Udupi: ’Platform Number 3’ Captivates Imaginatio​n of Audience

By Dr Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 24 Feb 2014: ‘Platform Number 3’, an experimental Konkani play written by Arun Raj Rodrigues of Valencia, Mangalore and directed by Christopher D’Souza, Mangalore and presented by Parichaya-Pamboor at the grounds of St. John the Evangelist Church, Shanarpura on Sunday, 23 February 2014 at 7 pm captivated the attention and imagination of discerning capacity audience. The 90 minutes long play enacted by ten actors depicting various characters was  well appreciated by the  audience for its novelty and real to life characterization.

 

Prior to the start of the play, Anil D’Sa-President of the Parichaya welcomed the gathering and called upon Rev. Dr. Leslie D’Souza, parish priest of Shankarpura on the stage along with Prof. Vincent Alva-Honorary President of Parichaya who offered Jasmine flowers and memento to Rev. Dr. Leslie D’Souza. In his message, Rev. Dr. Leslie D’Souza appreciated the contribution of Parichaya in promoting art and culture in the surrounding regions.

 

 

Prof. Vincent Alva briefly narrated the circumstances that led to the foundation of Parichaya and also outlined its aims and objectives as well as the activities during the last two years.

 

The writer of the play, Arun Raj Rodrigues and director Christopher D’Souza were honoured by Prof. Vincent Alva by presenting them Shankarpura Jasmines.

 

The chief sponsors of ‘Platform Number 3’ were Mark and Caroline Martis of Shankarpura residing presently at Dubai. Their family member as well as other sponsors were honoured by Prof. Vincent Alva by offering them flowers.

 

Arun Raj Rodrigues in his brief speech mentioned about the work done at  Kalakul and explained the essence of the play ‘Platform Number 3’.

 

Earlier, this reporter had an opportunity to interact with the writer of the play Arun Raj Rodrigues who has been carving out a distinct niche in the Konkani theatre by his unique experimental plays. He is presently the Director of Kalakul, the only Theatre Training centre under Maand Sobhann since two and a half year. During this period, Arun Raj has written ten major plays  and five short plays which have been presented by Kalakul. This was the eighth show of ‘Platform Number 3’. His famous plays include ‘Mother’, ‘Patim Ye Mai’, ‘Vallu Jillu Zindabad’, ‘Eksuri Baayl’, ‘Mellya Uprant’, ‘Mr. Jesus’, ‘Bomma’ and ‘Madthir Bhagat Singh’’. ’Judas’, written by Arun Raj that was enacted by a single actor was awarded ‘Kalakur puraskar’ by Thomas Stephen Konkani Centre of Goa.

 

Kalakul Theatre Training Institute under Maand Sobhann trains those who are interested in acting from Monday to Friday every week in the evening. Since two and a half years, Kalakul has been presenting four plays every year by the actors trained in the institute.  A new play titled ‘Ticket’ with politics as its theme will be presented by Kalakul on 6 April 2014.

 

The play ‘Platform Number 3’ began at around 7.15 pm and ended at 8.45 pm. The play depicts the interplay of various characters waiting for a train to Chennai at Platform Number 3 of a railway station. The characters played very effectively by the actors include a tea stall owner, two  young MBA graduates, a boy and a girl  proceeding for an interview in a company at Chennai, a policeman, a sex-worker, an eunuch, a demanding wife and her hen-pecked husband, a lame person and an arrogant young man. As the train was delayed for nearly three hours, these characters  decide to spend their time by enacting the roles of different  politicians manifesting their trademark characteristics. As the train arrives, the play rises to its climax as the destiny of the young man with MBA degree and dreams of a better future  takes a sudden turn.

 

 

Credit goes to Arun Raj Rodrigues for depicting real characters that one can find on the railway platforms in any station across India. The direction by Christopher D’Souza is quite realistic and the actors have done full justice to the characters that they have been playing by realistic dialogue delivery and acting. The play had comic situations that kept up the interest of the people. On the whole, ’Platform Number 3’ succeeded in captivating the attention and imagination of the audience.

 

Arun Raj Rodrigues

Parichaya members with Arun Raj Rodrigues

This was the second time that Parichaya presented ‘Platform Number 3’. Last year the same play was presented at Pamboor. The entire Parichaya family was present at Shankarpura on the occasion of the presentation of the play for the second time.