Saturday, February 14, 2009

Tiatr Academy of Goa

From: JoeGoaUk
Subject: [Goanet] Tiatr Academy of Goa
To: goanet@goanet.org
Date: Saturday, February 14, 2009, 8:22 PM
Tiatr Academy of Goa
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk12/3279371147/sizes/l/


I don’t really know what is the Tiatr Academy is all about but
what I do know is Tiatr Academy is good for (Goa) Tiatr
for its overall development etc

I remember somewhere in early 2007, the then Art and Culture Minister
Mr. Digambar Kamat constituted a small committee headed by Tomazinho,
Wilson (Wilmix), Prince Jacob, Premanand, Fatima etc

I also remember Wilson subsequently resigning from the committee.

‘Tiatr Academy’ for the tiatrists and the tiatr lovers is like a dream come
true.

Finally, it is set to inaugurate on 16th February 2009 headed by its president
Politician and
Ex Speaker of Goa Assembly Mr. Tomazinho Cardozo.
See pic for other members of the Tiatr Academy.
Also, on the day, 15 senior Tiatr personalities will be honoured
(See list in the pic)
Followed by Cultural Programe/Entertianment by top Tiatrists like Rosefens,
Rosy, Prince Jacob,
Humbert, Marcus Vaz, Felcy etc etc
see the pic for the complete list.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk12/3279371147/sizes/l/

Wishing all the best to Tiatr Academy of Goa.

At this time, I would also like to thank our Digu bab
(Honorable Chief Minister of Goa) for making this dream come true.
I must say, Digambar deserve all the credit not just for
Tiatr Academy but anything that relates to art and culture.
I know he is the best minister for Art and Culture we ever had.
And this is not the first time I thank him.
http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/GOAN-NRI/message/588

Sadly, I will not agree with any one says he is the best minister
or CM for Aam Aadmi.
I know, I have seen, how aam aadmi put to great hardship
in various Govt. departments.


Joegoauk@yahoo.co.uk

for Goa & NRI related info...
http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/GOAN-NRI/

For Goan Video Clips
http://youtube.com/joeukgoa

[Forwarded by Lino B. Dourado]

Cracks emerge in nascent Tiatr academy


While this writer collated the views of tiatr lovers on the "Tiatr" academy which is to be inaugurated on 16th February, 2009 at 1730 hrs IST at the "Pai Tiatrist" Joao Agostinho Fernandes Hall at Margao Goa, there was a volley of support for the proposal to grant posthumous awards to the trio, Lucacinho Ribeiro, Joao Agostinho Fernandes and his spouse Ms Regina Fernandes. Even others ought to be considered posthumously now itself. Else the awards ceremony should be differed for a later date they felt.

When this writer spoke telephically to the Chairman of the Tiatr Academy Mr Tomazinho Cardozo on Friday the 13th February, 2009 on the issue of posthumous awards and the criteria adopted for selection of tiatrist, besides putting up photgraphs of the trio at prominent places he stated that a) the committee had proposed to award those in the age group of above sixty and above seventy and those who were infirm and may not be available the next time round. It would be an annual excercise he said and therefore the fear of being left out does not arise. IThough 10 were to be selected each year this time round they have settled for 15. However as regards the posthumous award he only stated that photographs of the pioneers viz Mr Ribeiro and Mr Fernandes would be given the due place. When asked why Regina was left behind when she rightly deserved the award being the first woman on stage even before any woman came on stage and even the Marathi drama stage, had not had a woman on stage then; he merely stated that he would make a mention of her role during the inuagural but nothing beyond that and he stated that he had plans to form a separate Committee for a woman's wing in the Tiatr academy at a later stage. He also went on to add that there were several other Goan tiatrists who have achieved much more and were even pioneers in Rap dance etc but since there was no documentation others have got the credit.

