‘Chitrkar’
Cast: Lisvan Rodrigues, Rizel Fernandes, Kendrick Fernandes, Doris Goves, Robert D’Souza, Melvina Britto, Jinnia Cardozo, Elisa Fernandes, Anson Noronha and others
Writer/Director: Fr Luis Xavier Gomes
Band: Roy Menezes (saxophone), Lionel Fernandes, Herwin Fernandes, Aaron Fernandes, Cleron Fernandes, Leander Silveira, Vegan Costa
Stage Designer: Francis D’Souza & Worrel D’Souza
Light Effects: Vaibhav Naik
Background Music: Sai Kalangutkar
Pio Esteves
Tiatr ‘Chitrkar’, written and directed by Fr Luis Gomes and presented by St Xavier’s College, Mapusa, was staged on the third day of the 4th All Goa Inter Collegiate/HSS Tiatr Competition 2024-25 at Kala Academy
The curtains unfold to a scene wherein Dr Gomes (Lisvan Rodrigues), who runs ‘Samson’s Helpline’ to assist youth in distress through career guidance, is being felicitated. Two youth, Victoria (Elisa Fernandes) and Sangharsh (Anson Noronha) share their experience of exceling as a pilot and football player respectively after timely assistance from Dr Gomes.
As Dr Gomes and his spouse, Maggie (Rizel Fernandes), a nurse by profession, share the dais, the former reveals about what prompted him to start such an organization.
In a flashback, Dr Gomes’ only son Samson (Kendrick Fernandes) is preparing for the NIIT examination. But his passion is painting and desires to be an artist. His college mate, Delilah (Doris Goves), daughter of a security guard, is also preparing for the same examination and Samson tries to assist her with his books.
Dr Gomes wishes that his son follow his footsteps and clear the NIIT examination in flying colours. During a visit to his place, the truth about Samson’s passion is revealed by
Delilah to Maggie.
After the NIIT examination, the results are out and Delilah comes out in flying colours. But Samson does not get through and his father is upset. Dr Gomes insists that Samson should clear the examination by hook or crook. What follows next is theatrically presented in the second half of the drama.
Although the drama moves at snail’s pace, there’s a message conveyed at the end, advising the guardians to encourage their children in pursuing their passion and dreams. The concluding scene has a good twist to the entire story, thus leaving the viewers glued to their seats.
With the involvement of teaching staff and students in the drama, all the artistes have given a fine performance on stage. Lisvan stands out as Dr Gomes, while Rizel is sober in her approach to her husband and son. The supporting artistes have played their respective roles with ease.
In the comic acts, there’s Robert D’Souza as Bostu and Melvina Britto as Mari serving in their own capacity at Dr Gomes’ residence. In some scenes, the former appeared to be overacting.
In the category of songs, there were 12 renditions on stage and a couple of them in the form of decent and comedy solos, duo, duet, trio and quartet were appealing. Excluding the band leader, rest of the musicians offstage were all students of the college and they performed well.
The stage sets by Francis D’Souza and Worrel D’Souza, light effects by Vaibhav Naik and background music by Sai Kalangutkar deserve appreciation.