The Konkani
titar stage today is blessed with professionals like doctors, engineers,
bankers, lecturers, teachers, lawyers, mariners, men in uniform, etc, Many may
not know but Pai Tiatirist Joao Agostinho Fernandes who did his schooling in
Mumbai and grew up there, first worked as a Chemist for Philips & Company
for many years in Mumbai and later together with another partner, a Parsi, set
up his own business of importing pharmaceutical drugs. But, he had passion and
love for tiatrs, it is this passion that pulled him onto the centre stage of
Konkani theatre. The rest, as they say, is history.
In
precisely a week’s time from today, another passionate tiatr lover and
supporter will don the mantle of a tiatrist with his first directorial venture
scheduled to go onstage at the Hanuman Theatre, Mapusa. Irineu Gonsalves who
has played football for Salgaocar Sports Club, represented the state in
football, is a National scrabble champion, a social activist, a successful
businessman, a much sought after toastmaster and a journalist of repute will
now take his first bow on the Konkani tiatr stage.
From being
a multifaceted personality, a tiatr lover and supporter to venturing into tiatr
script writing Irineu has already had an interesting journey so far. Irineu’s
first ever tiatr, ‘Goy Goykaranchem’, will be staged all over Goa, beginning
from January 10, 2015. He has assembled a multi star cast, including a battery
of reputed singers and high profile comedians.
Now that he
is wielding his pen to write a tiatr, I am sure he means business. Surely he
has stumbled upon an interesting plot which he wants to pass across to his
people. There is no better media to do so than the popular Goan tiatr. Having
known him closely and having followed his writings and postings on the social
media, I have no doubt ‘Gõy Gõykaranchem’ will create ripples if not a Tsunami
in the Goan tiatr field this year. The tiatr is an open field and there is
ample space for anyone and everyone to come in, join and display the God given
talents. On this score, I salute Irineu for boldly venturing into this field
knowing its intricacies, challenges and the risks involved. We need
enterprising individuals with an intellectual bent of mind to come in this field
and take tiatr to even greater heights in future. Irineu Gonsalves has made a
beginning, and he qualifies with his faculties. I am confident he will do a
neat job, with a touch of quality and finesse.
In an
informal chat with me recently, Irineu said his tiatr will touch on relevant
and sensitive topics and issues that concern Goa and Goans at large. The story
highlights the future of our land and its people on a broader perspective, and
the future of our youth. He feels there are so many important issues on which
rests the future of our land. Very many important issues concerning Goa and
Goans are not fully exploited. The tiatr is the best medium to get the message
across.
From the
chat I had with him, I could surmise that the core plot will dwell at length on
burning issues like the Regional Plan 2021, the Mopa Airport fiasco, mining
closure, in-migration, unemployment, the land use policy, grabbing tracks of
prime land by outsiders, the misuse and abuse of communidade land, sustainable
development, and the people’s role in protecting whatever is left of Goa.
Having known Irineu’s writing faculties, his thought process, I can vouch that
‘Gõy Gõykaranchem’ is going to be a high profile thought provoking story, for
he has a good sense of observation and an equally good analytical mind. The
title itself speaks volumes and one can expect a high profile technical
presentation keeping off the beaten track. I am sure Irineu will inspire his
high profile cast to do justice to his well-researched script. Welcome on board
Irineu, let the Konkani stage be your new playfield where you can display your
inherent scripting skill and storytelling talent. Go Irineu….Go… Let’s Tiatr!