*Request you to publish the following Interview along with the link and
the pic *http://www.goenche.com/career_details.php?id=8*on Goanet
*
*Tomazinho Cardozo*has been active in various fields. He's been a
teacher, teaching Science and Mathematics, who later on retired as
Headmaster in 2005. He was also the Sarpanch of Candolim for 22yrs.
Later he was also elected as the M.L.A and the Speaker of Goa
Legislative Assembly. He also contributes his ideas and opinions in the
form of writing to various newspapers and magazines both in English and
Konkani (Roman Script). He has as many as 24 books to his credit. He is
also a recipient of many awards and is probably the only Goan to receive
as many as three State awards. In this interview with *Anzil Fernandes*,
Cardozo narrates his journey as teacher to his current position as the
First President of Tiatr Academy of Goa and a tiatrist himself.
**http://www.goenche.com/career_details.php?id=8
*Could you tell us more about your growth curve and getting to where you
want to?*
Since I belong to lower middle class family but was sure of one thing
that there was a great talent in our family. My father used to play
violin, my elder brother was all involved in dramatic activities. He
used to write plays, songs etc so that is the influence which I got
right from childhood to act and to sing. As time passed, I started
writing and when people start appreciating I began printing books on
different subjects such drama. So far I have written around 24 books. So
you see there was something in the family. Although there was no money,
the talent was there. My father died when I was just 1 month old and we
had to struggle a lot.But my elder brother saw to it that I studied. I
thought after S.S.C.E I'll start working but my brother encouraged me to
study. And after my graduation I started teaching and simultaneously did
my B.Ed. I was also conducting a lot of cultural and sport activities
and people felt that I should contest in the Panchayat
elections.Subsequently I was elected as member of the panchyat, from
1973-1977. Later on form 1977, I was elected as the Sarpanch for next
five consecutive terms. This was basically because of the sincerity and
work we did and not because of any money power. And at that time people
felt that I should contest for the Legislative Assembly and I was
elected. Fourtunately or unfortunately I was chosen as the speaker and
role of the speaker is very crucial. But unlike any other minister, I as
the speaker had very few opportunities to do good work in my own
constituency. Due to this post I had the opportunity to travel the world
and attend Common Wealth Parliamentary Association meeting and
contribute our views on different issues. But I realised that people
remember you and support for your good work. I always said to myself
that I will continue serving in any field be it sport, cultural or
politics as long as people want me, the day people will say "no, you are
not wanted" that will be the end. In 2000 when I was defeated in
Legistative Assembly election that was the end of my political career,
although people tried to force me to continue be, that didn't convince
me at all. Because I believe that if people really respect you then they
should support you throughout and not just change sides cause of money.
My principle was that I will taste defeat once and that will be the
final. After the end of my political career I joined back as a teacher
and I retired as a teacher in 2005. Mean while I was also writing
dramas, articles for magazines and newspaper etc and subsequently I also
published a few books. When the government established Tiatr Academy of
Goa, the Chief Minister of Goa appointed me a President of T.A.G, this
helped me to put my views and my opinions into action.
*Tell us about your experience as a Speaker of Legislative Assembly from
1999. *
I was the Sarpanch for 22 years and I was Speaker for 5 years. 22 years
as a Sarpanch were beautiful and enjoyable. 5 years as Speaker were
really disastrous because as I was dealing with active political life. I
realised I was not the fit person in politics and that must be the
reason I was not elected when I contested for the second term. Today I
realise that to survive in politics you need to have all the qualities
good as well as bad. With only good qualities you will not survive and
that is what I saw when it happened to me. I remember my friend telling
me that they would not come to me as long I am in politics because
everybody considered a politician a fraud, a rogue. People will respect
him because of his power and not out of love and once he loses his power
there is no respect for him. But I am happy that my respect is intact,
people still remember me.
*Tell us something more about TAG and what activities it conducts?*
TAG is basically established to develop tiatr in all aspects. Tiatr is
the most popular dramatic form of Goa but the standard of tiatr may not
be comparable to dramas in Marathi which are much more superior.
Therefore TAG's role is to take tiatrs to that level. Hence by
conducting numerous workshops, involving college students, we got
schemes to remember old artists especially those who are no more with
us. No feast in a village is complete without a tiatr and earlier people
of respected villages used produce and organise these tiatr but this
tradition is lost, instead they hire a tiatr, as a result the local
artists and talents do not get any encouragement. For this reason we
have schemes wherein we give financial support if villagers are ready to
produce the tiatr. We have schemes to document the history of tiatr and
also give research projects to document the history of tiatr in Goa. For
the present artists we have 'meeting the artist' programme wherein we
get them to share the experience and interact with the general public.
We also have the promotion of tiatr literature in the form of scripts
and lyrics, which are published in the form of books. We organise
competitions of commercial tiatrs festivals, this year we organised
children tiatr festival to encourage the younger generation. We also
bring renounced artists of different theatres for lectures, discussions
and sharing. Song is integral part of tiatr therefore we organise
singing competitions and also choreographed songs.
*Nowadays we see a lot tiart being controversial or even political. Is
TAG doing anything to curb this trend? *
Being political we do not mind because we have freedom of expression
which nobody can deny. But we tell the artist/taitrist that to freedom
of expression too there is a limit. Self restrain is the only solution.
Again in comedy there is vulgarity we are against it, we do not want the
tiatr to become another bollywood. Earlier I remember I was not allowed
to watch 'Dhool ka phool'movie because there was this love scene wherein
the girl gets pregnant but no vulgar scene was shown. But today parents
sit along with children and watch. We used to say Hollywood is gone out
of hand but today bollywood is also gone out of hand. We can't do much
in this aspect other than this.
