Efforts to secure a UN ESCO her itage tag for tiatr, Goa ’ s beloved form of musical theatre, have re ceived a significant boost — this time from Japan. Prof Kyoko Matsukawa, PhD, a researcher and pro fessor at Konan Universi ty, Japan, has pledged her full support to the initiative spearheaded by the Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG) un der the State government. A scholar of Konkani language and tiatr, Prof Matsukawa has spent years studying the art form and its lin guistic roots.
On Monday, she paid a cour tesy visit to the TAG office, where she held detailed discussions with TAG President Anthony Barbo sa, Vice-President Marcos Gonsalves, and Member Secretary Carlos Fernandes. The agenda revolved around the her itage tag pro posal and wider concerns relating to tiatr and Konkani. Expressing admiration for the move, Prof Matsuka wa said, “This is a great step towards earning the highest recognition for tiatr. I am very much in favour of the initiative and will support it in every way possible.” She also conveyed her interest in gaining deeper knowledge about tiatr’s his tory, its uniqueness, and its cultural value.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
During the meeting, TAG President Anthony Barbo sa proposed collaborations with Prof Matsukawa on tiatr-related academic and research projects. “It is a great honour that TAG is receiving support from an international re searcher, especially from Japan, which has no di rect connection with tiatr,” Barbosa said. Vice-President Marcos Gonsalves invited Prof Mat sukawa to share her perspec tives on tiatr in upcoming forums and events, highlight ing the importance of global engagement in promoting the Goan art form.
