MARGAO
Member Secretary of Margao Ravindra Bhavan Agnelo Fernandes on Monday said the General Council of Ravindra Bhavan as and when constituted will take a resolution with a request to the government to preserve the ancestral house of Joao Agostinho Fernandes, popularly known as Pai Tiatrist.
Paying tributes to Pai Tiatrist on his 75th death anniversary on Monday the Ravindra Bhavan, Member Secretary said Pai Tiatrist had laid the foundation for the tiatr which has evolved over the years.
“The ancestral house of Pai Tiatrist is a heritage house and needs to be preserved. We have to protect our history. Pai Taitrist occupies a special place in the art and culture of the state,” Agnelo said.
He added: “Presently, Ravindra Bhavan has no governing council in place. As and when the council is appointed by the government, a resolution will be tabled at the meeting which will be sent to the government to preserve the house of Pai Tiatrist.”
Family members of the Pai Tiatrist had been demanding with successive governments to protect the heritage house from crumbling and protect it for posterity.
Saying that Goa is known as the Mecca of Tiatr, the Ravindra Bhavan Member Secretary said that tiatr is popular all over the world and has made an immense contribution to Konkani and culture.
“Tiatr is a performing art of Goa which has stood the test of time when similar art in other parts of the country is on the verge of extinction. It has not only protected the rich cultural heritage but is providing employment,” he said.
Referring to the recent row when events and tiatr at the Pai Tiatrist hall were suspended over the AC facility, Agnelo said the cultural institution has to take the moral responsibility to protect the culture.
He further said that it is the responsibility of the Ravindra Bhavan officials and staff to welcome the artists to the cultural institution and treat them as a family.
Meanwhile, former Ravindra Bhavan Chairman Damu Naik in his tweet paid tributes to Pai Tiatrist on his 75th death anniversary.
