As the summer season dawns, and most Goans dream of making a trip to the nearest beach to beat the scorching heat, there are feasts of ‘crosses’ being celebrated across in several villages across the state.
And, along with the religious celebrations, there are several other festivals which Goans look forward to when it comes to entertainment and relaxation. This includes musical shows, beat shows and tiatrs which are staged in almost all villages in north and south Goa.
TIATR UNLIMITED
Tiatr festivals are also part of the entertainment witnessed during the summer season in Goa. And, people wait for such festivals, which make any festivity complete. Any profits drawn from such festivals are, later, deposited in the necessary funds and utilized for the renovation of the chapel or the cross.
Of late, the people in some villages (and their neighbourhoods) have been in for a big treat. Instead of a two or three-day tiatr festival, after the grand celebration of the local chapel or cross feast, there’s been an unusual 9 or 10-day tiatr festival, organised by some clubs.
At these festivals, people can enjoy all the shows free of cost.
The 9-day tiatr festival, organised by Rising Club of Sanvorcotto, recently concluded at Nafarem, Sanvorcotto, in Cuncolim village. The organisers stated that it was a big success with over 2,000 people watching the shows everyday.
“Not only the villagers from Cuncolim, but also many tiatr-lovers from across the state, came and watched the tiatrs,” the organisers mentioned. “It has become an annual event and people wait for such mega events eagerly,” they said.
And now, to mark 80 years, the Bandiantlo Khuris Association of Cortalim is organising a 10-day tiatr and film festival from May 2, 2023 till May 14, 2023.
The tiatrs schedule is as follows:
Mog Diyat by comedian Sally (May 2)
Morchea Adim Jiye’ by comedian Dominic (May 4)
Social Worker by Francis de Tuem (May 6)
Tum Korta Thi Vatt by Jose de Benaulim (May 7)
Hem Oxench Choltolem? by Roseferns (May 8)
Chor by comedian Joyel (May 9)
Franky-chi Mama by Franky Gonsalves (May 10)
Faleam by comedian Ambe (May 11)
Kazar Vo Bazar by Prince Jacob (May 12)
Konkani film Nirmon (May 14)
MONEY MATTERS
One of the residents from Cortalim, Maria Pinto, said that people wait eagerly for the mega celebration as the tiatr lovers get to enjoy several tiatrs at the doorstep.
“It is difficult for villagers to travel all the way to Margao in order to enjoy a tiatr, and that too, only on weekends as most villagers are daily wage labourers,” she said. “So, people prefer to come and enjoy these tiatrs which are staged in close proximity to their residences, and that too, free of cost.”
The organisers said that the tiatr festival is organised annually and many have witnessed its success over the years. “So, many people come forward to watch and enjoy, and some of them give donations generously.”
“Just before the monsoons, the tiatrs are released at Easter time. And, this is a short season for the tiatr directors to stage their shows,” Remedious Fernandes explained. “By staging their tiatrs near Bandiantlo Khuris at Cortalim, we are trying to promote art and culture, and also give the maximum entertainment to the masses.”