Green notes from Goa

AHMEDABAD: Twittering, screeching, roaring sounds filled the performance space —sounds that are today substituted by drones of automotives. Dressed in black, three actors play the creatures of forests, happy in their natural habitats, until the bulldozers and cranes come and mine their territories. For both art lovers and the socially conscious, the play ‘Creatures of the Earth’ was a highly emotive experience.
The travelling theatre group – Space Theatre Ensemble – by young Goans Andrea Pereira, 23, Stephie Madurel, 19 and Terence Jorge, 24, revisits the legend of Paikeachi Zor through this play. “Three fourths of Goa is forest land, which is also the fresh water source for the state is under direct threat due to mining,” said Terence. “Paikeachi Zor is one such spring.”
Beginning with a documentary showing the local community’s protest against illegal mining, the context of environment consciousness is sets in.
“So far, we have completed 145 shows. Having travelled to places like Chennai, Bangalore, adivasi parts of Odissa, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, we have acted in village markets, temple and church courtyards to auditoriums for the general public,” said Terence.
During their 4-day long stay in the city, the group performed at various places like the Cept campus, Prashant, Charranagar, Alliance Française d’Ahmedabad and at public spaces like Himalaya Mall and Dalpatram Chowk. Terence added, “We are happy our trip coincided with the World Forest Day. Also we had the opportunity to meet groups like Budhan, Ek se Anek who use art as a method of outreach.”