Pai tiatrist’s birth anniversary celebrated; tiart artists felicitated
The tiatrists who were felicitated with lifetime achievement awards by the Tiatr Academy of Goa in commemoration of the birth anniversary of late Joao Agostinho Fernandes, Pai Tiatrist at the Ravindra Bhavan, Margao on Saturday.
Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
Renowned Goan artist Hema Sardesai on Saturday said she would have ensured that Konkani language and Goan culture is maintained in each and every school across the State if she was the Chief Minister of Goa or holding a Ministerial position.
Speaking at a programme at the Ravindra Bhavan, Margao organised by Tiatr Academy of Goa to felicitate tiatr artists with its Lifetime Achievement awards in commemoration of the birth anniversary of Pai Tiatrist, late Joao Agostinho Fernandes, Sardesai lamented that people coming and settling in Goa cannot speak Konkani and they don’t even know the Goan culture.
“It is not a joke, but that is happening in Goa. We cannot call them outsiders, but they cannot speak Konkani and they have no idea of the Goan culture. If I was the Chief Minister of Goa or holding a Ministerial position, I would have ensured that Konkani is spoken in every school in Goa. We have to protect our culture. This is absolutely important. We cannot take this lightly. This should reach the authorities,” she said.
Sardesai warned that the future of Konkani will be bleak if decisions are not taken to protect the language and local culture.
Turning emotional over the huge welcome accorded to her by Goans during his recent visit to the UK, Sardesai said, “Tiatr is our way of life. Those who come to Goa also learn to speak Konkani and act in tiatr. When I was called to sing a song at UK, I was given so much love and affection by our people. This is our culture. We cannot find this culture anywhere else across the world. Our culture should not die. We have to do something good for the State and the people.”
Expressing satisfaction that talented artists have been felicitated for their rich contribution for tiatr and Konkani, Sardesai complimented Tiatr Academy of Goa for the initiative.
TAG President Anthony Barbosa told the media that the awardees have been categorised into Commercial and Non-Commercial sections.
In the commercial category, artists honoured with life time achievement award were Domingos Coelho (Comedian Domnic), Xec Amirodin alias Shaikh Amir, Xavier M Fernandes alias Paklo, Jaikisan Dharmu Naik alias Kissan de Chinchinim and Samuel Carvalho.
In the Non-Commercial category, individuals elected for the prestigious awards, which are given in memory of late Lucasinho Rebeiro are Jose Antonio Pereira alias JP, Peter V Fernandes, Jose M F de J N Barreto alias Juju, Pedro Colaco and Francis Fernandes.
