RE: The House of Pai Tiatrist.
From: SURESH NAIK (subarnai@hotmail.com)
Hi Veronica Bab,
This is quite an indepth article on this famous personality.
Keep up the good work.
Mog asun dhi.
Suresh Naik
September 10, 2008
From Siridao to Swindon
By Selma Carvalho
elisabeth_car@yahoo.com
Driving through Swindon, I don't get the impression of a factory town.
It is lush green with swathes of agricultural land, the streets lined with houses not given to prosperity but neither to the grime associated with industrial hubs. I would find out later that simmering behind the façade of tranquility lies the squalid reality of racism, chicken-factory jobs and over-crowded living quarters. For now, I was making my way to Agnelo De Mello's house, wanting to find out what had brought the diaspora Goan soul to Swindon.
Agnelo, ex-president of the Goan Swindon Association, sits in his living room wearing an Islander shirt and wide grin. Musical instruments propped against the wall are a tell-tale sign that music flows freely in his house. He writes rap music and plays in a band.
Much like the Biblical patriarch Abraham, Agnelo says he is the genesis of the growing Goan tribe in Swindon. He moved here from the Gulf some twenty years ago. He knew the then manager of the Rover assembly plant and was instrumental in getting jobs for Goans. From this humble seedling, a mighty tree has grown.
As per the 2001 UK Census, Swindon had a population of 180,061 of which 1.3% were Indian. Senior Catholic priest, Monsignor Twomey estimates the influx of Goans in recent years to be in the region of 8,000. Although this figure is hard to verify, Swindon has become a substantial concentration of Goans in disapora. The Monsignor notes that his largely Irish Catholic parish has now been replaced by Goans.
A large percentage of them are from Siridao, Goa Velha and Agassim.
Portugal affords Goans, right to Portuguese nationality. By virtue of the EU's free movement of labour as per the Treaty of Rome, Goans have access to UK labour markets. I wondered if they had found the fabled pot of gold at the end of the multi-coloured immigration rainbow?
Swindon is an industrial estate, home to companies such as Honda, BMW and Faccenda, one of UK's largest chicken processing plants. It is in factories such as these that Goans find employment. Anyone who has visited a chicken processing unit will vouch that the stench of raw chicken is unbearable and industrial accidents are not unheard off.
The Wiltshire paper reported:
"In March 2002, Faccenda was fined £14,000 by Chippenham Magistrates Court when it pleaded guilty to failing in its duty to protect the health and safety of its staff, after a teenage worker lost two fingers in a chicken-skinning machine."
The same year, Faccenda removed the toilet seats in the men's toilets.
The staff alleged this was to cut short the amount of time spent in the restrooms. Men had to either squat on the toilets or sit on a rim encrusted by faeces and urine. The supervisory mindsets are military-like.
Although Goans pride themselves on their ability to converse in English, in a country like the UK, many find their ability to communicate deficient and, they are averse to re-training. Their lives are condemned to low-skilled jobs.
Life at the bottom of the industrial food-chain, however, is competitive. Amongst native Swindonians, there is a feeling that Asians are taking over their jobs. In 2004, rocks were hurled at a coach carrying Goan workers from Faccenda factory. Later in the year, coaches used to bus ethnic workers were vandalised. Faccenda is set to close as of September 2008. Visiting the blog world, I find that some are applauding the closure of Faccenda, seen as an employer of minorities.
A source alleges that Goans have had to bribe Recruitment agents with laptops and paid vacation trips, to secure employment. I'm reminded of a Mafia-type protection racket. For all this they are paid a pittance.
I called up Storm Recruitment agency, which supplies industrial labour and at one time supplied Faccenda, to find out just how much I would earn if I was willing to stuff chicken-wings into plastic bags.
Between £5.52 and £6.00 per hour, which in the UK barely puts a roof over one's head.
Goans predominantly live in the town center along Manchester Road, Elmina Road and Broad Street. Living conditions are cramped. Sitting rooms have been converted into bedrooms and rented out at £450 per month. It is common for two or even three households to be living in a house meant for a single family and sharing one bathroom under the most unhygienic of conditions. Karen Leakey, an active community leader who is perhaps more vehemently vocal than most about trash and multiple occupancy homes, made this comment in a Swindon newspaper, "We have a large Goan population around here with big families all living in one house - as is their culture", thereby generating large amounts of garbage. Although her point was about the need to improve garbage collection, not all residents of Swindon are sympathetic. One comment was, " maybe it is their culture but it is not ours and if it creates a health issue such overcrowding has to stop."
