MARGAO: The tiatr fraternity, which is considered as one of the biggest entertainment industry of Goa and unique in nature compared to other dramatic art forms, will not forget the hardships they are facing due to the COVID pandemic at the time of exercising their votes on February 14.
Hundreds of tiatrists and their families have lost the livelihood in last two years and shockingly they haven’t received any support from the government till now. This has frustrated them. Consequently, this community is expected to play a major role in deciding the future of candidates contesting in the upcoming Assembly elections.
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Several tiatr artistes are angry with the government for not supporting them, despite knowing the fact that they have an important place in Goa’s cultural heritage. They also claimed that nearly 80 percent of them, who were fully dependent on this performing art form, are still struggling to survive.
Few tiatrists are finding it difficult to adapt to the needs of any new source of income, as their plans and dreams lie shattered. In the last more two years, most of the tiatr artistes have lost almost all of their savings.
Speaking to Herald, Wilson (Wilmix) Mazarello, a senior tiatr artist said that they want change and they want a government which will be sensitive towards resolving the issues of the tiatr fraternity.
“Looking at the manifestos released by the political parties, it is very much clear that nobody is interested in giving priority to the tiatr artistes,” he said.
He is of the opinion that tiatr artists are very much serious this time while choosing their candidate and the party they want to run the government for the next five years.
“We need a government which will be sensitive towards the tiatr fraternity, considered as one of the biggest entertainment industries of the country,” said Wilson.
Agreeing with Wilson, Mario Menezes, one of the leading tiatr directors pointed towards the manifestos of political parties.
“There is no mention about the tiatr industry in the manifestos of political parties, although the Congress party formed the Tiatr Academy of Goa for the betterment of tiatrists and later BJP government supported the Academy,” he stated.
He further said tiatrist have not decided to support any party at the community level or in group, but every tiatr artiste will choose their candidate at the individual level.
“Let every tiatr artist decide whom to support considering the facts and issues,” said Mario.
Soccoro Fernandes, another famed Konkani singer, mentioned that they are looking at this election very seriously. They want the next government to resolve all the pending problems of the tiatr industry as a whole.
“Like any other sector, the tiatr industry also suffered a lot due to COVID and is still facing hardships due to the Covid pandemic. Hundreds of tiatr artistes have lost their livelihood, and hence we will not forget the pathetic conditions faced by tiatr community at the time of voting,” he said.
He further said that they want a government who will look seriously towards the difficulties of the tiatr artistes.
“I will take everything into consideration at the time of exercising my franchise,” said Willy Silveira, famed tiatr artiste.
He is of the opinion that the government should have come out with some sought of financial help to the tiatr artists, taking into consideration the huge number of dependents on the tiatr industry.
It seems that tiatrists they have taken this election very seriously. Many of them have decided to support those candidates who supported them during the pandemic.
