Orientation Courses in Dramatics (Tiatr Academy of Goa)

What is the Orientation Courses in Dramatics scheme?

Orientation Courses in Dramatics is scheme number 7 in the list of schemes run by the Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG), an autonomous body set up by the Government of Goa in 2009 under the Department of Art and Culture. TAG was created to foster and co-ordinate the activities of tiatr, the Konkani musical theatre form that is Goa's most widely watched live art, and to promote cultural unity in the state through Konkani language and literature.

According to the scheme document published on the Tiatr Academy of Goa website, TAG observed that a large number of artistes wanted regular training in the various aspects of dramatics but had no structured route to get it. The academy therefore formulated a scheme "in order to improve the quality of tiatr performances". The scheme is listed on the TAG site under the title "Orientation Courses in Tiatr", while the myScheme entry uses the older name "Orientation Courses in Dramatics": both refer to the same scheme document.

What the scheme actually provides

• Orientation courses and workshops in script writing, lyrics composition, direction, acting, stage setting, stage craft, background music, light effects, costumes, make-up and the history of tiatr.
• Teaching by graduates of the National School of Drama or the Kala Academy School of Drama, with tiatr-specific subjects taught by working tiatr practitioners.
• A syllabus formulated by TAG itself, so the training is standardised rather than left to individual trainers.
• Reimbursement of actual transport charges, as fixed by TAG, to participants who complete the full course.

The scheme document is explicit that the training "will be of preliminary nature". It is an entry-level orientation, not a diploma. TAG's stated expectation is that it will help tiatr artistes lift the general standard of tiatr rather than produce certified professionals.

Who can and cannot take part in TAG orientation courses?

You can apply if:

• You are an individual interested in being trained in any aspect of tiatr, its song or its music. Rule 4 sets no age bar, no education bar and no experience bar.
• You are a member of a Konkani dramatic troupe that performs tiatrs or khell-tiatrs. TAG sends invitations directly to such troupes when a course is announced.
• You are an organiser. A village association, an educational institution or a cultural body — that wants TAG to run a workshop for your group. Form 7-A is meant for you.

You are not eligible or your application will not proceed if:

• You do not submit a self-attested copy of your Aadhaar card. Rule 10 makes this compulsory for anyone who wants to avail the benefit of the scheme.
• You do not appear for, or are not selected at, the interview conducted by TAG. Selection is by interview under rule 6, so submitting a form does not by itself secure a seat.
• You want the transport reimbursement without finishing the course. Rule 9 releases the money only after the participant completes the full course or workshop organised by TAG on its own, a workshop merely funded or supported by TAG elsewhere does not count.

TAG also reserves the right, under rule 11, to change the rules of the scheme. Check the current PDF on the TAG schemes page before applying.

How to apply for a Tiatr Academy of Goa orientation course

1. Watch for the announcement. TAG invites applications through advertisements in the local Goan press, and by writing to Konkani dramatic troupes. There is no rolling online window, so the press notice is the trigger.
2. Download the correct form. Open the Schemes of TAG page at tiatracademyofgoa.com and open scheme 7, "Orientation Courses in Tiatr". The PDF contains two forms: Form 7-A for organisers and Form 7-B for individual participants. Print the one that applies to you.
3. Fill the form completely. Participants must give full name, postal address, date of birth, contact number, email and Aadhaar number, plus a short note on any previous theatre experience and an opinion about the workshop. Organisers must give the organiser's name, address, email, Aadhaar number, up to three aspects of tiatr for which the course is wanted, the number of participants, and the proposed dates, time and place.
4. Attach a self-attested copy of your Aadhaar card. This is mandatory under rule 10 and is the single most common reason a TAG application is returned.
5. Sign the declaration and date the form. Both forms carry a declaration that the information given is true; the organiser's form additionally requires you to state that you have read and will abide by the rules of the scheme.
6. Submit it to the TAG office. Deliver or post the completed form to the Tiatr Academy of Goa, AS-1, 2nd Floor, Campal Trade Centre, Campal, Panaji, Goa 403001. You can also write to tiatracademy@gmail.com to confirm the current submission method.
7. Attend the interview. TAG conducts an interview to select participants. Class days are then fixed by TAG, either on days suggested by the members or according to the needs of the course.

