Willy Silveira is an actor who has recently turned towards direction with his first tiatr titled ‘Kaklut Mhoji Kor’. The tiatr conveys a strong message in favour of differently-abled people. Speaking to NT BUZZ Willy shares his experience of being a debutant director
SACHI NAIK | NT BUZZ
Willy Silveira is a well known actor who has worked with directors like Comedian Agostinho, Mario Menezes, Prince Jacob and many others. However, this Lent season he has presented his talent in direction with his first tiatr titled, ‘Kaklut Mhoji Kor’ and is thrilled that he is getting a good response from the public.
‘Kaklut Mhoji Kor’ revolves around a person who dislikes differently abled people and considers them to be a curse to the family. However, things get worse when his wife gives birth to a differently abled child. Instead of changing his attitude, he cannot bear the sight of his son which eventually leads him to disown the boy. The story continues to narrate the fate of the child and the turn of events wherein the person transforms his life. The incident that triggers the change is the suspense.
Willy says that many people in this society dislike differently abled people: “Hence instead of helping them grow they want to get rid of them.” He is of the opinion that if a differently abled child is born, people tend to mock him and consider him as a curse to the family. “There are few people who consider the birth of a disabled child as an outcome of a sin committed by the child’s ancestors,” he adds.
It is his endeavour to dispel this belief through the medium of his tiart. He has shown various incidents of how people ill-treat the disabled. “I have shown the father locking his son in a separate room because he is ashamed of his son’s disabilities.” The tiatr shows how some people are very adamant and stick to their notions. “Even when the family and friends try to convince the man not to ill treat his son, he doesn’t relent,” says Willy.
Every person is God’s creation and no one can judge disability as a curse. The tiatr aims to propagate this idea. “People who are mentally or physically challenged are created by God and hence no curse. Rather, I believe that such people are a blessing. They are special not because of their disabilities but due to their abilities.”
Though it may be a true to life story, Willy stresses that it is not based on any particular person. “It is not a real life incident of any person. But there are so many people who believe disability is a curse or a result of a sin committed by the ancestors.”
He aims to make people look at the positives in the disabled. “They teach people to love them and to be humble. They teach people that nothing is impossible. Through them we learn to love the Almighty. I also want to tell the people who are physically challenged and are depressed in life because they are blamed constantly, to stay strong. Love yourself for who you are and you can achieve a lot by focussing just on your abilities. Don’t bother about people who are ashamed of you or those who hate you,” says Willy.
He adds that miracles do happen in life, citing an example of Indian musician Benny Prasad. “He had asthma and with wrong medication he developed arthritis and his lungs collapsed too. Doctors gave him only six months to live. But then, miracles do happen. He heard the voice of Jesus telling him not to give up. He then learnt the guitar and designed the Bentar – the world’s first bongo guitar. I have given his example in my tiatr.” The message he wants to convey is never give up on a disabled person.
The tiart has 11 kantaras and five cants with Willy singing the opening song “There is another chouko (quartet) that I sing in this tiatr which is written by other singers. All actors have helped me to write caants for this tiatr,” informs Willy.
Willy apart from directing also plays the role of the disabled son and he says there is a huge difference in being an actor and a director. “When you are an actor, you just have to know your role and by heart your dialogues. But when you are a director you have to by heart the entire script. But I have an advantage as an actor. Although this is the first time I have directed a tiatr everything went smoothly,” says Willy.
He says his team ensured it was a good experience. “There are positives and negatives. Many actors supported me while there are some who judged me of my capability as a director, but still cooperated with me. Till now, I’ve got a good response for my shows. The shows will be presented till the Easter.”
(Shows of ‘Kaklut Mhoji Kor’ will be held on March 19 and March 21 at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao at 3.30 p.m, and April 5 at Kala Academy, Panaji at 7.30 p.m.)