25 years of Tiatr Competitions

The Kala Academy Goa, celebrated the Silver Jubilee of Tiatr Competitions at the Dinanath Mangeshkar Kala Mandir on 27th November. Mr. Ravi Naik, Deputy Chief Minister of Goa, felicitated 25 outstanding tiatr artistes of the tiatr stage with a shawl, a bouquet and a momento. M. Boyer, the doyen of the Konkani stage was the Guest of Honour. Mr. Vishnu Wagh, Vice Chairman of K.A., welcomed the gathering at the function which was compered by Irene Cardozo. A souvenir "Silver Jubilee of Tiatr Competitions" was released at the hands of the Chairman of Kala Academy Shri Pratapsingh Rane. Mr. S.V.Rane, Member Secretary of Kala Academy, proposed a vote of thanks. The function concluded with the staging of a tiatr "Tin Poixeamcho Tiatr" a Konkani adaptation of Bertolt Brechtes "The Three-penny Opera".

Pratapsingh Rane in his message said "The beautiful land of Goa is known as the land of theatre lovers and our folk tradition has been enriched with theatre form like Jagor, Ranamale etc. The Konkani theatre has today evolved as a powerful medium for mass communication. Major credit fort this tradition must go to our above hundred year old folk theater form - the "Tiatr".

He added that the tiatr competitions organized by the K.A. for the last 25 years has been a very productive period from the point of qualitative development of Tiatr, owing to the encouraging audience response. He said the motive behind the competition was to provide scope for innovation and experimentation. He said on his recent visit to England he was mermerised by the huge public response the theatre evoked. The theatre companies have succeeded in retaining the audience, thanks to the innovation in stagecraft and technical wizardy.

He said the tiatr has found its roots among the Goan audience. It is the only professional theatre we have in Goa. "I sincerely wish  it should become a powerful weapon for social awakening. The entertainment aspect has to be there, but we must remember that today's viewer is getting more and more intelligient. He does not like anything below standard. All tiatr artist and technicians must keep this dictum in mind".


He said it gladened him to note the tiatr today has earned a lot of recognition as in the case of M. Boyer being conferred the Sangeet Natak Academy Award. "I pray to the Almighty to help the Kalal Academy maintain its association with all the creative people of the tiatr stage" he concluded.

Ravi Naik is his address congratulated the felicitated artists and said the K.A. through the competition has helped develop the standard of tiatrs and to bring innovative ideas on stage. He reminded the audience that though the old tiatrist had no means of publicity  like newspapers and T.V. as today's tiatrists do, they nevertheless worked tirelessly for the upliftment of the tiatrs. He said if the right interest  is taken by today's tiatr artists, the standard of tiatr will definitely imjprove. He said Goa has produced several theatre artists of repute, which was natural, given the fact that Goans have inborn qualities of theatrical art. He said
that acting on stage should not be considered shameful as some people do but should be considered a God given talent.

Mr. Boyer in his speech mixed with witty remarks said it has been 52 years his acting career and he still loves the stage despite his ill health. He said the two directors he holds in high regard are Miguel Rod and Artistidis Dias. He said in the earlier days the same person would be the writer, the director, the producer and the actor. But today the responsibilities have been distributed  to different  artists- a very good sign of the times - as each artist can work deligently on the work entrusted to him/her.

He prayed to artists to put an end to "Vulgar Comedy" that seems to be cropping up in Konkani tiatrs recently. He advised them to take  criticism in the right spirit and work hard to improve the standard of the tiatr and their own capabilities.

Mr. Tomazinho Cardozo in his address thanked the Kala Academy for felicitating the 25 artists. He said in the 108 years of Konkani tiatr, these 25 years of tiatr, were of most importance because the Kala Academy through the tiatr competition gave the ameteur tiatr artist ample opportunities to bring innovations and new ideas on the tiatr stage. He said that it was observed that the standard of some of the tiatrs staged during these competitions was of a very high nature: the writing of script of some of these tiatr showed orginality and richness of thought, the stage setting could be compared to any of the developed  stages, light effects of
were of superb quality and the direction showed the imaginative and and observatory depth of the amateur artists.


