Staff Reporter
Margao
A call was made for the setting up of a Tiatr Bhavan in the state as a means to help the traditional art form of tiatr to be promoted and preserved. The call was made at a musical tribute show to five tiatr artists of yesteryears to celebrate their 100th birth anniversary.
Speaking as chief guest for the event, Margao MLA Digambar Kamat called tiatr one of the oldest art forms in Goa. “Tiatr is one of the oldest forms of art. When I was CM, tiatr was decreasing and artistes had approached me to help support and keep it alive. At that time I also felt it was right and helped setup the Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG) with a permanent budgetary allocation, gave an office and staff. The hall at Ravindra Bhavan was also named after Pai Tiatrist though there was a lot of pressure, I found the request of the tiatrists genuine. Tiatr bhavan is another dream and I think it should be made, even if a small space where artistes feel like they have a place.”
TAG in collaboration with Ravindra Bhavan Margao celebrated the 100th birth anniversary of 5 late Tiatr/Khell-Tiatr personalities of yesteryears – Minguel Rod, Vincent de Saligao, Kamat de Assolna, Antonio Moraes and Mussolini Vales de Menezes.
Reflecting over the art form, Kamat said it showed the reality of the society. “The tiatr reflects the happenings of the society and even though I have been criticised through tiatr songs, I understand it’s importance. It is a good form of art, there is a lot of meaning and can help to educate people. I am glad that it is still alive and has been going abroad to the UK and Gulf. It has become so popular and people like to watch it too,” he said.
TAG chairman Anthony Barbosa also praised the work of the artistes of the yesteryears saying that it was because of their efforts that tiatr was kept alive.
TAG vice president Marcos Gonsalves also voiced the opinion and need for setting up a Tiatr Bhavan in the state while informing of a tribute musical show to be held at Ravindra Bhavan, Sankhali as well as a one day programme exploring research in the field of tiatr to be held at St. Xavier’s College, Mapusa later this month.
