From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network - Goa 

Goa, Dec 19: Tiatr Academy of Goa in collaboration with Ravindra Bhavan Margao celebrated the birth anniversary of Pai Tiatrist Joao Agostinho Fernandes, the Father of Tiatr on December 14 at Pai Tiatrist Auditorium, Ravindra Bhavan, Margao.

On the occasion TAG presented lifetime contribution to Tiatr Awards to 6 eminent tiatr artistes (commercial) viz Sharon Mazarello, Antonio Damaciano Diniz (Diniz Mestri), Jose Xavier Gomes, Thomas Camilo (T. Britton), Fatima D’Souza and Lourenco. A Fernandes (Lawrence de Tiracol) for their valuable contribution to tiatr. The awards were presented at the hands of chief guest Vishnu Surya Wagh, MLA and chairman of Kala Academy Goa which consisted of a shawl, memento, citation and cash burse of
Rs 50,000.

Speaking on the occasion Vishnu Surya Wagh remarked that it is an opportune time to declare tiatr as an industry so as to avail the various government schemes and rebates/subsidies being provided to other sectors. He underscored the financial difficulties encountered by amateur tiatrists to stage their first 20 shows while pointing out the fact that many families sustain themselves through staging of tiatrs. Damodar Naik, chairman of Ravindra Bhavan, Margao who was the guest of honour said our mother tongue Konkani has become stronger and is still alive only because of tiatrists. Tomazinho Cardozo, former president of Tiatr Academy who was the special invitee said that now despite the many facilities and schemes from the government, the present tiatrist rarely publish their manuscripts of tiatrs. However Pai Tiatrist was a great visionary and believed that tiatr should be preserved for future generations and for that reason he left behind his legacy by publishing his tiatrs in book form with his own money.

One of the awardees Sharon Mazarello expressed her gratitude on behalf of those felicitated for recognizing their works and said that Lucasinho Ribeiro and Pai Tiarist Joao Agostinho Fernandes had lit the lamp and their names deserve to be written in golden letters. The stalwarts who followed in their footsteps later on including the present day tiatrists have kept this lamp burning and are doing their bit to carry forward their legacy.

Agostinho Temudo, president of TAG welcomed the gathering while William Fernandes, vice president of TAG proposed the vote of thanks. Also present on the dais were Sharmila Fernandes, grand-daughter of Pai tiatrist and Jose Alexandre Rodrigues, member secretary of TAG. The function was compered by Pradeep Naik and coordinated by Jess Luz, JCA of TAG. A brass band welcomed the dignitaries.

After the formal function, a Konkani musical show was presented by comedian Ambe and his troupe.