He said the need of the hour is to give a boost to the award winning tiatrs to be presented in various  parts of Goa. This exercise he said will create a liking for these tiatrs among the people as it has happened in case of people witnessing tiatrs in the  competitions organised by Kala Academy.

He appreciated the Kala Academy's role in providing yeomen service to the cause of tiatr during the last 25 years. He said it is now for the lovers of tiatr to think and act whether they would support only popular tiatrs for the sake of entertainment only, at the cost of the development of the tiatr, or they  will sacrifice and create a taste for high standards of tiatrs as has happened on other stages.

Photo Gallery
Photos By William Rodrigues

click on thumbnail images for larger ones

Agnelo Dias - music

Annie Quadros e D'Costa - acting

Antonetta Fernandes - acting

Brazinho Soares - stage setting

Cezar D'Mello - direction

Digambar Singbal - light effects

Fransqinha Gomes - singing

Guests of Honour

M. Boyer being presented a bouquet

M. Boyer speaks

Release of Souvenir

Section of the audience

Singing Awardee

Tomazinho Cardozo - direction

Moronn, entertainment with social message

By RON FIDELIS / Navhind Times

THE 25th tiatr competition 2000-2001 organised by Kala Academy Goa, took off on November 28, with the staging of Moronn, a
performance by Vikas Mandir, Merces, at 7 p.m. The tiatr written by Aires Rodrigues and directed by Fr Lino Pinto began with a
scene set in a cemetery, boldly displaying the sign Aiz Mhaka Falem Tuca, meaning, as later depicted in the play, ‘As you sow, so shall you reap’ or ‘You get paid by the same coin.’

The story of the tiatr revolves around a mother, Linda, who is very self-centred, dominating and money-minded. She controls her
husband and is shown to be overfriendly with her husband’s brother Brian. She marries off her son and then the first thing she thinks of is the gold, which is brought in by her daughter-in-law.

Immediately, she is shown ill-treating the daughter-in-law, by making her do all the housework, which was normally done by the servants. Even her son dare not question her about her actions and the inhuman treatment accorded to his wife. Linda and Brian, who is a police officer, with the help of a goon Max plot and murder the daughter-in-law by forcing her to drink the poisoned milk. With the daughter-in-law dead, everything seems to forget her, with the girl’s father and her brother unable to do anything in the matter, since they are poor. The case is closed as it is made out to be suicide.

However the plot takes a new turn, when the twin sister of Natasha, the dead daughter-in-law, named Nilima vows to avenge her sister’s death. She goes about her plan, by getting married to the son, Ritchie (his second marriage) and becoming the new daughter-in-law of Linda.

Nilima is shown as a totally different character. She is bold, daring and seeks revenge, as compared to her dead sister, who was timid. The tiatr becomes interesting as both the roles of Natasha and Nilima are played by the same artist.

Nilima sets about teaching Linda and Brian, a lesson they will never forget. Linda gets back from Nilima, all the jewellery she had
snatched by ill-treating of Natasha. Nilima also makes Linda sweep the floor. From then on, it is a loosing battle for Linda. Even Brian deserts her, as he goes away on a transfer job and the goon who had helped Linda is arrested and sentenced to 10 years rigorous imprisonment!

Unable to bear the humiliation and the shame of being dominated by the new daughter-in-law, Linda gives in and repents, finally
collapsing and dying of a stroke.

The play ends on the note of repentance and a piece of advice for the mother-in-laws.

There was scope for good direction and it was fully utilised, accompanied with proper lighting effects. The background music
was also well used. From among the songs, three songs ie a solo, a duet (political satire) and a trio (on matka gambling) were very
good; so also were praiseworthy, two solos by Cosme Fernandes.

Kala Academy to celebrate silver jubilee of Tiatr competitions

From Our City Desk

PANAJI, Nov 23: Kala Academy will organise a grand programme to mark the silver jubilee of Tiatr competition on November 27 at
6.30 pm at the Dinanath Mangeshkar Kala Mandir, Campal, Panaji.

