Towards the beginning of the this calendar year, tiatrists awoke to the news that the Goa government was thinking of introducing censorship for drama productions and presentations in Goa. The vibrant tiatrist fraternity stood up in unison and immediately swung into action. Songs were sung in tiatr, comedy jibes were added to ongoing productions and tiatrists came together under the banner of Tiatristancho Ekvott to correspond with the government, submit memorandums and step up the pressure so much so that the government decided against this move. This is a classic example of the power of unity, that needs to be replicated and strengthened.
The question that then arises is why are tiatrists not celebrating their unity by attending functions organized for their fraternity? Is their professional rivalry so intense that they cannot celebrate and make merry for functions organized in their honour or in honour of the art?
Last Saturday the Diocesan Centre for Lay Apostolate organized a Tiatristancho Mellavo at Lar de Estudantes complex at Altinho, Panaji. This is the third successive year that the Diocesan Centre for Lay Apostolate has organized this meet. Letters were sent to all tiatrists through the Tiatr Academy of Goa. Telephone calls were made and text messages were sent to remind tiatrists about the event.
There are over 15 groups presenting tiatr on the commercial stage. There are around 40 groups that present their tiatr for the Kala Academy Tiatr Competitions. Another 15 troupes show up at the annual Children's Tiatr Festival organized by TAG. Assuming that there are around 20 to 25 troupe members in each troupe, there should be around 1500 active tiatrists in Goa. Add to this the retired and the number of tiatrists will cross the 2000 mark. When the representation was made to the government over 400 tiatrists signed the memorandum. Yet, a meagre 25 tiatrists attended this Tiatristancho Mellavo.
This is not the only occasion when tiatrists disappoint. The TAG organizes two tiatr-related events every month “ Kolakarak Bhett (Meet the Artiste) and Somplolea Tiatristancho Ugddas. Even here, very few tiatrists are seen attending. On April 17 every year, Kala Academy celebrates Tiatr Day. At times, this tiatr day is celebrated without any tiatrists. The Konkani Cinema day celebrated every April by the Dalgado Konkani Academy too does not find favour with tiatrists.
Why are tiatrists shying away from celebrations like these which cam be avenues to interact with each other and build bridges of love and understanding? It is definitely not professional rivalry that keeps tiatrists away, but purely a lack of apathy and interest in coming together and celebrating the institution of tiatr. It is high time tiatrists shed their inhibitions and learn to co-exist so as to foster better relationships within their own fraternity.
