TEARS OF TRAGEDY QUEEN SPEAK...

TEARS OF TRAGEDY QUEEN SPEAK...

August 2006

Kuwait: Tears of Goan stage Tragedy Queen Mrs. Ophelia Cabral D'Souza spoke
for her at the felicitation ceremony held on 12th August 2006 at Village Inn,
Kuwait City.

Mrs. Ophelia was presented with a commemorative memento by Konkani Heritage
Kuwait (KHK). Click for photo: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gulf-
goans/message/10310

Excerpts of Ophelia's speech on receiving the memento.

“Argam Dhonia Rochnarak!

44 vorsam hanv tiatranim neslim. Him 44 vorsam koxim ghelim tim hanv noko...
ani konnachea adharan? Mhojea mogall tiatr pollenaranchea adharan. Tumi mhaka
mog ani adhar dilo. Ani he idadhir aiz hanv tumchea mukhar asam. Itlo lok
(Kuwait) tiatr pollenar asat tem polleun hanv khoxal zalim.

Zorui tor tumcho adhar ani mog mevot, mhoji ‘art’ mhojea angant asa ti hanv
jivi dovortelim – tumchea adharan ani mogan.

Mhaka mog mhoje articho, Konkani bhaxecho, palkacho. Hem jem dennem amkam
dilam, oslim dennim sogleankuch mevonant. Hea denneacho ami valor korunk zai,
boro vavr korun borem nanv dourunk zai. Aiche je tiatrist asat tannim hem
monan dourunk zai. Jitlim vorsam hanvem kaddleant hea palkacher, titlim vorsam
aichea tiatristanim kaddunk mhojem magnnem.

Ho man mhaka tumi dila. 5 vorsam hanv anturnar aslim, disti poddonaslem. Devak
zai zalem hanv borim zalelim...mhaka devan borem kelem, aiz hanga hanv asam.

Hanvem sopnant pasun chintunk nam, ho man mhaka tumi dila ho man mhaka mevot
mhunn. Kiteak 44 vorsam hanv Konkani palkar neson pasun Goenchea Government-an
amkam man divunk nam kiteak ami Bombaikaram mhonnon? Punn tumi Kuwaitchea
Goenkaranim (...in tears) mhozo ugddass kelo ani ho man mhaka dilo mhunnon
hanv tumkam kallzan than dev borem korum mhonnttam.

Hanv ugddas kortam amchea sorgest tiatristancho. 50 vorsam poilim tiatrant
dadle bhailechi nessonn nestale. Mhoji bhoinn Mona aili. Mhoji bhoinn Mona
zaun asa poili ostori amchea (Konkani) palkache itihasint ani aiz jem ek-ek
ful amchea palkar asa tem mhoje bhoinnik Mona-k lagon. Mona zaun asa amchea
palkachea cheddvank 'inspiration'.

Ugddas kortam sorgest Rosario Rodrigues-acho. Ziateo-zaiteo parti tannem mhaka
boroileo.

Ugddas kortam sorgest C.Alvares-acho. C.Alvares-an sabar cheddvank palkar
addlim, boreo-boreo parteo boroileo. Duet-antcho 'King' zalo. Zorui tor
tiatranim ami neson vakhan’ni amkam meuta, ti C.Alvares-ak lagon.

Mhozo Bab Peter tumchea borabor asa, hanv ugddas kortam... (breathless and
choked in tears).

C. Alvares boroilolem ‘duet’ tumchea mukhar mhonnttam. Hem ‘duet’ hanv tachea
borabor mhonntalem. Tem azun Akashwannir vazoitat.

