learn to accept that even when worn down to the stub, the candles that are our lives can still illuminate the spaces we move in? Why should we even bother?

"Challis Dis Challis Rati" spaced from the Ash Wednesday to the Resurrection blends the intimacy of personal storytelling, digital reflection, world wide myths, and spiritual narratives to examine the call each of us has received to be a light to the world, even when we’d just rather hide it under a bushel.

Simon Gonsalves, popular director and playwright presents "Challis Dis Challis Rati" with Comedian Agostinho, Jessie Dias and Willy Silveira and famous local artistes Marcus Vaz, Laurente Pereira, Mario de Majorda, Seby Mascarenhas, Comedian Philip, Querobina, Sandra Fernandes, Ryana, Bab Pallen, Ignatius de Xelvon, Cajetan de Sanvordem, Michael D’Silva, Anthony Carr, Katty de Navelim, Sanny de Quepem, Salu Faleiro, Joseph, Manu, Francis de Tuem and Ronny-Jasmine.
Watch the struggle between dark and light, give and take, faith and doubt, action and apathy on March 23, 2007 at Hawally Hall in Kuwait from 4pm onwards.

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Fasting And Repentance For Lenten Season

Lent is the season of penance, sacrifice and fasting for 40 days and 40 nights. The Lenten season starts form Ash Wednesday and ends on the auspicious day of Easter Sunday- This festival is celebrated in great pomp and festivity all over the world by the Catholics. During Lenten season, devoted Catholics refrain from smoking, drinking, consuming meat products, etc, and instead do penance for their wrong doings and ask for forgiveness from the Almighty.

Konkani dramas or Tiatrs were never held during Lenten season in Kuwait, but this year Simon Gonsalves-the talented script writer-director and singer from Panchwadi-Goa had a brilliant idea to entertain the Goans with a message for lent. His drama “Challis Dis ani Challis Rati” was showcased at the Hawally A/C Auditoruim on 23rd March with a galaxy of stars and tiatrits from Kuwait and Goa. Willy Silveira – the upcoming sensation on Konkani stage along with the veteran Jessie Dias (known as ‘Mother of Konkani stage) and popular Comedian Agostinho Temudo, were flown in from Goa for this wonderful themed drama, Simon Gonsalves well known in the Tiatirst circle as an excellent director and talented artiste par excellence for his scenes and sceneries. His Konkani movie “Chovis Voram” was an instant hit, so also his two dramas held in Kuwait.

The Lenten family drama was very touching and hard hitting, but tuned the right chords as some elements of the society refusal to accept facts and turn towards salvation and repentance. This type of entertainment is rare specially when it has a message for the masses. The special effects and stage setting was beyond doubt praiseworthy and nothing could falter when Santana Piedade Afonso (SPA) is involved-to put in the words of Simon Gonsalves.

Musical score was provided by Shahu Almeida & His Musicians and the event was organized by the United Club of Utorda. Overall Simon Gonsalves along with selected artistes presented the drama in a professional manner. The message of give and take, darkness and light, faith and doubt, action and apathy was indeed well conceive.

Appropriate comedy by Philip Pereira, Agostinho, Querobina Carvalho and Salu Faleiro, well meaning and songs on love, faith and sacrifices were rendered by Marcus Vaz, Sanny de Quepem, Jessie Dias, Anthony Carr, Willy Silveira, Ignatius de Xelvon, Laurente Pereira, the enchanting Ronny-Jasmine D’Cunha, among others with Riana Azavedo, Sandra Fernandes, Jessie Dias Simon Gonsalves, Cajetan de Sanvordem, Joseph Rodrigues, Manu D’Souza, enacting the major roles in the drama to perfection.

Janet Franco e Fernandes was the chief guest for the drama. The scenes of Ash Wednesday and the Last Supper were astonishingly well performed and depicted.

Above article appeared in THE TIMES, Kuwait’s Premier Weekly Newspaper, dated March 30 – April 05, 2007

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Behind the Scene

It is most unfortunate that we seldom remember the people behind the setting of stages and appreciate the pain they take for that. In fact, a drama takes its peek when the stage setting is synchronized with the core theme of play.

In Kuwait most Goans theaters are set by Mr. Santano Piedade Afonso (SPA) and for all time doing it beautifully and he has already started his home works for the forthcoming family Lenten drama “Challis Dis ani Challis Rati” on March 23rd, 2007 at Hawall;y Auditorium. Come and watch the beauty of stage setting and six dazzling scene and sceneries to the proposed Auditorium.