Tiatr fraternity comes together in UK

Fr Lucas Rodrigues, sfx, (centre) along with members of the Tiatr fraternity in Southall on February 4.

The Tiatr fraternity in the UK have been advised to abhor indifference and to embrace inclusiveness by taking on board all the well-meaning people in planning out activities in an amicable manner.

This was the appeal of Fr Lucas Rodrigues, sfx, Parish Priest of St Peter’s RC Church, Swindon, Goan Chaplain of the Swindon Goan Chaplaincy and a noted Tiatr actor, writer and director, during his address at the first-such meeting of stakeholders in the Tiatr fraternity convened by him at the St Anselm’s Church Hall in Southall on February 4.

The meet was preceded by a Holy Mass, concelebrated by Fr Rodrigues and Fr Patrick D’Souza, Goan Chaplain for London, for the Tiatr community in the adjoining church. In his homily, Fr Rodrigues emphasised the importance of Konkani language in the ethos, culture and life of a Goan linking it to their identity, further adding that if Konkani diminishes from the lives of Goans, so will the Goenkarponn.

After the Mass, the meeting began at 3.35 pm and was attended by over 100 people, all connected with the Tiatr, including writers, directors, producers, singers, musicians, technicians and organisers. Some of the prominent members of the Tiatr fraternity included Comedian Agostinho, Felcy, Mini Mario, Matthew Araujo, Annie Quadros, Comediene Jane and Janet.

Fr Rodrigues acknowledged the presence of the entire Tiatr fraternity who made efforts to gather as one family.

In his keynote address, Fr Rodrigues spoke of his own experiences as a friend, well-wisher, actor, writer, director of Tiatrs, and the ups and downs he faced in this field like any other but thought of taking this step of convening this meet because one has to start with the first step to reach a destination. The key point or the vital reason to hold this gathering was to bring all artistes together to plan the way forward.

CHALLENGES

Fr Rodrigues then gave a brief history of the efforts made to bring all Tiatrists and stakeholders together down the years. In his involvement with the Tiatr in the UK, this would be the third attempt, though the previous two attempts were not successful due to various reasons, he hoped this attempt would ensure that the Tiatr fraternity achieves its goals for the common good of all.

He spoke of the spiritual and cultural heritage of Goans and made an impassioned plea to avoid any conflict in dates that would hamper any of the activities planned.

Giving an analysis of Tiatr-goers, Fr Rodrigues said: “About 20% are below the age of 40, another 20% are between 40-50 yrs, and 60% are above 50 years. So, in another 15-20 years, we will be left with only 40 per cent of Tiatr-goers which impels us to have a hard look at the emerging situation, if we are to save the institution of Tiatr.”

“The identity of Goans rests on our shoulders and this identity can be preserved primarily through one’s language, through our cultural and spiritual manifestations. To achieve this objective, there’s a need to attract our youth into our fold as they are the ones who will carry the legacy forward.”

COMMITMENT

He said the first generation of immigrants from Africa brought in and fostered traditional Konkani culture.

“Many from that generation organised and even staged these activities. But unfortunately, they failed to transmit this love and concern for our institutions to the next generation. Hence, there was a hiatus of sorts coinciding with the ageing first generation of immigrants,” remarked Fr Rodrigues.

He said Tiatr was then taken up by a handful of people solely out of passion having braved a lot of hardships before the new wave of immigrants took upon themselves to carry forward this Goan legacy.

“Now with relative ease, we are happy because Tiatr is booming with dates booked even for 2024. But how long will this scenario last,” wondered Fr Rodrigues.

He pleaded with the Tiatr fraternity to abhor indifference and to embrace inclusiveness by taking on board all well-meaning people in planning out activities in an amicable manner.

Appealing for cooperation, Fr Rodrigues paraphrased John F Kennedy by saying: “Ask not what the Tiatrists can do for you, but what you can do for the Tiatr and our culture. Tiatr should never be for a ‘few dollars more’. Everyone involved should have a passion.”

Encouraged by the attendance of many stalwarts of the Tiatr fraternity, Fr Rodrigues exhorted all to focus on the ocean of positives and not on the puddle of negatives. The next meeting has been fixed for April 1.

Tiatrists propose Tiatr Academy in UK,

form committees to take Tiatr forward

A section of participants at the meeting of the Tiatr fraternity in Southall.

Members of the Tiatr fraternity in the UK have unanimously agreed to the proposal of establishing a Tiatr Academy in the UK.

