One of the most popular monthly activities of the TAG is ‘Meet The Tiatr Artiste’ programme. Artists of repute are invited by the TAG to interact with their fans and followers so that they have an insight into their life and professional career
This month, tiatr artist Antonette de Calangute, a versatileartiste and melodious singer who stepped onto the Konkani stage at the tenderage of twelve was the cynosure of all eyes at the Ravindra Bhavan Black Box onOctober 17.
Antonette was a regular lead artist of the Menino de Bandartroupe for the last seven years until kidney failure forced her to take anunexpected break. But during her interaction with her fans when she stated “Iwill come….I will return back to the stage,” it was an emotional moment and theaudience responded with a rapturous applause. It was an emotional moment notonly for Antonette, but several of her fans who had found time to be there outof love and affection for this seriously ailing artist with a perpetual smileon her chubby face.
Her director Menino de Bandar, who briefly spoke during theinteraction could neither hide his emotions nor his tears, and in a brokenvoice he said “Antonette has been my favourite artist. I would always firstdiscuss the story of my new tiatr with her and she would always give me herunstinted support. When Antonette disclosed her kidney ailment to me, my hopeslay shattered.” Several other fans including former TAG President, TomazinhoCardozo, too interacted.
Antonette de Calangute recounted her tiatr journey sincechildhood. She also recounted in detail the hardships she faced due to limitedfacilities available at the beginning of her career. “Hailing from a tiatr andmusically inclined family, I was fortunate to have gotten married in a familywhich was closely involved in scripting, directing and producing tiatrs.Playwright Danny de Ribandar approached me for a comedy role in his tiatr and Iplayed a comedy character named ‘Bankin’ (meaning stool). Whenever I had anyshows I had to come to Panjim and at the Panjim bus stand the motorcycle pilotson seeing me would make fun of me by calling out loudly ‘Bankin…Bankin’. I can neverforget that,” recalled Antonette de Calangute who has won the Best Actor Awardat the Kala Academy’s tiatr competition for 6 years, 5 of which have beenconsecutive.