Though there is an element of truth, in what he says about the documentation that is in no way convincing why Ms Regina has been left out. Even though he claimed that now it was late, he was reminded of the fact that one of the audience members from Mungul Margao indeed had proposed to the panel Chairman during the two day "first Roman Script Cultural and Literary Conference" on 20th and 21st December, 2008 at Pai Tiatrist Hall that Regina should be honoured considering it is her 100 death aniversary on 30th December, 2008. This proposal was accepted and it was obviously the right moment to honour her. Merely paying lip sympathy is an insult and the Government ought to take note of such biased attitude. When one of the lady members who is on the committee of the Tiatr academy was asked for her views she fully supported this view but did not dare to go public as she was a member of the Tiatr academy.

None of the ladies considered for the award even though living can have the gumption to receive the award if Regina has been left out others stated.. It is she who dared all when there was a stigma for ladies to perform on stage on 22/11/1904 therefore Tomazinho needs to justify the reason she has been left out.

Lest he contends that no photo of hers is available the same was made available to him and the Directorate of Art and Culture by this writer.

:Later since the CM could not be contacted this writer spoke to the Director of Art and Culture and impressed upon him to do justice to Regina Fernandes and have her portrait. He was aware of the discussions held by this writer with Chairman of the Tiatr Academy Mr Cardozo and promised to rectify the same.

Ironically today's edition of the Herald carried an advertisement inviting tiatro lovers for the function, but sadly the photograph of Ms Regina has been left out. This could have been because the observations were made only after the advertisement was released and Saturday Sunday being a non working day it is left to be seen if they make amends on Monday.

Meanwhile Mr Wilson Mazarello agreed that Regina Fernandes should be considered for an appropriate place, however he is not a member of the Committee of the Tiatr Academy.

Another, member Mr Osvy Viegas has come out with another stinker directed to the Director of Art & Culture Mr Prasad Lolayekar, wherein vide a letter dated 14/02/2009 (copy available with this writer) he has questioned the criteria for selection of playwrights for State awards. He has launched a diatribe against the selectors who he claims were not competent to distinguish between "artists" and performers". No doubt he was all praise for the Government instituting awards but selection was biased. How come a "participant" like Concessao D Silva "Conny M" was awarded the State award when he was a mere non de script musician? What happened to several others like "Carlito" from Navelim whose passion for music was so great in the Company of late Chirs Perry that he also won accolades from his employer the Bahrain military band for his artistic rendition of the trumpet.

He also spoke of artists like Fidelis from Chandor, Mr Alex Mestri from Maddel Margao - a violinist and Band Leader who deserved State awards.

He was also furious over the mudslinging resorted to by Lolayekar who was obsessed with his heading the Department "as if his own" and put the blame on selections on Tomazinho Cardozo. Mr Viegas also alleged that Tomazinho did state that it was apparently a political decision to include Conny M.

According to Mr Viegas the Government should constitute a panel of selectors and invite names of consideration before granting awards. They should peruse the bio-datas of the artists shortlisted and only after ascertaining the facts they should finalise the awards.

Meanwhile there has been some further tremors being felt even before the inaugural function where it has been alleged that those adorning the Committee of the nascent Tiatr Academy are the same who have been given the privilege to perform at the musical show after the inaugural. If this is what the Tiatr Academy is all about it the less said the better.

Many felt that the Government should not have appointed Mr Tomazinho Cardozo a politician (ex Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly) with due respect to his credentials in the field of performing arts. Infact they feel that the same disunity and bias among the tiatrist will reflect on the functioning of the Tiatr Acdemy and the pro-devanagari lobby of which the CM extends covert support will have the last laugh seeing the death of the Tiatr Acdemy even before it completes 100 days they stated. Even the amount of Rs. 15 lacs budgetary support and that the Government is still scouting for premises is a pointer for things to come.

In another development there has been a vociferous demand that in the same breath that tiatr lovers have demanded the restoration and preservation of the "House of Pai Tiatrist" at Modsai Margao which was supported by Rajya Sabha MP Mr Shantaram Naik a similar demand has been made to preserve the now nearly in ruins abandoned home of noted poet Baki Bab Borkar. The Government has already named a road after him at Porvorim and many feel that the homes of both Joao Agostinho Fernandes and that of Baki Bab Borkar should indeed be preserved for posterity.

It is hoped that the CM who has been addressed on these issues will as Head of the Department of Art and Culture see merit in the observations and do justice before the ensuing event.