Twenty-five tiatr artistes will be felicitated and a special booklet will be released at the hands of the chief guest, Mr Ravi Naik, Dy. Chief Minister. Mr Pratapsing Rane, chairman of Kala Academy will preside over the function and eminent tiatr artiste, M Boyer will be the guest of honour.

Tiatr being an unique form of regional theatre, the Kala Academy started its annual Tiatr competition way back in 1974 and till date
altogether 25 such competitions have been organised annually. 

On this occasion, the academy will felicitate 25 tiatr artistes and technicians who have immensely contributed to the competition
during the last 25 years. These artistes include Tomazinho Cardozo, Caitan Pereira, Minguelin Rego, Ceasar D’Mello, Manohar
Bhonsle, Agnelo Dias, Anthony Carvalho, Vincy Menezes, Sandeep Kalangutkar, Michael Gracias, Rupesh Jogle, Irene Cardozo, F X Pereira, Jessica Gomes, Anne D’Costa, Anicent Lourence, Sucorro Fernandes, Antonette Fernandes, Maria Cardozo, Kamlakant
Chari, Fansquinha Gomes, Shyam Kalangutkar, Digambar Singbal, Vitorine Araujo and Brazino Soares. All these participants will be awarded a memento at the hands of the chief guest.

The Kala Academy has also decided to release a special booklet reviewing the 25 years of its competition. This booklet will give all
the relevant details of the participating institutions, award winners along with some rare photographs. Besides these details, special articles by eminent writers involved in the development of tiatr stage such as Tomazinho Cardozo, John Claro Fernandes, Felicio
Cardozo, Wilmix Mazarello have also been included in it.

To mark the occasion the Kala Academy will present its comedy play based on Tiatr style namely Teen Paishancho Tiatr followed by the main function. The entire function and the tiatr show will be open to all.

Coinciding with this occasion, the prize distribution of Cantaram Singing Competition, held by Kala Academy on

October 30 will also take place.

Artistes felicitated to mark 25 years of tiatr contests

From Our City Desk

PANAJI, Nov 28: The Dy Chief Minister, Mr Ravi S Naik, has stated that Kala Academy complex at Panaji has helped to grow cultural talent in many youngsters in the state. The government, therefore, intends to set up one more theatre art complex at Margao and the work on a similar complex at Ponda will be completed soon.

Mr Naik said Goans have inborn qualities of threatrical art and the state has produced several artistes of repute and given additional facilities, the artistic and cultural talent will flourish further. Curchorem art complex will also be provided with additional facilities, he said.

Mr Naik was speaking after felicitating 25 outstanding artistes of tiatr on the occasion of silver jubilee of the tiatr competitions
organised by Kala Academy last evening in the city. Speaker Mr Pratapsingh Rane, presided over the function and eminent tiatrist, M Boyer was the guest of honour.

Speaking further Mr Ravi Naik congratulated the organisers as well as the winner artistes who have shown keen interest and brought innovative ideas on the tiatr stage.

Mr Naik said the Kala Academy has given so many facilities for the children, old and young, wherein they can show their talent. They should work with love and dedication to improve the standard of tiatr. He further stressed that acting in tiatr is not shame as some people think but it is a talent of which one should be proud of.

Mr Pratapsingh Rane speaking on the occasion congratulated the artistes and said, “We have to still improve our standard of acting. All the tiatr artistes, and technicians must keep in mind that todays viewers do not like anything that is below standard,” and added that the theatre artistes should witness the technological revolution taking place in other countries and follow them to improve the tiatr standard.

Mr Tomazinho Cardozo speaking on the occasion congratulated the winner artistes and the Kala Academy who during the past 25 years has done yeomen service to the cause of tiatr. He said that today 25 artistes have received prizes, but the others should not get disheartened or jealous and leave the competition. We must keep in mind that it is not the Kala Academy who gives the prizes but it is the judgement of the jury.

