No other theatre can compete with the crowd that tiatr attracts in the state. Come rain or shine, tiatr lovers are always treated to powerful tiatrs that entertain and inform. But it is usually the commercial tiatrs by professional tiatrists that run across the state and beyond. What about the young tiatr artistes? How can they can make their presence felt? In a bid to encourage new talent and boost this traditional form of performance art, the government organises an annual tiatr competition. This year, the competition ‘A’ Group started on October 5 and will culminate on October 26. The dates for the ‘B’ Group will be announced shortly.
For the past three years, this tiatr competition is being divided into ‘A’ and ‘B’ group. Elaborating on this is Sandeep Kalangutkar from Kala Academy: “We decided to split the competition in two because for one year we got 38 entries for tiatr and the competition went on for three months. Hence, we thought of splitting it into two groups. In ‘A’ group we have the best 16 groups. While, ‘B’ group has new entries. Tiatrs that come in bottom three in ‘A’ group are transferred into ‘B’ group. Similarly, the three best tiatrs from ‘B’ group are promoted to ‘A’ group.”
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The competition proves to be beneficial for aspiring tiatr artistes as well as encourages experimentation on stage. Agnelo (Borim) director of the tiatr ‘Takit’ that was staged on the first day of the competition, says, “It has been observed that tiatr on the commercial level is losing its basic essence. But this tiatr competition acts as a revival of original tiatr. Earlier, villages used to stage tiatrs by involving locals from the area. Now the scene has changed with commercial tiatrs being invited for village feasts, thus side-lining the local talent. Through this tiatr competition, these local and upcoming talents get recognition as the professional tiatrists come to watch the competition. They then pick up good talent from here.”
Michael Gracias, the maker of the tiatr ‘Lost & Found’, says, “The competition allows us to experiment with the lights, stage setting, background score and music by producing it within the format of tiatr. It also gives us a platform to stage our tiatr in par with other languages theatre like Bengali, Gujarati and Marathi.”
41st Tiatr Competition ‘A’ Group programme
October 6, ‘Ami Sogllim Ek Zaunk Eta?’ by Ronny Socorro Dramatic and Cultural organisation, Mandur
October 7 ‘Bore Dis Kednam Ietele?’ by Machi Mogi Morjim Cultural Sankrutic Saunstha, Morjim
October 8 ‘Visvas Ghat’ by Calangute Association, Calangute
October 9 ‘Amcho Desh Mahan’ by St Domnic Dramatic Troupe, Merces
October 12 ‘Lost & Found’ by Kala Niketan, Majorda
October 13 ‘Problem’ by Alfi Art Productions, Divar
October 15 ‘Vellantlo Vell’ by Nagoa-Xetkarancho Ekvott, Nagoa
October 16 ‘Moja Anim Soja’ by Anil Olga Production, Orda, Candolim
October 19 ‘To Konn Amcho’ by Socorro Socio Art and Cultural Association, Porvorim
October 20 ‘Viva London by Kala Mogi, Candolim
October 21 ‘Ghar Vapsi’ by Sao Gonsalo Dramatic Group, Santa Cruz
October 26 ‘Carnival’ by Menino Jesus Kala Association, Chinchinim
All shows will be held at Dinanath Mangeshkar Kala Mandir, Kala Academy, Campal Panjim at 7 pm