GODFREY J . I. GONSALVES,
BORDA, MARGAO, 403 602, GOA. (INDIA)
+91 98221 58584 (24 HRS)
gonsalvesgodfreyji@yahoo.co.in

14/02/2009

[Poster courtesy: joegoauk@yahoo.co.uk
received via. Lino B. Dourado]
_____________________________________________________________________________________


Eminent Tiatrist Master Vaz to open Tiatr Academy on Feb 16


Eminent Tiatrist Master Vaz to open Tiatr Academy on Feb 16


MARGAO- Legendary Tiatrist, Master Vaz (Jose Francisco Vaz) will inaugurate the much-desired Tiatr Academy at the Ravindra Bhavan, Margao on February 16 in the presence of the Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat, who will be the chief guest.
Establishment of the Tiatr Academy has been long overdue for development and encouragement�of Tiatr, a unique Konkani art form which began some 117 years ago. Veteran Tiatrist and former speaker of the state legislative assembly, Mr Tomazinho Cardozo would be the president of the Academy.
Speaking to The Navhind Times, Mr Cardozo said the setting up of the academy would go a long way in improving standard of Tiatr. He observed that Tiatr has survived the vicissitudes of time for the last 117 years without any help from any quarters, adding that now for the first time a Tiatr academy is being set up. He gave full credit to the Chief Minister for the formation of the Academy.
Tiatrists across the board have hailed the setting up of the Academy. Welcoming the establishment of the Academy, eminent Tiatrist, Wilmix Mazarelo said the academy would be good for the Tiatrists. However, he rued about the budgetary allocation of Rs 15 lakh for the body. He stated the amount sanctioned is not enough as the Tiatr has a following in Goa and many parts of the world. He said budget should be 10 times more than the one sanctioned.
Noted Tiatrist, Roseferns observed the Academy is going to be the backbone of Tiatr as an art form in the state and elsewhere, while well-known Tiatrist, Mario Menezes said the Tiatrists should be happy with the development adding that it�s a dream come true.
The editor-in-chief of Konkani magazine Jivit, Mr Michael Gracias -- who is himself a Tiatrist of repute -- said that Tiatr is a popular art form in Goa. He informed that every year more than 2000 Tiatrs are staged in the state, so for this very reason there is an urgent need for research and documentation on Tiatr, especially preservation of old Tiatr scripts. He said that with the setting up of the Academy, it could now be possible to preserve old neglected scripts.
Sources disclosed that old Tiatr scripts are being neglected and given step-motherly treatment due to some kind of feud going on among the Konkani lovers --- those who are for Devanagari script and those against it.
It was disclosed that the Goa Konkani Academy at one stage had requested to collect scripts of great Tiatrists of bygone era, adding that around 100 Tiatr scripts were collected then but only 10 Tiatrs were published in book form, which included the works of legendary Tiatrists like Souza Ferrao. The other Tiatr scripts, it is disclosed, are waiting to be published.
Tiatrists said that with the formation of the Academy this unique art form is expected to be developed further on technical fronts like direction, stagecraft, lights, designs and background music.
It is also expected to preserve old Tiatr manuscripts and put an end to the dearth of wind instruments like trumpets, saxophones and clarinets etc, in addition to preserving old songs in whatever way for the future generations like the songs of Jacinto Vaz, Anthony Mendes, Alfred Rose, Chris Perry etc.

61st Death anniversary - Pai Tiatrist "Joao Agostinho Fernandes"

On his 61st death anniversary today 29/08/2008 tiatrists in Goa paid homage to
"Pai Tiatrist" late Joao Agostinho Fernandes at a brief one hours function held
at the Ravindra Bhavan - Pai Tiatrist - Joao Agostinho Fernandes A/c Indoor
Auditorium at 1300 hrs.

The function began with a small introductory speech by konkani playright and
Convenor of the days function Mr Wilson Mazarello paying tributes to the
legendary tiatrist revered by past and present tiatrists.

