Konkani tiatr is a
very popular form of theatre in Goa. Interestingly, the origins of tiatr can be
traced to Bombay where the first tiatr was staged by Goans working there.
Stalwarts of tiatr in Bombay include Lucasinho Ribeiro and Joao Agostinho Fernandes as well as Sebastiao Gabriel D'Souza, who was
popularly known as Karachiwala and Joao Lazarus D'Souza, who translated
Shakespearean plays and staged them in the tiatr
format. However, it was Joao Agostinho Fernandes who first penned down original scripts for tiatrs, usually on themes highlighting injustices in the Goan
society. Once the popularity of tiatrs reached Goa, there was no turning back, and the
performing art has survived, in fact, thrived, with the love of
the audience.
Over the
years, tiatrs have made a lot more progress. The first
Kala Academy tiatr competition took place in 1974 and the first Children’s Tiatr Festival was held in 2010.
Tiatrs have reached every Gulf country and are now being staged in the United Kingdom and United States of America.
In order to celebrate the momentous occasion
of 125 years of tiatr, a special committee, the 125th Anniversary of Tiatr Celebrations
Committee, has been formed, with Tomazinho Cardozo as its President. A number of activities including the
felicitation of over 400 tiatrs artistes from all over Goa and Bombay have already taken place and another 150 tiatr artistes will be felicitated in
due course of time.
The anniversary celebrations will be held on April 17,
2017 at the DMK auditorium, Kala Academy at 4pm, organised jointly
by Kala Academy Goa, 125th Anniversary of Tiatr Celebration Committee and Tiatr
Academy of Goa. ‘History of Goan Tiatr’ will be presented on the stage with performances by present popular tiatr artistes as well as veterans of tiatr stage. The
script for this has been written by Cardozo.
The presentation is being coordinated by William Fernandes with live music
by Selvin, light effects by Dnyaneshwar Morajkar and background music by Johny
B Gud and Joy Fernandes.
Veteran
tiatr artistes Anthonette Mendes, Rita Rose, Betty Naz, Titta Pretto, Joe Rose,
Ben Evangelisto, Roseferns, Prince Jacob, Comedian Agostinho, Salvy, Comedian
Domnick, Luis Bachchan, Mario Menezes, Alfy de Divar, and others will
participate in the presentation. The show will be compered by Agnel de Borim
and Michael Gracias.