‘Ghar Vapsi’, a tiatr written and directed by A M Araujo and presented by Sao Gonsalo Dramatic Group throws light on the traditional occupations carried out by ancestors and the need to preserve them for posterity.
The plot may not be relevant to the modern and fast-changing world, but the efforts made to highlight the importance of age-old trade and traditions needs to be commended.
The curtain opens to unveil a typical village scene depicting various traditional activities being carried out by the village folk, followed by Salu (Salvador Cruz) at his son Jaki’s (Reginaldo Nazareth) residence.
Jaki’s elder son Domnic (Allen Lopes) is highly qualified, but unemployed. Instead of wasting time in idleness, Jaki advises his son to assist him and his grandfather in field activities. After much resistance, he obliges, only to meet with criticism.
Now, Jaki’s dreams is educating his youngest son Edwin (Maximilian Lourenco) and help him become a doctor. Dominic’s unexpected trip to London leaves Jaki’s second son Pio (Myron Dias) feel neglected and jealous. Jaki’s only daughter Rita (Maria Alfonso) though educated, shoulders the family responsibilities diligently.
Over a period of time, there are various developments that take place in this household. Tragedies follow one after another, only to prompt Dominic and his brother Pio to ultimately carry forward their ancestral trade and assist the disabled in the family.
Salvador and Reginaldo as ‘Vhodlo Pai’ and ‘Pai’ do justice to their respective roles. Maria shows enough confidence to her character, though she could have been more expressive in displaying her emotions. Allen and Myron enact their roles with ease, but the former fumbles with his dialogues in the concluding scene. Teenager Maximilian is prompt in his minor acts. Hari Govekar and Santesh Divakar deliver instantly as a villain and sarpanch respectively. Other artistes have extended good support to the main cast, though the missing comedians resulted in the entire show being rather serious.
The stage sets depicting the typical village house and fields, besides the practices carried out in the village like the recitation of litany and customs followed before marriage needs to be commended.
In the presentation of songs, a duo by Agnelo Silveira and Standly Fernandes, solo by Justinho Fernandes, duet by Myron Dias and Maria Alfonso and a trio by Myron Dias, Maria Alfonso and Standly Fernandes stand out.
