Shahu’s musical leaves lasting memories

Show pays tribute to Goan artistes who lived in Kuwait

KBy Gasper Crasto

onkani musical show ‘Ugddas Dovrun Ghele’ presented by Maestro Shahu Almeida will surely leave a lasting impression in the minds of many for the memories it brought especially in the opening-song tribute to departed Goan artistes who lived in Kuwait.

A capacity crowd watched the show produced by Chris-Armand Presentation on Oct 11 at SIMS auditorium; the audience were glued to their seats till the end of the show.

A contingent of iconic stars gathered from all across the globe by the director Maestro Shahu provided a variety of entertainment all throughout till the end.

The musicians led by the Shahu Almeida, were pleasant and harmonious; they played beautifully.

Shahu teamed up with Londonbased Goan drummer Mathias Sequeira along with musicians Jhovy Pereira on rhythms, and Dennis Gonsalves on bass guitar. He played the traditional ‘tokkad’ with his son Aerosmith Almeida for the opening warm-up.

‘Ugddas Dovrun Ghele’ was surely an upbeat musical.

The opening song of the show was a tribute to Goan artistes who lived their life in Kuwait and are no more in this world. Their depiction in look-alike masks brought melancholy memories of the stars.

The visiting stars from Goa, UAE, UK, Switzerland, Cayman Islands and Kuwait’s own were at their best.

Melody singer Lawry Travasso, superstar comedians Prince Jacob and John D’Silva, and Goa’s firebrand singer Francis de Tuem, trio stars Cajetan-Marcus-Xavier, mimicry artiste Amresh Kamat, famed Sanio Fernandes, etc, all lived up to the expectations.

Other stars from across the globe included established singers Aliass Fernandes (Goa), Princewell Fernandes, Polly de Curtorim (UK), Eddie Fernandes from Switzerland, and Rafael de Macasana from the Cayman Islands.

Local line-up of artistes included Gracy Rodrigues, Clemmie Almeida, Esparansa, Katty de Navelim, Balthazar Pontes, Gasper Crasto, Rolly Diniz, Pedro Fernandes, Seby Mascarenhas, Seby D’Silva, etc. All the artistes were amazing. Maurice Pereira, a prominent Goan based in Doha, Qatar was the chief guest at the event. He spoke on the occasion and complimented Maestro Shahu for organizing a show with so many stars.

Ms Fadia Al Marzook, a distinguished Kuwaiti was a special invitee. She amazed everyone by addressing the audience in Konkani language. “Koximasattumi?” she started her speech which brought thunderous applause from the audience.

Dynamic Goan personality from Dubai, Armand D’Souza, of ChrisArmand Presentation was present and shared his views with the audience.

Lawry Travasso, Prince Jacob, John D’Silva and Francis de Tuem each had a word for the Kuwait audience as well during the presentation of mementos.

All artistes were presented with artefact mementos by the director Shahu Almeida which were disbursed at the hands of Maurice Pereira.

As a special mention, Apolonio Cardozo, a helpful Goan in Kuwait was presented with a memento too for his unconditional support towards Goan art and culture.

In a commendable gesture, ChrisArmand Presentation presented Maestro Shahu with a special gift.

Earlier, compere Gasper Crasto introduced the guests. Bouquets of flowers were presented to the eminent guests.

Tase Noronha managed onstage coordination.

Entertainer

Once again, Maestro Shahu lived up to his reputation as an entertainer of the highest quality and second to none of the professionals.

Ever since his arrival in Kuwait back in 1999, the humble musician has been in the limelight for his electrifying music which has become synonymous with Goans. Without a doubt, he remains Goa’s flag-bearer for musical showbiz in Kuwait; he has maintained his peak for the last many years.

The fact that Shahu assembled and handled a mega cast and orchestrated the music of almost 30 songs singlehandedly speaks highly about the maestro.

A sizeable audience enjoyed the event and applauded every item. Each and every singer exhibited top performance, singing with confidence and clarity, putting their heart and soul into their performance.

The show began with a hymn of ‘St Francis Xavier’, a regular feature at Shahu’s shows.

