117 years ago on this day 17th April, 1892 the first Konkani "tiatr" was staged at the New Alfred Theatre near St Xaviers College (presently the office of the Commissioner of Police Mumbai ) by an youth from Soclea wado, Assagao Bardez Goa. It was a translated works of an Italian opera and it was aptly named “Italian Bhurgo”.
Lucacinho Ribeiro the yougster worked for an Italian theatre group and therefrom he picked the nitty gritty of stage management costume attire et al. He brought this rich working experience into Konkani tiatr and vowed to put tiatr on a sound and presentable pedestal. He thus earned the sobriquet of “ Pioneer of Konkani tiatr”. His tiatr had other participants notable amongst them was Mr. Joao Agostinho Fernandes from Modsai, Borda, Margao Salcete also known as “Pai tiatrist”, in whose name the Government has named the 1150 a/c Indoor auditorium at Margao, and was the first to script his plays ( unlike Lucacinho who mere translated plays of others )Mr. Caetaninho Fernandes from Taleigao (Tiswadi) Ilhas and another Mr. Agostinho Mascarenhas from Mungul Margao Salcete When this writer had a brief teletalk with Mr. Titta Pretto a senior tiatrist from Aldona Bardez now settled in Mahim, Mumbai, he was confused by the date. According to him he felt that it was 17th May, 1892 but stood corrected when this writer reaffirmed the date and he was delighted. According to Mr. Pretto who seemed nostalgic about tiatrs in yester years he recollected the instances when plays were staged at the Capitol theatre, (now a cinema house) the PT Bangewadi now demolished both at in Mumbai. He had a word of praise for plays of late Mr C Alvares , late Mr Prem Kumar and others for its rich quality and high standard which attracted an audience of a high social standing unlike the tiatrs staged by others. He was however a little hurt that though the Kala Academy Goa is celebrating the 117th anniversary today there were no invites extended to senior tiatrist from Mumbai. He promised to enthuse the others on todays event and would be contacting Ms Ophelia, Ms Antonette etc. to celebrate the anniversary. Mr. Pretto though teams up with tiatrist and stages shows in Mahim Mumbai even to this day, suffered a sudden stroke and had to undergo a bypass surgery just a couple of months ago. He is however enthusiastic about returning back on stage after recuperating. He was happy at the formation of the Tiatro Academy and had taken pains to grace the inaugural function at Margao on 16th February, 2009 at the hands of Master Vaz from Aldona settled in Utorda, Salcete About the tiatrs being staged in Mumbai he says that with cable networks there is not much audience in the theatre halls. He assists in bringing tiatrs to Mumbai notably that of Prince Jacob etc. He agreed that Salcete was the bastion of persons entering the field of Konkani playwright but found the North Goa spoken Konkani as rich unlike the Salcete version which "is a little funny sounding to the ear" although it is strongly laced in humour and comedy. Meanwhile some tiatr enthusiasts have celebrated the day releasing a complimentary message on the local cable networks in Salcete. Others attended the function at Kala Academy where the eminent cardiologist from Margao Dr Francisco Colaco graced the ocassion. Reciprocating the sentiments of senior tiatrist from Mumbai this writer had a brief teletalk with Member Secretary Kala Academy Dr Pandurang Phaldesai , it turned that Dr. Phaldesai was indeed apologetic on the issue of not extending invitation to senior tiatrist though he admitted that the function was open to all. When reminded that even the kin of Mr Lucacinho Ribeiro one Ms. Lucy De Souza who according to Mr Tomazinho Cardozo lived in Socleawaddo Assagao, in 1992 or the family of Joao Agostinho Fernandes "Pai Tiatrist" from Modsai Margao viz ; his daughter in law Ms Ana Maria Carolina Quadros Fernandes and Ms Sharmila Fernandes were not extended invitations for todays event or for functions in the Ravindra Bhavan which is ironically named after their father-in-law and grandfather, Dr Phaldesai promised to make amends and requested this writer to furnish them their mailing address so that this lapse does not occur in future. He was promptly provided the same by this wrtier and earned the compliments of Dr Phaldesai for the prompt action. It is hoped that the Government send staff from the Directorate of Art and Culture and the Kala Academy for event Management programmes so that the staff are trained on this aspect, according to some tiatrists. Meanwhile according to reports from Modsai Borda, several tiatrists and members of their family visited the House of Pai tiatrist today. It may be recalled that the RS MP Mr Shantaram Naik had mooted the idea of preserving his house for posterity and even the famed architect Mr Gerard Da Cunha visited the house to work out modalities for its preservation plans for which are yet to be placed on the drawing board. The CM seems enthusiastic of this proposal as affirmed by the family who greeted him at his residence on his birthday on 8th March, 2009. According to sources from New Delhi the Chairperson Ms Sonia Gandhi too appeared impressed of the influence of Italian operas on Goan tiatr when it was brought to her notice some time ago by some Goans in New Delhi. Perhaps her Italian background may have generated that umbilical interest. GODFREY J. I. GONSALVES, BORDA, MARGAO, 403 602, GOA. (INDIA) +91 98221 58584 (24 HRS) [email protected] Add more friends to your messenger and enjoy! 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