In Candolim there is a Chapel in Pintos Vaddo very close to the ancestral house of Abe Faria’s mother where he was born. This Chapel celebrates the feast of “Agonizanti Saibinn” though it is called the “ Kondoi Saibin” whose feast we celebrate anuually on 2nd of Februaury. In this same Vaddo close to this Chapel, there is a “Purvonzancho Mandd” known as now and since recently “Holy Cross” Mandd. On the feast day of Kondoi Saibinn, almost every year the Mandd members organize a Tiatro sometimes of the locals or if not then of the professionals by paying them. This year that is on 02,02,20 they organized the nice Tiatro “POROT MOGAN PODD” written and directed by the well-known Tiatrist Lawry Travasso, the cast included some of the topmost Tiatrists namely Francis de Tuem, Marcos Vaz, Franky, Roma, Joana and others.
Some of the recipients of the awards in scoring top marks
One of the students seen receiving her Certificate
Before the start of the Tiatro at about 9.30 PM, two groups of traditional musicians of “Gumott – Madyem – Kanxaem” come playing to the Stage, one of the groups starting from Araddy next to my house performing all the traditional rituals and near Novotel Hotel behind Bosio Hospital both the groups joined together and walking a few metres to the venue of Tiatro, enter the Stage where they play for sometime and after the traditional prayers, the Tiatro starts.
This year before the start oif the Tiatro a prize distribution ceremony was organized for the children of the members who exelled in studies in their last exams by receiving top marks. They are all indicated in the photographs published here.
The Tiatro was well attended by the capacity attendees who were all seated on the Chairs however, in the earlier days there were no Chairs but attendees used to sit on the ground in the open area without fencing or Mattou. Even now as per the tradition you cannot fence this area for Tiatro, everything should be kept open.
During the whole day people come to pray to the Santa Cruz there but in the evening before the Tiatro thousands of people come there for prayer not only Catholics but others too.
The actual Tiatro started at 10.30 PM with the opening duo by the two local young girls which they rendered well.
The story is based on family life where Lawry Travasso played havoc as a Priest with those who harass their mothers and fathers, especially the mothers. His one monologue type for a few minutes with proverbs and highly philosophical statements make you happy with this Tiatro.The others who performed their roles well were Willie, Franky, Reema and of course Roma who all of them shouldered major responsibility of this beautiful Tiatro.
The comedy part was well handled by both the ace comedians Benevangelisto and Joana. Many in the audience were well relieved to see Ben a great comedian of whose type there was none on the Konkani Stage. Though Comedian Joana did a very good comedy role yet some in the audience were eagerly waiting for her to sing a solo, especially a decent one.
In the Side Show songs, as usual political singer Francis de Tuem rendered both his solos very well and with Lawry he was extremely good on Lamani. He gained the maximum limelight in this segment of the Tiatro. The others who deserve mention here were Marcus Vas, Roma and Sheena.
Well done Lawry Travasso and his troupe. The people who attended to this Tiatro have enjoyed every bit of it. It is a very good family story.
A.Veronica Fernandes.