===
Ophelia: Khuimsor vetai re puta
Kiteak konti heo dita

C.Alvares Amcho ganv sambhallunk maim
Jiv pasun dilear zata

Ophelia Khuim marum dhanv
Tuje vinnem hanv

C.Alvares Melo zalear zuzan hanv maim
Ghetam tujem nanv

Chorus

Ophelia: Puta tum ghaltai khontinim
Vaddoilo mhojeach hatanim

C.Alvares Indiek sambhallunk zai
Ticheach putanim
===
Ophelia Goa sambhallunk zai
Tuminch putanim
Konkani sambhallunk zai
Tuminch putanim
Konkani jivi dourunk zai
Tuminch putanim

Dev borem korum mhonnttam Konkani Heritage Kuwait. Mojea thonddak utram enant
kiteak jivi astanam tumi mhaka mog dilo ani mhozo bhovman kelo mhonn..”
______________

The function was attended by Konkani lovers including visiting co-artistes who
acted in Kuwait Goan Association presentation of Rosary Ferns' tiatr “Ghor
Bandhlem Ghorabo Moddlo” -- Antonette de Calangute, William de Curtorim,
Comedian John D’Silva, Osvi Viegas, and Babli.

Mrs. Ophelia in her speech -- tears rolling down her cheeks thanked KHK and
all her well wishers for remembering her contribution to Konkani Stage. She
said that Goans in Kuwait have recognized her contribution towards Konkani and
tiatrs which Goa Government failed to do.

One of the surprise invitees was Mrs. Ophelia’s Stage colleague and renowned
artiste of yesteryears Mr. H. Briton who is here on a private visit.

The felicitation function started with the offering of flower bouquet to Mrs.
Ophelia by Ms. Caren Fernandes, followed by a speech by KHK President Fidelis
Fernandes welcoming Mrs. Ophelia Cabral D'Souza, Chief Guest Salvador Dias
(President of Kuwait Goans Association), visiting artistes and all the
attendees. The function consisted of speeches, songs by the Tiatrists, a Mando
and a poetry recital.

Mr. H. Briton in his speech highlighted his close association with Mrs.
Ophelia on Konkani Stage for many years in many Tiatros in Goa and Bombay and
admired Mrs. Ophelia for her natural acting.
Rosary Ferns highlighted Ophelia’s contribution in the promotion of Konkani
Stage during the last many years.

Comedian John D’Silva, Osvi Viegas and William de Curtorim also praised
Ophelia for her yeomen services for Konkani Stage. They also appreciated
Konkani Heritage Kuwait for organizing such felicitations and giving due
recognition to the Konkani Stage artistes.

Mrs. Ophelia's daughter, Babli, in her extempore speech spoke on the
greatness of her mother as an artiste. She even sang a verse and a chorus of a
song of yesteryears highlighting the importance of her mother and late father
Bab Peter.

Salvador Dias, President of Kuwait Goan Association, as Chief Guest expressed
his feelings of yesteryears acting talents of Mrs. Ophelia. He fondly
recalled that he used to admire her acting provess even when he was a
teenager. Salvador Dias also expressed grateful thanks to Mrs. Ophelia and
other artistes from Goa and Mumbai for accepting Kuwait Goans Association
invitation to visit and act in Kuwait. He also thanked all the Kuwait-based
artistes, musicians and singers, among others, who participated in KGA's
presentation.

Sanny de Quepem rendered his memorable solo “Tiatro and Tiatrists” while H.
Briton rendered his well acclaimed song “Tujea Ghora Samkar Mhojem Ghor”. A
Mando with a Dulpod was sung by Antonette de Calangute, Rosary Ferns, Sanny de
Quepem and Sylvester Vaz to the music of Rabindra Pietro.

A beautiful Konkani poetry titled ‘Bai, Ami Tuje Konn’ in praise of Mrs.
Ophelia was recited by Vally Quadros, a Kuwait-based Mangalorean Poet.

KHK General Secretary Antonio V. Fernandes compered and also spoke on the
ocassion.
A commemorative memento of a gold plated Dhow was presented to Mrs. Ophelia
at the hands of KHK President Fidelis Fernandes.
____________________
-gasper crasto
for www.goa-world.com/

http://www.goa-world.com/goa/tiatr&tiatrist/
http://www.goa-world.com/goa/music/