The ardent wish of many a Tiatr aficionado and lover of Konkani heritage in the UK to establish a Tiatr Academy in the UK has got a further boost, with elections to the new executive committee for the proposed Tiatr Academy UK to be conducted at the Market Place in Southall on July 23 at 5 pm.
This was overwhelmingly decided by a number of producers, contractors and writer-directors at a meeting in the St Anselm’s Church Hall in Southall on May 14, which was convened by Fr Lucas Rodrigues, parish priest of St Peter’s Church and Goan Chaplain.
Among those present was Menino de Bandar, the current president of Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG), who was on a visit to the UK with his Tiatr.
The meeting started with a welcome address and a short prayer by Fr Rodrigues. He gave a brief history of developments leading to this meeting, recapitulating the decisions taken at the last meeting.
Seeking everyone’s cooperation, Fr Rodrigues said: “Unless we pool all our resources in one mind and vision under a single umbrella, our aims will not materialise.”
“The basic issue is to have a shared goal, common understanding and a strong commitment if we are to consolidate the gains accrued in recent years due to a surge in Tiatrs in the UK as a result of first-generation migration.”
A file photo of members during the second meeting of the Tiatr fraternity at Southall on April 1.
Fr Rodrigues feared that the same trend may not continue in about 20 years or so as he envisaged that the next generation may not show the same interest or engagement in Goan culture.
To buttress his contention, he cited the current scenario facing the different village-based associations formed by the then first-generation immigrants, which he said are on the verge of closing down for want of newer membership.
To tide over such a crisis, Fr Rodrigues emphasised the need to prepare the next generation of Goans and imbibe in them a spirit of continuity and love for their cultural inheritance.
He also spoke of his own difficulty to get singers in the junior category in the recent ‘Modhur Tallo’ Konkani solo singing contest, who he said took part because of the ‘push’ by their parents.
As a way forward, it was decided to have a calendar of all the Tiatrs booked so as to facilitate many others who wish to stage/produce their Tiatrs. The academy could keep a diary of all the Goan/socio-cultural events and help to coordinate between the organisers for an integrated package of events.
Fr Rodrigues then put the proposal for the establishment of a Tiatr/Cultural academy to vote and asked for their opinions. The proposal was overwhelmingly accepted by those present.
He then asked whether an ad hoc committee for a limited period should be formed to look into the structures and formation of the academy until elections to the full-fledged body are held or whether there should be elections to form a governing council/executive of the proposed academy should be held. It was unanimously decided to go for the second option. Elections to the new body will now be conducted on July 23 at 5 pm at the Market Place in Southall.
