TIATRO TIATRIST.
It is over ten decades now that the beautiful art of Tiatro is in existence.
I bow down my head in reverence to Lucazinho Rebeiro from Assagao, Bardez,
Goa for penning down the first ever Konkani Tiatro Italian Burgo and
staging it in Bombay. His follower and associate Joao Agostinho Fernandes
from Margao, Salcette is equally to be adored for carrying forward the
tradition of Tiatro almost in the beginning single handedly. Though
Lucazinho Rebeiro was the initiator of Tiatro yet it was Joao Agostinho
Fernandes who brought in revolution in Goan society thru the medium of
Tiatro. If Goan society has made tremendous changes in its structure
especially the middle and lower strata then it must be admitted that it was
only because of the revolutionary attitude released from the stage by the
great tiatrists, most of them are dead and gone. Though they are physically
not existing on this planet yet the great work they have produced on the
stage has helped change the ugly attitude of Goan society. If it was not
for Minguel Rod the Bhattkarshai and high caste Banmonshahi would be still
dominating and suppressing the lower strata of Goans. Minguel Rod brought
in lot of changes in social fabrics of Goan society. What William
Shakesphere did in British society thru Dramas our Minguel Rod did in Goan
society thru Tiatro and precisely because of this Minguel Rod can be rightly
called Goan Shakesphere. More than a priest tiatrist attracts the attention
of the society. Which is that tiatrist now I am trying to praise? He is
none other than the one who challenges the brute might of arrogant society,
brute might of his fellow man and fellow colleague who with the help of his
power, in whatever form it may be, tries to suppress and destroy others.
Dayananda Bandodkar and his Maharastrawadi Gomantak Party was all out to
dissolve Goa, get it swallowed into Maharastra and along with it liquidate
Konkani from Konkani land. What a pity it would have been if it had to
happen!! That it had not happen was due to the tremendous efforts and
sacrifices made by the then tiatirsts also. They have made Tiatro stage as
a platform to openly fight against Dayananda Bandodkar and his MGP. In one
of his excellent songs, Remmie J. Colaco then challenges and humiliate
Bandodkar saying Are Pain bandlolea ghorak, nolle ghalunk zaina tor,
vhoddpon tujem sodd re bhava. And challenging the anti-Konkani tirade of
Bandodkar, the same Remmie J. Colaco calls upon the masses and all true
Goans singing thus Amchem boll dakoumya, Konknni bhas zikomya, hangach nhoi
pun Delhi Parliamentan. Bandodkar died and gone and with him his
anti-Goan, anti-Konkani MGParty was also collapsed but Remmie J. Colacos
golden and prophetic words came to reality when Konkani Mae Bhas gained its
rightful place and even spoken and heard in Parliament.
Kid Boxer has done yeomen services for the cause of Goa and Konkani by
hitting the wrong person at right time. Kid Boxer also challenged the brute
might even of his colleagues when they overstepped their authority. It was
at Mapusa about 35 years back. Lembddo Santan was the Tiatro by the late
Minguel Rod. His son Julie was playing a very good role in his fathers
Tiatro. C. DSilva and his partner were singing a comedy duo, the tune of
which was similar to the one earlier used in their duo by M. Boyer and
Remmie J. Colaco. Seeing this, on flimsy grounds, as spokesman of Boyer and
Remmie duo, Boyer protested and tried to stop C. DSilva and his partner
from singing their duo. There was stoppage of Tiatro for few minutes but
Kid Boxer refused to surrender to Boyer. For this reason Kid Boxer was
admired for challenging the brute might of some of his tiatrist colleagues.
Conception-Nelson-Anthony trio was the mightiest trio that Konkani Stage has
ever produced. It was on the pattern of Kid-Young-Rod of yesteryears.
Con-Nel-Ant. Trio is on record to challenge anyone from commoner to the
topmost official in the Government machinery. Bandodkar and his MGP was
less afraid of 12 opposition MLAs in Goa Legislative Assembly but more
afraid of the might of this trio of Con-Nel-Ant. Bandodkar was on record to
depute Punaji Achrekar the MGP MLA and resident of Saligao to watch this
trio what they sing at Mapusa and accordingly Bandodkar used to frame his
strategy in Goa Legislative Assembly. In order to punish them Bandodkar
once introduced entertainment tax on Tiatro but out of fear and to please
the trio, Bandodkar gave concession to Nelsons Tiatro Dolorosa. This was
the might of the tiatrists. But how many of them are now existing with
genuine spinal chord to challenge the brute might? Todays tiatrists in
general are money oriented and commercial in nature. For this reason
todays tiatrists in general are unable to challenge the injustice and brute
might as it was done by yesteryears tiatrists most of them are
