Govt committed to welfare of tiatrists, says Kamat

Govt committed to welfare of tiatrists, says Kamat
Father of Konkani tiatr remembered
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, DEC 14
Chief Minister Digambar Kamat has said the government would extend all support to the schemes formulated by the Tiatr Academy of Goa for the benefit of tiatr and welfare of Konkani stage artists.
“The government would always support any new schemes meant for the tiatrists and which will give a new direction to this traditional form of Goan art”, Kamat while speaking after felicitating tiatrists of yesteryears at a function organised by the Tiatr Academy of Goa to mark the birth anniversary of the Father of Konkani Tiatr Joao Agostinho Fernandes at the Ravindra Bhavan here on Tuesday.
Saying that tiatrists of yesteryears had made a lot of sacrifice by putting in time, energy and entire life in the art, the Chief Minister said these tiatrists certainly deserves life time achievement awards for their contribution to tiatr.
“Artists of yesteryears had been working through difficult times. There were no monetary benefits in those times. These artists have been doing the work simply out of love for art and not for money”, he said.
In his address, President of Tiatr Academy of Goa, Tomazinho Cardozo complimented the Chief Minister for his unstinted support for tiatr since he assumed office three years ago. “So many governments, Chief Ministers, Ministers have come and gone during the last 50 years, but credit goes to Digambar Kamat for extending full support to the cause of Tiatr”, Cardozo said.
He said the Tiatr Academy of Goa has been working towards improving various aspects of Tiatr, adding that the Academy has received full support from the Chief Minister in that direction.
Tiatrists who have been honoured with TAG’s prestigious Life Time Contribution to Tiatr award were Master Vaz, Remmie Colaco, Platilda, Anthony (Trio King), Alegro Roque Theodrio Antao, Antonio Moraes, Fr Planton Faria, Tony Sax, Rico Rod, John Gomes (Kokoy) and Paul Romy.
Meanwhile, the Tiatr Academy of Goa in association with Ravindra Bhavan, Margao organised a workshop “Boro Tiatr Koso Borouncho” on the occasion of the birth anniversary of the father of Konkani tiatr Agostinho Fernandes.
The workshop was conducted by eminent Konkani writer and Sahitya Academy winner Pundalik Nayak.
Around 50 participants took part in the workshop, which was attended by the President of Tiatr Academy Tomazinho Cardozo, vice-president Roseferns, President of Dalgado Konkani Academy Premanand Lotlikar and others.
Tomazinho told Herald that the objective behind organising the workshop is to take tiatr to greater heights in the years to come.
Pundalik Nayak said that tiatr no doubt has been a popular form of art in Goa, but underlined the need for setting new standards compared to other forms of drama. He said the government should extend all out support to the Tiatr Academy to carry forward the work to further improve the standard of tiatr.