Ashok Gowreea: A Versatile Artist and Inspiring Mentor
It was in the 1980s and it was my first exposure to Marathi Drama through the National Drama Festival organized by the Ministry of Arts & Culture. I was just amazed by the performance of Guruji Ashok in one of the characters of the play “Teen Vere”- one of the three mentally disturbed patients of the play.
Since then, I developed an interest in drama till in 1994 I even joined the Drama Unit of the Ministry of Arts and Culture whereby I had even more opportunities to discover more on Ashok’s talents. In fact as an actor and director with inborn qualities, he did not need much assistance from the Ministry but on the contrary contributed in motivating and sharing his experience with the younger generation.
In the same period, Ashok, the versatile actor was unveiled. If most of the Gurujis were more concentrated towards promotion of Marathi language through drama, Ashok was also present in the Creole Drama Festival. He even participated in a solo creole competition which linked him to the Shining Stars Cultural Group. Ashok even set up his own group- The Invaders with actors of different background.
Since the 1980s till now, Ashok is not only known as an actor and director but also as a friend, a social worker, a committed teacher and a devoted person engaged for the welfare the society at large.
He has and hopefully will have more richer and inspiring legacy.
- Vashnibye PURUSRAM (Mrs)
Ashok Gowreea: The Actor, The Friend, The Person
It deems me great pleasure and privilege to be given the opportunity to be part of this magazine. I have known Mr. Gowreea for more than a decade now and I would like to share my observation of him in these various aspects: as an actor, as a friend and as a person.
Amongst all his achievements, MrGowreea is highly recognised for his acting skills. He has been awarded ‘Best Actor’ at the National Drama Festival in the Marathi language. I have myself been given the opportunity to share the stage with him for three different plays, out of which two were at national level. Either on the stage for a Divali night or while performing ‘Ekach Pyala’, he has always been a mesmerizing actor.
As a friend, he has always been a delight. He has always been the spear header to regroup each and everyone and to strengthen the bond of friendship. He has always been just a call away for anyone in need. As a person, he has different shares. Always in good mood and smiling, he seems to have a larger vision and mission about life. He is a person who cannot remain angry for long. He may have a heated argument with somebody at one moment and laughing to tears at the very next moment with the same person.
I would like to qualify him as a fighter and a stubborn person. Many times, his ambitions seem unachievable and unplanned. However, his fighting spirit and stubbornness have always paved his way towards his ultimate goal.
To end, I would like to congratulate him for this long journey that he made and would like to wish him luck for his future endeavours.
- Nekitsing Arvinsing
Ashok Gowreea: A King of the Stage and a Beacon of Compassion
ASHOK name meaning is KING: one without sorrow, without grief. Whoever has come across Mr. Ashok Gowreea will acknowledge him as a real ASHOK.
I had the privilege to meet him for the first time in the year 2007 when he was the vice-president of Befrienders (Mauritius), a person full of compassion and humbleness. Befrienders (Mauritius) benefitted from his versatility (resourcefulness) while performing role plays in the training sessions.
He plunged himself so easily into any role, be it a drunkard, a cheated husband, etc. Mr. Ashok Gowreea is a multi-talented person who won many awards in his theatrical life, be it as an actor or director. He won 6 times the Best Actor Award and 4 times the Best Director Award.
During the past 40 years, he has dedicated himself to the world of theatre. Despite being in the teaching profession, he has devoted some time to acting, and this has proved that optimism and willingness are two constituents of his success.
Mr. Ashok Gowreea is the director of 2 drama schools where he is preparing students in the field of drama. He is an ”Avant-Gardiste.”
On the 40th-year anniversary of his acting career, I, on behalf of Befrienders (Mauritius), seize this golden opportunity to wish him plenty of success in his endeavor. Life is a stage – Play on.
ASHOK name meaning is KING: one without sorrow, without grief. Whoever has come across Mr. Ashok Gowreea will acknowledge him as a real ASHOK.
