It is part of the cultural ethos of the state. Just like football. It provides a platform
to discuss issues affecting society. The tiatr has provided an opportunity for
tiatrists to present their ideas and views on issues as diverse as the political
scenario or relationships between men and women or just interpersonal
relationships. That’s just for starters. Tiatrists have been exploring various
issues that have emerged over a period of time. It is however important to
ensure there is a continuous supply of new talent into the field.
The Tiatr Academy of Goa has been
organising training sessions in villages. Training sessions are conducted
wherever a request comes. The workshop is conducted by the academy which bears
all the expenses. Sandeep kalangutkar who trains those interested in having a
career in tiatr recently conducted a workshop in Porvorim. An eminent tiatrist
who is a retired lecturer from the School of Drama Kala Academy. He said
workshops are conducted in acting, singing, script/lyric writing, make-up/stage
setting, background music and light effects. The training session he said would
last anywhere between 6, 8 or 10 days. Sandeep said the response was always
interesting with people showing great enthusiasm to learn the ropes. He said
many of his students were now on stage and helping out in other roles in the
industry. Every class usually had a minimum of 20 students and a max of 30
students. All the workshops are on a first come first serve basis.
Suresh Divkar, member secretary of the Tiatr Academy, said they
were getting requests from school like Don Bosco, Rosary High School, MES
college Calangute and Govt College from Khandola. There was great interest he
said amongst the young to learn the craft and possibly take it in new directions.
Sandeep said he was very excited when students who were in their teens attended
the workshop. He said “Once they complete their training they are ready to
participate in tiatr”. He felt the minimum age for participation should be ten
because it was important to understand what was being taught. He said the
oldest was a fifty year old who had participated in a workshop held some time
back.
Suresh said the future for the art form was bright with the
youth very interested in it. The academy is in the midst of orgnising a 3 day
cultural festival to commemorate the 150 birth anniversary of Pai Tiatrist Joao
Agostinho Fernandes. To be held in Margao between December 14-16. It will
include workshops on tiatr, felicitation of greats as well as performances.
This is part of the effort to bring in a younger audience.
The academy has several schemes to help the art form. There are
schemes for the oral documentation of the history of tiatr, documentation and
research, preservation of tiatr literature, orientation courses in dramatics,
raising the standard of tiatr to name just a few. There are forty such schemes
to promote the art form.
Suresh said tiatr was part of the existence in Goa and for many
people it played an important role in their lives, either as a participant or a
viewer.
One
can only hope this art form unique to this state remains lively and continues
to entertain and educate the people of Goa.
