The season of lent has just begun, and during this time,several Lenten traditions are religiously followed. Fasting and prayeremphasise this time as one of sorrow and meditation.
Goa and Goan Christians, however, have a unique way ofobserving these forty days of lent. Besides the religious activities takingplace in the churches; in recent times, various tiatr spreading the Word of Godare staged all over the state. This year we will witness at least eight tiatrdealing with the teachings of Christ. These tiatr are intentionally written andproduced in order to spread the message of Christ.
Tiatr stories are nothing but a reflection on the events andoccurrences in our daily lives. Different types of issues which adverselyaffect individuals and society as a whole find place on the tiatr stage. Thesestories always focus on such values in life as truth, sincerity, honesty,justice, etc. This aspect can be considered as an indirect way of spreading theteachings of gospel through tiatr.
Traditionally, tiatr has always been an important means toproject gospel values among the masses. Souzalino was one of the greatestdirectors of the tiatr stage. His religious tiatr like “Sat Dukhi”, “OrkachePanch Mister”, etc were indeed masterpieces. In the past, these tiatr attractedChristians in Goa in large numbers. I remember villagers hiring busses to ferrypeople to Mapusa, Margao, etc as in the early days, tiatr wer only staged inthe major cities.
Alexinho de Candolim’s, “Dhormacho Bavtto” was yet anotherreligious Tiatr which won the hearts of the people at that time.
In recent times, we see religious tiatr staged only duringthe season of lent. Numerous new productions are produced every year and stagedduring these forty days. Not only laymen, but priests too, produce such tiatrand stage them in the villages. In every parish, at least once such tiatr isstaged during those forty days. Each tiatr even performs over 50 shows in justforty days.
Besides religious tiatr, other tiatr based on social,political and cultural themes are also staged throughout the year, not just inGoa but throughout the world where Goans live. These tiatr too, give strongmessages of the teachings of Jesus Christ. C Alvares, M Boyer, Airistides,Nelson, Prem Kumar, etc were some of the stalwarts of the tiatr stage who usedtiatr for propagating gospel values.
C Alvares’s “Goencho Mog”,“Adim ani Atam”, “GhoracheVantte”; M Boyer’s “Ekuch Rosto”, “Sonvsar Sudhorlo”, “Ghor Dukhi Ganv Sukhi”;Prem Kumar’s “Vavraddi”, “Dukh”,“Khotto Poiso”; Airistides’s “Divorce”; NelsonAfonso’s “Ghor Sonvsar”, etc are themost popular tiatr of the yesteryears which dealt with human values in life.
In present times, too, we have many writers and directorswho base their tiatr on social or political issues. The stories depicted in theplays always project the victory of good over evil. Many writers take pains toquote scriptures from the Bible in order to create a greater impact on theminds of the witnesses.
Yes, the Konkani tiatr stage does spread the teachings ofthe Gospel in a big way. Tiatr enthusisats, too, do appreciate such efforts ofthe writer and the director. But are these messages taken seriously in ourday-to-day lives? That’s the million dollar question!
Tomazinho Cardozo is former president of the Tiatr Academy of Goa
