In his maiden public address after be ing inducted as the State Art and Culture Minister, Ramesh Tawadkar pledged his commitment to elevat ing tiatr — one of Goa’s most cherished tradition al art forms — to global prominence.
Speaking as the chief guest at a function organ ised at Poinguinim, Cana cona on Sunday, he assured that his tenure would focus on preserving this cultural legacy, securing a UNESCO heritage tag, and support ing original Goan artistes to take the art form forward. “Tiatr is not just a source of entertainment; it is a cul tural treasure that reflects the true essence of Goa,” the minister said. “As head of this department, I will ensure that this unique art form receives the recogni tion it deserves, not only in Goa but across the world.”
Highlighting that the es sence of Goa lies beyond its beaches and nightlife, the minister said rural Goa con tinues to uphold the State’s cultural roots. “Tourists from India and abroad of ten miss our tiatr and na tok, which embody the real Goan identity,” he observed. Outlining his plans for the department, he said that a series of interactions would soon be held with members of the tiatr fraternity to under stand their needs and work collectively on strategies for preservation and promotion. “What couldn’t be achieved in the last four years, we will strive to accomplish in the next one year.
The department will now function with clear goals and a focused vision to bring the authentic Goan iden tity to the forefront,” he added. He reiterated that the gov ernment will support the ongoing efforts to secure a UNESCO heritage status for tiatr, stressing that such global recognition would be a landmark moment for Goa’s cultural heritage. Anthony Barbosa, TAG president lauded the min ister’s contributions to cul ture and society through various initiatives over the years as he expressed opti mism that under the min ister’s leadership, tiatr and other Goan art forms would witness unprecedented growth and recognition.
TAG vice-president Marcos Gonsalves, board members Simon Rebelo, Jesus Antao, and Pradeep Naik welcomed the minister’s commitment to strengthen the support system for State’s arts and culture