Fate of khell tiatr is a sword hanging on a thread This tradition and custom was the best form of entertainment availble then.The Portuguese were weary of criticism against the rulers and hence the Regidors had to censor the content.It was compulsory that it was first staged before him to get his assent. It thus provided a free show to the audiences gathered and in waiting The actors trudged on foot from Village to Village with band announcing the arrival.They performed on the ground with people surrounding in a circle and children seated .Chairs were provided to the musicians There was no amplified sound system .Sometimes they used to cook food at site with cooks accompanying them . At other times villagers provided the actors , musicians with meals for a free show.Normally each group was ready with 3 folk plays .The contributions were from village wards from every house. DANDEAVADO has century old MAND. No group is ever refused performance and hence concession here were a norm .Khell tiatr never did skip this well organised Mand for its popularity and surging crowds No plays were held after 8 pm for safety , security of women , adolescent ,girls being molested ,abused under licence of Carnaval .As the participants had to travel back home on foot ,late night shows were not posdible. Cocotes , small missiles with sand, powder were a common practice that sometimes caused severe injuries and were banned and objected too.Indigo and powder was used to smear the faces of females, carnaval licence by traditions for molestation of sorts .Slowly balloons filled with water was the new phenomenon and dangerous too. The squad of village elders kept a strict vigil against such abuse .Petromax were used for night shows and for their movements on foot. Later on different villages and wards arranged their own shows for their residents.Some well wishers had performances at their own residences late at nights and it was considered a prestige ,a sign of status .Municipalities too specially at Margao arranged public performances on stages .Carnaval was mostly a village phenomenon popularly restricted to South and predominantly in Salcette.Adventourous youth, elders disguised in colourful masks visited homes , distributing sweets and also venturing into sales of some products.People encouraged such activities. DRESSING in colourful outfits was a tradition and norm . Carnaval was a festive ocassion at homes. Relatives from far visited to enjoy the Khell at entertaiment Mand . en. Girls were normally not a part but men disguised as females and actors were mostly men in female attire Today we have girl actors too. .It was a chalenge to identify the disguised participants. KHELL lovers came with food tiffins from faraway villages and spent the whole day at these entertainments centres or travelled along with entertainment groups As times progressed the costs escalated.Politicians joined the fray with donations .Plays are also staged with handsome donations by well to do village patrons and expatriates .Stages are erected with sound system and chairs for public.Housies are conducted ,competions held for villagers. CARNAVAL today has taken to streets uprooted from villages and has added a new dimensions of floats and commercialisation for tourist attraction.Carnaval revelry Has invaded Porvorim Canacona, Sanvordem and other municipal areas. Now village Panchayat are . Staging their own versions of carnaval with parades , khell tiatr supported by Govt Dept of Art and Culture . Incidentally carnaval is a unique tradition of Portuguese now spread to Mumbai too and every part of the world were Goan Diaspora resides Khell tiatr as an art form is competing with traditional tiatr staged likewise differing from formats. Will these cultural art forms survive the changing times The cost is the factor ,musicians, transport , sound system , nominal remunerations, food are a huge economical strain that does not financially compensate the producers The Govt need to preserve this culture by subsidising but since it is a catholic tradition there will be objections The Govt does not hesitatec to exploit catholic carnaval commercially for tourism . The last day of the carnaval is turning out to be a horrible experience People avoid venturing out .Water balloons missiles , colloured water harassed passers by , bus travellers in cities .The police are now naitaining strict vigil against this menance of sadistic enjoyment. Hordes of tourists local , foreign throng the streets of parades ,participate in it enjoying the fun. Tourism industry is the direct beneficiary of carnaval revelry promoted with vengeance. CARNAVAL FLOATS rival floats on Repunlic day portraying local culture and Goan way of life . Carnaval is here to stay but shone of Khell tiatr will rob the charm and distinctive nature . The variety of novelty masks really are mind boggling exclusively designed with eye on Goan carnaval Goan carnaval is akin to Brazilian feat and Indians seem to lap it up Nelson Lopes Chinchinim Nelson Lopes Chinchinim https://lopesnelsonnat.wordpress.com
Nelson Lopes Chinchinim https://lopesnelsonnat.wordpress.com