FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2024
In the field of tiatr and music, many artistes might have created history in their own capacity by staging tiatrs, releasing songs, cassettes, CDs, DVDs and of late uploading songs on the social media via the YouTube channel. But undoubtedly, there won’t be any tiatr writer and director who has scripted, directed and produced hundred tiatrs on the Konkani stage.
Roseferns has kept his mighty pen flowing since 1972, with numerous tiatr scripts and productions one after another. All along the way, he has entertained the audience with good tiatrs, decent comedy and moral songs in his presentations.
To be precise, it was on November 29, 1972, when Roseferns picked up his pen and scripted his first tiatr ‘Bolidan’, which had cast comprising late Maria, Dominic, Philip, Agnel, his brother Jaju, Bernard, Flora and the band led by late Alcin, father of Ivo Furtado. Thereafter, followed non-stop tiatr ‘Dileli Bhas’ (1974), tiatrs ‘Nimnni Chitt’ (1975), ‘Morto Munis Hanslo’ (1976), ‘Avaz’ (1977) and ‘Aroma’ (1979), which celebrated silver jubilee.
Under the banner ‘Roseferns Dramatic Troupe’, came to light non-stop and later as tiatr ‘Thapott’ (1980), which celebrated double century, ‘Uzo’ and ‘Dev vo Devchar’ (1981), ‘Akant’ (1982), ‘Ghantt’ and ‘Arso’ (1983), ‘Baulem’ and ‘Xezari’ (1984), ‘Gorib’ and ‘Bebdo’ (1985), ‘Maim, Pai Ani Bhurgim’ and ‘Mog Ani Bhirant’ (1986), ‘Tuttlele Dhage’ and ‘Dhovo Kavllo’ (1987), ‘Girann’ and ‘Jem Tujem Tem Mhojem’ (1988) and the list continues.
The uniqueness of Roseferns’ two tiatrs ‘Maim Tuzo Put Hanv’ (2003) and ‘Goemkar’ (2005) was the introduction of revolving stage and sliding stage respectively. “It was well accepted by the audience and there was appreciation for all efforts put into bringing in something new on the tiatr stage,” he informs.
Earlier, Roseferns would produce and stage only two tiatrs annually, but from 2003, he came with three productions per year, namely ‘Tallni’, ‘Maim Tuzo Put Hanv’ and ‘Zoim Mog Asta’. And again in 2005, he came with three tiatrs ‘Gorv’, ‘Goemkar’ and ‘Dhoni’. In 2006, Roseferns again came with three productions, namely ‘Hem Amchem Goem?’, ‘Tumchea Moga Pasot’ and ‘Amchim Bhurgim Amcho Fuddar?’ In 2011, Roseferns penned and staged three tiatrs ‘’Pager’, ‘Fuge’ and ‘Osoi Ek Dis Yetolo’, followed by ‘’Rag Veta, Dhag Vochonam’, ‘Voir Marlolo Fator’ and ‘Waiter’ (2012). In 2013, he came with another three productions ‘Ixttagot’, ‘Que Sera Sera’ and ‘Yes, My Lord!’.
In another two years, it was again presentation of three tiatrs annually, namely ‘Chear Dis Sonvsarantle’, ‘Undir Mhojea Mama’ and ‘Hem Tumchem Sarkem Nhoi’ (2014) and ‘Mog Asum Di’, ‘Undir Mogan Poddla’ and ‘Tuzoi Dis Yetolo’ (2015). In 2016-17, there were another three productions annually, namely ‘All the Best’, ‘Mhozo Suskar Tum!’ and ‘Mhakach Kiteak?’, followed by ‘Devan Ghoddlolem’, ‘Pavsa Pavsa Yo Re Yo’ and ‘Tumcho Upkari Hanv!’
In 2018-19, Roseferns continued delivering his creation through three tiatrs, namely ‘Podvedar’, ‘Devak Zai Zalear’ and ‘Gorantti’, followed by tiatrs, ‘Eke Avoicho Anvddo’, ‘Tempa Pormonnem’ and ‘It’s My Life’.
On account of the pandemic, there was no production from Roseferns and his troupe in 2020, but he came with tiatrs ‘Vag Ani Sunnem’ and ‘Atam Yeyat’ in 2021, followed by ‘Jevnnant Fator’ on April 17, 2022.
Revealing the fact about the two titles bestowed upon him, Roseferns says that when he staged his 12th production, ‘Arso’ in 1983, for the century celebration the then commissioner of customs and excise, Rajiv Talwar, was invited as the chief guest. “He blessed me with the title ‘King of Centuries’, while the title ‘King of Parables’ came about from the socio-cultural organization, Konknni Songit Somajik Kala Kendr, Taleigao, when staging tiatr ‘Lharam’ in 2001,” he concealed.
In Roseferns’ 100th production, the old artistes include Jaju, who worked with him for 25 years, Ulhas Tari (23 years), Antonette de Maina (15 years) and Prince Jacob. His wife, Succorine acted in 10 of his earlier productions, followed by substitutes later.
From 1983 onwards, when Roseferns 11th production ‘Ghantt’ was released, Succorine shouldered a different responsibility of handling all the finances of various productions. “For the success of all my productions,” he shares, “my wife has always been my backbone and constant support.”
Throwing light on his 100th production, Roseferns says, “there is a saying which goes ‘who you are is God’s gift to you and what you make of yourself is your gift to God’. This century tiatr is an act of thanksgiving to the Almighty for all the blessings received from Him through the tiatr stage. “Over the years since inception of my tiatrs,” he proudly says, “all my contribution in the field of tiatr and Konkani is my gift to God.”
Future plans after century-mark, Roseferns says that he would not like to sit and relax, instead continue with his new productions and entertain the audience. “My troupe is already there,” he adds, “so why should there be a full stop when spectators yearn for entertainment in order to distract their minds and relax?”
Herald congratulates Rosferns on writing, producing and directing 100 tiatrs, and hopes that his success motivates him to write more tiatrs in the future to keep tiatr lovers entertained.