Floral tributes were jointly paid by the Rajya Sabha MP Mr Shantaram L Naik,
the Chief Guest on the ocassion and senior tiatrist hailing from Sanvordem Mr
Remmie Colaco by garlanding the portrait of Pai tiatrist at the entrance of
the A/c Indoor auditorium (the largest of its kind in Goa 1150 seats)

The Chief Minister of Goa Mr Digamber Kamat who could not grace the ocassion
owing to extensive Business of the House on the last date of the ongoing
monsoon session of the Goa Legislative Assembly deputed the Asst Director,
Directorate of Art & Culture Ashok V Parab to do the honours in paying tribute
to Pai Tiatrist by offering a floral tribute on his behalf.

Others who paid floral tributes were Dr Francisco Colaco an eminent
cardiologist (a neighbour of late Chris Perry and "Pai Tiatrist" in Modsai
Behind the Holy Spirit Church at Margao Goa ).

Following this brief tributes the motely but reasonably good gathering of forty
three tiatrists and other well meaning citizens, many of the tiatrists
expressed their thoughts on the works and times of Pai Tiatrist

Mr Wilson Mazarelo the Convenor of todays function described the unique
features that Late Agostinho stood for;


He stated that Pai tiatrist despite earning this distinction conferred upon him
never ever looked down on Lucacinho Ribeiro who he considered his guide and
mentor having staged the first tiatr on a Konkani tiatr “Italian Bhurgo " was
staged at the New Alfred Theatre Bombay (Mumbai ) on 17th April 1892 Easter
Sunday. He recollected that Pai tiatrist, was a strict disciplinarian. Pai
tiatrist condemned the earlier khell tiatrs zagors etc which were both
extempore and were a vulgar display of drunkenness etc which failed to attract
decent crowds.

He recollected the times when Pai tiatrist wept at the Cross Maidan in Mumbai
when he saw tiatrist indulging in slanderous and defamatory acts against their
co-tiatrists and prayed for the unity of tiatrists.

Mr Remmie Colaco who was given the place of honour ( the only living playwright
who had the opportunity to perform in tiatrs staged then by Pai Tiatrist) did
not speak on the ocassion due to his frail health but chose to convey the need
to foster unity amongst the tiatr fraternity.

Mr Mike Mehta (Adv) and konkani playwright saluted Pai tiatrist for he believed
that the stage was the platform provided by Pai Tiatrist for all the
playwrights to express themselves on societal issues. It was the stage which
gave one a forum for expression during the erstwhile Portuguese regime ---the
fora for fearless power of speech in action and song and therefore it was
incumbent upon the tiatrists to ameliorate the feelings of Pai tiatrist and
live up to his expectations.

Mr Shantaram L Naik Rajya Sabha MP speaking on the ocassion admitted that he
had only read of Pai tiatrist, and his works, but considering the fact that Pai
tiatrist had documented his works for posterity ( Incidentally most of his
works are lying in the Goa Konkani Academy taken from his family by the the
Chairman of Goa Konkani Academy without any remmuneration for the same ) Mr
Shantaram Naik expressed confidence that he would be able to work together with
the konkani playwrights and do whatever possible to provide them assistance at
the Central level.

Mr Prince Jacob pleaded for granting industry status to the tiatrs. This would
help them get facilities which are hitherto deprived. He pointed out that if
granted an industry status it would provide employment opportunities for the
youth of the state. He however expressed resentment over the fact that
financial assistance given by the Government for the promotion of tiatr works
in Konkani would not be beneficial if the same is in the official language
Konknni in devanagari script. He therefore pleaded for recognition of Romi
Lipi as the only viable alternative to maintaining unity among th Goans.

Mr. Prince also expressed the desire that the indoor auditorium coming up at
Kala Bhavan at Sancoale be named after Kid Boxer who hailed from Cortalim..

Mr Anil kumar another tiatrist did not approve of the MP's views to have the
tiatrs of Pai tiatrist be enacted de novo with changes to suit the present
times. Without mincing words Mr Kumar impressed upon the MP that re-mix should
never ever be accepted as this would destroy the esssence of the original plays
and preferred that the old tiatrs of Pai tiatrist be performed in its original
form. He also pleaded for recognition of Konkani in Romi lipi (script)

Others who spoke were Mr Premanand Lotlikar, Mr Conney M a musician turned
tiatrist.

