PANJIM: The carrot and stick approach is being attempted to keep in line the venerable institution of the tiatr with tiatrists being asked to sign an undertaking not to criticize ministers and MLAs or they would not get the use of the Ravindra Bhavan, Margao. Tiatrists are known as free spirited and creative individuals who have held their audiences spell bound and in splits over their shrewd assessment and portrayal of social issues and politics and politicians.
According to the undertaking that they were asked to sign, besides this they were also asked not to indulge in any personal attacks and if they did not comply with this then they would not get the halls, the undertaking said, tiatrists told Herald.
The teatro community normally books the Ravindra Bhavan halls till October. This time when they went to book the halls they were handed over an undertaking and asked to sign it. They were shocked to find that there were two clauses which said that they should not criticize any MLA or minister and also not make personal attacks on anybody.
According to one of Goa’s best known tiatrists, Roseferns, when they went to book the halls they were given a form – an undertaking – in which there were two clauses which they did not agree to.
One was – that they could not criticize MLAs, Ministers and 2) they cannot attack any person personally. They were told that those who didn’t sign would not be given the halls in future. “But if you ask me personally, I am not agreeable to this. Because this is a censor. We have the freedom of expression, freedom of speech,” he said, adding that they would be take a meeting and would decide on the issue.
“This is a democracy. How can government institutions take this stand. This amounts to dictatorship,” he argued.
According to Roseferns, they refused to sign the undertaking and said that they would come back after conducting a meeting. The tiatrists are supposed to meet in a couple of days and then meet with Ravindra Bhavan officials on the issue.
Prince Jacob, Head of the Tiatr Academy confirmed that they had indeed heard that Ravindra Bhavan was asking for an undertaking but as head of Academy he could not believe that the government had actually done this. “I can say that the government has always supported the tiatrs and the tiatrists. This is the committee of the Ravindra Bhavan that has done this,” he said in a circumspect reaction.
However, in his “personal capacity” his reaction was much harder.
“My reaction As Prince Jacob – in my personal capacity – is that I feel that this is wrong. This is a dictatorship. Who are these people to tell us what to do?” he asked rhetorically. “Today they are telling us what not to do. Tomorrow they will be telling us to write the tiatr like this or like that. This is wrong.” The community in general was quite upset with many luminaries in the field telling Herald what exactly happened and are upset over the matter.
Tomazinho Cardozo another senior member of the community and a former president of the academy told Herald that in case such a condition was put, it was wrong.
“They cannot do it. We have the freedom of expression. If anybody crosses the limit then the government can always take action. Otherwise it cannot try and curtail the freedom of expression,” he said.
Damu disowns
draft undertaking
MARGAO: Disowning the Draft Undertaking in the face of criticism that it was intended to gag tiatrist from criticising the government, Ravindra Bhavan Chairman Damu Naik has said that neither he nor the general body or the Executive Council has given any nod to seek undertakings from tiatrists in order to curb their freedom of speech or expression.
Asked to react to the uproar in the House over the undertaking circulated by Ravindra Bhavan, Margao binding tiatrists to stop criticising the Ministers, MLAs and VIPs in tiatr, Damu was categorical in saying there’s no intention at all to curb the freedom of tiatrists and artists performing at the Ravindra Bhavan. “I want to make it clear that Ravindra Bhavan has not taken any such decision. And, there’s no plan in the offing to impose restrictions on the tiatrists. It is also not the government policy to curb the freedom of the artists,” he said.
When asked to throw light how the undertaking became public if it was not okayed by his office, Damu said, “It was a draft undertaking which originated from an officer of Ravindra Bhavan. I am told that it was just a draft undertaking which was discussed with an eminent tiatrist, who later told the officer that he would like to discuss the draft with the Chairman,” adding ‘where’s the question of Ravindra Bhavan coming out with the undertaking when it was not even been placed before me or the general body.’
Accusing his arch rival to making it an issue for cheap publicity and intended to tarnish his image, Damu said his activities to promote tiatr, art and culture would continue notwithstanding the controversy kicked up by his political rival.
quoteroom
If such a condition is there then it is wrong. They cannot do it. We have the freedom of expression. If anybody crosses the limit then the government can always take action. Otherwise it cannot try and curtail the freedom of expression.”
– Tomazinho Cardozo
“This is a censor. We have the freedom of expression, freedom of speech. This is a democracy. How can government institutions take this stand. This amounts to dictatorship.”
– Roseferns
This is a dictatorship. Who are these people to tell us what to do?” Today they are telling us what not to do. Tomorrow they will be telling us to write the tiatr like this or like that. This is wrong.”
– Prince Jacob