Mr Tomazinho said we have artistes coming from good families and having high qualifications which is also one of the reason for the improvement of our tiatr standard. He also requested to have the competition of tiatrs in the South so that they too get the taste of tiatrs.

M Boyer speaking on the occasion said Kala Academy has done tremendous work for the upliftment of the Konkani stage. He said the artistes have improved 75% in their career but much more can be done. He requested the Kala Academy to guide the child artistes for further improvement of the stage.

A special booklet giving indepth review of past 25 years of tiatr competition was released at the hands of Dy Chief Minister Mr Ravi Naik.

Mr Ravi Naik earlier felicitated 25 eminent participants with a shawl, memento and a bouquet. The awardees were Tomazinho Cardozo, Agnelo Dias, Cezarr D’Mello, Minguelino Rego, Caetano Pereira, Digambar Singbal, Irene Cardozo, Brazinho Scares, F X Pereira, Annie D’Costa, Sandeep Kalangutkar, Manohar Bhonsale, Kamlakant Chari, Soccorro Fernandes, Maria Cardozo, Anthony Carvalho, Michael Gracias, Shyam Kalangutkar, Aniceto Lourenco, Antonetta Fernandes, Fransquinha Gomes, Vincy Menezes, Jessica Gomes, Rupesh Jogle and Vitorino Araujo.

Mr Ravi Naik also awarded prizes to the winner of Cantaram singing competition.

Earlier the guests were welcomed by Mr Vishnu Wagh, vice chairman of Kala Academy and Mr S V Rane, member secretary proposed a vote of thanks. Ms Irene Cardozo compered the function. 

The function concluded with the staging of a tiatr Teen Poixechancho tiatr.

25 tiatr artistes to be feted by KA

The Kala Academy will be organising silver jubilee of tiatr competition on 27 November at 6.30 pm at the Dinanath Mangeshkar Kala Mandir, Campal, Panaji in which 25 tiatr artistes willbe felicitated.

Deputy Chief Minister Ravi Naik will be the chief guest of the function and Chairman of Kala Academy Pratapsing Rane will preside over the function. Eminent tiatr artistes, M Boyer will be the guest of honour for this function.

Tiatr being an unique form of regional theatre, the Kala Academy started its annual tiatr competiton in 1974 and have been organised annually. This activity being one of the milestones in the history of tiatr, the Kala Academy has decided to celebrate its silver jubilee.

On this occasion the academy has decided to felicitate 25 tiatr artistes and technicians who have immensely supported and contributed to the competiton during the last 25 years. These participants include Tomazinho Cardozo, Caitan Pereira, Minguelin Rego,Ceasar DMello, Manohar Bhonsle, Agnelo Dias, Anthony Carvalho, Vincy Menezes, Sandeep Kalangutkar, Michael Gracias, Rupesh Jogle, Irene Cardozo, F X Pereira, Jossica Gomes, Anne DCost,Ancient Lourence, Sucorr Fernandes, Antonette Fernandes, Maria Cardozo, Kamalakant Chari, Fansquinha Gomes, Shyam Kalangutkar, Digambar Singbal, Vitorino Araujo and Brazino Soares.

All will be awarded a momento at the hands of the chief guest to acknowledge their contribution to the cause of tiatr. 

Similarly, the Kala Academy has decided to release a special booklet reviewing the 25 years of its competition. This booklet will give all the relevant details of the participating institutions, award winners along with some rare photographs. Besides those deatials, special articles by eminent writers involved in the development of tiatr stage such as Tomazinho Cardozo, John Claro Fernandes, Felicio Cardozo, Wlimix Mazarello have also been included in it.

To mark the occasion the Kala Academy will present its comedy play based on tiatr style namely Teen Paishancho tiatr followed by the main function. The tiatr show ill be open to all.

Coinciding with this occasion, the prize distribution of Cantaram singing competition held by Kala Academy on 30 Octobver will also take place. This event being a special function both for the participants of tiatr competion as well as the tiatr lovers in general, the acadmey has appealed to all the prize winners and tiatr lovers to attend the function.

Photos & Article By William Rodrigues
Input & Services By Cecil Pinto
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