Team Herald
MARGAO: Noted theatre personality and guest faculty at Goa University Isabela Santa Rita Vas released a book titled “Konkani Khell Tiatr” written by Wilson Mazarello and published by Dalgado Konknni Akademi at a function held at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao.
On the occasion, Vas congratulate Wilson for his exemplary work in recording the origin, development and future of this form of theatre. She said the well researched book would spin off more research particularly among the student community that has to do project reports and dissertations.
“I really enjoyed the tales of theatrics related in the book as they reminded me of some of my personal experiences,” she said and narrated some funny anecdotes in her theatre experience. She also opined that the popularity of the tiatr is reflected in the fact that there are 100 shows of the same play at times and added that such response cannot be found in any part of the world for performing arts.
Asserting that theatre does not breed competition but fosters collaboration, she recalled theatre critic Richard’s statement that the fourth world comprising of arts will redeem society from wars and conflict.
The author Wilson Mazarello disclosed that as nobody responded to his statement in 2000 when his book on 100 years of Konkani tiatr was released that the history of khell tiatr also needed to be chronicled, he was forced to write this book 18 years later.
He shared some of the unforgettable and inspiring anecdotes some of the khell tiatr artistes shared with him when he interviewed them for the purpose of the book. Incidentally Wilson interviewed around 78 theatre personalities to bring out this 252 page book.
Various speakers explained that the book has been written in English so that it attracts a wider readership and is read even in other parts of the world. Prof Edward D’Lima who edited the book also reviewed it at the function and said it was a real treasure trove of Goan culture.
“The first theater at Mapusa Shree Ram Mandir is unfortunately being used as a godown in present days,” he said while recalling the days when even he had gone to Mapusa to watch tiatrs.
Dalgado Konkani Akademi General Secretary Vincy Quadros in his welcome address assured that the book will be translated into Konkani by the DKA in the near future.
