Goan stars from Kuwait to tour Europe & Canada

Goan stars from Kuwait to tour Europe & Canada


Famous Goan stage artiste Cajetan de Sanvordem and musician Shahu Almeida based in Kuwait are selected to perform in Mariano Fernandes' latest Konkani tiatr 'Soglleank Nomoskar' going on tour to Portugal, Germany, England and Canada in the month of June 2010.

The drama which releases in Bombay will be staged at Portugal on 13th June, Germany on 15th, at Swindon's Wyvern Theatre (morning and evening shows) on 23rd June, and at Copland High School, Wembley High Road - Middlx - Wembley on 27th June.

Presented by Konkani Dramatic Association, and written & directed by Mariano, the drama involves Cajetan de Sanvordem in one of the leading roles with top artistes Aplon, Olga, Tracy, Joana, Francis De Tuem, Jr. Rod, Comedian Domnic, Comedian Luis Bachchan, Anil Pednekar, Marcus, Mini Mario, etc, making the star cast of the troupe.

The musical score for the tour will be provided by Maestro Shahu, alone.


Kala Academy Award winner for Best Actor and Konkani Bhasha Mandal's Best Singer Award winner Cajetan Pereira is popularly known as Cajetan de Sanvordem.
Born to Jose Salvador and Maria Magdalena Pereira at Sanvordem-Goa, Cajetan first came into spotlight when he was just 8 years of age whilst singing in school and village dramas.


Cajetan's first appearance on Kuwait's stage was in P. Jose de Colva's drama 'Aiz Maka Faleam Tuka' in Keefan Hall in 1977, followed by Konkani dramas directed by Jenifer Rod, Aleixinho de Maxem, Benny de Aldona, and the list goes on. Initially he used to sing solos in each and every drama in Kuwait as well as act, specially when the role was based on expatriate topics.

Together with Marcus Vaz and Xavier Gomes, the famous trio Cajetan-Marcus- Xavier was created waves which enjoyed tremendous popularity in Kuwait as well as other Gulf countries and Goa.

Cajetan has acted in countless dramas. Prominent among them are of Late Fr. Freddy J. Da Costa, M. Boyer, Remmie Colaco, Anthony San, H.Britton, Jose Rod, Roseferns, Jess Fernandes, Patrick Dourado, Vitorino Pereira, A. Morais, R. Morais, Rosario Dias, Chrismeena, Rosary Ferns, Marcus Vaz, Laurente Pereira, Mario de Majorda, Michael D'Silva, Xavier Gomes, Bonaventure D'Pietro, Jessy Dias, Jenifer Rod, Aleixinho de Maxem, Benny de Aldona, J.P. Parra, Tony Call, Mendes Bros., F.X.Pereira, F.Cardoz, Simon Gonsalves, Joe Ferrera, etc.

Cajetan has also played a lead role in the first Konkani E-Cinema 'Black Nhesop Atanchem Fashion' produced by T-Bush Films (yet to be released in cinemas in Goa).

Besides acting and singing Cajetan is a public figure in social activities. Time and again, he has been elected to several Indian organizations. He is the President of United Friends Club, a football association and Ex-President of Kuwait-Goa Tiatristanchi Sonstha (KGTS). He is also the President of Guardian Angel Club of Sanvordem (Kuwait), Head of Cultural Cell of Goan Welfare Society (GWS), and an active member of Kuwait Indian Football Federation (KIFF).

Apart from being a flamboyant actor, Cajetan is also a versatile compere. His voice, diction, flair and linguistic abilities, especially with his mother-tongue Konkani makes his presence felt vibrantly at Goan cultural programs and social gatherings. He is also good in penning slogans in Konkani. Cajetan's cursive 'handwriting' skill should be seen to be believed and his sense of humor heard to understand the simplicity of life.


Shahu may be recognized more in the genre of dramas. But behind his simplicity, is the unmistakable halo of his talent as a star musician of Goan bands in Kuwait. Shahu shines amongst the stellar bracket of Goa's top-notch musicians with his indispensable contribution towards the art. With his penchant and passion for innovative, brilliant music, Shahu continues on what he loves to do best – hypnotize his listeners to a magical sway.

In his last performance in Kuwait, Shahu captivated the audience at the KGTS Konkani musical held at Hawally AC Auditorium. He led a group of musicians orchestrating on his favorite keyboards as well as on the saxophone.


With his ability to play different instruments, Shahu leads a band in Kuwait called 2..S#arp with whom he has performed in other Middle-East countries like Qatar, Bahrain, etc.

