MARGAO
Assembly election 2017 isn’t going to be anything different around Salcete’s constituencies. While politicos of all hues brace up for a hectic election campaign in run up to February 4, so are the tiatrists and other Konkani artists, who enjoy a significant fan following around the countryside.
Prominent among the tiatrists, who have plunged into the election campaign so far, include ace comedian Agostino Themudo, the current President of the Tiatr Academy of Goa, triple centurion Menino de Bandar, noted comedian Ben Evangelist, eminent director Menino Mario et al. Noted Konkani artist, Francis de Tuem, known among tiatr buffs as a political singer, has also made his presence felt on the Aam Aadmi Party dais as well as the new regional outfit, Goa Forward Party.
In the 2012 Assembly election, comedian Agostino had been a prominent supporter of Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado.
Hailing from Navelim village, Agostinho had regaled the crowds with his speeches laced with comedy and humour, all directed at former PWD Minister Churchill Alemao. Five years down the line and Agostinho will continue to back the Independent MLA in the 2017 election.
“I had supported Avertano in 2012 and the Independent MLA did not let the people down. In fact, he ushered in a lot of development during the last five years,” he told The Goan.
At Avertano’s manifesto release function, Agostinho addressed supporters. Navelkars are looking forward for something from the ace comedian in the run up to the election. “Today, I have just addressed the supporters, but I have something for the crowds at the election meetings,” he promised.
In Benaulim, the heartland of tiatr and Konkani, a galaxy of artists has descended on the field ahead of the elections. Triple centurion Menino de Bandar, a member of Benaulim panchayat, had been closely associated with former PWD Minister Churchill Alemao over the years. It’s election time and Menino is a familiar figure at Churchill’s media briefings and at meetings back home in Benaulim.
“I had always supported Churchill in his election campaign. This time too I attended Churchill’s meetings in his support. Churchill has always lent a helping hand to tiatrists,” he said.
Noted director Menino Mario has also joined Churchill’s election campaign this time round. “I have addressed Churchill’s meetings to explain why people should support him,” he said.
Another Konkani stage artist who has joined Churchill’s campaign is Jazzu Fernandes, who doubles up as a compere and a speaker at meetings across the constituency.
Incidentally, artist Francis de Tuem informed that though he has made his presence felt at political meetings, he makes it a point to restrict his role to pure performance.
“I performed at the meetings of Aam Aadmi Party and Goa Forward Party. I have not composed any specific election-related songs, but have sung songs from my tiatrs. I have made it a point to restrict myself to pure performance without making any speech in favour of this or that candidate,” Francis said.
He however, conceded that he has sung those songs from his tiatr underlining the need to send the present BJP government home, but without asking the people to vote for a
particular candidate or political party.
