The 138th birth anniversary of Joao Agostinho Fernandes "Pai Tiatrist" Father
of Konkani theatre was celebrated this evening at the "Pai Tiatrist" Indoor
Auditorium Margao with a grand 3 hrs musical extravaganza by several tiatrists
and a large audience.
The function was organised by the newly constituted "Tiatr Academy of Goa" and
the Ravindra Bhavan Committee.
Speaking on the ocassion after garlanding the portrait of "Pai Tiatrist" the CM
of Goa Shri Digamber Kamat complimented the TAG for organising this function in
memory of a great soul " Pai Tiatrist " who continues to inspire the present
day Konkani playwrights and "tiatrs". The CM mentioned that while the
portfolio of Art and Culture is a "light" portfolio there were no claims from
his ministerial colleagues and therefore it had come under him. He was proud
to have done justice to this portfolio ever since and taken it to glorious
heights.
Honouring the 13 Konkani playwrights and others with "Life Time Contribution
Awards for the first time the CM noted from the 16 page booklet giving a pen
sketch of all the recepients that all of them were from the pre Independence
era. He felt honoured as CM to award Ms Shalini Mardolkar (now 70 years and
residing at Vasai Mumbai) of "Nirmon" film who was earlier awarded by PM late
Smt Indira Gandhi for her superfluous acting in "Nirmon".
The Vice President of the Ravindra Bhavan Mr Shridhar Kamat compared "Pai
Tiatrist" contribution to Konkani tiatr to Dada Phalke in the Marathi field
and hoped that his ideals will be pursued by future tiatrists.
Earlier President of the Tiatr Academy of Goa , Mr Tomazinho Cardozo informed
the houseful gathering in the 1150 seater auditorium that the TAG had resolved
to honour the triumvurate of "tiatr" Mr Lucacinho Ribeiro 2.1.1863 , Mr Joao
Agostinho Fernandes 14.12.1871 Ms Regina Fernandes" 16.11.1880 on
their birthday anniversary in future.
Mr Tomazinho also informed the gathering that the Government has finally signed
the Deed of Sale of a 230 m2 premises on the second floor of the Campal Trade
Centre opp Kala Academy for the TAG.
The unique feature of this programme was the Life Time achievement award given
to
Shalini Mardolkar (Panaji / Vasai ) Anita Maria Joana Vianey Pereira (Anita)
Chinchinim,
Antonette D Souza e Mendes Princess Street Mumbai, Filipe Mascarehnas (Filipe
de Sanvordem) Quepem Lidvinda Anastasia Clara Correia e Dias alias Clara
Orlim Antonio Xavier Francisco Dias alias Comedian Dias Colva. Luciano Dias
Alem de Raia, Filomena Braz e Crasto Mumbai, Cajetan Pinto alias Caiti
Vancim Goa, Clara Merciana Ophelia Cabral alias Ophelia Porvorim/Mumbai Titta
Pretto Aldona/Mahim Lorna Cordeiro Saligao and Santano Filomeno Cyriaco Camilo
Dias alias Cyriaco Dias.
The award consists of a shawl momento and cash award of Rs. 20,000.
Both Mr Cyriaco Dias and Ms Mardolkar complimented the CM for bestowing the
honour on them and wished him long long years in the service of tiatrist. Mr
Cyriaco dedicated the award to the audience and he appreciated the fact that it
was it was because of the unflinched support of the public that tiatrist have
accomplished high positions.
The musical extravaganza was filled with hilarious acts by singers and
comedians notable among them were Wilmix and Sharon, Felcy and Francis de
Tuem Peter Roshan Mil Mel Nel Succorro de Santa cruz Luis Bachaan Domnic -
Coelho - Rocky brothers and several others.
Earlier in the day there was a symposium on Tiatr - Yesterday Today and
Tommorrow -- in which many of the leading tiatrists gave their views. Notable
among them was Prince Jacob, Mario Menezes, Fr Nascimento of Holy Spirit
Church, Mr Pundalik Naik ex GKA President Premanand Sangodkar Mr Anil Kumar
and others. Some of the issues discussed was khell tiatr non stop drama, sets
in tiatr, child prodigies, dress code, vulgarity, etc There was also
interesting cross fire but the same was well manouvered by the President of
TAG Mr Tomazinho Cardozo and Vice President Mr. Roseferns .
The family of Pai Tiatrist Ms Ana Maria Carolina Quadros Fernandes her
daughter Ms Sharmila Fernandes and children were present on the ocassion.
Later Ms Shalini Mardolkar the CM Mr Digamber Kamat had a brief tete a tete
with the family of Pai Tiatrist
and wished them well on the ocassion.
The show was ably compered by Mr Anil Kumar and another.
Earlier at the interactive session in the morning a brochure listing out the
schemes conceptualised by the TAG were distributed to the public with a view to
allow the tiatrist community to avail of the benefits and bring forth any of
the shorcomings.
Sidelight of the event
The stage was tastefully decorated befitting the ocassion
The award ceremony was aptly handled by Mr Anil Kumar and brevity was the
hallmark
The other compere made many slip between the cup and the lip
Only Lorna Cordeiro had a proxy to receive her award
The participants of the symposium were treated to lunch sponsored by TAG
This is the first time that the TAG Govt of Goa has honoured Pai Tiatrist on
his birth anniversary. Last year it was the gesture of the Dalgado Konknni
Academy
The date of birth of Pai Tiatrist earlier considered as 21/12/1871 (actually
thedate of his baptism ) /14/12/1971 as per birth records obtained from the
archives by Prof Rafael Fernandes of GU who is also coming out with a book on
the life and times of Pai Tiatrist early next year
There were notable absentees as well Mr Mike Mehta (Adv) and others.
GODFREY J. I. GONSALVES,
BORDA, MARGAO, 403 602, GOA. (INDIA)
+91 98221 58584 (24 HRS)
[email protected]
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