Demand put forth at 3rd International Tiatr Convention hosted by Kala Niketan Goa
Tiatrists from different parts of the world came together under the theme ‘Taking Tiatr to the next generation’ and unanimously resolved to urge the government to accord Industry Status to Tiatr.
The day-long Third International Tiatr Convention, which was attended by over 200 local, national and international Tiatr artistes comprising legendary Tiatrists, International Tiatr promoters and Tiatr students, was hosted by Kala Niketan Goa at the Multipurpose Hall at Sanskruti Bhavan, Panaji.
The convention under the chairmanship of noted singer Anthony San Fernandes was inaugurated by senior Tiatrist John Claro Fernandes, recipient of the prestigious Sangeet Natak Academy Award.
The first salvo to demand industry status to Tiatr was fired by Fr Ave Maria Afonso in his keynote address. Senior Tiatrist Prince Jacob Fernandes, who presented a paper on the challenges faced by Tiatrists to take forward Tiatr, also demanded Industry status and further appealed to delegates to unanimously resolve the demand.
Vincy Quadros, President of Dalgado Konknni Akademi, presented his paper analysing the format of Tiatr presented today and seconded the resolution for Industry status which was passed unanimously by the gathering.
On the occasion, eight legendary Tiatrists Platilda Dias, Josephine Dias, Diana Fernandes, Ciriaco Dias, Tomazinho Cardozo, C D’Silva, Osvy Viegas, Anthony Veronica Fernandes and Telles Moraes were felicitated by Dr Austin D’Souza Prabhu, editor of the Konkani periodical ‘Veez’ in Chicago-USA, during the inaugural session in appreciation of their contribution to Tiatr.
Speaking as chief guest at the concluding function, Tiatr enthusiast & Calangute MLA Michael Lobo promised all assistance and patronage for the academics of tiatr and also assured to take up the matter of implementing the resolutions taken at the Convention.
He further advised the Tiatrists to rise above mediocrity and give a performance of excellence that the earlier Tiatrists were known to give. He further cautioned the Tiatrists that vulgarity, below-the-belt comedy and unbecoming lyrics of songs cheaply aimed at getting an applause and encore will spell their doom.
SESSIONS
The first session on ‘Tiatr: As We Received’ was presided over by Gasper Crasto, a delegate from Kuwait. Dr Dennis Vaz, professor at Rosary College Navelim and Fr Luis Gomes, professor at St Xavier’s College Mapusa presented their papers. The session was moderated by Dr Dilecta da Costa, professor at Government College, Khandola.
The second session on ‘Tiatr: As We See It Today’ was presided over by Mauricio Pereira, a delegate from Doha. Senior Tiatrist Prince Jacob Fernandes presented his paper on the challenges faced by Tiatrists to take Tiatr ahead and Vincy Quadros, President of Dalgado Konknni Akademi, also presented a paper. The session was moderated by Fr Jose Silveira, former director of Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendra, Porvorim.
The Third Session on ‘Tiatr: How we take it ahead…” was presided over by Alex Rebello, a delegate from the Cayman Islands. Senior Theatre personality Dr Saish Deshpande and Fr Roman Rodrigues, Associate Professor at Rosary College Navelim, presented their papers. The session was moderated by Prof Flora Castelino, HOD of the Konkani Department of St Aloysius College, Mangalore.
AWARDS
During the convention, the Tiatr Ratna Award was presented to Roseferns for presenting 100 tiatrs on stage, Antonet D’Souza for promoting Tiatr with school children and college students and Edwin D’Costa for achieving the feat of releasing 100 Konkani Kanataram albums.
The Tiatr Bhushan Award was presented to St Aloysius College Mangalore for introducing Tiatr to their students and inculcating in them the love for tiatr.
The Tiatr Vibhushan Award was presented to Lawrence Fernandes for promoting Tiatr in Dubai, Kuwait Konknni Mogi for promoting Tiatr in Kuwait and Rafael Noel for promoting Tiatr in the Cayman Islands.
Resolutions adopted at the convention
* Grant of Industry Status to Tiatr
* Tiatr to be promoted all over wherever Konkani-speaking people are in domicile
* Institute a chair of Tiatr at Goa University
* Introduce Tiatr as a curricular subject in Kala Academy’s College of Theatre Arts
* The Art & Culture department should issue a letter of certification to Tiatrists applying for visa to perform internationally
