Basil Sylvester Pinto
Ives Tavares ,one of the unsung directors of the Konkani stage, is set to release his sixth tiatr, Fott Uloinaka Sot Uloi on Easter Sunday in Margao. The Ilha de Rachol based artiste made his foray into commercial tiatrs as a director back in 2012 with Bhitorlea Monacho Monis, based on abortion which was later made into a VCD. Tavares’ subsequent dramas included Don Tonddancho Monis, Dusreancho Padd Ghalpi Monis, Sot Khoim Asa? and Padri Agnel Sant Ken’na Zatolo!
Ives Tavares’ newest tiatr is based on the ISIS who in the name of religion attack the Christian faith. “They (ISIS) destroy structures and symbols of religious significance of Christianity like churches, crosses, statues in the name of Allah. They want Islam to be sworn upon world-wide. The ISIS, think that those who do not follow Islam will be consigned to hell in their afterlife. The Christians, Jews who refuse to change their faith to Islam are beheaded. The ISIS believes that that in order to reach heaven, they would have to do anything to proclaim that Islam is the only religion to believe in,” laments the director-writer.
In the drama, Hindi/Marathi industry actor, Shantaram plays the lead role of Javed. His father, Shahid (Pegado) encourages Javed to vandalize religious structures of Christians to meet their objective. Myra (Myra) who is the heroine falls in love with Javed in her tryst to convert him to Christianity. Shahid overhears Myra stating that she desires to convert his son’s faith and in seething rage he mercilessly hits her. In spite of the physical abuse by his father, Myra continues to love Javed. Myra’s father, Cristo (Milagres de Ganapaga) does not want his daughter to marry Javed. Meanwhile, Joyson plays the role of Myra’s brother. Cristo tells Myra to leave Javed but she is unwilling to pay any heed to his word. Cristo also beats up his daughter for her stubbornness. Valentina plays an upright, dutiful inspector’s role that is in search for an ISIS terrorist.
The investigation for the elusive terrorist continues until the fifth porde. If the law-abider manages to nab the terrorist or he slips away is to be seen. Will there be blood-shed for the good to win over the designs of the evil? Is Myra’s love for a religious tyrant genuine or does she have an ulterior motive? Does she intend to convert the man she loves for a selfless reason and for the peace and harmony of society? Does she succeed in her endeavour or is her effort in vain? Will Javed be her man or will he renounce his faith for Christianity? Will Javed accept Jesus as the Way, the Truth? You will have your answer at the end of the seventh and last porde if love and good faith wins over religious violence.
This drama interestingly has no standing or hanging mike. There are several unique scenes as well. In one particular scene wherein an enraged Shahid hits Myra with a frying pan smoke is seen billowing from the utensil. In another, Shahid tells Myra not to follow Christian rituals and tries to set alight the Christmas star but it does not burn. In the fourth porde, Javed is shown climbing up the façade of the Church to destroy the cross. While, in another act of vandalism, his father Shahid is shown breaking the door of a Church.
For the very first time in the history of tiatrs, video-mapping is shown on stage with the help of projectors wherein at one given time three projectors are used.
The tiatr has four caants besides twelve cantarams.
(The tiatr releases on April 1, 3.30 pm, Pai Tiatrist Hall, Margao. Shows are scheduled on April 8, 7.30 pm, Cortalim and on April 11, 3.30 pm, Pai Tiatrist Hall, Margao)
