years ago during Portuguese regime these artists were not looked kindly upon. It was not considered a dignified or respectable profession. Men used to act in women role attired in their dress , as females were not encouraged at all .This was because it was not sociallt acceptable to females to act in tiatr There was some sort of undefined exclusion of women to be married acting in tiatr. The audience too excluded higher class citizens and hence it wad mostly patronised as an entertainment by lower strata of the society. The shows were few and limited on some festive occasions and confined mostly to rural areas and villages .The actors were employed and it was part time hobby .The writers too were few and so alsothe actor’s were a handful .The stage setting was a humble arrangement. The musicians were also not professionals but doubled up for the shows when needed. It was no doubt very popular with the masses and the Portuguese Govt was afraid of its popularity and its effective propaganda against the regime. All forms of this art whether Khell or Tiatr were subject to strict censorship and control with iron hand. The idea was to suppress dissent and uprising against the authoritarian rule .The tiatrist in form of political satire ,educated the masses about the oppressive regime and their rights as natives The song were the most popular and covered variety of themes that won them encore and repeat performances. Today the idea of tiatr as an art form has completely undergone its old notion .Tiatrists are now professionals ,whole time actors .CD,s VCD,s are dominating the market demands .Ladies are proud participants making it as a career too .The apprehensions of social inhibitions have evaporated .Females are treated with respect and honour and no more ostracised by males and families as taking part in undesirable art forms. The bands too are full time professionals, The stage settings and attire has reached a high level of sophistication .The writers too are stepping from highly educated class adding value to the content The biting criticism of politicians and political satire is highly entertaining and audiences seek and love this amusement. Tiatr have now traversed the boundaries of India and are held in other parts of the world with dominant Goan population. Politicians are now Chief guests supporting financially and sponsoring to drawl crowds for election propaganda. Special songs favouring their elections are in demand. The election rallies are invariably entertaining with songs praising the candidates and are a necessary prelude to start of the meetings. The movement has given impetus to Konkanni films Tiatr , khell and song competitions bheld at all levels and all over what is most appreciative is that the Govt recognised with pensions to tiatrist as a gesture of goodwill towards their contributions The tiatr academy too honours both the living and dead actors in a very significant and meaningful way ,thus enhancing their prestige and worthy contributions . It is praise worthy that no other body of professionals homours and felicitates their members regularly both living and dead making them feel happy and remembered. Fortunately the audiences that participate ,no longer are limited to masses but people of all shades attend this entertainment as germane to their culture .This attitude and respect is fuelling the promotion of Tiatr in a big way Tiatr has opened a wide variety of opportunities to young writers , singers, lyric writers,actors, musicians, female cast, stage decorators and managers, advertisers, promoters CD VCD producers , make up artist Screen designers etc Tiatr to day is a proud component of ethos of Goan Culture and tradition It is growing in acceptance and demand due to its effects as effective medium of education and entertainment Kon Tiatr has encouraged and given wings to feature films that are a new craze Nelson Lopes Chinchinin Sent from my iPhone Sent from my iPhone
