Goa's Pride www.goa-world.com
2005-12-26 04:26:44 UTC
No title specified
By EUNICE del ROSARIO
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=130937&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=28281
Indian writer and composer Pio Fernandes came to Bahrain more than 15 years
ago as a young man fresh from Bollywood, with the dream of one day being able
to reach out to others through his musical compositions and stage dramas.
Today, he is one of the most respected composers in his community and his work
is fast getting the attention of many others in the field.
The 37-year-old artist last month released his latest album, a drama entitled
You Are Great Grandpa, which was received to great reviews from Konkani-
speakers in Bahrain.
It was the follow up to his debut CD, Tum Ostore (You Woman), released in
August, which features 12 original songs by Pio and sung by seasoned Indian
artists from Goa and Bahrain.
PIO FERNANDES
When did you discover your love for writing?
I started out as a poet when I was very young and I developed that talent,
which I believe is God given, more and more in time. I have written for
newspapers and radio shows in India and developed my gift more when I arrived
in Bahrain. When you are far away from home, you tend to forget many things
about the land you came from and writing poems about my country, my family and
friends and just things I was feeling, made me feel good. The poems made sure
I did not forget people and things that mattered.
How was it like working in Bollywood? Do you think of going back and working
with some of the world's busiest actors again?
I worked in Bombay as the assistant to Goan director Joy Augustine two years
before coming to Bahrain. I very much enjoyed it. Working in the film industry
is exciting and Bollywood is filled with many talented people. I worked with
top actors like Shakti Kapoor, Tom Walter and Chandrachud Singh, who is also
known as 'Rocky', but I think Bahrain is where I will be staying for a while
yet.
Coming from someone who has lived in Bahrain for a long time, do you think
there has been an increase in leisure activities here?
Actually, I think the number of leisure activities, particularly cultural
activities that many enjoy, have decreased over the years. For example, there
are very few events that cater for the Goan community in Bahrain. After my
last stage show Tuven Uzo Cailo (You Set the Fire) in 2000, there has not been
a play for Goans. I hope that there would be more cultural events, which
everyone - regardless of nationality - could enjoy. I believe doing things in
a unique way and innovative ideas should be accepted by all communities.
What do you think should be done to change this?
People in Bahrain generally know where to go to be entertained, but what
people need is a variety. There is a lack of cultural events, which a more
mature audience would enjoy - such as stage plays. I think when people start
supporting the staging of such shows and voice their needs for these
activities, then things will change, because there is no problem with support
from the authorities when it comes to staging cultural shows.
You have just released your second album, which is proving to be a success.
What can people expect from you next?
I have plans of releasing an album in English to reach a wider audience. There
are also plans of releasing a video album, which will be shot in Bahrain. I
enjoy writing and people can expect more to come.
You've worked in Bollywood, released successful albums, staged several plays
and right now you are working on another album and a music video. Is there
anything else you would like to do?
I have written several plays in Konkani, Hindi and English over the years, all
for radio listeners in India. A number of them, including the English drama
House for Sale, were performed in stages in India and Bahrain. I wrote it in
memory of the late Amir, HH Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa. I hope to one
day be able to write short plays for radio listeners in Bahrain. Writing is my
passion and it would give me pleasure to write plays for listeners here.
Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Yes, and that is to read a lot. It is unfortunate that these days, fewer and
fewer people read, when there is still so much to learn. I always believe that
one can never learn too much. There is always room for more knowledge. I don't
to this day consider myself an expert because I am still learning something
new with every day. It is important for writers to read other people's work,
be inspired by them but never copy them.
- Forwarded by www.goa-world.com
-------
Feliz Natal e Pr?spero Ano Novo
Sontosborit Natalam ani Khuxelborit Novem Voros
By EUNICE del ROSARIO
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=130937&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=28281
Indian writer and composer Pio Fernandes came to Bahrain more than 15 years
ago as a young man fresh from Bollywood, with the dream of one day being able
to reach out to others through his musical compositions and stage dramas.
Today, he is one of the most respected composers in his community and his work
is fast getting the attention of many others in the field.
The 37-year-old artist last month released his latest album, a drama entitled
You Are Great Grandpa, which was received to great reviews from Konkani-
speakers in Bahrain.
It was the follow up to his debut CD, Tum Ostore (You Woman), released in
August, which features 12 original songs by Pio and sung by seasoned Indian
artists from Goa and Bahrain.
PIO FERNANDES
When did you discover your love for writing?
I started out as a poet when I was very young and I developed that talent,
which I believe is God given, more and more in time. I have written for
newspapers and radio shows in India and developed my gift more when I arrived
in Bahrain. When you are far away from home, you tend to forget many things
about the land you came from and writing poems about my country, my family and
friends and just things I was feeling, made me feel good. The poems made sure
I did not forget people and things that mattered.
How was it like working in Bollywood? Do you think of going back and working
with some of the world's busiest actors again?
I worked in Bombay as the assistant to Goan director Joy Augustine two years
before coming to Bahrain. I very much enjoyed it. Working in the film industry
is exciting and Bollywood is filled with many talented people. I worked with
top actors like Shakti Kapoor, Tom Walter and Chandrachud Singh, who is also
known as 'Rocky', but I think Bahrain is where I will be staying for a while
yet.
Coming from someone who has lived in Bahrain for a long time, do you think
there has been an increase in leisure activities here?
Actually, I think the number of leisure activities, particularly cultural
activities that many enjoy, have decreased over the years. For example, there
are very few events that cater for the Goan community in Bahrain. After my
last stage show Tuven Uzo Cailo (You Set the Fire) in 2000, there has not been
a play for Goans. I hope that there would be more cultural events, which
everyone - regardless of nationality - could enjoy. I believe doing things in
a unique way and innovative ideas should be accepted by all communities.
What do you think should be done to change this?
People in Bahrain generally know where to go to be entertained, but what
people need is a variety. There is a lack of cultural events, which a more
mature audience would enjoy - such as stage plays. I think when people start
supporting the staging of such shows and voice their needs for these
activities, then things will change, because there is no problem with support
from the authorities when it comes to staging cultural shows.
You have just released your second album, which is proving to be a success.
What can people expect from you next?
I have plans of releasing an album in English to reach a wider audience. There
are also plans of releasing a video album, which will be shot in Bahrain. I
enjoy writing and people can expect more to come.
You've worked in Bollywood, released successful albums, staged several plays
and right now you are working on another album and a music video. Is there
anything else you would like to do?
I have written several plays in Konkani, Hindi and English over the years, all
for radio listeners in India. A number of them, including the English drama
House for Sale, were performed in stages in India and Bahrain. I wrote it in
memory of the late Amir, HH Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa. I hope to one
day be able to write short plays for radio listeners in Bahrain. Writing is my
passion and it would give me pleasure to write plays for listeners here.
Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Yes, and that is to read a lot. It is unfortunate that these days, fewer and
fewer people read, when there is still so much to learn. I always believe that
one can never learn too much. There is always room for more knowledge. I don't
to this day consider myself an expert because I am still learning something
new with every day. It is important for writers to read other people's work,
be inspired by them but never copy them.
- Forwarded by www.goa-world.com
-------
Feliz Natal e Pr?spero Ano Novo
Sontosborit Natalam ani Khuxelborit Novem Voros