Tiatr

Abstract

Tiatr is the most popular form of modem Konkani theatre. It is unique, as its structure contains songs, known as kantaram, between the scenes or pordde (literally meaning curtains). Songs that are integral to the play are called kant. Comic interludes are also an essential feature of tiatr. Easter Sunday, 17 April 1892, is generally regarded as the date on which the first documented performance of a modem tiatr was staged at the New Alfred Theatre in Bombay. This play was composed by Lucasinho Ribeiro who had landed in Bombay from Goa, in search of employment. He was a good composer and singer, could play the violin, and was proficient in English. Hence, he could understand and appreciate operas being performed by an Italian opera company whose tour coincided with his arrival in Bombay. Impressed by the presentation, he attempted to obtain a job as a stagehand with the troupe and succeeded through the recommendation of a prominent Goan. He travelled with this Italian opera company to Poona, Madras, Simla, and Calcutta. When the troupe proceeded to Burma, Ribeiro parted company and returned to Bombay, keeping in mind one of their operettas. While leaving the job he purchased the velvet costumes of the opera company with the hope of utilising them in his own venture. He composed Italian Bhurgo on the basis of the Italian operetta and staged it as a teatro with the assistance of Joao Agostinho Fernandes, Caitaninho Fernandes, Agostinho Mascarenhas, and one more (unidentified) person. However, this performance was not the fruition of just a random creative impulse of Lucasinho's. He had an abiding interest in drama from his childhood.