NT BUZZ
An award function was organised by the Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG) at the Institute Menezes Braganza Hall, Panaji, where young artiste Maicon Anthony Pereira was honoured with the Josephine Dias Puroskar–2026. The function also saw the distribution of prizes to the winners of the fourth All Goa Inter-School Tiatr Competition.
Calling for greater opportunities and encouragement for young artistes, chief guest Fr Ave Maria Afonso spoke on the future of tiatr depended on giving the younger generation a platform to discover and develop their talent. “Give them the stage. Give them opportunities. Give them encouragement. Their talent and abilities may surprise all of us,” he said.
He noted that the inter-school competition should not be viewed merely as a contest to identify winners, but as an initiative to discover and nurture young talent. The tiatr stage, he said, was in many ways a reflection of Goan society.
Fr Afonso also urged aspiring tiatrists on the importance of respecting Konkani and developing originality. “The future of tiatr cannot be built merely by copying the tiatrists of the past. We must learn from earlier generations and bring something new, fresh and creative to the stage,” he said. Principal of Rosary Higher Secondary School, Navelim, Magarete Dias was present as as the guest of honour. She highlighted the inclusion of tiatr as the 56th element in the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage of India, describing it as a significant achievement for the art form and Goa. Also present on the occasion were senior tiatrist Josephine Dias as special invitee, Arvind Dias, TAG president Anthony Barbosa, and vice-president Marcos Gonsalves.
