World is a stage for Goa politicos

PLAY ALONG: Theatre is always a crowd puller and it is this power that is now being harnessed by politicians.

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Goa: Politics is a lot like theatre, a lot of acting, some laughter, tears and plenty of melodrama. Maybe that is why in Goa politicians use local theatre to woo voters.

So, in a remote village in Quepem, Goa, the stage is set, the costumes are ready and Goan theatre or tiatre, which is a local theatre form, takes off to a flying start.

Theatre is always a crowd puller and it is this power that is now being harnessed by politicians to drive their campaigns especially, when there is a ban on posters and banners.

“We are supporting Churchill this time because he is supporting our cause,” Tiatrist, Prince Jacob said.

And it is emotive issues like saving Goa from commercialisation that is winning the audience's vote.

“The lyrics are written in such a way that the song can deliver the idea and issues within five minutes. We deliver all the issues in the form of songs as it is very easy for the common man to understand,” Campaign Manager, Save Goa Front, Sidhanath Bhuyao said.

And the reason for riding on this medium is simple, “Tiatre is a very powerful medium and every politician will use it,” says Editor of Sunapranth, Sandesh Prabhudessai.

But according to Jacob, it’s an uneasy partnership at best. "When the election comes they want us to perform. They want culture only for their vote bank,” he says.

Three solid hours of laughter, tears and messages, so it's no wonder then that politicians have realised that when it comes to wooing voters, there's nothing that does it better than Goa's oldest art form.