How do I claim the transport reimbursement?

Complete the full course first. Rule 9 says actual transport charges as fixed by TAG will be reimbursed to participants "only after he/she completes the full course/workshop organized by Tiatr Academy of Goa on its own". In practice that means keeping your attendance clean for every session and then approaching the TAG office with your bus or ferry expenditure details. TAG has not published a per-kilometre rate or an upper ceiling, so treat the amount as decided case by case by the academy.

What are the common reasons an application is rejected?

• No Aadhaar copy. Rule 10 is unconditional. A form without a self-attested Aadhaar copy is incomplete.
• Applying outside an announced window. TAG invites applications only when a course is being organised. A form sent at a random time may simply be held.
• Using the wrong form. An individual who wants training must use Form 7-B. Form 7-A commits you to organising a course, including finding participants and a venue.
• Naming more than three aspects on the organiser's form. Form 7-A asks the organiser to pick any three of the listed aspects of tiatr. A request covering everything is likely to be sent back for narrowing.
• Skipping the interview. Selection is by interview. Not turning up ends the application.

Where do I raise a grievance about this scheme?

Contact the Tiatr Academy of Goa office directly on 0832-2230738 (fax 0832-2230739) or by email at tiatracademy@gmail.com. Under the Right to Information Act, the Member Secretary of TAG is the Public Information Officer and the President of TAG is the First Appellate Authority, so a written RTI application about a pending or rejected case goes first to the Member Secretary at the Campal Trade Centre address. The academy's citizen's charter is published on its website and on the TAG department page at goa.gov.in.

Key facts to remember

• Orientation Courses in Dramatics is scheme 7 of 41 schemes run by the Tiatr Academy of Goa.
• Training is preliminary in nature and follows a syllabus formulated by TAG.
• Trainers are National School of Drama or Kala Academy School of Drama graduates, plus working tiatr practitioners for tiatr-specific subjects.
• A self-attested Aadhaar copy is compulsory with every application.
• Transport charges are reimbursed only after the full course is completed.
• TAG's office is at AS-1, 2nd Floor, Campal Trade Centre, Campal, Panaji

How to check your application status

Tiatr Academy of Goa does not run an online portal or a tracking number system for this scheme, so there is no dashboard or SMS update to check. The process instead runs on a fixed sequence, and knowing where you are in that sequence tells you what "status" means at each stage.

• Right after you submit the form. TAG does not issue an acknowledgement receipt by default. If you handed the form in person at the Campal office, ask the staff to note the date of receipt on your copy, or keep the courier or postal receipt if you sent it by post. That is your only proof of submission until you hear back.
• Waiting to be called for interview. Since selection happens through an interview under rule 6, the next real status update is the interview call itself, by phone or letter to the contact number and address you wrote on Form 7-B (or Form 7-A if you applied as an organiser). There is no fixed number of days TAG has published for how long this takes, so if a course was advertised weeks ago and you have not heard anything, that is the point to follow up rather than keep waiting.
• Following up directly. Call the TAG office on 0832-2230738 or send an email to tiatracademy@gmail.com, quoting the course you applied for, the date you submitted your form, and your name as written on the application. Since there is no reference number generated at submission, giving these three details is how the office staff locate your file.
• After the interview. Selected participants are informed of the class schedule directly, either dates they suggested themselves or dates fixed by TAG to suit the course. If you were interviewed but have not been told a start date within a reasonable time, that is again a case for a follow-up call rather than assuming rejection.
• For the transport reimbursement. Status here is simpler: it is tied to course completion, not to a separate claim process. Once you have completed every session of the course, raise the transport claim with the TAG office in person or by email rather than waiting for TAG to reach out first, since reimbursement is described in the scheme as being paid "only after" completion and is not automatic.
• If you get no response at all. Treat a written follow-up to the Member Secretary, Tiatr Academy of Goa, AS-1, 2nd Floor, Campal Trade Centre, Campal, Panaji 403001, as the next step, since the Member Secretary is also the Public Information Officer for RTI matters relating to TAG and can direct an unanswered query to the right desk.