For Konkani dramatists there’s nothing like a sensational true life story to get the creative juices flowing. The death of Nadia Torrado, in which a high profile politician is the accused, is the subject of two Konkani tiatrs that will play in halls and in the open air across the state beginning this August.
Tiatr writer and actor Anil Kumar’s “Maim (mother), what is this?” will focus on ‘Ratol’ as an “instant solution” to youth troubles. After 42 years on the Konkani stage, Kumar is guarded and does not reveal much about the plot but says, “Instead of focusing on the darker side of life I have made conscious efforts to dramatize what is good and what is bad and by lighting a candle hope to make a difference.” Bento de Vasco’s drama “Nadia” is another tiatr set for an August release. This one aims at avoiding “the deaths of more Nadias”. Says Bento, “Eka hatan tallio vazona (you can’t clap with one hand). According to news reports it is not merely one person who is responsible for Nadia’s death. There are various others responsible. The tiatr focuses on responsibilities of parents in bringing up their children.” While staging a tiatr takes time, songs surrounding aspects of the case are already part of the “side acts” at dramas. In Mariano Fernandes’ “Soglleank Nomoskar” (greetings to all), currently running to a full house, singer Francis de Tuem steps on stage with a white mouse in a cage giving voice to a song titled ‘Mickky Mouse’. To wild applause he sings about a politician who gets embroiled in various controversies, especially in his relationships with women but finally lands in a trap. Francis de Tuem, known for his political ditties, says he finds inspiration in Goan politics. The audience of course loves songs that have a political theme. Tiatr fan Francis D’Souza of Britona says, “Tiatrists are always looking out for such incidents. They give them material for dramas and songs. Singers, however, wash dirty linen in public, which should be avoided. The dramas and songs should be a clear reflection of the hard realities,” D’Souza says. Their tiatrs, assert both writers, are not politically motivated. “I don’t have any political support and I don’t want to get into any controversies. As a responsible writer, I feel obliged to present before my audience certain facts which I have read in newspapers and heard from people, without making any personal attacks,” says Kumar. Bento too says it is not his intention to target or crucify any one individual. “Mistakes can be committed by anyone. Admitting one’s mistake and overcoming it in the future is important,” says Bento. Tiatrists presenting dramas on real life events is not new. Last season alleged “dupatta killer” Mahanand Naik had been the subject of one. ‘Mahanand, monis vo soitan’ (Mahanand man or devil) from the pen of Tony Dias drew audiences in droves. Dias had said, “As it was a sensational issue, I was under tremendous risk. I received phone threats to stop the shows but the moral support of tiatr lovers and well wishers got me to march ahead and succeed in presenting the drama.” _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service. https://signup.live.com/signup.aspx?id=60969
