TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Love them or hate them, but one cannot ignore tiatr and tiatrists in the socio-politico-cultural field in Salcete’s countryside.
As the Mickky-Francis de Tuem episode has thrown up a debate in Tiatr, political and social circles, the love-hate relationship between tiatrists, Konkani stage artists and politicos is not something new.
That tiatr has a rich history of being a powerful medium of spreading awareness on social issues is well known. And, it’s not uncommon to find tiatrists belting a few satirical songs directed at the political establishment from the tiatr platform.
Come elections and politicians of all hues seeking the blessings of tiatrist and Konkani stage artists is again not new in Salcete. Tiatrists engaged by the politicos and parties to compose special songs highlighting their achievements during election time have now become part of any campaign in Salcete’s countryside.
In the 2012 Assembly polls, Congress heavyweights from Salcete had accused a section of Konkani stage artists for rallying behind the opposition to bring about the parivartan in the State. It is not out of place to mention here that some of the popular tiatrists have been key speakers of candidates during polls.
There have been many instances wherein tiatrists have suffered the brunt at the hands of the political class for their satirical songs.
An instance worth mentioning is when late William de Curtorim had to take shelter inside a room at the Gomant Vidya Niketan when hoodlums of a heavyweight politician from Salcete came close to attacking him for his satirical song against the Minister. In another instance, supporters of then chief minister Digambar Kamat bitterly protested at the Margao police station over a scene in a tiatr where a garland was put on Kamat’s portrait.
More recently, a tiatr was abandoned midway at Cuncolim after a ruckus when opponents of the former MLA took strong exception to a political song directed at the incumbent MLA.
Incidentally, Salcete politicos feel that while tiatrists are free to direct songs at them, they are of the opinion that artists should not stoop down to levels, bringing their family and personal lives on the stage.
Former PWD Minister, Churchill Alemao, who was believed to have asked a director not to target his daughter, said tiatrists should try to avoid targeting family and children of politicians. “We politicians are in public life and hence are open for scrutiny. I feel that it’s not fair to direct the tirade at our children,” he said.
Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardessai echoed similar sentiments. “I feel that tiatrists should avoid stooping to personal levels. Directing a song at a politician is not wrong, but care should be taken that the personal and family life of the politician is not dragged on the stage,” he said.
Benaulim MLA Caitu Silva said that tiatrists should be uniform in their criticism of the political class. “While personal and family life of the politicians should be avoided, tiatrists should ensure that they on politicians of all hues and not restrict themselves of a select few,” he added.