What then is the motivating factor for Goans to sell their land, their homes, their business, their trawlers and move to Swindon, a place of minimum-wage jobs, kudd-like living quarters, endless rain and bitter cold? The answer came from Veena Nunes.
Veena and her family, migrated to Swindon seven years ago. She works at the Churchfields School, where quite a few Goan students attend.
The transition from Goa to Swindon for these children is not always an easy one, says Veena, but the school provides a supportive atmosphere.
Initially, Goan students would leave the world of academics after finishing their O'levels (10th standard equivalent) and take up jobs, but now she finds many going to university. Some have preformed so well, they are part of the school's "Top Set". Veena tells me, children are encouraged whether their aptitude is in drama, music, art or academics.
As I drive home, I realise the story of new immigrants is as timeless as Swindon's chalk hills. The hopes and aspirations these families have for their children is the propeller that enables them to endure life in all its severity. Goan families who have immigrated to the UK find their children have a pathway to pursue their dreams and opportunities that may not have been so easily available to them back in Goa.
Life does not stand still, it is a continuum. The earliest waves of Goan immigrants into Swindon have already established themselves and are on their way to leading comfortable lives. Swindon's motto is "Salubritas et Industria" (Health and Industry). Certainly, we can wish both for our Goans in Swindon.
elisabeth_car@yahoo.com
Driving through Swindon, I don't get the impression of a factory town.
It is lush green with swathes of agricultural land, the streets lined with houses not given to prosperity but neither to the grime associated with industrial hubs. I would find out later that simmering behind the façade of tranquility lies the squalid reality of racism, chicken-factory jobs and over-crowded living quarters. For now, I was making my way to Agnelo De Mello's house, wanting to find out what had brought the diaspora Goan soul to Swindon.
Agnelo, ex-president of the Goan Swindon Association, sits in his living room wearing an Islander shirt and wide grin. Musical instruments propped against the wall are a tell-tale sign that music flows freely in his house. He writes rap music and plays in a band.
Much like the Biblical patriarch Abraham, Agnelo says he is the genesis of the growing Goan tribe in Swindon. He moved here from the Gulf some twenty years ago. He knew the then manager of the Rover assembly plant and was instrumental in getting jobs for Goans. From this humble seedling, a mighty tree has grown.
As per the 2001 UK Census, Swindon had a population of 180,061 of which 1.3% were Indian. Senior Catholic priest, Monsignor Twomey estimates the influx of Goans in recent years to be in the region of 8,000. Although this figure is hard to verify, Swindon has become a substantial concentration of Goans in disapora. The Monsignor notes that his largely Irish Catholic parish has now been replaced by Goans.
A large percentage of them are from Siridao, Goa Velha and Agassim.
Portugal affords Goans, right to Portuguese nationality. By virtue of the EU's free movement of labour as per the Treaty of Rome, Goans have access to UK labour markets. I wondered if they had found the fabled pot of gold at the end of the multi-coloured immigration rainbow?
Swindon is an industrial estate, home to companies such as Honda, BMW and Faccenda, one of UK's largest chicken processing plants. It is in factories such as these that Goans find employment. Anyone who has visited a chicken processing unit will vouch that the stench of raw chicken is unbearable and industrial accidents are not unheard off.
The Wiltshire paper reported:
"In March 2002, Faccenda was fined £14,000 by Chippenham Magistrates Court when it pleaded guilty to failing in its duty to protect the health and safety of its staff, after a teenage worker lost two fingers in a chicken-skinning machine."
The same year, Faccenda removed the toilet seats in the men's toilets.
The staff alleged this was to cut short the amount of time spent in the restrooms. Men had to either squat on the toilets or sit on a rim encrusted by faeces and urine. The supervisory mindsets are military-like.
Although Goans pride themselves on their ability to converse in English, in a country like the UK, many find their ability to communicate deficient and, they are averse to re-training. Their lives are condemned to low-skilled jobs.
Life at the bottom of the industrial food-chain, however, is competitive. Amongst native Swindonians, there is a feeling that Asians are taking over their jobs. In 2004, rocks were hurled at a coach carrying Goan workers from Faccenda factory. Later in the year, coaches used to bus ethnic workers were vandalised. Faccenda is set to close as of September 2008. Visiting the blog world, I find that some are applauding the closure of Faccenda, seen as an employer of minorities.
A source alleges that Goans have had to bribe Recruitment agents with laptops and paid vacation trips, to secure employment. I'm reminded of a Mafia-type protection racket. For all this they are paid a pittance.
I called up Storm Recruitment agency, which supplies industrial labour and at one time supplied Faccenda, to find out just how much I would earn if I was willing to stuff chicken-wings into plastic bags.
