*PRESS NOTE* IN FAVOUR OF PUBLICATION
*Meet Mariano Almeida at TAG’s “Meet the Tiatr Artiste” on 29th April* Every month Tiatr Academy of Goa invites artistes of repute to interact with their fans/followers and other tiatr loving people. Such a meeting helps the audience to know more in detail about the artiste. It also helps TAG to create documentation for its library in order to preserve it for posterity. A well known tiatr artiste, Mariano Almeida from Curtorim will be the “Artiste of the Month” in this monthly programme to be held on Wednesday, 29 th April 2015 at 4.00 p.m., at Black Box, Ravindra Bhavan-Margao, Fatorda Goa. *MARIANO ALMEIDA* Born on 10th September 1951 at Curtorim, Mariano Leopoldo Almeida served Konkani stage for almost 38 years. A retired school Headmaster by profession, completed his Graduation in Science from Smt. Parvatibai Chowgule College from Margao and B.ED from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Mariano had a liking for Tiatr right from the childhood. He reminisces how he used to run to collect the handbills after the vehicles making propaganda for the tiatr shows in the villages. He also used to do the collection of photographs of professional tiatr artistes and never missed any show of the tiatr staged in his village Curtorim. His first stint to act in a tiatr was when he was in school. He acted in a play titled, ‘Eka Kottak Lagon’ written and directed by Fr. Jose Antonio Costa. Later he acted in almost all the tiatrs performed by the villagers. By now Mariano had already learnt the ropes and tricks of tiatr and it became very easy for him to walk on a professional stage in a tiatr directed by well known writer and poet, Jess Fernandes. Later in the year 1977, he joined Ligorio Fernandes‘ troupe with whom he is serving till today. He also acted in tiatrs of other directors like Premanand Sangodkar, Pascoal Rodrigues, A.M.Pacheco and Star of Curtorim. Besides *tiatr* he also contributed to Goan folklore. He is a member of Goa’s famous *Mando* troupes, Curtorkar and Curtorechim Sallkam from Curtorim, South Goa. He is a regular singer and dancer in these troupes. He has also composed many *Mandos*. These *Mandos* of his can be heard in Agostinho D’Cruz’s audio albums. Ligorio Fernandes uses his special voice as a narrator in his devotional audio albums. This talented actor won a number of prizes for his outstanding performances which includes Agnel Borim’s tiatr ‘Oxem Ek Lhar’ in the Tiatr Competition of Kala Academy Goa and recently organised Lenten Tiatr Competition by Times Group. He has acted in two plays on VCDs like ‘Choutho Vantto’ and ‘Jolinacho Ghutt’ and a video film, ‘Maim Dukhi Sasumai Sukhi’ written and directed by Star of Curtorim. All the lovers of tiatr and fans of Mariano are invited to attend the said programme and interact with him. *Jose Alexandre Rodrigues* Member Secretary