Clueless about a Goan ‘tiatr’? Get to know the basics here

KEEPING TRADITION ALIVE

Tiatr is a popular, traditional form of entertainment seen in Goa. It is essentially a Konkani play, enacted on a stage or out in the open.

INSIDE STORY

In a tiatr, the play is split into 6 or 7 parts, each of which is called podd’ddo.

FUNNY BUSINESS

A tiatr begins with an opening song, called, kantar, which may be a solo, duet, trio etc. And, a good tiatr also contains an element of comedy.

VIVA LA MUSICA

Songs are an important part of a tiatr. A canto is a small song (a verse and chorus; or two verses and a chorus), while kantaram (songs) are also called the ‘side shows’ of the tiatr. A tiatr is expected to have 10 to 14 songs.

TWO’S COMPANY

A duet is performed by a male and a female singer.

SOUND OF MUSIC

A tiatr is expected to have at least 1 duo, 1 trio and 1 quartet.

IT’S ONLY WORDS

The songs in a tiatr are based on social, political, religious and historical themes.

WATCH IT HERE

Kala Academy (Panjim), Ravindra Bhavan (Margao) and Hanuman Theatre (Mapusa) are some locations where tiatrs are held regularly, while Carnival and village feasts provide an opportunity to watch open-air tiatrs.

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