Konkani drama arrives in Diwali spirit

Light and darkness, substance and shadow, knowledge and ignorance are all aspects of nature and life, symbolising the meaning and purpose of Diwali.

It is in such a spirit that Agnelo Mascarenhas of Auckland prepares to stage his seventh drama titled, ‘Uzvadd ani Kallok,’ highlighting the twin aspects of humanity and life on earth.

The play is being staged at the Freeman Bay Community Centre (52 Hepburn Street) in Auckland city on Saturday, November 3, 2012 at 7 pm.

The Konkani-speaking Goan community is known for its friendliness, cordiality and hard work and the members of the growing fraternity account for popular businesses, professionals and entertainers.

Their growth in New Zealand over the years has been endearing.

Among the people with immense histrionic talent is Agnelo whose proclivities towards the theatre became apparent when he was just seven years old.

Born in Majorda, a beach resort in the Southern part of the Indian State of Goa, ‘Shanu,’ as he is affectionately called, has been a true, larger-than-life person.

His dramatic prowess has been proved in no less than six plays including ‘Hem Koxem Godlem,’ ‘Tuka Lagon,’ ‘Dusrem Ghor,’ ‘Addim Attam Fudem’ and ‘Assro Toiar Rau.’

Rich in expertise and experience that he gained in Muscat as a resident of the Sultanate of Oman for 17 years, Agnelo has been a vivacious entertainer to the Konkani community in Auckland for some time now.

A man with several other talents, his performance as a magician not only thrills but also entertains a cross-section of the population.

We understand that he has had an interesting acting career which involved such famous directors and writers as Menin De Bandar, Betty Naz, Manuel Aguiar (better known as M Boyer), William deCoutorim, Jancit Vaz, Alfred Rose and Rita Rose the late Mic Max and Wilfy Rebimbus.