In the most strongest terms I condemn the move of Goa government to re-impose Salazarist censorship on Tiatros and Tiatrists’ songs in Goa. Though Portuguez rule ended from Goa almost 55 years back and brought democratic government in Goa to give right to every Goan to express himself freely yet the current BJP government in Goa thinking to curtail this freedom by introducing Censorship on Tiatros. Though during the Portuguese time Censorship was existing yet there was lot of freedom for Tiatrists to express their views freely and they did express their views very freely on many topics except they had to control their tongues when airing their views on the topic on freedom for Goa. Otherwise many times Tiatrists expressed their views against malfunctioning of government machinery and government departments. To oversee the conduct of the Tiatrists on this subject the Village Regidor, a Goan, was to remain present to see the Tiatro to note any infringement.
If it was not for this freedom of expression for Tiatrists, they would not have heavily criticized from the Stage the Bamonn Bhattkarshai that was heavily leaning towards colonial regime as they alone enjoyed better dividends from the Portuguese regime in Goa. Portuguese government has given all the freedom for Tiatrists in Goa except to talk ill of the regime. And by the way during those days every department of Goa government was functioning well leaving no room for corruption and giving no chance for Tiatrists to criticize the government.
The first Chief Minister of Goa Dayananda Bandodcar who was the strong anti-Goan Portuguese supporter had the guts of introducing Salazarist censorship in late sixties on Goan Tiatro as a means of revenge against the late Nelson Afonso who scripted a new Tiatro “BONDOLCAR” a satirical criticsm of Bandodcar’s anti-Goan rule in Goa. Before releasing this Tiatro, government authority in Goa stopped Nelson from staging it in this name as it looked defaming Bandodcar. Then Nelson changed its title to “BONDOLIST” and released it and staged it all over Goa. In this Tiaitro Nelson tears Bandodcar into pieces and because of his anger on Nelson, Bandodcar introduced Censorship on Tiatro in Goa. The direct victim of this cruel censorship was the Trio of Nelson where all their Trio songs were stopped by the Censor Board during that particular period. But as a matter of solidarity the entire Tiatrist fraternity stood behind Nelson. There was an uproar in the Goa Assembly by the UG members and everywhere in Goa.
Then Bandodcar realized his mistake and lifted the Censorship and as a punishment for Nelson Afonso, Bandodcar introduced Entertainment Tax on Tiatro because of which the Ticket Rate was enhanced but Tiatro goers accepted this without grumblings. Gradually to woo Nelson towards him, Bandodcar removed this Tax from Nelson’s new Tiatro “O DOLOROSA”. Yet Nelson never changed his stand on Bandodcar for his anti-Goan policy till Bandodcar’s death. Interestingly, after his death, Nelson composed a very good song which was beautifully rendered by his Trio in praise of Bandodcar as a human being and not as a politician. This song started with a saying “MELOLLEA MUNXEACHEM VAITT ULOINAE”.
Now, the latest news of introducing Censorship on Tiatro is very disturbing but Tiatrists at this hour must remain firmly united to oppose this Censorship, if required they must be ready to knock at the door of the highest judiciary in India. This move of Goa government is a sign of weakness and defeatism. It also indicates the mighty power of Tiatros and the influence Tiatrists wield. Goa government will surely condescend and accept its folly because Censorship on Tiatros will never materialize.
Meatime, Tiatrists must campaign hard against this move of government, if necessary by calling public meetings and rallies to awaken the whole Goa on this issue. And they must know that in this hour of crisis, Tiatro lovers like me are with them in solidarity. This is a plan of BJP to harass Christians in Goa by imposing censorship on their cultural programme. MLA's Caitu and Mickey must be told in strongest terms that the next election is approaching very fast and they will have to answer to the public why they supported this Censorship while other Christian MLA's for their silence on this move will have to pay a very heavy price.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Candolim, Goa.
Tel: 7507394349.