I had the privilege to meet him for the first time in the year 2007 when he was the vice-president of Befrienders (Mauritius), a person full of compassion and humbleness. Befrienders (Mauritius) benefitted from his versatility (resourcefulness) while performing role plays in the training sessions.
He plunged himself so easily into any role, be it a drunkard, a cheated husband, etc. Mr. Ashok Gowreea is a multi-talented person who won many awards in his theatrical life, be it as an actor or director. He won 6 times the Best Actor Award and 4 times the Best Director Award.
During the past 40 years, he has dedicated himself to the world of theatre. Despite being in the teaching profession, he has devoted some time to acting, and this has proved that optimism and willingness are two constituents of his success.
Mr. Ashok Gowreea is the director of 2 drama schools where he is preparing students in the field of drama. He is an ”Avant-Gardiste.”
On the 40th-year anniversary of his acting career, I, on behalf of Befrienders (Mauritius), seize this golden opportunity to wish him plenty of success in his endeavor. Life is a stage – Play on.
- Ms (Sheila) Swastika Cheekhoory
Vice-President, Befrienders (Mauritius)
Ashok Gowreea: Rags-to-riches story of Talent
He has a persona that naturally makes everyone around him a follower. “Guru" is his nickname earned amidst colleagues and friends at his current workplace, the Mahatma Gandhi Secondary School, Nouvelle France.
Always so full of energy, he cannot sit still but gets engaged in some form of activity and sometimes many. If I am to describe Mr. Ashok Gowreea in one word, it will have to be multitasker. His is a good rags-to-riches story of talent. For, he was not born with a silver spoon. I am amazed at how someone can turn one's life around to be one of the finest comedians in the country. Obviously, one has to be extremely talented in some way to achieve this feat, but Mr. Ashok Gowreea did not just stop there.
He has been an Initiator who had a vision beyond himself and therefore, he would encourage young people to get into drama by creating drama clubs in and outside his workplace or by collaborating with other organisations to put forth drama workshops. Having been his colleague before, I have witnessed him sharing his expertise with the youth passionately while continuing to work on himself, pushing benchmarks higher in the fields of drama, theatre, and cinema.
I equally recall hesitantly requesting him if he would be agreeable to have a performance for a grand Divali night in my village, organised by the Chamouny Progressive Circle in collaboration with the Village Council. It was a short delay; yet, to my astonishment, he immediately agreed to spread his infectious talent together with the members of the Invaders Club. He stole the show, and for a long time, the villagers could not stop talking about that one drama which brought bursts of laughter that rippled for many days.
As this Multitasker celebrates his 40 years in drama, theatre, and cinema, I can only wish health, longevity, and energy to Mr. Ashok Gowreea so that the generations to come may get inspired to take the legacy forward.
He has a persona that naturally makes everyone around him a follower. “Guru" is his nickname earned amidst colleagues and friends at his current workplace, the Mahatma Gandhi Secondary School, Nouvelle France.
Always so full of energy, he cannot sit still but gets engaged in some form of activity and sometimes many. If I am to describe Mr. Ashok Gowreea in one word, it will have to be multitasker. His is a good rags-to-riches story of talent. For, he was not born with a silver spoon. I am amazed at how someone can turn one's life around to be one of the finest comedians in the country. Obviously, one has to be extremely talented in some way to achieve this feat, but Mr. Ashok Gowreea did not just stop there.
He has been an Initiator who had a vision beyond himself and therefore, he would encourage young people to get into drama by creating drama clubs in and outside his workplace or by collaborating with other organisations to put forth drama workshops. Having been his colleague before, I have witnessed him sharing his expertise with the youth passionately while continuing to work on himself, pushing benchmarks higher in the fields of drama, theatre, and cinema.
I equally recall hesitantly requesting him if he would be agreeable to have a performance for a grand Divali night in my village, organised by the Chamouny Progressive Circle in collaboration with the Village Council. It was a short delay; yet, to my astonishment, he immediately agreed to spread his infectious talent together with the members of the Invaders Club. He stole the show, and for a long time, the villagers could not stop talking about that one drama which brought bursts of laughter that rippled for many days.
