Keeping Goemkarponn alive

Prince Jacob through his 63rd production, ‘Aao Ja-o Goa Tumhara' highlights the nagging issue on how Goa is losing its identity owing to the influx of migrants coming into the State and making it their home. The tiatr which had its release on July 21 in Pune subsequently had another nine shows in Mumbai before coming to Goa. On its return home, it had its Goa release at Pai Tiatrist Hall, Margao on August 4.
Speaking on his latest tiatr, Prince Jacob states, "We talk about migrants coming here and setting base. But in lieu of talking about it, we should work together to do something about the dilemma." The tiatr may be a laughter riot but at the same time it tells us what or who is a Goenkar and how we can keep Goemkarponn alive.
"The tiatr is about people coming into Goa and those from Goa going overseas. Neither can be stopped. Goans go abroad for their livelihood. But do we ponder why? No one simply wants to leave his motherland. Instead of pointing fingers at them, efforts should be made to bring a solution so that they can stay here," Prince Jacob explains.
The stage is set in a small village and the story revolves around different characters there like a Hindu family, bamon family, a landlord among others. "Usually Goa is known by their characters and how other characters like migrants come and dominate. We would like to tell these migrants that they can come here but they have to adapt to our culture, not try and imbibe their ways into our State," Prince Jacob stated.
"In the State, we see different types of migrant people. While Goans themselves say there is nothing left in Goa and it is hell for us, migrants say, you get food, house and best of all it is a land of peace," the Director added.
There are two main characters in the tiatr - Damiao essayed by John D'Silva while Prince Jacob seamlessly fits into the character of Caetano. While Damiao states that for us Goans, Goa is like hell, for Caetano he says that migrants coming into the state find it a heaven to live in.
As the story moves forth, the wives owing to certain reasons make their husbands, Damiao and Caetan sleep outside their homes. While they sleep outdoors, Caetano sees Dr. Jack Sequeira - Father of Opinion Poll in his dreams. He tells Caetano in his dream that you Goans have enjoyed a lot and had enough fun. And it is high time that you wake up and awaken the other Goans as well. This is when Caetano rouses Damiao sleeping alongside. Caetano interjects the great son of the soil here stating that "You fought for Goa for the Opinion Poll. But the one who wants to sell Goa, his statue has replaced yours." To this remark, Dr. Jack Sequeira does not express his disappointment but counters, "The one saved is on the road by the public and not the Government. Whether the Government puts up my statue or not it does not matter. I want you Goans to keep me in your heart, wake up and awaken the other Goans as well." This is when Damiao pipes in to say "How can we - just the two of us awaken Goans for the cause?" To which, Dr. Jack Sequeira had a ready answer, "At the time of Opinion Poll, I was the one and only who tried to drive away the British and realizing my efforts towards the cause only then fellow Goans came out to extend their support. In your case, at least you are two."
How the story weaves forth is a treat and every Goan should not miss out on watching this tiatr and enlighten themselves on their Goemkarponn and their role in taking the ethos and virtues of their motherland forward.
The tiatr comprises of 13 songs. The opening song is a chorus on the 125 years of tiatr which has 10 singers rendering their vocals. Another song not to be missed sees Sonia Gandhi and Narendra Modi having a go at each other.

(The forthcoming shows are on August 22, 3.30 pm, Pai Tiatrist Hall, Margao, August 23, 7.30 pm, Kala Academy, Panaji, August 29, 7.30 pm, Kala Academy, Panaji)