Seen above is beautiful Jessica singing
On 1st of this month, Wednesday, I saw the Tiatro “Devachem Devak Diyat” in Panjim at Kala Academy A/C Hall, written and directed by Fr. Nevell Gracias. This was the golden Jubilee Show attended by special invitee as Chief Guest the “Vigar Geral” of Goa Fr. Jose Remedios Fernandes. Otherwise, it was attended by a less number of attendees and one could easily notice very many empty chairs in the hall. From the proceedings one could also notice that it was a low budget venture as it consisted of small cast missing some of the heavyweights of Konkani Stage.
Comedian Domnick beautifully singing his solo
Fr. Nevell whom I first time met in Kuwait a few years back when he came to visit Kuwait whence he participated in the best and the last Tiatro of late Rosary Ferns, “Kuwait Soddun Vetana”. His mission is to spread the gospel of Christ thru Tiatro just as J.P.Souzalin did when he was alive. In this Tiatro of Rosary Ferns, Fr. Nevell played a small but beautiful role of a priest winning hearts of many in the audience.
Felcy seen singing her solo
Thru my immense publicity in the local newspapers in Kuwait, the international community surprisingly came to know of this Goan priest acting in Dramas. Because of this wide coverage he became a hero in Kuwait not in the eyes of God but in the eyes of human beings. But later on as it looked to me, he had to put extra strain on his eyes to recognize me. At least with strainful eyes he recognized me but some “Rostad Padris” who enjoyed my benefits from Kuwait never even hallowed me while in Goa for good. Like most of the politicians, many of the Padris are become first class “Beiman”. When they come to Kuwait for their gains, they approach you as slaves but once they fulfilled their goal, they act as masters and on top of it they claim to be the followers of Jesus Christ. By going against the doctrine of Christ they crucify Jesus again and again.
A scene where Jogle & Rosario Botelho are seen
The Tiatro “Devachem Devak Diyat” is fully filled with Christian doctrine, not only the main play but also the side show songs as well. It would have been a bit better if some side show songs were based on topics different from religion as J.P. Souzalin used to do during those days. For this reason J.P. Souzalin became more successful not only in attracting more audience for his religious Tiatros but also in spreading the message of Christ to greater number of audience.
A duet of Semeca & comedian Bachan
The artistes who took part in this Tiatro have performed their roles well especially Jogle as a priest, Rosario Botelho as a Psycho, both the comedian brothers Domnic and Luis Bachan, Sameca and the beauty of Konakni Stage Jessica, this time not as a young heroine but as an old mother. It was surprising to see her for the first time playing this type of role so appropriately by hiding her natural beauty and youthful attractive looks and yet performing the role of a mother so well.
Chief Guest seen speaking. Next to him is Fr. Nevell
The role of a priest played by a Hindu artiste Jogle is to be admired especially when he is a Hindu. Elsewhere we saw how another Hindu artiste Tari playing the role of a priest so well. Luis Bachan’s overdoing of comedy role has to be trimmed a bit especially when the scene required seriousness.
Beauties of Konkani Stage Felcy & Jessica
While concluding the message the audience got was this: “Do not criticize the priest because he is in place of Jesus Christ”. I do not agree with this message. With the exception of a very few holy priests, the rest are not good and as such to say so is not a sin. These “not good” priests are a black mark not only on Christ but also on His wonderful doctrine. Today the image of Christianity is damaged only because of the corrupt and worldly priests who for the sake of money and sex like politicians will stoop to any low.
The main theme of the play is to give God what must go to God and to the King what belonged to the King stressing on the point that we must give to God 10% of our earnings. Islam said 2% which is called “Zakat” but for the good cause and not for the Mullas to spend this amount recklessly. Today there is no account of the money given to the Church in the name of God and in view of this there is fear that this money is misused by the priests for sinful purposes like buying luxurious cars, keeping innumerable concubines, for drinks and drugs, for luxury sex trips to Far East and for other sinful activities. God does not require money.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Candolim, Goa.
Tel: 7507394349.