As this Multitasker celebrates his 40 years in drama, theatre, and cinema, I can only wish health, longevity, and energy to Mr. Ashok Gowreea so that the generations to come may get inspired to take the legacy forward.
- Ms Avilla Damar
Art Educator- Lecturer
Ashok Gowreea: An Inspiring Personality
A person’s fame is not only owing to the courtesy of the wealth and materialistic fortune he has acquired throughout his life, but also owing to his involvement and contribution in various fields.
Mr. Ashok Gowreea, from the time I know him, has been extremely dynamic in the organization of various activities while carrying his duty as a Primary School Teacher, as an Education Officer at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute, as a member of the Marathi Sahitya Parishad, Marathi Oopkaree Sabha, New Invaders Club, or as the President of the Government Marathi Teachers Association respectively. His enthusiasm and dedication have always been praiseworthy.
He has also been our student at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute, where he completed his BA degree in Marathi with one of the optional subjects in Dramatics. His deep-rooted interest and sincerity in the study of Dramatics introduced him to great and renowned theatre actors.
He is, in fact, inspired and highly impressed by the talented Indian artists and dramatists such as V.V. Shirvadkar, Ram Ganesh Gadkari, Vijay Tendulkar, Ramesh Dev, Nana Patekar, Nilu Phule, and many others.
His participation in the Marathi National Drama Competitions organized by the Ministry of Arts and Culture since 1984 till date is well-known in Mauritius. He has even been honoured with several ‘Best Actor’ awards. Furthermore, it is interesting to note that he has won both the ‘Best Actor’ and ‘Best Director’ awards for the play entitled ‘Ekach Pyala’ written by Ram Ganesh Gadkari.
His dedication to the Theatre and the Marathi Drama is undoubtedly an example to be followed. His encouragement and motivation to the students to participate in the Marathi Drama is highly appreciated by one and all. Indeed, he is an inspirational personality.
Wishing him all the best in his future endeavors.
- Dr Beedun Abba (PMSM)
Former Head Dept. of Marathi Studies Mahatma Gandhi Institute, Moka, Mauritius
Former President, Marathi Speaking Union
Ashok Gowreea: A Pillar of Theater, Passion, and Excellence
Theater life isn’t for everyone. It is for the strong, the stubborn, the disciplined, the tested, and the passionate.
Mr. Ashok, I seriously love your acting skills, and I think you’re one hilarious man inside and out of the plays. Your acting is very good, and it feels so natural—the characters you played in all the plays in Marathi, Bhojpuri, and Creole Drama Festivals from 1981 to 2021 were outstanding.
You’re a happy, funny man but full of wisdom. Everything you say sometimes encourages your co-actors to do better in the future. Your words have a positive impact. I laugh every time I watch your plays. Really, I appreciate all your plays. Your acting skills are so good that you can nail every character you are given to play. You’re truly a very talented actor.
Hereby, I want to thank you as a token of appreciation for your hard work and dedication in making your fans feel happy with your acting.
I am proud to say Ashok is a trained and versatile actor. He has the confidence to portray any role in a production convincingly and connect with audiences. He uses physicality to convey the emotions, motivations, and intentions of a character through movement as well as speech.
Ashok Gowreea is also a Theater Director and playwright. He is always prepared, organized, focused, and creative. He gives actors thoughtful guidance while also encouraging them to create on their own. During rehearsals, he uses a wide variety of techniques, philosophies, and levels of collaboration. He brings creative energy and professional performance to each and every production and creates meaningful relationships with the characters.
Keep moving forward and never give up on what you are doing. You’re doing a great job promoting Drama in Mauritius. Take criticism as motivation for your future.