This proposal was discussed at the first-such meeting of over 100 writers, directors, producers, singers, musicians, technicians, organisers and other stakeholders in the Tiatr fraternity convened by him at St Anselm’s Church Hall in Southall on February 4.

Fr Lucas Rodrigues, sfx, Parish Priest of St Peter’s RC Church, Swindon, Goan Chaplain of the Swindon Goan Chaplaincy and a noted Tiatr actor, writer and director, who convened the meeting explained the purposes of it. On the agenda was a proposal to establish an academy and requested everyone’s opinion on the need to have one in the UK. All agreed in one voice.

Fr Rodrigues formed a committee to explore the feasibility, logistics and wherewithal required. The members included in the committee are Comedian Agostinho, Greg Carvalho, Tommy Alphonso, Felcy, Judith Pacheco Fernandez and Fr Lucas Rodrigues. The committee will meet and will report their findings at the next meeting on April 1.

CONCERNS, SUGGESTIONS

Antonio from the Konkani Dramatic Association (KDA) praised the initiative taken by Fr Rodrigues and pledged his support in this mission. He favoured the idea of forming an umbrella association under which all the issues raised could be sorted and future events vetted by this association.

Johnson also supported the idea of forming an association to streamline the activities under one banner.

Judith Pacheco Fernandez from the KDA felt that many wanting to stage Tiatrs did not get an opportunity to do so as the halls are booked much in advance. She felt the whole booking system is ‘monopolised’ by a certain group and also charged that ‘profitability takes precedence over the interests of Tiatr fraternity’ when staging Tiatrs from Goa.

Comedian Agostinho extended his support to the idea and further said that at least 2 months should be kept aside only to put up events for and by the young.

Damaciano Moniz (KDA) suggested to take at least three children along with the elders to act in plays to encourage and nurture their talent from young.

Judith said that she had started a lot of programmes for the young but had to discontinue due to lack of support from the parents. She lamented that parents normally are reluctant to send their children for practices, etc.

However, Mark Silva felt otherwise and said he currently is doing a lot of such work with young people.

Seby Colaco felt Tiatrists should prepare a roadmap to unearth potential actors and with further encouragement and support, a new breed of actors could be developed of the new generation.

Joao felt that another platform would be to organise Khell-Tiatrs, while Seby de Vasco said cultural events could be organised on the village feast days.

Antonio Fernandes of the KDA felt the proposed Goan Academy in UK is a good idea brought forward by some of our Goan brothers along with Fr Lucas Rodrigues and pledged his support to the project.

WAY FORWARD

During an interaction on the way forward for the Tiatr fraternity in the UK, Fr Rodrigues appealed for respect, consideration of the other, and mindfulness from everyone in the vision for the way forward.

A lot of discussions ensued with regards to the booking of halls in advance. Lawrence Mascarenhas strongly felt that equal opportunities should be provided to artistes in the UK and further asked to avoid booking the halls for the same producers for two-three years in advance. He said the non-availability of halls dampens the enthusiasm of aspiring writers and actors.

Vital Gonsalves enquired if the Tiatr organisers/contractors should intimate the new committee (Academy) to be formed before putting up the shows, and also spoke of his own frustration that no dates are available for the next two years if he wanted to do so.

Aliston Colaco said regular Tiatr organisers should have been invited to this meeting to thrash out the difficulties.

Mark Araujo wondered what would be the situation if some organisers went ahead and ignored the initiative to put all events under one banner. Babit de Zuari and Lawrence Camelo proposed the academy should go ahead with its own plans irrespective of these concerns. Fr Rodrigues said he would plead with the regular organisers in good faith.

In view of concerns expressed at the meeting, it was decided to form two separate committees to delve into issues raised and suggest how best they raised can be resolved amicably.

These committees would use every available avenue to ensure, as far as possible, the greatest good for the greatest number of people to promote Goan culture.

Committees were formed to study the questions raised at the meeting and also to look into the possible drafting of the constitution.

Mark De Araujo, Konkani Stage Actor/Writer Director and Producer Of Konkani film ‘Big Ben’ said the formation of a Tiatr fraternity group was an absolute need of the hour.

“Having formed endless groups under various leaders was a mess. No one had clear communication or coordination about events. I take this opportunity to thank Fr Lucas for taking the initiative of bringing everyone involved in Tiatrs under one umbrella. I'm confident that it will work in the best interest of everyone,” he said.