‘MUSICIAN’ – a new Konkani Video Film shot in Kuwait

‘MUSICIAN’ – a new Konkani Video Film in Kuwait by Shahu Almeida



Musicians usually specialize in particular types of music although there can be the opportunity to move between the genres. The job requires high levels of skill, expertise and dedication. Most musicians do their job as they have a passion for music.

Kuwait based Goan musician Shahu Almeida, first Goan musician to play a one-man band in dramas, has been playing a variety of music right from his young age. He ventures his skills into direction and singing in a Konkani songs video (DVD) album comprising select Goan artistes based in Kuwait.

The album, entirely shot and produced in Kuwait is scheduled to go public on 1st October 2010 at Kuwait Medical Association Hall, Jabriya, Kuwait.

For decades Konkani language songs 'Cantaram' on radio and on stage have been taking their cues from real life. Konkani singers are quick to get across their views, on life and day-to-day issues, with stunning boldness, criticism and satire.

However, in a video film, the challenge any videographer faces is to create a video that keeps the ‘watcher’ captivated. It requires an extra effort spent on special effects and specialized editing techniques. Those who are new to the business may not have time to develop such techniques as they refine more basic capabilities—like learning to shoot efficiently or streamline their editing workflow—before finding the specialities. Ignatius Fernandes, the editor of the film realizes the time and burden that these demands add to a typical edit and has covered it up with a very decent cinema-photography.

‘Musician’ doesn’t have creative elements to boast of but it definitely portrays fabulous artistic quality in both Shahu the musician and Ignatius the videographer. The DVD has sparkling quality in clarity.

Being shot in Kuwait, many would expect the unexpected with Ignatius to exploit what the structural beauty of Kuwait City has to offer. Still, Shahu and Ignatius have done a tremendous job. Shooting a video-film in a country like Kuwait, known for it’s strict legislation for outdoor filming, is difficult indeed. But Ignatius, the young, budding filmmaker shows great potential and professionalism with a more than average creation.


Report: Gasper Crasto

[As forwarded to goa-world.com]

From tiatr to cinema

From tiatr to cinema


Sharon Mazarello, a household name in Goa, famous crooner, is now all excited as she sets out to promote her first Konkani film, ‘Tum Kitem Kortolo Aslo?’ (What would you have done?), written, produced and directed by the lady herself.
Sharon who is a professional singer in tiatrs for the last 25 years tried her hand at writing and that is how this movie idea eventually was born.

“This story is actually a tiatr script which I had submitted at the Kala Academy’s competition and had staged. It received a good response. That is when I submitted the same script to avail of the film financing scheme of the Goa government. Actually we (my husband, Wilmix, son, Claron) had submitted three scripts but this got selected. That is when the process of writing a story began,” stated Sharon while speaking at the launch of the music of the movie at the FM radio station, Radio Mirchi. ‘Tum Kitem Kortolo Aslo? is slated to be released on November 1.
The music album was formally released by the president of the Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG), Mr Tomazinho Cardozo who stated that Sharon’s venture into Konkani cinema would help take Konkani music to a wider audience.

The music for the film has been created by Balthazar Fernandes (ex-assistant to Kalyanji-Anandji) while Wilmix has penned the lyrics and set it to tune. The cinematography has been done by Domnic Dias.

The cast of the movie includes Sharon Mazarello, Pradip Naik, Franky Gonsalves, Wilmix, Comedy Supremo Humbert, Effie Fernandes, Roseferns, Menino de Bandar, Comedian Edisson, Fermeeno, etc.

The music album will be formally released in the market next week. Till then Radio Mirchi will play the songs on their radio station.
Speaking more about the movie, Sharon added that it was a woman centric film. “In our society we always blame a woman even if she is not at fault. My film deals with this aspect,” added Sharon who refused to reveal more about the film as it would then lose out on the suspense element.

Commenting further, she mentioned that this film has achieved many firsts. Through this film, Sharon has started a blog (sharon-shamazfilmsgoa.blogspot.com) and has become the first Goan tiatrist to do so. This blog has interesting snippets related to the movie, its cast, and crew. There is also a section on Wilmx and Sharon - a real life couple - and their love and their journey on the Konkani stage. There is detail data about their work and their achievements.

“We also wanted to do away with giving press kits and by having this blog we are actually saving on a lot of paper,” adds Claron Mazarello.
This will also be the first Konkani film to use professional choreography involving Goan fire-dancers.
‘Tum Kitem Kortolo Aslo? also came across a few hurdles prior to its release. It was stalled by the censor board for using two names -‘Parvati’ and ‘Tulsi’ in a comic scene. “We didn’t realise they are mythological names; we were only trying to make a comic remark on TV serials. We changed those names as we don’t want to hurt any sentiments,” says Sharon.

Currently Sharon is working on two more scripts and is considering films as the next step. She says, “I will continue acting on stage but films are what that I am focusing on as of now. It is indeed a wider and a bigger platform,” concludes Sharon.

http://www.navhindtimes.in/iwatch/tiatr-cinema

From Bollywood to Konkani films, making sweet music

From Bollywood to Konkani films, making sweet music

BY CLARA A RODRIGUES
Having worked as assistant music director for Bollwood greats like Kalyanji Anandji and being a part of musical masterpieces like ‘Meri desh ki dharti’ and ‘Pal Pal dil ke pas’ Balthazar Fernandes, aka Baltu, from Goa speaks of his tryst as a first time music director for a Konkani film. He looks back on his journey in Bollywood.
‘Tum kito kortolo aslo’ is your first Konkani film as music director. Tell us something about the music?


