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On 27th of
this month, at Margao, I attended the monthly meeting organized by the Tiatr
Academy Goa, starting at 4.30 PM. Though
as usual it was not attended by a good number of attendees yet many in the hall
seen were the relatives of the Tiatrists who were remembered on this day for their
contribution in the promotion of Tiatros. Both the president and the vice
president were absent and in their absence the Dais looked nude. Though they may have good reason to be absent
but it looks habitual at least for the president. Those who are occupying positions in the TAG are not doing any favour on anyone because they are paid by the government
from the tax payers money and as such they must know to shoulder their responsibilities
rightly.
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Ortencio seen speaking
Alvaro Gomes spoke on
Jacinto Vaz, Champion Alvares, Thomas Coogan and Lucian Dias while well known
Tiatrist Ortencio Pereira spoke on Conception, Nelson Afonso, Souzaboy and
Musician Fidelis.
Ortencio’s spoke more
on his first hand contacts with them when they were alive and with whom he also
participated in many dramas. By citing
some genuine examples with them he made his speech more interesting. The
speakers are paid Rs. 1000/- by the TAG.
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Among the audience it
was Jr. Nelson who rattled the mike when given an opportunity to express himself. He was very forceful in his expression where
he asked the TAG what are they doing for those artistes who need assistance for
their survival. Many of his statements
were fabulously applauded by the audience as audience felt he was right.
A.Veronica Fernandes
also spoke and cited some historical incidents in the life of Nelson Afonso,
Jacinto Vaz, William de Curtorim and others.
After the meet, this
writer personally spoke to the spokesmen of TAG and also personally visited TAG
Office in Panjim to verify the facts given by TAG spokesmen. TAG is an organization financed by the
government of Goa and it employs about 10 staff from the point of Peon to the
President, all are salaried by the government.
With the backing of the funds given by the government, TAG gives some
financial doles to the needy Tiatrist amounting to RS. 10,000/- plus
goodwill visit to him when TAG comes to know of his poor condition,
physically and financially. Recently
they went to visit Xavier Mendes and Bonaventure Pietro because they are
sick.
When they remember the
dead Tiatrists monthly once, they include in their list the late Tiatrists from
Bombay also. According to TAG, it does
not discriminate between Goan and Bombay based Tiatrists.
When felicitating
Tiatrists, TAG also felicitates
Tiatrists from Bombay as well besides from Goa.
As brought to their notice by this writer, TAG must also felicitate
Tiatrists based in the Gulf mainly from Kuwait which is the strong citadel of
Tiatros in the Gulf. Two Tiatrists from
Kuwait cannot be forgotten, one Francis de Verna who being a long timer
Tiatrist in Kuwait still creates ripples in Kuwait while the second is Edmundo
Fernandes now retired in Candolim, Goa but
was the living Tiatro personality in Kuwait from the time first Tiatro
was organized in Ahmadi Kuwait. Most probably he is the only surviving member
of that group that initiated Tiatros in Kuwait.
Many of the Tiatrists
are facing lot of financial difficulties.
To ease their difficulties, TAG must create special fund by organizing at
least 3 Tiatros every year to provide financial assistance for the needy
Tiatrists.
TAG must also allocate certain
amount to new and upcoming directors for them to stage their Tiatros. This will boost their efforts to stage more
and more Tiatros without undergoing losses.
A.Veronica Fernandes,
Candolim, Goa.
Tel: 7507394349.
