Saudi Journal of Business and Management Studies (SJBMS)
Volume-1 | Issue-03 | 86-90
Review Article
Tiatr: A New Form of Entrepreneurship in Goa – Problems and Prospects
Dr. Juao C. Costa
Published : Aug. 30, 2016
Abstract
Tiatr, which has a history of more than 100 years, is a type of musical theatre popular in the state of Goa on
the West coast of India as well as in Mumbai and with expatriate communities in the Middle East, London and other
cities where Konkani speakers have a considerable presence. The dramas are performed mainly in the Roman Konkani
dialects and include music, dancing and singing. Tiatr today revolves around social, religious and political themes. It is
considered to be a mirror of Goan culture. The first original tiatr script was written and directed by
JoãoAgostinhoFernandes, entitled “Belle de Cavel” or “SundoriCavelchi” in 1895 in Bombay and for all his consistent
devotion and encouragement over fifty years, he was conferred the title “PaiTiatrist” (Father Tiatrist).Tiatr as a form of
entrepreneurship has created direct as well as indirect employment for many artists as well as back stage support staff.
Some families are fully dependent on this form of entrepreneurship for their livelihood. The economy of the state to a
large extent is supported by this form of entertainment. Realizing its importance in the Goan economy, the government of
Goa has devised various schemes financial as well as non-financial for the development of tiatr. However, it still needs
the attention of policy makers as it has bright prospects, Goa being a tourist destination. The article tried to find out over
a period of time how this form of entertainment evolved based on secondary data and through personal interaction with
the producers of Tiatr.