Mr Parab the Asst Director, Directorate of Art & Culture promised all
government support to improve upon the status of the tiatrists. At the
requests of the tiatrist he agreed to make the stadium available for all
tiatrist performance on 21st December, 2008 the 137th birth anniversary of Pai
tiatrist.

Dr Francisco Colaco admitted that he while he took pride in always stating that
he was the neighbour of late Chris Perry he would now also take pride in being
the neighbour of Pai tiatrist. He spoke for his immense love for music but had
also expressed his desire to perform on stage, but then there were not many
takers for his idea. He however expressed his strong desire to perform on the
konkani stage as this was the true fora which permitted the Goenkarponn to be
seen in its vibrant form

Fr Pratap Naik Director TSKK Porvorim speaking on the ocassion, hoped to assist
Dr Colaco not only to perform on the konkani stage but also to help Dr Colaco
to script and direct his own konkani play which indeed would be a revolution in
the tiatr world which was otherwise in earlier years looked down by his
community.

Mr Mario Menezes pleaded for unity among the tiatrists and was pleasantly
surprised to see the gathering of tiatrist despite the odd hour and the short
notice.

Ms Fatima expressed profound thanks to late Pai tiatrist for it was Pai
tiatrist who was the first person to introduce woman on Konkani stage ; his
first wife Regina and later his second wife Luiza Maria Colaco also performed
on stage at a time when even the Marathi theatre did not have a woman on the
stage. This she said gave her tremendous encouragement when she first set foot
on stage at the tender age of five years.

She thanked the CM of Goa Mr Digamber Kamat for keeping up to his promise to
name the Indoor auditorium after Pai Tiatrist.

The function ended with a vote of thanks by Prince Jacob

It may be recalled that Pai tiatrist was born on 21st December, 1871 and died
on 29th August, 1947 just over a month after our country attained Independence
at GT Hospital and was buried in Mahalaxmi . He resided in rented apartments
at Girgaum and was a parishioner of St Theresa’s Church Girgaum.

Meanwhile some veteran citizens visited the grave of Pai tiatrist at St Peters
Catholic Cemetry at Mahalaxmi in Mumbai and paid tributes at his memorial today
according to reports received by this writer from Girgaum Mumbai telephonically.

The Curtorim MLA and Santacruz MLA were requested to move a calling attention
motion or make a mention today during zero hours -- to

a)thank the government of Goa for naming the Ravindra Bhavan indoor stadium
after Pai tiatrist.
b)to request the Government of Goa to confer upon him the highest award for
his role in Konknni tiatrs by posthumously giving him an award.
c)to request Government of Goa should also preserve his humble house at Modsai
Margao Behind the Holy Spirit Institute to serve as a memorial for posterity
and to recognize the rich contribution of Konkani tiatr to the Goan community
world wide
d)The family of late Pai Tiatrist who live on humble earnings should be given
special pension or financial assistance to maintain the home and to preserve
his works
e)The Goa Konkani Academy should return the original scripts which lie in their
custody as no monetary assistance for the same was given to the family, by the
then President of Goa Konkani Academy Mr Uday L Bhembre.(Adv)



However until the time of writing, while the session is in progress it is not
known whether the motion would be put to the House as the Monsoon session of
the Goa Assembly was still seized with tremendous business remaining to be
conducted before the close of the session and passage of the Budget which has
to be passed today.

Meanwhile the RS MP Mr Shantaram Naik has expressed his desire to visit the
humble home of late Pai tiatrist tommorrow alongwith this writer at Modsai
Margao Goa and also that of late Chris Perry nearby to have a first hand
impression of his settings and family.

Photographs of the Ravindra Bhavan/Pai tiatrist/his family/and his tomb are
available with this writer on request.




from the Ravindra Bhavan "Pai Tiatrist auditorium" Margao/Secretariat
Porvorim

GODFREY J. I. GONSALVES,
BORDA, MARGAO, 403 602, GOA. (INDIA)
+91 98221 58584 (24 HRS)

29/08/2008

RAVINDRA BHAVAN MARGAO OPENED


On 20th July 1969 when US astronaut Niel Armstrong set foot on the moon it
was a giant leap for mankind.

