Kala Academy’s Tiatr Competition scene in Goa, this year
Kala Academy’s 48th Tiatr Competition ‘A’ Group 2022-23 kicked off on February 16, 2023 at Ravindra Bhavan, Pai Tiatrist hall, Margao.
The curtains unfolded with the presentation of Taleigao Dramatic Troupe’s tiatr, Wrong Number, scripted by noted tiatrist, Peter Vaz, and directed by seasoned dramatist of yester years, Wilson Mazarello.
THIS YEAR’S EVENT
For the year 2022-23, there are 15 institutions belonging to different art and cultural clubs from Goa, which are participating in the Kala Academy’s (KA) annual tiatr competition.
The competition will wind up on March 21, 2023 with the presentation of Goan.Com Socio & Cultural Association’s tiatr, Tum Naslo Tor, penned and directed by Fr Milton Rodrigues.
The judges for the competition include Fr Olavo Caiado, Avito Fernandes, Anil Pednekar and Jose Salvador Fernandes.
The groups that are participating in the contest include:
St Dominic Dramatic Troupe, Merces’ tiatr, Unch Anvdde Mhoje, by Joaquim Dias
Kala Niketan, Majorda’s tiatr, Devachi Kurpa by Michael Gracias (Feb 27)
Machi Mogi Morjim Cultural Saunskrutik Saunstha’s tiatr, Devan Dilam Tem by John Alexandre Fernandes (Feb 28)
Pachecos Dramatic and Cultural Association, Curtorim’s tiatr, Tum Konn, by Carmo Pacheco (Mar 1)
Matias Creative Group, Calangute’s tiatr, Devachem Nanv Vhodd Zanv, by Matias Mascarenhas (Mar 14)
Ami Daizi, Fatorda’s tiatr, Conversion, by Nazario Pinto (Mar 15)
Menino Jesus Kala Association, Chinchinim’s tiatr, Mog, by Fr Doel Dias (Mar 20)
Goan.Com Socio & Cultural Association’s tiatr, Tum Naslo Tor, by Fr Milton Rodrigues
All the tiatrs included in the competition will be staged only at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, and will begin on daily basis at 7 pm.
As per the guidelines of the competition, each troupe will be given three hours duration to stage their show, inclusive of a 10-minute break after half time.
Goa Velha Art and Cultural Association’s tiatr, Mhojea Bhurgea Pasot, by Efifanio Mendes (Mar 2)
Kala Mogi Candolim’s tiatr, Desbhokt, by Tomazinho Cardozo (Mar 3)
Sao Bartolomeu Sports Club and Cultural Association, Chorao’s tiatr, Secret Friend, by Fr Milagres Dias (Mar 6)
Drishti Entertainments, Curchorem’s tiatr, Tunch Amkam Pav, by William Fernandes (Mar 9),
Aamar P Sawanth Fan Club, Varca’s tiatr, Khoddpar Bandlolem Ghor, by Willy Silveira (Mar 10)
Machi Mogi Santa Cruz’s tiatr, Utpadon, by Menino Mario Araujo (Mar 13)
FEELING THE LOSS
With the closure of the KA auditorium, in Panjim, for repairs and renovation work for over a year, tiatr-lovers are disheartened as many from North Goa have been deprived of entertainment in the capital city.
Senior citizens would flock to the capital city to enjoy the tiatr competitions (both A and B groups) in the past. But now, for some people, it is simply not feasible to travel all the way from Panjim to the South to enjoy good tiatr.
A senior citizen from Fontainhas, in Panjim, Agnelo Rebello, who used to watch all the tiatrs staged at KA on a regular basis, said that he would enjoy the tiatrs from different directors.
“But now, with the closure of the KA auditorium, it is a big setback for us, especially the senior citizens. Tiatrs were the only live entertainment that we had, apart from the idiot box at our residence. But now, we miss everything that’s to be enjoyed live on stage,” says Rebello.