MARGAO
The Tiatrist and Non-Stop Tiatristanchi Sonstha has thrown its weight behind the Tiatr Academy of Goa’s efforts to take Tiatr’s recognition to the international level, with the fraternity welcoming its recent inclusion as the 56th element in the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The decision was taken unanimously at a Managing Committee meeting held on Saturday at the Sonstha Hall, Colmorod, Navelim. The association congratulated the Tiatr Academy of Goa for pursuing the long-pending demand for the recognition of Tiatr in the National Inventory maintained by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi.
President Arnaldo Costa said the recognition was an important acknowledgement of the contribution made by generations of tiatrists towards preserving Goa’s distinctive cultural tradition.
“Tiatr is an integral part of Goa’s cultural identity and has been sustained through the dedication of generations of artistes. Its inclusion in the National Inventory is a significant step in acknowledging this contribution. We congratulate the Tiatr Academy of Goa for pursuing this long-pending demand and assure our full support to the efforts towards UNESCO recognition,” Costa said.
Vice-President Normendez Fernandes said the inclusion would help provide greater visibility to Tiatr and strengthen efforts for its preservation and promotion.
“This recognition is an important milestone for Tiatr. It should encourage all stakeholders to work together to safeguard this traditional art form and ensure that it continues to reach future generations. We hope the process towards UNESCO recognition will now receive the necessary attention and collective support,” Fernandes said.
Treasurer of the Sonstha and famed tiatrist Anthony San said the national recognition should now be used as an opportunity to bring the entire Tiatr fraternity together and strengthen efforts to preserve the art form.
Executive Member Ben Evangelisto said Tiatr had been kept alive through the collective efforts of artistes, writers, composers, musicians, technicians and audiences.
“Tiatr is not merely a form of entertainment but an important expression of Goan society, culture and language. The recognition must be followed by sustained efforts to protect its traditional character while providing opportunities for younger generations to take the art form forward,” Evangelisto said.
It placed on record its gratitude to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Art and Culture Minister Ramesh Tawadkar for their support and encouragement towards the preservation and promotion of Tiatr.
The association also expressed appreciation to Tiatr Academy of Goa President Anthony Barbosa, Vice-President Marcos Gonsalves and the Council members for their efforts in pursuing the national recognition.
The association said the inclusion in the National Inventory should be treated as an important step in the larger effort to safeguard Tiatr. It expressed its willingness to cooperate with the Tiatr Academy, government authorities and other cultural organisations in taking forward initiatives for the preservation, promotion and wider recognition of Tiatr.
