Panaji: The inclusion of tiatr as the 56th element in National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage of India was a major achievement for Goa and the tiatr fraternity, and state govt will extend all support to secure Unesco recognition for the traditional art form, minister Mauvin Godinho said recently.Godinho said students and the younger generation should take a greater interest in tiatr and contribute to keeping the traditional Goan art form alive. He was speaking at Tiatr Academy of Goa’s (TAG) 6th inter-HSS/college/university tiatr competition.He said the national recognition had placed an important responsibility on the younger generation to carry forward the legacy created by generations of tiatrists. Senior tiatrists had worked over the years to establish and popularise the art form, he said.“Tiatr is our culture. We must feel proud of having such a rich culture. Tiatr highlights several issues and happenings in Goan society, besides family issues and politics,” he said.Godinho said TAG president Anthony Barbosa and its members were making efforts to introduce tiatr to younger audiences and take the art form to a wider platform.Barbosa appealed to students and youth to participate in tiatr and attend performances to better understand the art form and its relevance to Goan society.Musician Allwyn Fernandes said tiatr had made a significant contribution to preserving Goan culture and taking it to audiences at the national and international levels.Fr Ronny Fernandes said the participation of students and youngsters was vital for the preservation and promotion of the art form.The competition began with students of Kala Academy’s theatre arts presenting ‘Monisponnacho Dhorm’. On the second day, students of St Xavier’s College, Mapusa, staged ‘Tuje Vinnem’.Jayant Jadhav, chairperson of Vasco’s Ravindra Bhavan, where the event was held, assured TAG of support for its efforts to promote tiatr.