This will be my first Konkani film as music director, but I have earlier worked as assistant music director for Frank Fernand for Konkani classics like ‘Amche Noxib’ and ‘Nirmon’. The music for this film has been composed for an orchestra. Around 40 local musicians are part of the ensemble. The music has a Goan feel with a lot of Goan music elements like harmony, counter-point, counter-melody and chorus.
What was the reason for such a massive music set up?
It is different when you listen to music played by an orchestra. I wanted to show how orchestra music is possible for a film. To get type of music, you need to play in an orchestra. In India there are not many orchestras. In fact you can count them on your fingers tips.
What Bollywood assignments are you currently working on?
I now have fewer assignments. Now just about anybody gets into music direction. In many cases, the music is created by one man on the keyboard. Till today, whenever I listen to an orchestra, I have tears in my eyes. It is not the same when you hear other music.
Many Goans have played pivotal roles in Bollywood in the early 70s. Sadly, not many have got recognition for their contribution. Comment.
Indian music is different. It is based more on melody. The rhythm is important. On the other hand Goan music has counter harmony and harmony which not many understand. I worked as an assistant music director for Anandji-Kalyanji, but my name never appeared in the credit scroll. The payment was not good either, and that is what compelled me to quit after working with them for 11 years.
Do Goans still dominate the music scene in Mumbai like they did once before?
Now there are many educated musicians on the scene. They know how to write Indian music. They do it in a simple style. A lot of students are also studying counter point. There are many Goans but there are also many musicians from other states.
What have you to say about the lack of originality on the Goan music scenario?
Goans are talented; unfortunately something has gone wrong. Music is there in our blood. Goans will appreciate music more than the others do. The Goan school of music or Church schools where solfege was taught are no longer there. Music is neglected in schools. The entire system of education has changed.
Could you suggest steps to bring about improvement?
We have to teach music right from the primary level. Children must not learn by rote. Be it drama or church, they must be given a chance to perform in public. This is what I would advise them.
Could you tell us something about your own journey in the music industry?
I learnt in the Goan school of music. If not for it, I would not have been what I am. I learnt the violin from foreign teachers in Mumbai. I later taught brass bands in schools. Then I got a break in the Hindi film industry.
What was it like to work in the Bombay film industry?
To be frank, I did not enjoy it. It is not my kind of music. But you got to earn your bread.
Do you have plans of relocating to Goa?
Yes. Although, I am stationed in Mumbai, Chorao is my native place. I come every six months to Goa. On my visits, I do a lot of music with the church and the children from my village.
http://www.navhindtimes.in/ilive/bollywood-konkani-films-making-sweet-music

Konkani Cholchitram - Pustok boroupi: Isidore Dantas

The author:
Isidore Dantas


Recipient of Queeny Publications Al Jerry Braganza Award 2008 for valuable work on Konkani films


Recipient of Dalgado Konkani Akademi's Fr Freddy da Costa's Award for Journalism 2009
Ami Goa-world.com-Team, tumchea pustokak borem yex anvddetat.

Ulysses Menezes & Gaspar Almeida
Lino B. Dourado ani sangati
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Nurture Konkani cinema

Nurture Konkani cinema



Kudos to Mauro Fernandes for his letter “Konkani cinema” (May 29).
While applauding Laxmikant Shetgaonkar’s masterpiece ‘Paltadacho Munis’, he has rightly opined that Konkani films, if properly nurtured and promoted, may churn up a Satyajit Ray or Adoor Gopalakrishnan in near future. But to reach such a glorified stage, special efforts are required from all quarters.

The Government of Goa should encourage the upcoming film-makers by offering them soft loans to come up with Konkani films. Proper infrastructure like studios and other technical facilities need to be put in place by the authorities or offer a favourable ambience to the private concerns so that they can invest in the business of films.

Tax-relaxation and compulsory screening of Konkani films in theatres across Goa are a must to support local industry so that they do not get wiped away by the economic powerhouse Bollywood. Also the directors and producers should also see to it that instead of mimicking their Hindi counterparts, Konkani films need to be based on the ethos of soil and culture of Goa. An industry can never prosper by ignoring the basic traits of the culture of the region concerned. The common Goans should also religiously patronise the Konkani films, instead of succumbing to the crude Bollywood culture.

India is unique and colourful just because of its regional and cultural diversities and films are nothing but living and permanent documents of such richness. If Konkani films get established on a firm ground, it will add another feather to the colorful cap of India.

Kajal Chatterjee, Kolkata

www.oheraldo.in

________________________

Konkani cinema

I am among the few fortunate Goans who has watched Laxmikant Shetgaonkar masterpiece, Paltadacho Munis, and I must say those of you who have not seen this film have missed one hell of a movie. Truly, it is unbelievable that a film produced in Goa can be of such high caliber. This film is by far the best Konkani film ever.
The actors, the screenplay, cinematography, music etc is simply world class. Shetgaonkar, you have made Goa and Goans proud. Film making in Goa was a dying art due to financial constrains and lack of audience support. Young film makers like Rajendra Talak have tried their best to revive this form of art in Goa. With Goa being declared as the permanent venue for the International Film Festival of India and Government of Goa encouraging Goan film makers with various schemes,
I am sure many young Goans will take advantage of these schemes and produce good cinema. But as long the Goan public does not patronise Goan cinema, film making will be a loss and will only deter film makers. For the Konkani film industry to survive Goans have to wholeheartedly support it. The Tamil, Telugu or the Malaylam film industry is thriving because of the local support and the love of the public for their mother tongue.
We pay Rs 200 for a Hindi or an English movie at Inox, we go for tiatrs, why can’t we pay just Rs 100 and watch a Konkani film. I appeal to all Goans to watch this great film which has won laurels all over the world. You never know one day Goa might have our own Shyam Benegal, Adoor Gopalakrishnan or even a Satyajit Ray.

Mauro Fernandes, Anjuna
www.oheraldo.in