Konkani Tiatr - The Stage of Goa

Tiatr is a unique form of dramatic art. It is unique because it cannot be considered a musical drama. It has music and singing but it is not a musical drama. The uniqueness of the Tiatr lies in the fact that the story of the Tiatr is based on one particular theme whereas each Kantaris based on a different subject. The plot of a Tiatr is normally divided into 6 or 7 parts, each part is called a"Pordho".In between these Pordhes there are songs which are called "Kantaram".Normally there are 2 or 3 Kantaramin between every two Pordhes. This means that there are at least 12 to 15 Kantaramin the Tiatr. In tiatr the following structure we can find a good story line, attractive songs with pleasing music and comedy linked to the play, form the basis of the Tiatr. The other aspects such as Stage Sets, Light Effects, Background music, acting etc form part and parcel of good direction. If all these ingredients are well balanced, the performance of the Tiatr is bound to be excellent. The songs –Kantaram- sung between the Pordhes of the tiatr are equally responsible for the success of the Tiatr. The songs presented in the tiatr should also be of varied nature, i.e.Solos, Duets,Trios, Quartets and so on. They should also include comedy songs. Comedy in a Tiatr is one of the specific characteristics of this dramatic form and to preserve the uniqueness of Tiatr we cannot afford to lose the comedy aspect of the Tiatr. Tiatrs have focused on the drug problem, alchoholism, the false sense of values of Goans who strike it rich in the Gulf, the fall in values that lead to the neglect of parents, the problems of inter-caste marriage and tiatrs are also based on Historical, Social, Political& Religious. The Tiatrs are based on themes which directly touch our souls.