REMEMBERING YESTERYEARS TIATRISTS.

 

Yesterday, on 23^rd of this month, I attended the “Remembering Tiatr Artistes of Yesteryears” Meet held at Tiatr Academy in Panjim, starting at 4.20 PM.  It was very thinly attended by the attendees, some of them were close friends  and relatives of the dead artistes.

Photos of the Tiatrits remembered

 

Total number of artistes remembered was 14, some of them were the wizards of Konkani Stage, namely J.P. Souzalin, Anthony D’Sa, Aristedes Dias, Alen D’Costa, Dioginho D’Melo, Greg de Candolim and Antonete de Calangute.  The persons who described them and their works were M. Jude Gracias and William Fernandes, both these faces are too common on this platform.  According to my information, this is the paid job since Tiatr Academy of  Goa is granted financial aid by the Goa government. 

L - R: William,Gracias, Joerose & TAG Member

 

I have been attending these functions since a year now but never had I seen any speaker describing the philosophy of the artistes they speak of.  Neither have they quoted any attractive verse of their memorable song.  Just borrowing some details from history books and describing the artistes will not help.  Since it is a paid job, next time TAG must make arrangement to get best of speakers having best of knowledge to talk on the subset because TAG is financed by the government from the money derived from the public.   

Mrs. Perry

 

From the audience, one lady the wife of the late Patrick Perry came to the Mike to thank the TAG and expressed herself saying though she was opposing her husband yet she realized his greatness after his death.

                                      J.P.Fernandes recites a poem in praise of Anil Kumar
                                          
One member of the audience, Mr. J. P.Fernandes read a Poetry he composed especially in praise of the late Anil Kumar.

One minute silence was observed in memory of the recent death of young Tiatrist boy D.J. Gracias.

 

Ms Fatima was presented a memento on behalf of TAG for the contribution of the late Anil Kumar in the promotion of Konkani Stage.    

A. Veronica Fernandes,

Candolim, Goa.

Tel: 7507394349.

 

 

 

 

 

SOLIDARITY WITH CALANGUTE BAGA RETREAT HOUSE.

Protest Meet at Baga, Calangute, in solidarity with the Retreat House situated at hilltop Baga, Calangute, Bardez, Goa.

 

 

Speakers seated at the dais

 

In a show of strong solidarity with Baga Retreat House in particular and Church in general, a huge crowd coming not only from Baga and Calangute only but also from the neighbouring villages namely from Candolim, Arpora, Nagoa, Parra and Sinquerim attended the public Meeting held at Baga, Calangute, today at 11.30 AM to protest over the illegal construction of road hampering the stability of the Baga Retreat House.  It is illegal because it encroaches upon the property owned by other Party. The director of the Retreat House openly disclosed that he or none from the Jezuit House has given permission to the person from Arpora to construct this road illegally which will endanger the Baga Hillock and may not only damage the Retreat House but it may also collapse.  

 

A section of the crowd attending the Meet

 

The beautiful Baga Retreat House was built by the Jezuits in 1953 and it is now like one of the Heritage Monuments and as such it should be protected by everyone. In view of this today’s meet to protest over the illegal road construction by the Arpora man with the backing of his BJP minister friend as given to understand,  was attended by all segments of Goan society and not by Catholics only.  Moreover, this Meet was also addressed not only by the Catholics but also by the non-Christians.

 

Another view of attendees

 

It was a galaxy of speakers including priests namely Pe. Vigars from Calangute and Candolim, Rector of Baga Retreat House, Rector of Bom Jesus Basilica, local MLA Michael Lobo, newly elected ZP Member Shawn Martins, Arpora Sarpanch, Adv. Aires Rodrigues and others.  All the priests spoke well like statesman lending their full support to get justice done, so too the others. It was an unanimous condemnation for the illegalities going on against the Baga Retreat House and full support for it not only from all the speakers but also from everyone who attended this Meet in solidarity with the cause of Jezuits of Baga Rereat House.

Illegal construction

 

It was very much shocking to know that the mischief maker from Arpora is a Catholic.  It looks my enemy is within me only.  How sad it is !! Judas sold Jesus for few Coins and we sell our religion for what?  To acquire thousands, lakhs and millions? To take it where? To the grave where our kings are eagerly waiting for us to feast on our dead bodies? Why we fail to realize that “dust we are and unto dust we will return?”.

 

Seen speaking Fr. Robin, Candolim Pe. Vigar

 

While on this subject, I remember one more mischief done to Baga Retreat House in late sixties  when Hippies illegally took possession of this Retreat House and converted it into a den of vices including illicit sex.  They were directed to this holy place by one half mad Goan,  Tomy by name who later on died a very miserable death.

Michael Lobo seen speaking

 

When these Hippies who were about a hundred refused to vacate this House, me and a few College Boys from Calangute some of them were Hindus, went to vacate them by our youthful physical power, we tried to force them out but suddenly their number swelled outnumbering us. 