*Was Tiatr Academy of Goa your brainchild?*
No I remember Nandakumar Kamat writing about it years ago in the
newspaper. Later on when I wrote on it, it was liked by many. There was
a movement and different representations sent with many demand. But many
governments came and nothing much happened. Only when Digambar Kamat
became the Chief Minister, saw to it that some of the demands were met.
TAG was established and also the Ravindra Bhavan auditorium named after
Pai Taitrist - Joao Agostinho Fernandes was built.
*Having been a Teacher, Headmaster, Sarpanch, Speaker and President and
so on, how has been you journey for you? *
As I was doing all the cultural or sport activities in our ward, I never
thought somebody was observing it. Whatever we did I never expected
anything in return but it was the people's goodwill that we got such
respect. I never thought during that time a person form a poor family
can rise and become the speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly. It was only
possible because we are living in a democratic country. The journey has
been unexpected. I never even thought I'll complete my graduation
because of financial conditions. I never had any aims as such but I did
my work and I did it sincerely and that helped me to reach great
heights. Things just unfolded by itself.
*You have played so many role but what is that you always wanted to be
right from your childhood? and What do you want the people to remember
you as?*
When I grew up I wanted to be a teacher who would not beat but convince
to make the students understand through words.
I would like to be remembered as an artist and an educationist, because
although my first love was drama but I made my life through teaching.
Over 50 year I was in the field of theatre but I never made a single pie
out of it because my tiatrs were not commercial but experimental in
order to raise the standard of tiatrs.
*What is you motto in life?*
If you can do good to others, do it; if you cannot do good, don't do it
but at the same time don't harm anyone and always be positive.
*Could you please share with us one incident that you cherish the most?*
We were very poor sometimes we were not having decent clothes to go to
for feast mass and in such circumstances (emotional) I remember telling
my mother "maim, one day we will have guards guarding our house" I made
this remark many times but I do not know why and when I became the
speaker my mother was not there but there were guards guarding my house.
This is life...
*During your formative years who was your role model and who is it now?*
During my childhood my brother was my role model because he was very
hard working, he did not study but yet he supported the family and I
wanted to follow his footsteps. But I began reading, studying I found
Mahatma Gandhi as source of inspiration. (Looking at Mahatma Gandhi's
portrait just behind him he said, "you will find him wherever I am there
he is there") I also admire Nelson Mandela.
*Which is toughest criticism you ever received?*
When I was the speaker I disqualified Dr Wilfred and 10 other members.
First I did not feel bad but later on I realised I had not given them
the time limit for the natural justice to take place. And God too was in
their favour, the notice we sent them asking to' show cause notice' on
27^th of July was wrongly printed as 27^th of August, hence another
notice was sent to rectify the mistake but they did not receive it. I
feel that was the mistake that I had done.
*Success in some way is about creating extra-ordinary results with
limited resources and you are generating a lot of waves despite
experiencing so many hurdles in the past. Can you please tell us which
has been your best unforgettable experience till date?*
When I did my S.S.C.E I was very happy but when I competed my graduation
I was the happiest because for a person coming from my background it was
very difficult, moreover I did not receive anyone's help or guidance. I
used to do my own work and finally completed my graduation and that was
the best achievement for me.
*You are known for your creativity. Can you please tell us any
innovative idea you are trying these days? What's going through your
mind these days?*
I have a vision to take tiatr to a National level which it should have.
In order to do that I need the support of all the artists and the
standards of tiatr must match with those of other dramas. Unfortunately
we do not find the reference of tiatr in any literature at National
level because nobody has made an effort write about it, and even if it
is written, it is not known. I had the privilege to present a paper at
National Level on Violence in Indian drama but my paper was Violence in
Konkani Tiatr and I think that must be the first reference to tiatr at
National level. I am also in process of publishinga couple of books on
tiatr.
*Would you recommend the younger generation to follow you footsteps and
become like you? If yes, what path studies, courses, and experiences do
you recommend for the younger generation to choose?*
I am involved into 2 or 3 fields actively but I do not recommend this to
all. But if you can manage it please do it.
Youngsters should first and foremost discover your talent and find what
you are fit for and once you are convinced, go for it. Take help and
support from anybody and everybody that matters in a particular field.
But you need to be hard working and sincere and you will be bound to
succeed.
*Your message to all the teachers.*
Teachers should be committed to teaching and they should leave all house
hold problems at home. When you are in school and your focus should be
only on the students. Sacrifice a little extra time with weaker students
who find it difficult to cope and study. If this is done by the
teachers, the parents and your students will love and respect you.
*Your message to all the present tiatrists.*
Do not be too content and over joyous with what you have achieved. You
have to go still higher, you have to take tiatr to a higher standard and
therefore introduce innovation in all aspects and make a little
sacrifice. And if you want to take tiatr to higher standard then don't
give people what they want, you will never improve yourself; give the
people what you would like to give.
*Your message to all the youngsters.*
Younger generation is the source of energy, new ideas and vision; only
thing is that they should be guided properly. Youngsters should choose
meaningful role models, who are not only just glamorous in their looks
but also glamorous in their deeds. The parents can be the best role
models hence it is also the responsibility of the parents as to how they
deal with them and behave in the society and at home.
*Thank you very much for your time and *all the best in your life as you
scale even greater heights.**