The audience sang Goa’s most popular ‘orasanv’ of the saint with lighted mobiles held high; a portrait of St Francis displayed on stage spiraled into a transformation of colors.

A minute’s silence was observed to respect the soul of Joao Almeida, brother-in-law of Maestro Shahu who passed away recently in Kuwait.

Maestro Shahu started the traditional warm-up ‘tokkad’ music with his 12-year-old son Aerosmith Almeida on drums.

The Maestro was soon joined by his team of musicians.

Drummer Mathias, hailing from Divar, a regular feature at most Goan events organized in the UK and a good friend of Maestro Shahu, was at his best.

The stage was set alight with lookalikes of departed Goan artistes namely Rosary Ferns, Sunny de Quepem, Alex Lopes, Patrick Fernandes, and Xavier Mendes enacted to songs sung in playback by Seby Mascarenhas, Balthazar Pontes, Sanio Fernandes, Gasper Crasto, Lawry Travasso, etc.

There were a number of solos, duets, trios and other songs.

A darling of the audience Sanio Fernandes captured everyone’s hearts with his voice, style, and wonderful lyrics while singing an immaculate song on Mother Mary.

Lawry Travasso, one of the pillars of Konkani stage, showed top class professionalism in his songs singing in his power-packed voice. As usual, he sang fluently and had a message or two in both the solos that he sang.

Other songs were by Raphael Noel de Macasana (2 solos), Eddie Fernandes, Pitu Ferns, Alias Fernandes, Katty de Navelim, Princewell Fernandes, Rolly Diniz, Polly de Curtorim, etc.

Artistes who had come from another world to partake in the show were highlighted namely Raphael Noel (Cayman Islands), Eddie Fernandes (Calangute/Switzerland), Polly de Curtorim, Princewell Fernandes, etc.

Duet songs were by Alias Fernandes-Gracy Rodrigues, and Esparansa-Gasper Crasto which were quite catchy.

A duet sung by singers Seby Mascarenhas and Seby D’Silva was a treat to watch as usual.

Clemmie Pereira-Katty de NavelimGracy Rodrigues sang an amazing trio; the threesomes were wonderfully dressed.

Gracy Rodrigues featured in another trio with Balthazar Pontes and Seby Mascarenhas which was well admired too.

In fact, all the songs were well applauded with the audience showing their love and admiration to everything that was presented.

All eyes were on the firebrand singer of Konkani stage – Francis de Tuem. The superstar ‘lit’ up the stage singing 2 solid solos. He was encored several times for his expressive and venomous lyrics about Goan politics.

Expectations

Kuwait’s original Trio Kings Cajetan-Marcus-Xavier lived up to people’s expectations singing 2 scintillating trios with their blend of incredible voices.

Their trio ‘Gate of India’ was called back several times.

A chovko by Marcus-Xavier-LawryFrancis de Tuem was also repeated several times.

Comedians Prince Jacob and John D’Silva entertained the audience with their clean dialogues as usual. Every joke enacted was hilarious and well enjoyed by the audience.

The comedy was simple while they conducted it with great respect and dignity.

Mimicry artiste Amresh Kamat, performing in Kuwait for the fourth consecutive year, was a pleasure to watch. With his variety of mimicry in voice and song, he was a hilarious entertainer.

Although Amresh followed the same pattern of mimicry that he performed last 3 years, his imitation of some well-known Goan tiatr artistes and other personalities, in vocals, songs, and action, was thoroughly relished by the audience.

DJ Cheslee D’Souza and Anand of Waves Digital Sound provided the stage sets and sound. The whole event was captured by popular Goan photographer Rivon Gomes.

It is an enormous task to organize an event in Kuwait, more so in recent times.

Maestro Shahu deserves all credit to host such a memorable show and entertain Goans in Kuwait who crave for Konkani shows like ‘Ugddas Dovrun Ghele’.

A number of Shahu’s friends and well-wishers assisted and supported the show.

In a running slide-show on TV screens either side of the stage, Maestro Shahu profoundly thanked all those who supported him.