Adv. Aires Rodrigues

 

In view of this, they came with Sticks and other weapons to hit us, targeting me the first but by the grace of God we were saved due to our escaping hurriedly from there. Later on after a few days, some of those Hippies became mad while some others were afflicted with some deadly deseases and a few of them died miserably.  Then everybody said “they were punished by devine punishment.

 

Shawn Martins speaking

 

The lesson to derive from this truth:  “NEVER PLAY MISCHIEF WITH DEVINE PLACES” because as it is said in Konkani: “DEVACHEA MARANK AVAZ NA”.

 

Seen speaking Arpora Sarpanch

 

 

                                            Calangute Pe. Vigar, Fr. Cypriano Dias



A. Veronica Fernandes,
Candolim, Goa.
Tel:7507394349.

TIATRO "JEZUCHEM POVITR ROGOT".

 

“Jezuchem Povitr Rogot” Tiatro I saw it in Candolim on 19^th of this month in the Church School Compound at 8.15 PM tough the scheduled time was 7.30 PM and it was well attended by the Tiiatro lovers.

 

Annie Quadros sings solo

 

The writer and director of this Tiatro Simon Gonsalves deserves compliments for bringing out a good Tiatro in this season, in fact it is one of the best Tiatros so far I saw in this season.   Simon Gonsalves is a seasoned Tiatrist who spent many years in Kuwait where he not only acted in the Tiatros staged by many directors but also in his own Tiatros he staged in Kuwait much to the satisfaction of the Tiatro goers. As a Tiatrist by playing different character roles and singing good songs composed by him only he earned name and fame for him.

 

Carmen & Simon Gonsalves in road scene

 

His other speciality is introducing very good scenes in his Tiatros, not only in his Tiatros but even helping other directors in introducing attractive scenes in their Tiatros.  To beautify the Tiatros with very good scenes was his top speciality and the late Rosary Ferns was one of the best beneficiaries of this talent of Simon Gonsalves in Kuwait.  One of the reasons for his Tiatro “Jezuchem Povitr Rogot” to become so famous in so short time was the introductions of beautiful scenes. He is very artistic in this particular field.  After the late Prem Kumar, I can easily rate Simon Gonsalves as the best director in this art. 

Jr. Nelson sings solo

 

After working in Kuwait for a number of years he migrated to UK where he is now settled down with his family but regularly visits Goa on holidays.  During this holiday he staged this Tiatro which is very educative as far as family disciplines are concerned.  Though it is more on the passions and sufferings of Jesus Christ yet I found it equally important in the matter of family life.  It tells you how you must maintain your family life once you are married. It shows you the bad consequences resulted on your children if the wedded couple splits. This is where this Tiatro scores more marks and it is a must stage in every village in Goa because in every village such splits are occurred either intentionally or unintentionally but resulting in the disorderly behavioral impact on their children.

 

One of the Scenes

 

In many of our villages including in my own village in Candolim there are so many such scenes shamelessly exhibited by some shameless married couples.  Some of them are regular Church goers and recipients of holy Communion yet great lovers of broken marriages because of this their children  are suffering.  Worst part of it is this that the local Priests attached to the village Churches are keeping their silence when they as priests got all the rights to take corrective steps even punitive measures.  But instead many of our Pe. Vigars and Pe. Curs are flirting with such marriage deserters who are living in perpetual sins. It is a great honour for some Tiatrists like Simon Gonsalves to do what priests cannot do.  It must be noted very well that those who are deserting their spouses finally face most miserable, most pitiable and most sorrowful  end.

 

Saby de Divar sings solo

 

Some are taking recourse in official divorces.  Divorces from where?  From the Altinho Church purchased from Aldona Padri?  Only the “Rostad” Padris are encouraging and promoting divorces.  We must know one thing that there is no divorce in our system because it is said that “marriages are made in heaven” and as such “what is made in Heaven no power on earth can break it”.

R. Benaulim & Ignatius sing duo

 

Since this Tiatro is going to be staged elsewhere I desist from giving details of it but request everyone to see it because it is worth seeing and request the director next time to introduce at least one Motet in  such Tiatros. However, I highlight the roles played by evergreen heroine Annie Quadros, Simon Gonsalves, both the young boys, Juzu and Carmeen.  In the comedy roles, both the ace comedians Agostinho and Selvy as usual did justice to their roles.

 

                                              Trio of Juzu- Saby de Divar-Jr. Nelson 

In the side show songs, Jr. Nelson, Annie Quadros, Rosario de Benaulim and Saby de Divar rendered good solos while Ignatius de Xelvon and Rosario de Benaulim rendered a good duo and a Trio by Jr. Nelson-Juzu-Felix de Divar.

 

A.     Veronica Fernandes,
Candolim, Goa.
Tel: 7507394349.