Between £5.52 and £6.00 per hour, which in the UK barely puts a roof over one's head.
Goans predominantly live in the town center along Manchester Road, Elmina Road and Broad Street. Living conditions are cramped. Sitting rooms have been converted into bedrooms and rented out at £450 per month. It is common for two or even three households to be living in a house meant for a single family and sharing one bathroom under the most unhygienic of conditions. Karen Leakey, an active community leader who is perhaps more vehemently vocal than most about trash and multiple occupancy homes, made this comment in a Swindon newspaper, "We have a large Goan population around here with big families all living in one house - as is their culture", thereby generating large amounts of garbage. Although her point was about the need to improve garbage collection, not all residents of Swindon are sympathetic. One comment was, " maybe it is their culture but it is not ours and if it creates a health issue such overcrowding has to stop."
What then is the motivating factor for Goans to sell their land, their homes, their business, their trawlers and move to Swindon, a place of minimum-wage jobs, kudd-like living quarters, endless rain and bitter cold? The answer came from Veena Nunes.
Veena and her family, migrated to Swindon seven years ago. She works at the Churchfields School, where quite a few Goan students attend.
The transition from Goa to Swindon for these children is not always an easy one, says Veena, but the school provides a supportive atmosphere.
Initially, Goan students would leave the world of academics after finishing their O'levels (10th standard equivalent) and take up jobs, but now she finds many going to university. Some have preformed so well, they are part of the school's "Top Set". Veena tells me, children are encouraged whether their aptitude is in drama, music, art or academics.
As I drive home, I realise the story of new immigrants is as timeless as Swindon's chalk hills. The hopes and aspirations these families have for their children is the propeller that enables them to endure life in all its severity. Goan families who have immigrated to the UK find their children have a pathway to pursue their dreams and opportunities that may not have been so easily available to them back in Goa.
Life does not stand still, it is a continuum. The earliest waves of Goan immigrants into Swindon have already established themselves and are on their way to leading comfortable lives. Swindon's motto is "Salubritas et Industria" (Health and Industry). Certainly, we can wish both for our Goans in Swindon.
September 8, 2008
THE HOUSE OF "PAI TIATRIST".
THE HOUSE OF “PAI TIATRIST”.
Though he was considered as “Pai Tiatrist” yet with all his humility, reverence and due credit, he bowed down his head before Lucasinho Ribeiro from Assagao, Bardez, for scripting and staging the first Konkani Tiatro in Bombay. Though Lucasinho Ribeiro did the beginning yet Joao Agostinho Fernandes from Margao, Modsai, is given the title as Pai Tiatrist because of his excellent work in the promotion of Konkani Tiatro. The area where Pai Tiatrist lived in his humble house was also inhabited by the late Chris Perry on one side and on the other side at "Caminho de Monte" lies the house of the late comedian Anthony Mendes. According to the information, the house of legendary Anthony Mendes has been disposed off for setting up a hospital.
On 29th of last month, Tiatrists in Goa marked the 61st death anniversary of Pai Tiatrist. Kuwait Konknni Kendr also simultaneously in Kuwait City marked this day by calling a meeting of its members. The Goa Government as a fitting tribute to the excellent contribution of Pai Tiatrist in the development of Tiatro, has named the Tiatro Hall at newly built Ravindra Bhavan, Margao after Pai Tiatrist. It was a deserving credit to Pai Tiatrist. For this kind gesture of Goa Government, the major credit should go to the Tiatrists in Goa who so vociferously campaigned for this result. If it was not for their strong campaign, the Goa Government would not have come out with naming of the hall after Joa Agostinho Fernandes. And by naming the hall after Pai Tiatrist, the Goa Government has not done any favour. By acceding to the demands of the Tiatrists, Goa Government has only done its duty otherwise due to the might of the Tiatrists, the Goa Government would face lot of problems. The might and power of Tiatrists have increased tremendously in the recent years. Hence, Digambar Kamat and his Government had to bow down to the wishes of Tiatrists. Well done Goa based Tiatrists.
Now the question of the House of Pai Tiatrist. According to the photos I received, this house is in a very bad shape and needs repairing and renovation. Builders lobby is after it to acquire it and in its place construct a building. According to me this house is an historical house belonging to a person who created a history in Goa. This house should not be allowed to pass it on to others like builders. This house should be preserved for posterity as Heritage House. This house should be kept as a touristic attraction along with all the things Pai Tiatrist used in writing his Tiatros and staging them. It has got historical importance. To preserve this house for posterity, it requires renovation and repairs. To do this job lot of money is required. The residents of this house, namely the daughter-in-law of Pai Tiatrist and her young daughter according to my information are not capable to spend the money to renovate and repair this historical house where history maker lived.
