Yesterday, 19.05.17 at Institute Menezes Braganza Hall, Panjim, at 4.15 pm, I attended the felicitation function for Tiatrists for their enormous contribution in the promotion of this art. Total number of artistes felicitated were 34, two of them Priests, namely Fr. Neville and Fr. E. Pereira all from the North Goa. Earlier it was given to understand that this felicitation was in appreciation of their life long contribution in the promotion of Tiatros.
A section of attendees
In fact, earlier, the beginning was not done properly because according to my information, any Ladru-Pedru type of person was entrusted with the task of selecting from their localities the Tiatrists for giving them the felicitation. Being the class of Ladru-Pedru, these selectors in some cases indicated their bias towards the deserving Tiatrists who were not included in the earlier list. They were later on included for the felicitation. I must say that the main organizing body like Ladru-Pedru should not entrust the task of selecting the Tiatrists to any incompetent person especially from North side where there is too much of jealousy among the immature tin pot Tiatrists.
Michael Lobo
This year Tiatro completes 125 years of its existence and to mark this occasion, “125th Anniversary of Tiatro Celebrations Committee” celebrates this anniversary with this felicitation that was started in October last year and will end in this October. The celebrations will last for one full year with different activities in addition to this felicitation. Money is available in plenty because Goa government has doled one crore of rupees to have the celebrations.
VIP's
It would be nice on the part of the organizers of this celebrations to create a fund for those Tiatrists who may genuinely be in need of money either for sickness or for their survival. I am sure people are aware of the great Tiatrist of yesteryears Saib Rocha who inspite of contributing tremendously for the development of Tiatros, was dumped into Old Age House where he died a very pitiable death.
Jerry Call escorted to the stage
Likewise, many of our yesteryears Tiatrists have died a very miserable death due to financial scarcity. Hence, it is imperative to create a fund for the needy Tiatrists from the One Crore Rupees doled by the Government. By the way, will it not be nice on the part of the organizers to regularly disclose the expenditure done for every activity so that people can see the transparency of the expenditure? After all it is the pople’s money, i.e. One Crore of Rupees that was given to celebrate this occasion.
Jerry Call in the centre
It would have been nice if Cold Drinks – snacks – Tea – water - was served for the attendees during the yesterday’s function. The organizers could have spent a few hundred for this purpose especially when the money is available.
Jerry Cal receiving a Shawl
The Guest of honour for this function Bai Platilda a well-known Tiatrist of yesteryears deserves highest compliments for delivering an excellent speech where she candidly disclosed the greatness of those elder Tiatrists who contributed their intelligence for the promotion of Tiatro but without much financial benefit.
Jerry Cal receiving Memento
The Chief Guest Michel Lobo, MLA of Calangute Constituency and the Depty. Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly in his speech indicated his love and affection for Tiatro, Tiatrists and Konkani. He was very open for his love for Konkani. It is my request to him now to help upgrade and support the cause of Romi Konkani which was robbed by the Nagrivadis with the support of few disgracefuls Romivadis from the KPA circle. I am sure Michael Lobo with his strong pulls at official level will be able to support Romi Script Konkani to get its due recognition.
Jerry Cal
The movement for Konkani recognition was spearheaded and supported by the overwhelming majority by the Romivadis but in the end the cunning Nagrivadis true to their genuine nature selfishly included Nagri script only in the official document. We the Romivadis generated funds for Konkani cause, our Romivadis only suffered the martyrdom for the cause of Konkani among whom there was not a single Bhembro – Mauzo – Shivdas – Pundalik etc. We the romivadis worked so much for the cause of Konkani and fruits of our hard work was enjoyed by the cunning Nagrivadis. I think we must treat them as enemies of Konkani. They had no marbles to raise funds for KPA movement, it was we the Kuwaitkars who supported them to run the KPA movement but they even fooled us. They should be treated as living Judases and let the posterity know this fact.
Calangutcar
When the Chief guest comes for any function, he must maintain some discipline as far as his dress code is concerned. Wearing a bush shirt for a majestic function is lowering the dignity of the function. Certain decorum should be maintained in dress code that magnify the quality of the function especially by the important persons for the important functions.
Tomazinho Cardoso receiving honours
Fr. Neville
A.Veroniica Fernandes.