Thirty nine years later for the citizens of Margao the commercial and
cultural center of Salcete and South Goa district the inauguration at the
hands of Secretary (Culture) Government of India Mr Abhijit Sengupta (in the
absence of the Union Minister for Culture Ms Ambika Soni the Chief Guest of
the day ) of the newly constructed 20 crore Ravindra Bhavan Opp Swimming pool
at Fatorda with a 1150 seater ac auditorium, today 20th July at exactly 4.20
p.m. at a well organised function turned out to be a red letter day.

The construction began in 2002 according to Director of Culture Mr Prasad
Loliyekar who spoke to this writer and the entire job was entrusted to the PWD
Govt of Goa.

This Bhavan the third of its kind in the State (others are the Ravindra Bhavan
at Curchorem and the Raajiv Gandhi kala Kendra at Ponda under the Department of
Art and Culture ) boasts of the first 1150 seater AC auditorium in the whole of
Goa.

Mr Sengupta the Chief Guest of the function stated that the Union Minister Ms
Soni could not come due to sudden developments in New Delhi (apparently
referring to the trust vote on 22nd July 2008 of the UPA government over the
nuclear deal) He stated that he was impressed by the cultural presentation (
the lamp dance was applauded by the audience ) the size of the stage and ensured
that as per the wishes of the Union Minister Ms Soni whatever support his
ministry could extend to the Department of Cuture in Goa.


Speaking at the function the CM Mr Digamber Kamat told the gathering that his
first demand to the then CM and present South Goa MP Mr Francisco Sardinha was
to give him the portfolio of Art & Culture and not Power. It was his ambition
to have a state of art auditorium for Margao the cultural centre of Salcete and
South Goa as the people had to go to the Kala Academy at Campal Panaji.

Today he claimed to have achieved this dream although it was delayed due to the
reasons of sound accoustics needed for the same. He complimented the architects
the PWD for fullfilling his ambition. He said that Margao had produced a
significant number of artistes and was proud to have named the indoor auditorium
in the name of late Joao Agostinho Fernandes known as "Pai tiatrist"

He castigated indirectly a section of the people under the banner of a local
outfit who were agitating over the ODP 2011 for Margao by saying their protest
was akin to a mother putting a black mark on her child to ward off evil. For
while the Margaoites were celebrating the birth of the Ravindra Bhavan there
were others putting a damper on these celebrations. He re-affirmed that his
Government would always adhere to the wishes of the public and wherever there
were lapses he was amenable to correction.


A visibly upset CM further said he was proud that all the artistes who have
performed were Goan artists ( apparently to remove the blot on his image as a "
saviour of migrants ") .

He said that the Department of Culture was the first to have been awarded the
ISO mark a unique distinction for a government Department in the whole country.
Yet another achievement he stated was that Goa was the first State in the
country to come out with a cultural policy. He stated that while in New Delhi
the Union Minister Ms Ambika Soni had complimented his efforts and recommended
to other states to ameliorate this policy in their respective State.

For the Goans and Konkani 'tiatr mogis' there is yet another reason to
rejoice. Following the vociferous demand by the Konkani 'tiatr mogis'
and pro Romi lipi activists a befitting tribute has been paid to a famed Konkani
"tiatrist" playwright of yesteryears who earned the sobriquet Pai
Tiatrist for the 1150 seater AC indoor auditorium has been named after late
Joao Agostinho Fernandes who hails from a small dwelling H No: 306 at Modsai
Borda (near the residence of late Mr Chris Perry) now in the Fatorda Assembly
Constituency.


Chief Minister Mr Digamber Kamat needs to be applauded for keeping up his
promise on this issue.

