jagar and tiatr
Jagar & Tiatr in goa
Goa is highly rich in folk drama forms that narrate, often with songs and music, the stories of great epics like the Ramayana and...
Tiatr and Jagar
Jagar is the earliest form of drama in Goa and is supposed to be the forerunner of contemporary Marathi theatre. There are two forms performed by two different communities.
The first form is performed by "Perani Jagar" and is exclusively organized by the Hindu Perani community. The theme tackles philosophical questions like the origin of the universe in the backdrop of mythology.
The second form is known as "Gawda Jagar" is enacted by the Christian Gawda community in different villages in Goa in different styles. The theme is derived from the contemporary village life.
Tiatr is a form of entertainment unique to Goa. It primarily consists of 6 or 7 acts, each of roughly 15 minutes' duration, called Podd'dde, which are interspersed by 2 or 3 songs, solo, duo or duet, trio, quarter or group song.
The songs are disparate to the play but focuses on social, political or religious themes. This unique blend of songs and plays makes Tiatr accepted among the masses. Jagar and Tiatr is principally the two most important folk drama of Goa. Local talents and performances get recognized through these two programs and government encourages this sort of traditional folk drama.
The stories that they narrate are mostly those from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Nevertheless, with varying times, these dance dramas have remodeled themselves to include modern-day social issues as well.
