On 4th of this month at Kala Academy Hall, Panjim, starting sharp at 7.30 PM for which the director deserves compliments for adhering to the scheduled timing, I saw the Tiatro ‘EK GHOR – DON CHULI” written and directed by the Prince of Konkani Stage, “Prince Jacob” who is well acclaimed as the history creator by introducing new ideas, new artistes etc. He has unique distinction to write 25 Tiatros title of same are started in letter “P”. This is something unique record which has to be recorded in the Guiness Books of Records. Being a musician first, I saw Prince Jacob first time in Goa acting for Roseferns from where he graduated himself as a full fledged Tiatrist having his own Troupe of about 20 persons including his artistes who remained with him thru thick and thin with respect and dignity.
This Tiatro what I saw yesterday was the victim of its own innocence in the sense it was poorly attended by the audience even though this was the 3rdtime that this Tiatro was held in Panjim at the same venue. However, being the Silver Jubilee Show, the audience should have been more befitting Prince Jacob Name and fame. This all happened because of the introduction of vulgarity by the few of the third grade vulgar comedians coming from vulgar family background and they are not only disliked but hated by the audience. Because of them many of the members of the audience who are the regular Tiatro goers otherwise have stopped going for our Tiatros. According to me there is no other reason for the people not to come to see the Tiatros. Till Some time back people used to see Prince Jacob’s Tiatro any number of times even by purchasing the tickets in the black market. Such was the powerful demand for Prince Jacob’s Tiatro then and since this Tiatro was much better than many of his earlier Tiatros, the audience should have been more. But because of the very bad image of our Tiatros created by these few tin pot comedians, innocent directors like Pirince Jacob had to suffer. Something drastic has to be done by the concerned persons and authorities. It is not the matter to take things lying down. I am afraid if nothing can be done to woo back the audiene, our Tiatro may lose its demand and come to an end. Earlier this type of situation[L1] [L2] has almost reached to the point of saturation twice, once after 25 years of Tiatros’ existence and the second time after 75 years but it was at the very right time the uninvited Messiahs came who were sent to this planet by the almighty God to avert the disaster. The very few “Pozdde” comedians who are doing comedian roles should be either kicked out of Tiatro circle or they should be given proper instruction to behave well. Stage is not their fathers’ property to act the way they want. As for me, I will always raise my voice on the vulgarity of some of the idiotic minded comedians even though they may take me to Polie Station again as it was done about 3 years back where a case was registered against me for writing against the “Pozdde” Comedians.
Coming back to this Tiatro “Ek Ghor – Don Chuli” it was the very good subject chosen by Prince Jacob affecting our houses, homes, families and community. We Goans since time immemorial have been living in a joint family system which no doubt have some defects but as a whole it is a marvelous system which has more plus points than the minus. But in the recent past due the Anglicization process initiated more by the Goan Christian community, the situation is changed and thus we opt for separation and isolation for ourselves. This was done more by the newly married couples as enacted in this Tiatro. Though it was very serious topic and as such it was rightly enacted by all the artistes yet there were many witty happenings and incidents occurred at the time of distributing the things from the one undivided house, between the two warring factions of the same parents staying in the same house, after they decided to separate. For example, it looks strange to see Prince Jacob in a comedy role takes one part of the table to one family of one brother and the other to other.
Prince Jacob deserved compliments for bringing out a nice plot which should have been released a few years back whence it would be more relevant. The role played by Jacinto of an elder responsible brother was good while that of his wife played by attractive Lourdes who was an excellent finding of Prince Jacob was just too fantastic as she did her every step very appropriately. She was in appreciation of her excellent role she played in this Show not only in the play but also in the Side Show songs too, was presented by a member of the audience a Cash Prize. The roles of other brother and his wife were played appropriately by Jonathan and Valencia respectively. Jude Michael Gracias yet one more renowned actor, singer, composer, writer & director besides being a reputed journalist and Editor of Jivit Magazine played the role of an uncle coming on vacation to Goa from Portugal, his presence in Goa with his Goa based relatives with whom he was vacationing spread Portuguese feelings all around reminding many in the audience of Portuguese rule days in Goa, Portuguese dish Bacalhao, Portuguese Drinks Serveja – Macieira, Portuguese Sardinha and with the smattering of Portuguese language between Portuguese guest and Diana and others.
The comedy role played by the writer and director of this Tiatro, comedian Prince Jacob was worth admiring assisted by youngster Cedrick whose future on Konkani Stage under Prince Jacob looked bright but he must not acquire the dirty vice of the dirty and vulgar comedians who are all out to destroy the Tiatro. Besides, one more new finding by Prince Jacob as usual, of the young and beautiful comedian Semita gave a big booster to this Tiatro. Having all the attributes of the Stage artiste she is the big asset not only for Prince Jacob troupe but also for the Konkani Stage as a whole. Additonally, one of the most sought after by the audience and also a lokpriya and veteran Diana with her comedy role won the hearts of the audience.
Among the songs that deserve mention here are the opening solo by Prince Jacob and his duo with his comedy partner Cedrick were worth appreciating. The opening solo was nicely rendered by the director. So also the solos of Agnelo de Dabolim, his duet, the solo of Benny and his duo with Jude Michael Gracias, comedy solo of comedian Cedrick and the wonderful Trio rendered by Semita-Lourdes – Valencia. However, among all the songs, the beautiful solo rendered beautifully by the beautiful Lourdes with beautiful tongue deserves highest compliments. Her anjelic personality brought an extra flavour to her solo.
The musical score provided by Saby Moraes and his troupe was worthy of admiration.
A. Veronica Fernandes.