Uth @ lUv – is an
expression we franchised or rather titled our Musical Play which we staged at DIVYADAAN on the 31st of
July 2014 and on the 2nd & 3rd of August 2014. The
script and a couple of songs were taken from the Musical Play titled Salesian Youth Movement Rocks!!! staged at Dominic Savio,
Andheri for the Annual Day 2013-2014 which was written and directed by Mr.
Haydn Dias (A Salesian at Heart and very much part of the Salesian Family –
very patient and generous). The inception of Uth @ lUv took place in Bangalore when I was there for my
Pre-Perpetual Course; wherein my roommate Cl. Michael Gaikwad SDB (simple,
humble, kind, and hard working) was sharing his experience (practically daily)
of staging the above mentioned SYM Rocks!!!
At Andheri. And I began to think about staging this play at Divyadaan since we
are into the Bi-Centenary Year of Don Bosco’s Birth Celebration. As soon as I
reached Nashik, I spoke to Fr Robert Pen SDB (friendly and understanding), the
Rector of Divyadaan, he along with the house council willingly gave me go for
this play.
If at all
SYM Rocks has taken its shape and form to Uth
@ lUv is all because of Cl. Bosco Carvalho SDB (understanding and friendly,
creative and loving nature, a brother and a friend), the brain and the mother
behind this musical play. He wrote the lyrics and composed the songs; he gave
his touch to the script by modifying it. All thanks to him for his hard work
and efforts. I feel obliged to thank Fr Thomas Chalissery SDB (in getting
things that we needed for the play as well as for his precision and generosity),
the Administrator. And of course, how can I forget the director of the show – Bravo (excellent, great)!!! Bene (good)!!! Yeah, it’s none other
than Fr Wyman Gonsalves SDB (dynamic, enthusiastic, creative, cool & calm,
friend of Uth), the Prefect of Studies.
I must add
here that Uth @ lUv wouldn’t have
seen itself on stage, if not for the Brothers at Divyadaan. I could see and say
that from the 24th of June till the shows that we put up they gave
of their best. Be it on stage, below stage and behind stage. In the process of practices and getting ready for the play I
would often marvel and exclaim to myself: amazing! Wow! Ahh! Superb! Cool! Words
to define and explain their touch, their talents, their team spirit will be too
little to acknowledge their hard work (cum’nya bro we will do it), their
efforts (seeing them put their heads together and pushing their ideas to
action), their sacrifices (skipping breakfast and meals; and tea; their
openness, their mark of responsibility), choir giving their touch and flavour
to the solo singers and musicians (the master and the different voices),
dancers (setting each second, each beat a step), stage committee (setting and
changing of each scene with their briskness and the stage set up making each
scene look real with their art work and creativity), the lights men (giving
proper effects with the play of lights), the sound in charge (seeing to the
vocal, the musicians and cast voice controlling it on the mixer), the publicity
and ushers (seeing to the preparatory works as well as welcoming each and every person to our home),
make up committee (giving a brighter look to our actors), preparing the credits and notice boards,
cleaning and arranging the hall, the cleanliness of the house (inside-outside).
As well as thanks to the actresses (Viviana, Nonii, Sister Novices FMA, and
Sisters Supriya & Jyothi) who willingly accepted to be part of Uth @ lUv with their loving nature and grace
filled presence made a difference on stage. And last but not the least my being
gratuitous extends to all the communities (Salesian Training Institute, Don
Bosco Bhavan & School–college, Kilbil School, Sacred Heart Training
Institute, and Maria Vihar) that generously gave us whatever we asked for.
For me I can
say that it was a learning experience – developing a planning mentality,
knowing that practice makes one to excel in whatever one decides, to have a
listening attitude coupled with humility, to be able to dialogue with loving
relationship, to be hard working and possess the gift of effort. I realised
that it is not important to be perfect but definitely to be of excellence.
As a
Salesian I can say that it was a spiritual experience for me. Uth @ lUv was centered on some key
characteristics of Salesian Spirituality such as the Preventive System, the
Salesian Assistance, the Pedagogy of Love, the Animating and Accompanying
Presence, to Love the poor, the abandoned, the lonely, the lost. I would often
think about the example of Dominic Savio gave to his fellow companions at the
Oratory and reflect on my presence here. Thinking about holiness – that –
Sanctity consists in being CHEERFUL.
Ultimately,
it reminded me of my SALESIAN VOCATION
which I always cherish but haven’t nourished enough by way of Prayer
and Witness.
As I set off shores for my studies, I hope to focus on what I truly am as a consecrated
person, as a perpetually professed religious, as a Salesian. To rekindle that
search for God, for Peace in my life, and to share responsibly and to give
generously to all.
WHY am I saying all this…well if it is was only “i” then we wouldn’t have been affective
and effective enough to stage Uth @ lUv (we
were busy practicing and working) and more so shared it with all those who came
to see the shows.
We did do
this show keeping in mind the coming Year of the Bi-Centenary of Don Bosco’s
Birth but only in and with the GRACE of
GOD for HIS GREATER GLORY. I
must say that ‘Uth @ lUv’ was
possible because of U for your active involvement, your passion and zeal, your
love and responsibility, your hard work and effort, your time and availability,
your discipline and courage, your risk and courage…SORRY for the times i got irritated and angry; THANK YOU is all I can say, PRAYERS
is all I assure you of…
Let’s be the
LOVE to every Uth we encounter....
