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from Aida Margaret D Cunha
Secretary
Bangalore Konkani Catholic Sangh, Bangalore
Bangalore, Mar. 15: According to Konkani cinema's history, twenty movies have been brought out since 1952. Of these we have been able to see only a few of them. Many of these films were released in Goa as they were produced in Goa and a few produced in Mangalore. It is difficult to understand why no new Konkani films are being produced and released in large numbers. One of the reasons could be the poor technical support for the release of these films.
But here is some good news for all Konkani-speaking brethren. The president of our Bangalore Konkani Catholic Sangh, Bangalore, Raymond Quadros, has taken up the production of a film titled Padri".
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Sitting, from L to R: Wilfy Rebimbus, producer Raymond Quadros, Prince Jacob and director Rajesh Fernandes. Standing, from L to R: Meena Rebimbus, Claud D'Souza, Dr Prashant Raj, Prem Kumar Lobo, Mohammed Iqbal, Antony San and Stefan Rodrigues
This film is being produced under the banner Sreepada Movie Makers. Born in Kinnigoli and now residing in Bangalore, Raymond Quadros has a burning desire to work for the development of Konkani. He has now brought together talented artistes from various parts of Karnataka and Goa to produce this film. A businessman by profession, he has been striving hard for the past 8 months to make this film a success, even by sidelining his core business activities.
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From L to R: producer Raymond Quadros, story-writer Prince Jacob, lyricist and music-writer Wilfy Rebimbus and director Rajesh Fernandes
Renowned 'tiatrist' from Goa, Prince Jacob has provided the storyline for this film, based on his own hit 'tiatr' of the same name. Mangalore's well-known music-writer Wilfy Rebimbus has provided the lyrics and music, with singers like Meena Rebimbus, Claud DSouza, Dr. Prashant Raj, Anthony San, Stephen Rodrigues,Mohammed Ikbal, Prem Kumar and Anita Samson having lent their voices.
The film is being directed by N Rajesh Fernandes, who has behind him a rich background in the film industry. He has been in the industry for the past 15 years working in various Kannada cinema serials.
The recording of songs has been completed at Vijaya Studios, Bangalore. This film comprises 8 Songs, good comedy to laugh, emotions and a good sequence of fights. This film is set to break all barriers and is being hailed as the first Konkani commercial scope cinema. The shooting of the film commence on March 2 at Rai Church, Goa. The film is scheduled to be completed by end-April and will be released across the three states of Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra. This is the dream of producer Raymond Quadros.
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Sitting from L to R: Wilfy Rebimbus, music-arranger Pappan. Standing from L to R: director Rajesh Fernandes, producer Raymond Quadros and music-arranger Joswin Fernandes
According to Quadros, producing a movie is not a big deal or task. He expects that when this Konkani film is released, all Konkani-speaking brethren will extend a magnanimous support for the success of this film. All that the production team needs is encouragement, participation and support in making Padri a grand success. This support will only encourage enthusiasts like Quadros to bring out more films in Konkani. He requests the various Konkani associations spread across the Middle East, Canada, London, USA. Australia etc. to support his team in the release of this film and also help in the sale of cassettes.
The release of many such Konkani films will help in identifying talented Konkani artistes, technicians, script-writers, singers in large numbers. This will go a long way in supporting and encouraging the Konkani language and culture.
| Raymond Quadros - Getting into the Adventure of Konkani Film Production with 'Padri' |
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| by Richie Lasrado |
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June 23, 2005
Mangalore, Jun 23: From the first look, one would never realize he could be an achiever in business circles, and the least as one who would venture into a gamble of a venture of making a Konkani film. There are already several past examples of others' having burnt their fingers after taking that risk.
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Raymond Quadros
Raymond Quadros, the Bangalore-based entrepreneur of Mangalorean origin, was in the city last week to attend a Konkani TV function as a guest of honour. Daijiworld spoke to him to get an insight into what inspired him to take a risk of that kind.
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Richie Lasrado with Raymond Quadros
Tell us something about yourself.
I hail from Kinnigoly in Mangalore taluk. After completion of VIIIth standard education, in 1967, I went to Mumbai to work. In 1974, I managed to get a job in Qatar. I worked there for nine years up to 1983 and returned to Mumbai. I ran the 'Royal General Stores' and then moved over to Bangalore in 1987. Over the past years, I have diversified into various lines and have been successful as a businessman until now.
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What made you get into the risk of making a Konkani film?
Somehow, I had always nurtured an ambition to make a film. But never thought I would make one in Konkani. The director of Padri, Rajesh Fernandes, was the one who egged me on to make it in Konkani.
How was the idea formed?
During one of my trips to Goa, I happened to watch the play 'Padri' by Prince Jacob and I liked it immensely. On the spot I decided that it should be made into a movie. Rajesh had already worked in the direction of a few Kannada movies and a few serials.
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Did you have any profit motive, when making a Konkani movie with a limited market, and also keeping in mind the experience of those who have made Konkani movies in the past, as an 'unwise' enterprise?
To be honest, I did not have any profit motive. It was only to serve my language, Konkani. I knew it would be a risky venture. But if the community can help me in at least getting back the money invested, that would be some consolation for me.
Perhaps you are looking at the broader market outside Goa. Then what made you pick a Goan theme, when you are targetting a predominantly non-Goan viewership?
What I liked was the theme and the flow of the storyline which would appeal to movie-goers from all regions. There is a variety of ingredients like good story, humour, moral and music - whatever you expect from a good movie.
But the original stage-play 'Padri' by Prince Jacob is in a 'tiatr' form.
That has been totally adapted into a fast-paced movie form, just as you would find, say Kannada, movie with a brisk tempo.
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How have you struck a balance regarding the comprehensibilty in terms of language or dialects and flavour so that it can be appreciated by people of all regions of Konkan?
The language, situations and settings have all been created in such a way that the Konkani-speaking people from all regions will feel it is all their own.
What about the location shooting?
About 40% of the shooting has been done in Goa. The other 60% was shot in Honavar, Bangalore and other places of Karnataka.
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Theatrewise, the tastes of the people in Goa, Mangalore and other places of Konkan vary from each other. How have you managed a comprehensive and all-inclusive appeal?
Every effort has been made to incorporate the elements of appeal to everyone. I repeat that the dialogues have been devised in such a style that everyone from every region will understand them. I make a special mention that the music created for this movie by Wilfy Rebimbus from Mangalore will be loved by everyone from the Konkan region.
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What kind of cooperation, as you said earlier, would you expect from Konkani film-lovers?
I would stress again that I did not produce the movie to make a name for myself nor for a profit, but only as a humble service to the community. If I get back my investment, that will be great news for me. I am aware that a large number of Konkani-speaking people live abroad, especially in the Gulf. It is a matter of pride that in spite of living thousands of kilometres away from their homes, they take keen interest in their language and culture and keep the flame alive. I would like them to have an opportunity to view the movie right there. If all the Konkani organizations serving in the Gulf can come forward to organize screenings of the movie at their respective places, it can be beneficial to them and to the maker as well, thus serving a dual purpose. | |
