Mario Menezes has covered many social and current issues as eye-openers for Goans. For his new tiatr, he has opted to create a story on the recent issue of desecration of holy places in Goa to contribute to maintain unity among Goans. NT BUZZ speaks to Mario regarding his tiatr and more
SACHI NAIK | NT BUZZ
Tiatrist Mario Menezes releases three tiatrs every year, during Easter, monsoons and winter, which gives him maximum scope to cover various social issues in his tiatrs. Moreover, he never fails to miss out on any important topic and burning issue of society; especially ones that make headlines in Goa. As usual, Mario has portrayed another recent topic in his latest tiatr, ‘Dev Konn? Hindu Kristanv Vo Musolman’.
In his latest monsoon tiatr titled ‘Dev Konn? Hindu Kristanv Vo Musolman’, Mario tries to portray the recent issue of desecration of holy crosses and ghumtis by a local in South Goa. “This tiatr is on the recent havoc that was created in Goa due to the desecration of holy crosses and ghumtis all around Goa. Although it highlights this recent issue, it is dramatised for a better storyline,” says Mario who goes on to say that people will not disagree with the content of the tiatr because it is based on facts.
Tiatr ‘Dev Konn? Hindu Kristanv Vo Musolman’ portrays a fictional village similar to that of Goa. The tiatr begins with all the villagers of different religions celebrating festivals in unity. There are no differences at all and humanity is the key character. But some cruel persons of the village are into politics and with an intention to divert the minds of villagers they begin to create differences by using religion as the medium. Villagers get influenced by these activities and fall prey to the trap led by a few cruel minded people of the village.
Concerned about quarrels in the name of God, Mario says that evil persons try to create differences among people but they do not understand that they are doing it in the name of God. Explaining the meaning of religion he further states, “Religions are different routes to the same God. I believe that God is one because every religion believes in the concept of Karma. What goes around comes around. If you do bad to someone, it will come back to you. Similarly if you do good to someone, you will get it back in return.”
“But in the name of God and religion, some people create differences among communities and religions. They have no interest in preaching religions but they have their self interest in something, which is why they do it to divert the minds of public over any issue where their interest lies,” adds Mario.
India is a secular country where people of different religions live together in harmony. According to Mario, all the Indians love to live in unity. He adds, “Indians love to live together in harmony. But there are some people everywhere, who intend to destroy the world using evil ways.”
Mario says that there are some people who intend to create differences among people for their self interests. “Many people intend to create differences to ruin communal harmony. Recently, as we were getting to know about cross desecrations in South Goa, it created alot of confusion in the minds of people and the police. They were many notions of how it could disrupt peace and create communal turmoil. But fortunately Goans and those educated kept their cool till the matter was solved,” Mario says.
The message that Mario conveys through his tiatr, ‘Dev Konn? Hindu Kristanv Vo Musolman’ is that God is one and religions are merely paths to reach God. “Through this tiatr, I appeal to people of Goa that if similar kinds of incidents take place in future in Goa, they should not fall prey to the trap laid by some negative minded persons, and that they shouldn’t hold people of other religions responsible for it. Such matters are looked after by the Court. Moreover, we Goans should continue to maintain our unity and remember that humanity comes first in every situation,” says Mario adding that when a person is found guilty, his/ her own religion should condemn the person for such evil actions at holy places.
One important aspect that is to be noted is that Mario acts as a Muslim man from the village in this tiatr and he has maintained his looks according to his character. Mario says that he prefers to portray the social issues of society in his tiatr. He says that tiatr is a medium to convey a message. Besides entertainment, it also gives a message to people. “I always prefer to focus on current happenings in the society. This is because with current issues, I can open the eyes of those who are live in a non practical world. Through the message on current happenings I am able to highlight what is happening right now, around us and how we should walk on the right path no matter what,” he mentions.
This tiatr has 15 kaantaras and two caants. As usual, besides actors who sing kaantaras, viewers get to hear kaantaras by singers like Lawry Travasso, Marcos Vaz, Xavier Gomes and Tony de Ribandar. Mario’s daughter, Rioma Menezes sings the opening chorus in ‘Dev Konn? Hindu Kristanv Vo Musolman’.
(The shows of tiatr, ‘Dev Konn? Hindu Kristanv Vo Musolman’ will be held on August 16 at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao at 3.30 p.m.)