Team Herald
MARGAO: Stating that tiatrists have always preached the truth to create awareness on social issues amongst the public, besides providing entertainment, the tiatr fraternity on Tuesday declared its moral support to budding Konkani singer Alison Gomes alias ‘Alison de Curtorim’ with regards to defamation case of Rs 5 crore filed by Cuncolim MLA Clafasio Dias.
Extending his support to the young Konkani singer, C D’Silva, a senior tiatrist said, “Hitting below the belt is unacceptable.”
D’Silva said, “Singing political songs is not something new and everyone has the right to freedom of speech. I support the young Konkani singer. But at the same time, Alison should have evidence to defend the case”.
Noted Konkani singer Lawry Travasso opined that all tiatrists should unitedly support Alison, but the content should be backed by strong evidence.
“Definitely I support Alison, however, truth should prevail through the content of the song,” he stated.
Declaring his individual support to the singer, Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG) president Menino Fernandes said, “As a head of the TAG Committee, which is a government body, I cannot declare support to Alison unless the committee decides to do so. But as a tiatrist and as an individual I lend my full support to the singer”.
Claiming that he has the required evidence to defend his song, Alison said, “I am not afraid of the defamation case filed in the court, as we will submit all the evidence before the court in the coming days”.
He said, “Even the public has proved the involvement of concerned MLA in the illegalities and hence it is his turn to clarify on the issues.”
“I am ready to face the worst so let the MLA do what he can. Each word in my song is backed by concrete evidence,” he stated.
Alison said, “Tiatr lovers knew about the trio-kings, who criticised the political leaders for their misdeeds through their songs.”
“Noted singers namely the late William de Curtorim and Francis de Tuem have sung political songs and I have not done anything new. Actually, political leaders are afraid of tiatrists,” said Alison.
It may be recalled that Alison uploaded a controversial Konkani song on a video sharing and social media platform, which sparked a row prompting the Cuncolim MLA to file a police complaint. Later, the legislator filed Rs 5 crore defamation case against Alison in a Civil Court.
