MARGAO: The unavailability of the ‘Pai Tiatrist Joao Agostinho Fernandes’ auditorium at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao throughout November due to the forthcoming International Film Festival of India (IFFI) is indeed shocked and disappointed the tiatr fraternity and tiatr lovers.
The main auditorium of Kala Academy, Panjim is yet to be opened, Ravindra Bhavan-Vasco is closed and there is no other suitable auditorium to stage tiatr shows has added more tensions to the tiatrist. And hence, tiatrist have expressed their frustrations and demanded some slots for the tiatr shows.
However, Rajendra Talak, Chairman, Ravindra Bhavan-Margao stated that other audiences excluding tiatr lovers should also get opportunity to watch movies or any other entertainment at the Ravindra Bhavan-Margao.
He also informed that taking advantage of the IFFI event, the pending repair works of the main auditorium will also be completed before the upcoming film festival.
But, tiatrists are of the opinion that several other issues like no proper provisions to arrange sets, crammed stages, no proper sound system etc are resulting in tiatrists unable to stage their shows in the auditoriums of Ravindra Bhavan, Curchorem, Rajiv Gandhi Kala Mandir, Ponda and Ravindra Bhavan, Sankhali.
It has been revealed that Ravindra Bhavan, Margao has been booked for IFFI from November 1 to 28. Hence, tiatr directors will be deprived of staging their shows, as the new season of tiatr is commencing in the month of October-November. There are several directors who are preparing themselves to release new shows in the month of November.
Speaking to O Heraldo, tiatrist, Pascoal de Chicalim said that it is a pity that the government, especially the Directorate of Art and Culture, is taking the tiatrists for granted.
“When I went to book my tiatr show, I was in big shock to notice that the Pai Tiatrist hall will be closed for the full month of November for IFFI,” he said.
“IFFI is not Goemkars’ cup of tea. We live and eat tiatr. IFFI is being forced on us and there are no slots for tiatrs. Why are they now after the only happening auditorium in the Mecca of tiatrs, thus depriving us of our entertainment,” Pascoal questioned.
He added, “It is time tiatrists came together and started an agitation to bring the government on its knees.”
Joesan Afonso, a young tiatr director, venting his ire, said that this is total injustice on the tiatr fraternity.
“Shows held in Gomant Vidya Niketan result in losses as tiatr lovers avoid coming to watch the shows there, besides there are no parking facilities. Other than Ravindra Bhavan Margao, there is no suitable auditorium to stage tiatr shows in the state of Goa,” he said.
Responding to the issue, Rajendra Talak, Chairman, Ravindra Bhavan Margao, informed that people should get here other forms of entertainment also, including movies.
“Tiatrists need to choose other auditoriums, including Gomant Vidya Niketan and Ravindra Bhavan-Curchorem to stage their shows in the month November,” he added.
Talak further informed that being selected as a venue for screening movies during IFFI has provided the opportunity to finish all the pending works pertaining to the main auditorium in November.