In view of this, the onus to repair this house falls on all the Tiatrists first and next on all the supporters and lovers of Tiatro. Today Tiatrists are making lot of money by acting and staging Tiatros. Yesteryear Tiatrists earned nothing by being Tiatrists and died as paupers. Many of them faced lot of difficulties to sustain during their old age. Some of them died in Asilos. Others because of their poverty had to send their wives to the Gulf to work as house maids who faced lot of miseries in the houses where they worked. In Sinquerim one of the top Goan Tiatrists from Candolim to maintain himself financially had to work as Watchman during the construction of Taj Hotel. In one word, yesteryears Tiatrists developed Konkani Stage beautifully and staged best of Tiatros and rendered best of songs but lived a miserable life because they did not make money out of this business.
Today Tiatro is a big business and Tiatrists are making lot of money. Because it is a big business Tiatrists are demanding status of Industry to Tiatro. Today’s Tiatrists are owning and roaming in their own cars while yesteryears Tiatrists did not have even a Cycle. Today many of the Tiatrists are become Lakpotis which is a very good sign and they should become not only Lakpotis but Crorepotis and should not face the same fate as that of their predecessors. If today Tiatrists are become rich thru Tiatros then they should thank Pai Tiatrist Joao Agostinho Fernandes who made way and created base for them to reach to their current wealthy position. Since this is the case, the Tiatrists in Goa in particular and elsewhere in general are obligated to show their gratitude to Pai Tiatrist by doing something concrete for him and for his family.
This gratitude can be shown in a best way by raising funds for repairing and renovating the old house of Pai Tiatrist. There are about 500 Tiatrists in Goa. If each one of them contributes
Rs. 1000/- which is nothing in the current time, the total amount from their personal pockets will be Rs. 500000/-. Besides, there are over a dozen Tiatro Troupes in Goa. Each troupe must come forward and stage at least one show of their Tiatros in aid of this funds. In this way, huge fund can be collected which can be used not only to renovate the old house of Pai Tiatrist but also to help financially the dependents of Pai Tiatrist. After repairing this house, it can be converted into a Tiatro Academy or Tiatro School, of course by taking due care of the present residents of this house.
No doubt if Government comes to the rescue of this project then well and good but we should not wait for Goa Government. If we wait for Goa Government, then nothing will come because Goa Government is not a reliable Government. Besides, I don’t have much faith in MP Shantaram Naik. He by visiting the house of Pai Tiatrist made a big show of himself for his political gains. These politicians are not interested in anything concerning Romi Konkani and its promoters. From past history politicians and top leaders in the beginning shed crocodile tears and finally forgot the whole issue. If we rely on Government doles, we will reach nowhere and by that time much damage will be done for that historical house. In the words of legendary Tiatrist Kid Boxer, in one of his political songs, "Serkar amcho nidla, to utta mhonnosor Uzvaddtolem".
Hence, it is time now for Tiatrist to come forward, prepare an action plan and move forward accordingly. It is not difficult for them to do this job. They cannot leave the house of their Pai to rot and get liquidated. They cannot neglect the family members of their Pai if they consider and accept Joao Agostinho Fernandes as their Pai. If they consider Joao Agostinho Fernandes as their Pai then they are duty bound to support the house of their Pai and the family members of their Pai. They must know to fulfill their obligation towards their Pai.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
Though he was considered as “Pai Tiatrist” yet with all his humility, reverence and due credit, he bowed down his head before Lucasinho Ribeiro from Assagao, Bardez, for scripting and staging the first Konkani Tiatro in Bombay. Though Lucasinho Ribeiro did the beginning yet Joao Agostinho Fernandes from Margao, Modsai, is given the title as Pai Tiatrist because of his excellent work in the promotion of Konkani Tiatro. The area where Pai Tiatrist lived in his humble house was also inhabited by the late Chris Perry on one side and on the other side at "Caminho de Monte" lies the house of the late comedian Anthony Mendes. According to the information, the house of legendary Anthony Mendes has been disposed off for setting up a hospital.
