‘A Jasmine For A  Gardener’
–    comes home to an expectant Guyanese audience
Mahadeo Shivraj strikes ‘gold’ , again, in this latest must-see movie
IT is rarely that someone has the courage to follow their dreams, especially in the uncertain world of the arts and theatre; but veteran thespian Mahadeo Shivraj had more than dreams to sustain his aspirations.
He had an abundant faith in the lord of his ancestors – a faith fostered by his parents.  A visit to his home and meeting his extremely fit and highly intelligent father, whom is still active and who teaches Sanskrit, provides an insight into the genesis of the emergence of the multi-faceted characteristics of one of Guyana’s finest artistic creations.
It also provides an insight why he chose Churaumanie Bissoondyal to write the script for his latest production and second film that he produced – ‘A jasmine for a gardener’.  Their cultural backgrounds are similar, although their thoughts are universal.
Funding to produce this film proved near-impossible for Shiv to obtain, so he borrowed heavily and also, apart from producing, he also directed and acted in the movie– essaying the role of the ‘Gardener’ of the subject title.
What evolved is a masterpiece of romance, intrigue, combining an old-world charm that would captivate an audience of the older generation, while at the same time the fast-paced mysteries of murder, mayhem, the drug world, deceit and betrayal would grip a younger audience.
There is also light-relief  comical situations to lighten up the tension so that no-one suffers a heart attack from all the excitement generated by the power-packed scenes, greatly enhanced by excellent photography.

The movie was shot entirely in Guyana, with mainly local actors, who all, with Shiv’s amazing directing skills, excelled in their respective roles.  This movie is a must-see for all Guyanese, not only because the locales and actors are familiar to Guyanese art-loving audiences, but also of the excellent entertainer that it has turned out to be.
Mahadeo Shivraj is an extremely humble person, despite all his many achievements in theatre and the arts, and the public recognition of his many accomplishments – both in his homeland and in North America.

Like all great achievers with multiple talent, Shivraj ascribes his talent not to himself, but to “God for having blessed us as trustees with this talent”, stating in no uncertain terms, “The credit is His (the Lord’s)”.
Shivraj has been active in the theatre for the past 25 years as actor, director, set-designer and producer. He recently added screenplay and film-direction to his credits with the film ‘Till I Find A Place’ which was released in 2010. He has acted in over 90 plays professionally and directed over 30, doing the set-design for all. He is a member of the Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. He has acted in many independent films and also acted in the series ‘100 Centre Street’, ‘3D ROCK’ on NBC and in the new ‘IIESL’ series.
At the invitation of the Indian Arrival Committee in November at the National Cultural Centre in Guyana he played the role that Amitabh Bachan played in Baghban to rave review by audience and critics alike.

Mahadeo Shivraj has indubitably once more struck gold in this latest production, which is a must-see, and which will leave audiences gasping at the skilful interweave of sub-plots within the main plot that had a stunningly surprising ending.
“A Jasmine for a Gardener” entitles the gardener, Mahadeo Shivraj, a bouquet of the exotic jasmine flower.
The movie, its Hindi name being ‘Ek Chameli Mali Ke Liye’, revolves around two characters Neetu Raghubir (played by Bhavana Samtani) and Ravi Devdas (played by Shivraj.)
Other well known theatre actors who are featured in the movie include Gem-Madhoo Nascimento, Nazim Hussain, Dimple Mendonca,  Neaz Subhan, Shaneeza Hussein, Rajan Tiwari and Mark Kasim.
Screened in the United States, the movie has been receiving great reviews. The film is slated to be screened at the National Cultural Centre next weekend (March 10 and 11). Tickets are available at the NCC and cost $1500, $1000 and $700.

QUOTE The movie (its Hindi name Ek Chameli Mali Ke Liye) centers on the two characters Neetu Raghubir and Ravi Devdas, showing their hidden fears, their needs, their quest for a higher world, and their labour to find a balance between the material world and divine.