PANAJI
“In a movie there are retakes, but Tiatr is a live performance and those who act on the stage do not get a second chance to perform better if they err. I enjoy watching these live performances of Goan Tiatrists and do not miss any of the tiatrs, especially because they not only provide entertainment but also give out a loud and clear message to the audience. We have to patronize Tiatrs and observe as well as absorb the message it carries for the public, and us, the politicians. If we, as politicians, make mistakes, Tiatr points them out and we, without being offended, must try to correct our mistakes,” stated Chandrakant Kavlekar, Deputy Chief Minister.
Kavlekar was speaking at the Joao Agostinho Fernandes (Pai Tiatrist) birth anniversary event at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao on Thursday. The event, jointly celebrated by the Tiatr Academy Goa and Ravindra Bhavan Margao, witnessed moderate attendance amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The deputy chief minister further stated that a Tiatr brings to fore the facts to the audience and in a way tries to educate the public.
“Keep up the good work of educating people,” said Kavlekar.
On the occasion of the Pai Tiatrist birth anniversary, ‘Lifetime Contribution to Tiatr Awards 2020’ were conferred in two categories “ commercial and khel/khel tiatr wherein a total of eight veteran Tiatrists were felicitated. In the ‘Mhadlgoddea Tiatristancho Bhovman’ category Miguel Jacob C L Fernandes (Prince Jacob), Mario P Menezes (Tragedy King of Konkani stage), Socorro Antonio A L Fernandes (Socorro de St Cruz), Minguel Silva (Michael D’Silva) and Kenneth Michael Theresa Zuzarte (Kenny) were felicitated at the hands of Babu Kavlekar. Lifetime achievement awards in the khel/khel tiatr category were awarded to Joao P Dias (John Hatis), Evagrio Domingos D’Souza and Lourence Gracias at the hands of veteran Tiatrist Sabina Fernandes. Sharmila Fernandes, the granddaughter of Pai Tiatrist was also present on the dais along with Cezar D'Mello, vice president, Tiatr Academy Goa.
Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Prince Jacob thanked the Tiatr Academy Goa and Ravindra Bhavan for the warm felicitation ceremony, and expressed, “Tiatrists never retire. The responsibility of the artist does not end with the lifetime achievement award. Instead, it increases. The shows go on and our work continues even if we age. In 2020 Covid-19 has put before us unprecedented challenges, due to which many of the Tiatrists are suffering financially. They need help."
Appealing to the Tiatr Academy Goa to raise a fund for those who are facing financial crises, Prince Jacob stated that if Tiatr Academy Goa and Ravindra Bhavan Margao jointly step forward to assist the Tiatrists, or if the government-owned auditoriums are offered for free, the artists can start the shows with 50 per cent audience capacity.
“The people have always patronized us and stayed with us in our difficult times. We are sure that they would help us come out of the current pandemic-related crises that have led to the financial crunch,” he said. Prince Jacob, also mentioned John De Parra, a non-stop Tiatrist who passed away recently and offered tributes on behalf of the artists in Goa.
Damodar Naik, president of Ravindra Bhavan Margao also spoke on the occasion.
Initially, Tiatr Academy Goa president Menino Fernandes (Menino De Bandar) gave the welcome address. Two booklets with the biodata of the awardees brought out by the Tiatr Academy were published on the occasion. The event was compared by Tiatrist Pradip Naik and Tragedy King Mario Menezes gave the vote of thanks. Tony de Ribandar and his troup presented a Konkani music show after the award function. The event was attended by Tiatrists and Tiatr lovers who exhibited patience even after the announcement of the late arrival of the chief guest Chandrakant Kavalekar. The function which was to be held on the birth anniversary of Pai Tiatrist on December 14, was postponed to December 17 due to the code of conduct amid the Zilla Panchayat elections.
