After whole-hearted and successful participation of six institutions in the 4th edition of All Goa Inter-Collegiate/HSS Tiatr Competition 2024-25, the results were finally out with Carmel College of Arts, Science & Commerce for Women, Nuvem triumphing with their tiatr ‘Chuk Konnachi?’
Tiatr ‘Chuk Konnachi?’ was scripted and directed by Fr Doel Dias and presented by the Carmel College of Arts, Science & Commerce for Women, Nuvem. It won the first prize for overall performance at the inter-collegiate/HSS level, besides picking up six other individual prizes in different categories.
Sharing his experience as writer and director of Tiatr ‘Chuk Konnachi?’ and grooming the students of Carmel College as participants of his production, Fr Doel Dias says, “For the growth, progress and survival of tiatr for future and next generation, moulding children and the youth is the need of the hour. With the establishment of Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG), there are ample opportunities for school and college students to come on the tiatr stage and showcase their talents in singing and acting. None of the students should miss this golden opportunity as it will only help them to dig out their inborn and God-given talents, grow and prosper as tiatrists on the Konkani stage.”
Throwing light on the ground work carried out for the final presentation at the competition, Fr Doel says that 30 students and four teaching staff were picked up and rehearsals were carried out for almost a month. “The task of selecting the students became much easier as there was a workshop on tiatr carried out in the college last year and so the talented ones were picked before the practices began in all earnest,” he mentions.
“Other educational institutions should also avail of this facility made available by TAG as it helps to participate actively in tiatr competitions organized by the TAG annually,” Fr Doel says. “Carmel College of Arts, Science & Commerce being solely a women’s college,” he continues, “a clause introduced in the competition, wherein 75-25 percent of the students, teaching/non-teaching staff could be roped in, helped to make the presentation more appealing to the audience,” he adds.
“But other institutions, which had male and female students, also availed of this,” Fr Doel says, “thus making the competition tougher.” “In the near future,” he continues, “that particular clause should be restricted to those institutions having only female students as there is no other alternative, but to avail the teaching and non-teaching staff as well,” he says.
Winner for best script and direction for tiatr ‘Chuk Konnachi?’, Fr Doel says that earlier there was a period when a school/college football team reached the semi-finals or finals, those participating team members would score points which helped in the progress of their report card. “The same could be introduced in such art and cultural activities as well as it could give a boost to the talents of the students,” he suggests.
Carmel College of Arts, Science & Commerce for Women, Nuvem, made entry in the All Goa Inter-Collegiate/HSS Tiatr Competition for the second edition (2022-23) and picked up the second prize. For the third edition (2023-24), the college did not participate in the competition, but made a grand entry in the fourth edition, this year and took away the first prize for overall performance and six individual prizes.
Sharing her joy after the victory of her institution in the tiatr competition, the Principal of Carmel College, Dr Sr Maria Lizanne says, “Our students and teaching staff worked with a lot of untiring efforts. They practiced regularly after their classes for long hours, without missing any academic responsibilities. It was basically a very strong team spirit of the students and teaching staff that resulted in the success. I commend their spirit of dedication and firm determination. Their acting was superb, spontaneous and natural, with decent comedy and meaningful songs. They boldly faced all challenges that came along in a spirit of joy and togetherness. Undoubtedly, Fr Doel Dias worked hard to mould the entire team on stage and his efforts in that direction with the entire cast yielded fruits.” As part of the diamond jubilee celebrations of the college,” she continues, “and in order that a bigger audience may enjoy the show, we are staging the same tiatr (free of cost) at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, on September 23 at 3.30pm.”
Best actor (male) winner, Vishwapratap Pawar, a Konkani lecturer in Carmel College, sharing his experience of the entire production, says that in the past he had acted in one-act plays at Kala Academy and won prizes, “but this was my first experience on the tiatr stage and did not know what would be the outcome of it.” “Being a Hindu and a resident from Canacona,” he continues, “it was a challenging role on account of the accent, but all efforts were made and it was accepted till the end.”
Vasco-based Vianca Adonia Fernandes, a TYBA student of Carmel College, who picked up the best actor (female) prize, says, “It was a wonderful experience being on the tiatr stage for the first time.” After having attended the tiatr workshop in the college, she gave auditions and was selected, but she never expected that the director would choose her for the main role.
“After accepting the main role and that too for the first time,” Vianca continues, “initially it was quite challenging and felt like telling the director to change my role. But Fr Doel was very supportive and continued encouraging till the end.” “Even after the final performance at the competition,” she adds, “doubts popped up in my mind whether justice was done or not to my character on stage, until the results were declared.”
Tiatr ‘Chuk Konnachi?’ will be staged at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, on September 23 at 3.30 pm.