It may be noted that well in the 19th century entertainment in Konkani was
mainly in the form of zagors and khells. But its cheap and vulgar
form of entertainment did not appeal to the high browed and well meaning
citizens, and was often a subject of ridicule by others. It was left to one
Lucacinho Ribeiro from Bombay (now Mumbai) an ex employee of an Italian Opera
troupe to form the Goa Portuguese Dramatic Company and stage for the
first time a Konkani tiatr "Italian Bhurgo" at the New Alfred Theatre Bombay
(Mumbai) on 17th April 1892 Easter Sunday. It was staged in the original format
of seven acts ( four pre and three post interval) Later when Lucacinho parted
ways with other of his colleagues one of whom was late Joao Agostinho Fernandes
and disbanded his Company to form a new one Ribeiro and Cruz Company which eventually paled into oblivion a la sudden death it was left to late Joao
Agostinho Fernandes also from Mumbai who took up cudgels to lead the troupe.

Joao Agostinho Fernandes Born on 21.12.1871 wrote his own script (unlike others
who merely translated works of other operas ) and staged original plays
following the new format of seven acts with around 18 songs (now four acts and
12 side songs as of now ) Some of the plays "Belle de Cavel or Sundori
Cavelchi" being the first staged in 1895 thereafter Batkara de Panzare
Part I staged in 1904.

His first wife Regina Fernandes became the first women female actress to adorn
the Konkani tiatr stage in November, 1910 at a time when even women in the
Marathi drama stage shied away owing to social stigma . Later his second wife
Luiza Maria Colaco also performed on stage and later in 'Batkara de Panzare'
Part II. He formed the ˜Dom Carlos Dramatic Unity" and staged "Dotiche
Kestaum" in 1906, Vauraddi etc and is believed to have he written nearly 27
scripts of which 16 were staged .

One of the strong point that endeared him to tiatrist of yester years and to
this date is that Fernandes believed in good direction, quality of contents,
appropriate music, diction, rehearsals and apt roles for the characters in
tiatrs . Thus Konkani tiatrs were placed on a firm foundation and began earning
acceptabilty of the crowds that thronged to visit P T Bhangawdi in Mumbai. He
had even painstakingly published his works in book form for posterity. Tiatro
affeciandos have therefore rightly called him the â€Å“father of konkani tiatr”
He died on 28th August, 1947 after a brief illness and had nearly fifty years
of dedicated service to Konkani tiatr and leaving behind his children from both
spouses.

The CM Mr Kamat presented momentos to Ms Ana Maria Quadros Fernandes the kin of
late Joao Agostinho Fernandes besides others who have helped set up the Bhavan
viz Mr Rego Consultant Mr Bhave Architect Marwin Fernandes.

Later the CM released the State Cultural Policy 2007 a document prepared by Dr
Nandakumar Kamat of the Goa University.

Mr Shantaram L Naik requested the people to treat the Ravindra Bhavan as their
own to maintain its cleanliness etc so that the institution could nurse the
talents of our children . He stated that during the visit to West Bengal he had
the opportunity to visit the modest home of Rabindranath Tagore and was
impressed with its maintainance which ensured that all the personal belongings
including the slippers of the great stalwart after whom the Bhavan has been
named is preseved.



Mr Prasad Loliyekar Director of the Department of Art and Culture also spoke on
the ocassion. The Chairperson of the Margao Municipal Council Mr Johnson
Fernandes appealed to the CM to provide a special concessional package for the
Konkani stage tiatrists as presently the rates have not been decided yet.


The rehearsal hall security hut entrance foyer 200 seater Conference hall
cafetaria landscapping and garden musical fountains based on wind instruments
administrative block has been part of the phase I inaugurated today..

The 2000 seater open air auditorium, museum, library, art, gallery, black box ,
mini conference room, the music and dance schools have to wait a litter longer
before they see the light of the day.

While the indoor stadium is known after Pai Tiatrist the open air auditorium
will be named after Laya Bhaskar Khaprumam Parvatkar

The opening programme was the National anthem followed by the welcome song a
Soliloquy programe a Hindi song Jadugar floral presentation lighting of the
traditional lamop

Ms Sharon, Felcy, Antony San will presented cantarams Monologues by Fatima de
Souza (in Konkani), Rajiv Hede (Marathi) Raghunath Sacordekar and Madhuri
Shetkar besides a Magic show by Vasant Sawant were other events of the day.
Quepemchim Kirna of Elvis Gomes presented a Mando folk dance. Mahila Mandal
avedem of Amelia Dias presented the kunbi folk dance Siddhi Vinayak Kala Sangh
(Suresh Gawade ) presented Samai folk dance Sai Gajanan Sanskrutik Manch
musical folk dance. Architect Mr Marwin Fernandes also sang in English a
thanksgiving song on the ocassion.

