from Lenny Barretto for Daijiworld News Network - Goa

Panaji, Feb 26: It’s time for Carnival and with it comes the traditional flavour of this festival.

Khell performances for Goan traditional carnival are in the right mood. Around 25-30 troops are all set to daze the carnival revellers during 3 days of ‘Eat, drink and be merry’. This may be a historic turn out of khell.

Goa has a tradition of such creative theatrical performances during this time. Mostly performed on an unconventional stage, khell are hot favourites in Catholic-dominated Salcette. Each troop has minimum three to four artistes playing multiple roles.

Though the modernization has gripped this tourist coastal state, the craze to watch khell remains unchanged; hence the announcement of such performances evokes huge audience cutting across the edge.

Anthony Moraes, Patrick Dorado, Rosario Rodrigues and few others are evergreen masters of this conventional theatre, who have preserved this rich and intelligent heritage for decades.

It’s just not conventional theatre but artistes like Lawry Travasso, Minino Mario, Salvador Alfonso, comedian Louis Bacchan have rocked the tiatr stage, while also contributing their talent during the performance.

After a period of hibernation, the khell tiatr is waking from its slumber. The sudden spurt in khell troupes is a thing to cheer about but it is to be seen whether these troupes will get enough space and opportunity to perform in this carnival.

Cajjy de Curtorim, a veteran in khell tiatr, vouches for sudden interest in this conventional theatre. Cajjy himself is ready with his script and artistes to take up khell stage this carnival.

As per khell tiatr artistes this year they may face tough challenge for the booking of the show due to increased number of contenders. But they are happy that khell tiatr is getting its due recognition in the society.

The hit is gathering momentum and in a run-up to mega carnival festival the theatre-lover can expect real lovers this year through new script and new faces dominating the traditional bastion of khell tiatr.

MORE NEWS FROM GOA

Churchill Alemao Vows to Clear Himself of Slur

From Sanjay Borkar in Margao

Margao: South Goa Member of Parliament (Lok sabha), veteran politician Churchill Alemao has said here that, the day he would get a clean chit from the aftermath of sting operation, he will file a case of defamation  against the “Star News’ channel for spoiling his name on purpose.

Star news channel reporter had conducted a sting operation “chakrauvyuha”, which had trapped him while asking for commission to sanction project under MPLAD scheme.

Alemao, who was down in Goa reiterated that he  his innocent in this case, and will get a clean chit soon.

He had also filed complaint against the correspondent duo of Star News, at Delhi Police station, who trapped him on hidden camera. He added that the FIR is being registered against both of them, and soon they will be behind the bars.

He also said that other member of Parliament who were trapped in this operation will also file defamation case against the same channel.

Delegation Meets Sonia Gandhi

From Daijiworld's special correspondent in Panaji

Panaji: A  delegation  of  Goa  Chamber  of  Commerce  and  Industry  led  by  its  president Nitin Kunkolienker  along with  vice president Cesar  Menezes, general secretary Ralph de Souza, treasurer Manguirish Pai Raiker and director general Air Commodore P K Pinto called  on  Congress party president and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi in Raj Bhavan on February 23 and discussed issues like Mopa  Airport , CRZ  Regulation  and  Wild  Life  Conservation  Act  and  its  impact  on Goan  economy  and  other  infrastructural  issues. 

Gandhi  reporteldly gave  them  a  patient  hearing  and  has  promised  to  look  into  the  issues  raised  by  the  Goa  Chamber  delegation. She  has  also  agreed  to  meet  a  delegation  of  the  Chamber in  New  Delhi  and  the  Chamber  will  be  shortly  taking  a  Delegation  of  Goan  industrialists  to  meet  with  her  and  discuss  various  issues  affecting  trade  and  industry  in Goa.

Chamber president thanked  chief minister Pratapsingh Rane and Ravi Naik  for  arranging  the  meeting  of  the  Chamber  Delegation  with  Sonia Gandhi.