A landmark cultural moment unfolded on 19 October 2025, when the historic Goan tiatr “Devachen Naun Jietam Hanv”, directed by acclaimed Goan theatre stalwart Mariano Fernandes, was staged at the Braunstone Civic Hall, Leicester, to a packed audience. The event marked one of the largest showcases of Goan performing arts in the United Kingdom in recent years.
The tiatr featured an ensemble of 22 Goan artists flown in from Goa, led by legendary performers Prince Jacob and Varsha Usgaokar. Their moving performances, infused with humor, emotion, and melody, earned standing ovations from the audience, many of whom represented generations of the Goan diaspora living in the UK.
This initiative received strong local support from Espirito Roy Sequeira and Steven Gonsalves, passionate promoters of Konkani theatre in Leicester. Through their dedication, audiences abroad were able to experience the richness of Goan tiatr in its authentic form — complete with live music, kantaram (songs), and social storytelling.
The event became more than just a stage performance; it was a heartfelt celebration of identity, language, and cultural pride. The audience echoed the phrase “Konkani ulloi, Leicester fuloi” (When Konkani flourishes, Leicester blossoms), a fitting tribute to the enduring connection between Goa and its global community.
Festacar Marius Fernandes, who spent many years in Leicester before returning to Goa, described the moment as deeply moving. “It was emotional to hear our mother tongue Konkani fill the hall in this city that has become a second home to so many Goans,” he said. “This tiatr is more than a performance—it’s a living bridge of memory, identity, and belonging. When we keep Konkani alive, we keep our heritage alive.”
The success of “Devachen Naun Jietam Hanv” highlights the growing effort to preserve and promote Konkani theatre traditions beyond Goa, strengthening cultural ties through the universal language of art. As lights dimmed on the final act, one truth resonated deeply — the Goan spirit continues to shine brightly, no matter where in the world it finds a stage.