The dignitaries that were present were Rajya Sabha MP SMr Shantaram L Naik South
Goa MP Mr Francisco Srdinha Chairperson MMC Mr Johnson Fernandes ex MLA Mr
Subhash Shirodkar several Konkani tiatrists Mr Pundalik Naik Chairman Goa
Konkani Academy Justice (retd) Eurico da Silva Dr. Francisco Colaco eminent
cardiologist and others.

The other programme lined up for tonight is a music recital by Anup Jalota which
already had crowds lining up to witness the programme.

There are several other cultural programmes lined for the week beginining
tommorow but some prominent crowd pullers are expected on 22nd Roseferns tiatr
Maim Muzo Upkari hanv 25th Ghorabache Vantte Mario Menezes
On 27 â€Å“Awagha Rang Ekechi Zala by Ntyasampada Mumbai
On 29th Daiz a musical programme of old Konkani songs with comedy and mimicry by
Vandana Productions Borim by Agnel de Borim
On 31 tiatr Rong by Prince Jacob .
All these programmes are open to the members of the public.

Sidelights


a) Ravindra Bhavan will be an autonomous body.
b) the Speaker Goa Legislative Assembly Mr Pratapsing Raoji Rane did not attend
the function
c) the Secretary (Culture) and MP Mr Francisco Sardinha left abruptly
d) the portrait of late Joao Agostinho Fernandes bore the name of the painter
but not of "Pai tiatrist" this was brought to the notice of Vice Chairman Kala
Academy who promised to rectify the same.
e) the function on the stage started exactly at 4-20 p.m
f) Justice (retd) Mr Eurico Santana Da Silva in an off the cuff remark statecd
that the Ravindra Bhavan becoming a reality was unbelievable and was full praise
for the same.
g) the six years delay was attributed to the PWD taking care of the nitty gritty
to make the project a success.
h) the entire edifice of the Bhavan pales the Kala Academy into insignificance.
i) outside the venue was a huge pose of police to avert any untoward incident
j) there were many citizens about 150 from Fatorda Margao under the Citizens
Welfare Committee the newly formed NGO opposing the ODP 2011 Margao with black
bands their placards. They shouted slogans as the CM left the venue
k) the citizens were treated to a lavish treat in the cafetaria after the event.
l) the CM posed with the tiatrists and kin of Pai tiatrists for a photo round up
m) though the hall was reasonably packed with a lot of policemen in civil
clothes many prominent citizens were conspicuous by their absence
n) there were several migrants and Moslems leaders too present for the ocassion
o) the Ravindra Bhavan at night when lit up is indeed a cynosure of all eyes
p) when this writer asked the CM on what design the Bhavan was conceptualised he
pleaded ignorance and said that the PWD were given a free hand to decide.
o) several visitors and children were delighted with the several fountains
around the Bhavan.

from the Ravindra Bhavan end


GODFREY J. I. GONSALVES,
BORDA, MARGAO, 403 602, GOA. (INDIA)
+91 98221 58584 (24 HRS)
gonsalvesgodfreyji@yahoo.co.in

Jul 20, 2008

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A big e-welcome to you. Tumcam Maie-mogacho ieukar. Enjoy Life - This is not a rehearsal! Konkani uloi, boroi, vach ani samball - sodankal. Hich Goenchi osmitai ani amchem khalxelponn. Goenchi amchi Konkani bhas! Ekvottachem saddon Goenkaranchem. This is Gaspar Almeida from Parra, Bardez, Goa, based in Kuwait and am connected with the www.goa-world.com website created by Ulysses Menezes, and as Moderator of the famous first of its kind Gulf-Goans e-Newsletter (since 1994) and The Goan Forum and several Goan and Indian associations and forums and e-forums in Goa, India, Kuwait, The Middle East and worldwide.