Xit-Koddi - May-Jun 2018

There have been a number of siblings rocking it out in various acts together on Konkani stage. Among them, there are a handful of husband-and-wife duos. Xit-Koddi is happy to highlight husband-wife collabs of Ophelia & Quixote D’Cruz. Quixote first visited Bahrain in 1989 with the troupe of well-known Goan director Pascoal Rodrigues; the troupe was in Bahrain to present ‘Bazar’, a non-stop drama. The visit proved to be lucky for Quixote as he was able to find a job of his trade in Bahrain. Quixote returned back on a residence visa to take up employment with Ahmed Mansoor Al Ahli where he worked for a pretty long time; he is presently employed with Carlton Heavy Machinery. A person with high qualities of acting and singing, Quixote ‘dressed-up’ for Pascoal Rodrigues’ acting in non-stop shows such as Batli, Borvonso, Bazar, etc, staged all over Goa in the late 80’s. Soon after taking employment in Bahrain, Quixote got himself involved with the cultural activities of Goans in Bahrain. He was ever willing, supportive and active participant in Goan Konkani programs. Later, Quixote achieved a ‘lifetime’ award through his participation in Goan cultural programs. It was at one of the ‘Kunbi Group Dance’ put up by Young Goans Club, Bahrain that he was partnered to dance with sweet Ophelia, a talented and naturally gifted artiste. By the time the rehearsals were over and the program concluded, Quixote had conquered the heart of his partner Ophelia thus earning himself a partner for life. The couple tied knots in the year 1992.

Besides their huge contribution towards Konkani cultural songs and dances, the couple has displayed excellent traits in acting and singing. Ophelia and Quixote have acted in almost all tiatrs presented in Bahrain ever since they got married. Though Quixote sings solos and trios in Bahrain dramas, he never misses out to sing a duet with his beloved wife. Ophelia, employed with Al Bahar Caterpillar Company, has played a ‘characteristic’ role supporting her husband and keeping up their love for Konkani song and culture. The couple, hailing from Cansaulim-Goa, deserves compliments for bringing up their children with the love of Konkani acting and singing too. Daughter Slenzita, crowned Bahrain Young Goans May Queen in 2017, has excelled in singing in Bahrain Konkani shows besides participating in Goan cultural programs. Pursuing her graduation in Goa, Slenzita recently made a trip to Kuwait where she was much appreciated for her singing in Laurente Pereira's tiatr 'Mhojea Kalzant Tumchem Ghor'. Son Sprenzil is well recognized for his memorable character role in GR Crasto's muiscal show 'Hem Tanchea Ugdassak Korat' staged in Bahrain in 2009. Recently their youngest son, Shawnel amazed everyone taking to stage with his parents in Shahu Almeida’s ‘Tumkanch Lagon Ami’ at the Indian Club in Manama. The little star with full confidence led the ‘trio’ song and the crowd applauded his presence. Xit-Koddi CONGRATULATES this family for their love and contribution to Konkani culture.

Multi-talented Menino Fernandes

At a time when there is concern about youngsters showing lack of interest towards cultural heritage of the state, a generation of Goan artistes scattered around the globe are still shouldering the responsibility – no matter where they live. One artiste who is still willing to take forward the rich legacy of his gurus is iconic musician-singer Menino Fernandes amongst Goans of Bahrain.

The artiste has proved his competence in Kuwait and Bahrain for a long time, and drawn plaudits from friends and audiences across for his melodious voice and lyrics. An alumni of Our Lady of Fatima High School, Rivona, Menino first took to stage as a little child aged 5 years in his brother Robert Fernandes’ drama entitled ‘Posko’. As he grew up, Menino learnt the art of music at an early age of 10 years and mastered the violin under the tutelage of Shri Milagres Lopes (father of famed Lopes Brothers). During his early years, Menino was an active member of the renowned Nazy Rod dramatic troupe from Rivona in tiarts and khell tiarts, many of which were broadcast on Akaswanni, Goa. Menino, first came to Bahrain in 1980 and was right away involved in social activities; he was founder member of Riffa Goans club. He has also been a regular footballer for Riffa Goans, and Young Goans Club. In between, Menino worked in Kuwait from 1992 to 2002 before returning back to Bahrain and has been working in the Kingdom since then for Bright Tech Industrial Equipment Co. The talented artiste has participated in Konkani cultural programs and activities wherever he lived. Menino was highly acclaimed as a musician, singer, composer, producer and director for his grand musical show ‘Zaddam ani Pallam’ staged by Young Goans Club, Bahrain in the year 2003. The show consisted of adult artistes as well as a number of children. Menino attributes Fr. Peter Cardozo and his late dad John Fernandes as his singing mentors who moulded him in music and singing right from a young age Menino was fortunate to be part of a ‘lifetime’ achievement of Konkani Nirantori - a 40-hour singing marathon show embarked on by Mandd Sobhaann, a Mangalorean organisation which catapulted Konkani music in the Guinness Book of World Records. Menino represented Quepechim Kirnam at the event performing under the leadership of Elvis Goes.

Apart from being involved in Goan activities, Menino is an active member and choir conductor of the Konkani choir at Sacred Heart Church, Bahrain; and also an Executive Committee member of the famous Young Goans Club, Bahrain.

Xit-Koddi wishes ‘ALL THE VERY BEST’ to Menino as he continues to promote programs in our language and culture in Bahrain.

YGC Football Schedule:  The Young Goans Club (YGC) has scheduled several football events in the year ahead. A 5-A-side football penalty shoot-out for men and women, open to all nationalities will be held at Dasman ground on July 6 from 5 p.m. onward. Eight-A-side one day football tournament for GCC Eid Cup is scheduled for August 22, at Al Ittihad ground in Adhari from 3 p.m. onward. This tournament is open to Indian nationals only. Another 8-A-side one day football tournament will be held on September 21. The tournament for Summer Cup, open to Indian nationals will be held at Al Ittihad Club ground, Adhari from 4 p.m.