THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2024
The tiatr season has just begun. More than 15 new productions are eagerly waiting to take the stage in November. However, the tiatrists have got a rude jolt as the 1,100-capacity ‘Pai Tiatrist Joao Agostinho Fernandes’ auditorium at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, a popular venue for tiatrs, will be unavailable in November due to its allocation for screening movies during the IFFI.
This scheduling conflict has left the tiatr fraternity worried about the availability of suitable venues and the potential impact on their productions. The tiatr directors, who had anticipated profits from staging their shows in Ravindra Bhavan, are now disheartened with the prospects of incurring losses due to lack of a suitable alternative venue.
This situation underscores the financial challenges and uncertainties faced by artistes in the entertainment industry, when unforeseen scheduling conflicts arise, impacting their expected earnings and investments.
Several tiatr directors, now left with no alternative but to remain at home without staging any shows, are distressed. They anticipate losing an average earning of nearly Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 per show due to the unavailability of the Ravindra Bhavan auditorium.
According to information gathered from these directors, there were approximately 12 to 15 new tiatr, some of which were released in October, with many more scheduled for release -in November.
In light of this situation, they have chosen to focus on village shows as an alternative to mitigate their financial losses. This decision highlights the resilience and adaptability of artists in the face of unexpected challenges in their industry.
Tiatr artistes have raised concerns over the apparent lack of tiatr shows at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, even though the main auditorium is named after Pai Tiatrist Joao Agostinho Fernandes.
The non-availability of auditoriums, particularly the Pai Tiatrist Auditorium at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, and the financial challenges associated with other venues has left many tiatr directors frustrated. They have invested significant sums of money in their new shows and are now faced with the dilemma of finding suitable spaces to showcase their productions.
This situation highlights the need for a fair and balanced allocation of venues to accommodate the diverse cultural activities and performances in the region. It is indeed unfortunate that tiatr lovers will miss out on the entertainment in the month of November.
Tiatr holds a special place in the hearts of Goans, and the scheduling conflict has left a void in their cultural calendar, which would be deeply felt as the days progress.
This situation highlights the significance of preserving and accommodating the cultural traditions and entertainment that are cherished by the local community.
Senior tiatr director, Pascoal de Chicalim voiced his frustration, expressing disappointment that no preference is given to tiatrs, even though the auditorium is dedicated to Pai Tiatrist.
He pointed out the challenge faced by tiatr directors, saying, “Now, where do we go to stage our tiatr shows? We have invested a lot, and the sudden decision of not allotting slots for tiatr shows has created a major problem for many directors.”
His sentiments reflect the concerns of many tiatr artists and directors who have invested time and resources and now find themselves grappling with the issue of suitable venues for their shows.
The non-availability of the auditoriums, particularly the main auditorium of Ravindra Bhavan in Margao, has indeed created significant problems for tiatr directors.
Gomant Vidya Niketan is not financially viable for hosting tiatr shows, and the ongoing renovation of Kala Academy in Panjim adds to the challenges. Additionally, the closure of Ravindra Bhavan in Vasco for bookings due to central AC issues further limits the options available to tiatr artistes, he added.
The 1,000 plus capacity auditorium at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao has been a source of cheer for tiatr directors, as it allows them to potentially earn profits ranging from Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 after each show, provided there is a minimum audience of 600 attendees.
If a show goes housefulll, directors have the opportunity to earn nearly Rs 40,000 per performance. These financial prospects highlight the importance of the Ravindra Bhavan auditorium as a lucrative and significant venue for tiatr shows. Now, its unavailability in November has become a matter of concern for the tiatr community and the lovers of this traditional performing arts form.
Senior tiatr director Menino Fernandes, also known as Menino de Bandar, has echoed the similar sentiments expressed by various tiatr artistes. He emphasised that the government should have made arrangements and allotted slots for tiatr shows to address the concerns of the tiatr community and the audiences, who eagerly anticipate these performances.
His statement underscores the role of the government and cultural institutions in supporting and preserving local cultural traditions and providing opportunities for artistes.
Speaking with O Heraldo, Pascoal de Chicalim said he planned to stage two shows in the month of November at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao. He had high expectations from the tiatr story he had prepared and was confident that his show would be well-received by the audience. But now the unavailability of the auditorium has disrupted his plans.
Pascoal de Chicalim shared that his tiatr story was based on a political theme and had the potential to attract an audience of 800 plus, if staged at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao. He had even made plans to stage two more shows at the same venue.
Unfortunately, the unavailability of the auditorium has disrupted these plans, impacting his ability to showcase his political-themed tiatr and entertain a larger audience.
Pascoal de Chicalim’s claim that shows staged in villages may not help tiatr directors recover the expenses incurred during the preparation of their productions, underlines the issue of financial challenges faced by tiatr directors.
The financial viability of village shows may not be favourable as larger auditoriums like Ravindra Bhavan can accommodate a bigger audience. Additionally, the limited flexibility in village venues could pose logistical and technical challenges for tiatr performances.
This situation highlights the need for a variety of suitable venues that can cater to the diverse needs and financial considerations of tiatr directors and the sustainability of this cultural art form.
Senior tiatr director Roseferns shared his plans, wherein he had intended to stage shows of his new tiatrs, based on the availability of the auditorium at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao.
His flexibility in scheduling shows indicates a willingness to adapt to the circumstances and audience response.
Roseferns has acknowledged that tiatr directors can potentially earn profits of up to Rs 40,000 when a show goes housefulll or with a minimum audience of 600. He also pointed out the significant financial investment required in producing new tiatr shows, including expenses for the band, stage setting, and artist fees, which can amount to at least Rs 60,000 to Rs 70,000.
This underscores the substantial financial commitment that tiatr directors make to create and present their productions, making the availability of suitable venues and audience turnout crucial factors in their financial success.
Joesan Afonso, a young tiatr director, shared his disappointment, saying that he had planned to stage two shows of his new tiatr at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao in November.
However, with the unavailability of the hall, his aspirations for these shows have been dashed.
This situation highlights how scheduling conflicts and venue limitations can impact the aspirations and dreams of emerging tiatr directors who seek to showcase their work to a broader audience.
Joesan Afonso explained that, with no other options available, he has made the decision to stage shows at Gomant Vidya Niketan (GVN). However, he expressed concerns about his past experiences of losses when using this venue.
He cited the lack of proper facilities at GVN, which has discouraged tiatr lovers from attending, highlighting the challenges faced by tiatr directors in choosing venues that can meet the expectations of both artists and audiences while ensuring financial viability.
The news that the Pai Tiatrist hall is not available for tiatr shows in November has had a shocking effect on the renowned comedian Sally. In response to this development, he has decided to put his plans for staging shows on hold. This demonstrates the significant impact that the unavailability of key venues can have on the scheduling and plans of tiatr artists and performers, even those as well-known as Sally.
Senior comedian Ambe has provided an alternative perspective, suggesting that fewer people tend to attend tiatr shows in the month of November for several reasons, one of which is the start of the festive season. He believes that more audiences are drawn to the villages during this month compared to the city.
Menino de Bandar voicing his concerns, accused the authorities of deliberately creating problems for tiatr directors. His statement reflects the frustration and challenges faced by tiatr directors due to the unavailability of suitable venues for their shows.
The senior tiatrist raised a valid question regarding the allocation of the auditorium at Ravindra Bhavan. He wondered how the venue was initially allotted to a ‘nattak’ in the first week of November, when it had previously been announced that the entire month was reserved for the IFFI.