With 2..S#arp, Shahu's music spans a broad range of harmonies, from Goan and foreign-inspired music to more modern trends with mixtures of Goan dulpods and ethnic elements. The group is quite popular among Goans in Kuwait. They have even played alongside Goa's topmost band Forefront and many other local bands.

Few however know that Shahu, a dynamic talent with his keyboard, began his tryst with music drumming his way into the hearts of his school-mates at his school's Annual Gatherings, propelling him into the musical horizon forever. He is the alumnus of St. Francis Xavier H. School Macazana and Guardian Angel College, Sanvordem.

Evolving into an ace drummer, he had the rare and splendid opportunity of honing his musical skills under the baton of Chris Perry, the eternal icon and consummate genius of Goan music and playing alongside his son Errol Perry who died recently. With music flowing in his veins, his drum beats reverberated in many well-known Goan bands of the nineties such as 'Ultimate', 'Magic Touch', 'The News', 'Human Status', 'Black Lace', etc, to name a few. Shahu disclosed that he played in over 1000 weddings as a drummer with these groups.

But it was his evolution into a keyboardist that shot him into instant fame. Interestingly, Shahu switched over to the keyboards not on his own volition but at the suggestion of Fr. Livio D'Mello under whose cudgel he played for the choir at St. Francis Xavier's church, Macasana. From then on there was no looking back.

Shahu has indeed come a long way with his association with music spanning over a decade. His musical creativity was elevated further after his arrival in Kuwait in October 1999. He began with a bang in Kuwait-based director Jose Rod's unmatched Broadway hit 'Tujem Nanv Vhodd Zaum' which was staged all over the Middle East and back home in Goa.

Shahu has also played dramas in Muscat, Doha, Bahrain, Bangalore, Darjeeling, etc, and performed for top directors such as Prem Kumar, Roseferns, Jacob, Menino de Bandar, Pascoal Rodrigues, C.D. Silva, John D' Silva, Ben Evangelist, Rosario Rodrigues, etc, apart from all the directors in Kuwait.
He also did a short musical stint playing live music at Dubai's famous Viva Goa hotel.

Shahu’s most challenging one-man performance was in Mini Mario's 'Kiteak Ho Bazar Cholta?' staged in Kuwait in 2007. "I had to pick-up the notes on the troupe's arrival on the morning of the show and I can proudly say that I played to perfection without suitable rehearsals," says Shahu, adding further, "with handy musical notes, I can play non stop music for over 8 hours.

The young maestro can be aptly described as a consummate artist with an alluring passion and drive for music. Undoubtedly his heart thumps 'musical' beats all the way through, for when it comes to music he is simply indefatigable, endowed with an amazing genius and coupled with a prodigious memory for music.

Shahu reached the highpoint of his career when he was roped in as the music composer by the doyen of Konkani stage, the legendary Rosario Rodrigues – Shakespeare of Konkani stage, wherein his captivating rhythm set aflame many of the unforgettable hits like 'Hanv Kallukant Sandlim' where Shahu pioneered the unique 'one man band' concept providing the entire spectrum of music on a single keyboard! Under the ace director's able tutelage Shahu had a free rein toying with refreshing, innovative ideas which enabled him to break new grounds pushing forward the frontiers of Goan music.

With sky being the limit, Shahu went on to produce innumerable chart busting scores for numerous hit dramas and musicals which gained him popularity.

Music apart, Shahu is an intensely endearing and an adorable human being who attaches great value to friendship and family ties. Blessed with a wonderful wife (Clemmie) and a cherubic son who is named Aerosmith, and daughter Acasia, Shahu is a devoted husband, a doting father and a dutiful son.

Sensitive and devout to the core, Shahu is a member of the Holy Family Cathedral Church choir (Kuwait). Time and experience have greatly enriched Shahu's remarkable musical abilities and today he continues to add increasing complexity and refinement to his astounding gift of music which is sure to hold the audience in Europe and Canada and Kuwait and Goa in a thrall for years to come!

:::Tickets for the show in England:::
There will be 2 shows at Swindon, one at 11.30am and the other at 6.30pm. Tickets may be purchased from Augustine: 07745773919, Francis: 07895522073, Tutush: 07854011148, Vintur: 07591028977 and Cipin: 07727617537

Tickets for the Wembley show can be purchased from Francis: 07908591759, Antonio: 0208 4529406 & 07988896904, Damacian: 02083761609 & 07940501196, Johny 0208 7693168 and Judy: 0208 7632606 & 07920443077.


- By gaspar crasto.

[This article was first posted on gulf-goans e-newsletter
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gulf-goans/message/29653 ]

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