Tiatr Academy of Goa

The tiatr has a rich history[6] of 125 years[7] and is an important form of theatre in the Konkani language.[8] The first tiatr was performed in 1892 in Bombay.[9]

There had been a demand from lovers of tiatr and the artists that the Government of Goa take steps to protect and promote the theatre form.[10] During the tenure of Digambar Kamat as the Chief Minister of Goa, a committee was established under Chief Minister Kamat's chairmanship for the purpose of drafting a constitution for the proposed Tiatr Academy. The committee included Tomazinho Cardozo, Premanand Sangodkar, Fatima D'Souza, Wilson Mazarello, Prince Jacob and Prasad Lolayekar (Director, Directorate of Art & Culture of the Government of Goa) as members.[11] The committee drafted the constitution and the Academy was registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 under No. 85/Goa/2009 on 2 February 2009.[11] The Government of Goa appointed Tomazinho Cardozo as the first President[12] of the Academy and the Academy was inaugurated on 16 January 2009.[13]

The General Council and the President of the Tiatr Academy of Goa are appointed by the Government of Goa for a term of three years. In addition to ex officio members like the Secretary and the Directror of Art & Culture, Government of Goa; the Council also other members and organisations who work in the field of tiatr. The term of the General Council shall be three years.[14][15][16]

The Academy organises various programmes and events for the promotion and conservation of tiatr. The Academy organises competitions and festivals such as the Children's Tiatr Festival[17] and the Popular Tiatr Festival.[18] The Academy also organises jubilees of various tiatr actors.[19] The Tiatr Academy of Goa organises workshops on tiatr in educational institutions across Goa to promote awareness about tiatr among the students.[20]

The Academy also has various schemes such as oral documentation of tiatr, documentation of tiatr through research, etc.[21] The Academy organise special programmes every month called Somplolea Tiatristancho Ugddas to remember the tiatr artists of yesteryears.[22] The Academy also organises a monthly programme where tiatr artists of repute are invited to interact with tiatr lovers.[23]

The Tiatr Academy of Goa has published several books regarding tiatr.[24] The Academy confers Lifetime Contribution Awards and Khell Tiatr Awards.[25][26]