BY A GT REPORTER
PANJIM, JULY 21: For posterity to remember the rich contribution of veteran Tiatrists to Konkani stage, the BJP feels their biographies need to be included in the school curriculum. And to start with, the BJP wants such biographies to be prepared by the Directorate of Art and Culture.
Raised on the floor of the House yesterday, this demand comes close on the heels of the Tiatr Academy of Goa also airing similar views on this subject in recent times.
The BJP sought to voice this demand while the House paid rich tributes to the memory of late Tiatrist Manuel Santana Aguiar alias M Boyer and former bureaucrat Alban Couto.
Moving the motion for the obituary reference, Mapusa BJP MLA Francis D’Souza described the late Boyer as a colossus in the field of drama and a dramarist par excellence.
“He was a producer, writer and director as well as a comedian and a serious artiste.
He was also a lover of Konkani language and thoroughly enjoyed acting,” said D’Souza.
“Let the Art and Culture Department prepare biographies of such Tiatrists which can prove to be an inspiration for future generations. If possible, get these books (biographies) in the school curriculum,” he demanded, as he found support from PWD Minister Churchill Alemao from the treasury benches.
Deputy Speaker Mauvin Godinho, who also spoke in favour of the motion, wanted the Tiatr Academy of Goa to get more funds for enabling it to raise the standard of Tiatr.
Others who spoke in favour of the motion included Curtorim MLA Alex Reginald Lourenco, PWD Minister Churchill Alemao, Santacruz MLA Victoria Fernandes, Power Minister Aleixo Sequeira, Civil Supplies Minister Jose Philip D’Souza, St Andre MLA Francis Silveira, Fatorda MLA Damodar Naik and opposition leader Manohar Parrikar.
Replying to the motion, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat said the late Boyer spread social message through his Tiatr and framed songs hailing Hindu, Muslim and Catholic unity in the state. Referring to Couto, the Chief Minister recalled his services to the state as and when called upon to deliver during crucial times.
“He also got an opportunity to serve the Commonwealth Secretariat,” claimed Kamat.
