MARGAO
Come Easter, and many a Konkani stage artiste would normally be ready to launch their latest
tiatr production. Directors and the cast would go in a huddle for rehearsals before releasing the
drama on Easter Sunday as per tradition.
The ground reality, however, appears different this time around. Easter Sunday is just a week
away, and there’s no noticeable activity in the form of rehearsals anywhere. Directors have
cancelled their shows, while the auditoriums no longer accept any bookings.
The reason is not far too seek. With the state in lockdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic, tiatr
directors have been left with no option but to postpone the release of their new productions.
Though the 21-day lockdown will end on April 14, two days after Easter Sunday, directors seem
to be treading a cautious path, with some saying they have no idea about the state of things to
come after April 14 and have gone for cancellation of the bookings.
Says noted director, Prince Jacob: “We usually released our latest productions on Easter Sunday.
The ongoing lockdown and the coronavirus scare has forced us to postpone the new releases.
Social distancing norm will not allow staging of tiatrs in the auditoriums.”
Prince Jacob, who had rehearsal sessions with his troupe, has for the moment stopped all
rehearsals, waiting for the improvement in the situation. “Entertainment is always second on the
priority list of people. First comes other pressing issues, including their livelihood. We will have
to wait for the bad phase to pass,” he added.
Another noted director, Menino de Badar, echoed similar sentiments. He said the coming Easter
Sunday will not see the release of any new tiatr as was the rich tradition. “I had planned to come
out with my new release, but postponed it. I had taken around 14 bookings, but they have been
cancelled after the coronavirus scare and the lockdown," Menino added.
Many a tiatr to be staged during the Lenten season were also called off because of coronavirus.
Director and producer John Miranda said he could not stage a single show during the Lenten
period and had to cancel all the bookings. “Release of new productions is totally out of question
on Easter Sunday. We will have to wait for the situation to improve," Miranda added.
Director of Art and Culture, Sagun Velip, said all the Ravindra Bhavans across the state coming
under department will not accept any bookings for tiatrs and other entertainment programmes till
the lockdown and other government guidelines are lifted.
“As an administrator of Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, instructions have been issued to the staff not
to accept any new bookings till further orders. The government will take a call only after the
lockdown is lifted and after assessing the situation," Velip added.
Sources said that the Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, and other centres controlled by the Art and
Culture department have already cancelled the bookings made by the directors and producers.
“With the health department insisting on social distancing, I do not know how our auditoriums
can allow staging of tiatrs and entertainment programmes even post-lockdown. We will wait for
the government instructions in this respect to take further decision,” the Art and Culture Director
added.
QUOTE ROOM
We usually released our latest productions on Easter Sunday. The ongoing lockdown and the
coronavirus scare has forced us to postpone the new releases. Social distancing norm will not
allow staging of tiatrs in the auditoriums
--Prince Jacob
I had planned to come out with my new release, but postponed it. I had taken around 14
bookings, but they have been cancelled after the coronavirus scare and the lockdown
--Menino de Bandar
I could not stage a single show during the Lenten period and had to cancel all the bookings.
Release of new productions is totally out of question on Easter Sunday. We will have to wait for
the situation to improve
--John Miranda
As an administrator of Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, instructions have been issued to the staff not
to accept any new bookings till further orders. The government will take a call only after the
lockdown is lifted and after assessing the situation
--Sagun Velip, Director of Art & Culture