Acting is behaving truthfully under imaginary circumstances
- Rashid Neerooa
Former Principal Arts Officer, Ministry of Arts and Culture
Ashok Gowreea: A Soulful Performer and a Champion of the Arts
"Actors think more with their hearts than with their heads." - William Esper
I would like to convey my appreciation to my long-time friend and colleague for his outstanding performance and contribution in the field of Arts and Culture—not only for the Marathi community but also for the Mauritian community during the last 40 years. Drama is a form of entertainment for our society. It influences our own lives and our perception of things, encouraging us to review our experiences and our principles for the sake of our loved ones.
To play a role competently, an actor must be able to fully inhabit another’s soul. I can confidently say that Ashok exhibits all these qualities. I have had the opportunity to work with him for the play Nath Samrath, where he shared his acting skills and knowledge with me. This play helped in diffusing any tension and releasing unexpressed steam. We were filled with joy when all our efforts bore fruit, winning several awards for the play.
"Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." Well done, Ashok Gowreea!
- Mrs. Luxchumeebye Puddoo
Ashok Gowreea: A Lifelong Passion for Theater and Social Impact
Ashok has been a long-standing and loyal friend since my college days.
Even during these teen years, Ashok had a very creative artistic mind with an innate passion for acting and drama. We even participated in a school drama where we both played the role of thieves!
Ashok took his acting skills and passion for drama beyond school, to not only reach new heights but also to excel—winning national accolades and awards, and most importantly, transmitting his artistic skills and passion to the new generations.
He has sacrificed his time, resources, and energy to dedicate his life to drama, social work, and guiding our youth into creative arts and social work, thus protecting them from the influence of drugs and alcohol.
This commemoration of his 40 years in theatre is a fitting tribute to this great human being and friend.
- Anwar Edoo
Ashok Gowreea: A Pillar of Theater, Mentorship, and Dedication
A man with diverse talents and one of the New Invaders Club's most valuable assets.
I would personally consider him to be an expert in the drama and performing arts arena. His knowledge and experience in the world of drama are truly exceptional. I had the pleasure of working with him, especially for the Ekach Pyala play, which won the Marathi Drama competition in 2019. His varied acting skills, combined with his traits and personality, make him a unique mentor for our young artists.
He is constantly committed to social work, and I have rarely come across someone as dedicated as him to keep our club going in the most challenging times.
In celebrating his 40 years of career with such passion, I thank him for the contribution he brings to us through his famous award-winning plays and for inspiring us to participate. There are many reasons to celebrate his 40-year career as fervently as possible. I thank him for his decades of work and celebrate the recognition he has received.
The privilege of being his student, working with him, and continuing to do so is incomparably rewarding. I am certain success will follow Mr. Ashok Gowreea for many years to come.
- Naraynen Neevesh
Former Assistant secretary,
New Invaders Club
New Invaders Club
Ashok Gowreea: Shaping Lives Through Drama and Dedication
Mr. Gowreea is one of the most talented actors, directors, and scriptwriters who has been running a drama school. He has changed the lives of many aimless pupils and encouraged them. He runs a drama school in Nouvelle-France, where he teaches his pupils lessons—not only in drama but also in real life. Most of his pupils have learned the innate fact that anybody can become an actor, provided they have the willingness to do so.
The term "nothing is impossible" traces its origin back to Mr. Gowreea, as within 15 minutes, he can teach something new to his pupils that they will remember for a lifetime. Drama is not only an art, but it is a way of life. However, the modern youth do not always see its importance.
In the drama school run by Mr. Ashok Gowreea, everybody is taught values such as unity—both in the classroom and beyond. Even the most successful academies do not follow the unique formula that Mr. Gowreea follows. His students have learned the importance of teamwork, unity, and role-sharing, among other skills, all based on their talents.
For instance, I have always been fond of writing, storytelling, and acting, but I never actually wrote much apart from a few scripts. When I showed my very first script to Mr. Gowreea, he appreciated it and encouraged me.
As a result, I ended up writing a few more scripts on my own and improving my ideas. As for how this has helped me in life, that depends on one's point of view. Drama must be appreciated, and in his 40 years as a drama teacher, Mr. Ashok Gowreea has taught the youth many valuable lessons. We encourage him to continue doing so.
- Akshar Gungah
Drama Student