When you set a target and achieve it regardless of all hurdles and tumbling
blocks along the path, the joys are untold. That’s exactly the experience of a
few directors in the tiatr field.
Noted senior tiatrist of the Konkani
stage, Roseferns (the king of centuries) recently celebrated the silver jubilee
of his 98th production ‘Atam Yeyat’ in Navelim, amidst cutting of cake and
jubilation at break time.
The new tiatr was released on November 12,
2021 in Salcete taluka at Varca, followed by shows in the city and villages
across Goa. And within one and a half month, the director, with the
co-operation of his dramatic troupe and support of the tiatr audience,
witnessed its silver jubilee celebration.
Roseferns mentioned that his earlier
productions would always be booked in advance by various parishes and would
easily cross 25 shows, marching towards gold. “But with the closure of churches
due to pandemic, it was possible to stage only 7 shows in the parishes, which
included Benaulim (2), Merces, Calangute and Sao Jose de Areal,” he said that
it was not an easy task, but managed to get through, with enough shows in the
villages.
With the closure of Kala Academy
auditorium in Panjim, the tiatr director disclosed that he had only two shows
of his latest production in Joao Agostinho Fernandes auditorium, Margao and one
at Gomant Vidya Niketan (GVN). The remaining shows of ‘Atam Yeyat’ continued in
the villages.
On celebrating the silver jubilee of tiatr
‘Atam Yeyat’, “it was almost like celebrating the century show during the
pandemic,” Roseferns quipped. “Had there been no scare of Covid-19 and with the
opening of churches in the villages, it would have helped enhance the shows
even further.”
Roseferns recalls that his seventh
production ‘Thapott’ was released in 1980, with the baptism of the Roseferns
dramatic troupe. “And when this production marched towards silver jubilee, the
then power minister, late Harish Zantye was the chief guest. And in 1981, when
it touched the century mark, the Charlie Chaplin of the tiatr stage, late
Jacint Vaz was invited as the chief guest,” he added.
“On the day of the century show”, Roseferns recalled, “It was
pouring cats and dogs. And unfortunately, as the chief guest was travelling by
bike during that period of time, he was totally drenched in the rain as he
neared the venue.” “Amcho mukhel soiro bhizlo (our chief guest got soaked) was
the remark overheard among the audience,” he noted.
Welcoming Jaju Fernandes in tiatr ‘Atam Yeyat’, who is known for
roles of a villain, also helped to increase the curiosity of the audience,
followed by the success of the tiatr. “He is a polished actor and it is a
privilege to have him back in my troupe after a gap of several years. With him
in mind, the new productions are under pipeline,” the director informed.
“Apart from the co-operation received from my entire team on and
off stage,” Roseferns stated, “the audience support has always been my biggest
achievement.” And with the blessings of all his tiatr fans, he is hopeful of
completing 100 productions successfully, a mark which no tiatrist has created
for himself till date.
“The silver jubilee celebrations of tiatr ‘Atam Yeyat’ came out
from the blues and could be termed as God’s blessing in disguise,” revealed
Valency de Calangute, a first-timer in the Roseferns’ dramatic troupe. Having
enjoyed a long stint in Prince Jacob’s productions earlier, she made an entry
in this group shortly and it has helped her to gain more experience on the
tiatr stage.
Meena Goes, another actor of the troupe, who made an entry in
the Roseferns dramatic troupe as a replacement in 97th production ‘Vag ani
Sunnem’ and continued in the following tiatr ‘Atam Yeyat’, said completion of
25 shows was a big achievement during the pandemic. “Under such crucial
circumstances, tiatr contractors are reluctant to take risks. But in our
director’s case, it worked in his favour and headed for success,” she added.
Irineu Gonsalves, a tiatr fan and a regular viewer of tiatrs,
said that Roseferns has a solid base as far as penning and staging productions
are concerned and so doing shows is not a challenge for him. “Now that he is
nearing a century of his tiatrs, his brother Jaju is an asset to his troupe and
it has given a big lift to his entire cast,” he noted.
“Due
to the pandemic, though the going was tough,” informed Jaju Fernandes, brother
of Roseferns and part of the troupe, “people liked the show and it turned out
to be God’s blessing and a great achievement.” “It was homecoming after almost
17 years,” he revealed, “my brother knew my capabilities on stage and he
provided me with the best role, which was accepted and appreciated by the
audience at large.”