On 29th of last month, Tiatrists in Goa marked the 61st death anniversary of Pai Tiatrist. Kuwait Konknni Kendr also simultaneously in Kuwait City marked this day by calling a meeting of its members. The Goa Government as a fitting tribute to the excellent contribution of Pai Tiatrist in the development of Tiatro, has named the Tiatro Hall at newly built Ravindra Bhavan, Margao after Pai Tiatrist. It was a deserving credit to Pai Tiatrist. For this kind gesture of Goa Government, the major credit should go to the Tiatrists in Goa who so vociferously campaigned for this result. If it was not for their strong campaign, the Goa Government would not have come out with naming of the hall after Joa Agostinho Fernandes. And by naming the hall after Pai Tiatrist, the Goa Government has not done any favour. By acceding to the demands of the Tiatrists, Goa Government has only done its duty otherwise due to the might of the Tiatrists, the Goa Government would face lot of problems. The might and power of Tiatrists have increased tremendously in the recent years. Hence, Digambar Kamat and his Government had to bow down to the wishes of Tiatrists. Well done Goa based Tiatrists.
Now the question of the House of Pai Tiatrist. According to the photos I received, this house is in a very bad shape and needs repairing and renovation. Builders lobby is after it to acquire it and in its place construct a building. According to me this house is an historical house belonging to a person who created a history in Goa. This house should not be allowed to pass it on to others like builders. This house should be preserved for posterity as Heritage House. This house should be kept as a touristic attraction along with all the things Pai Tiatrist used in writing his Tiatros and staging them. It has got historical importance. To preserve this house for posterity, it requires renovation and repairs. To do this job lot of money is required. The residents of this house, namely the daughter-in-law of Pai Tiatrist and her young daughter according to my information are not capable to spend the money to renovate and repair this historical house where history maker lived.
In view of this, the onus to repair this house falls on all the Tiatrists first and next on all the supporters and lovers of Tiatro. Today Tiatrists are making lot of money by acting and staging Tiatros. Yesteryear Tiatrists earned nothing by being Tiatrists and died as paupers. Many of them faced lot of difficulties to sustain during their old age. Some of them died in Asilos. Others because of their poverty had to send their wives to the Gulf to work as house maids who faced lot of miseries in the houses where they worked. In Sinquerim one of the top Goan Tiatrists from Candolim to maintain himself financially had to work as Watchman during the construction of Taj Hotel. In one word, yesteryears Tiatrists developed Konkani Stage beautifully and staged best of Tiatros and rendered best of songs but lived a miserable life because they did not make money out of this business.
Today Tiatro is a big business and Tiatrists are making lot of money. Because it is a big business Tiatrists are demanding status of Industry to Tiatro. Today’s Tiatrists are owning and roaming in their own cars while yesteryears Tiatrists did not have even a Cycle. Today many of the Tiatrists are become Lakpotis which is a very good sign and they should become not only Lakpotis but Crorepotis and should not face the same fate as that of their predecessors. If today Tiatrists are become rich thru Tiatros then they should thank Pai Tiatrist Joao Agostinho Fernandes who made way and created base for them to reach to their current wealthy position. Since this is the case, the Tiatrists in Goa in particular and elsewhere in general are obligated to show their gratitude to Pai Tiatrist by doing something concrete for him and for his family.
This gratitude can be shown in a best way by raising funds for repairing and renovating the old house of Pai Tiatrist. There are about 500 Tiatrists in Goa. If each one of them contributes
Rs. 1000/- which is nothing in the current time, the total amount from their personal pockets will be Rs. 500000/-. Besides, there are over a dozen Tiatro Troupes in Goa. Each troupe must come forward and stage at least one show of their Tiatros in aid of this funds. In this way, huge fund can be collected which can be used not only to renovate the old house of Pai Tiatrist but also to help financially the dependents of Pai Tiatrist. After repairing this house, it can be converted into a Tiatro Academy or Tiatro School, of course by taking due care of the present residents of this house.
No doubt if Government comes to the rescue of this project then well and good but we should not wait for Goa Government. If we wait for Goa Government, then nothing will come because Goa Government is not a reliable Government. Besides, I don’t have much faith in MP Shantaram Naik. He by visiting the house of Pai Tiatrist made a big show of himself for his political gains. These politicians are not interested in anything concerning Romi Konkani and its promoters. From past history politicians and top leaders in the beginning shed crocodile tears and finally forgot the whole issue. If we rely on Government doles, we will reach nowhere and by that time much damage will be done for that historical house. In the words of legendary Tiatrist Kid Boxer, in one of his political songs, "Serkar amcho nidla, to utta mhonnosor Uzvaddtolem".
Hence, it is time now for Tiatrist to come forward, prepare an action plan and move forward accordingly. It is not difficult for them to do this job. They cannot leave the house of their Pai to rot and get liquidated. They cannot neglect the family members of their Pai if they consider and accept Joao Agostinho Fernandes as their Pai. If they consider Joao Agostinho Fernandes as their Pai then they are duty bound to support the house of their Pai and the family members of their Pai. They must know to fulfill their obligation towards their Pai.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
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