I don’t regret joining tiatrs: Ulhas Tari

Ulhas Tari’s contribution in tiatr have always been lauded by the audience. Dedication and consistency, Ulhas’ hallmarks, have seen him deliver his best at all times. Mostly seen playing lead roles, Ulhas currently can be seen acting in Roseferns’ latest tiatr — Ixttagot.
How did he enter into tiatrs? “Before getting into tiatrs, I always wanted to become a professor, but I had to drop out from studies.My father passed away when I was in college. Due to financial constraints, I let go of any further plans of studying and instead opted for tiatrs.” He goes on, “I used to act in nataks (dramas) during my childhood, in my village of Divar. My father used to act in nataks too. He was the inspiration for me to take up acting.”
Despite coming from a background where he acted mainly in nataks, he was accepted by the tiatr fraternity. “This was because I picked up the Konkani dialect, used mostly in tiatrs, and which is spoken by Catholics. I also had friends in Divar who would talk to me in this dialect, so I had no difficulties in picking the nuances,” he says.
“My appearance is also similar to that of my Catholic brothers. At home we also worship Mother Mary as my family has a lot of faith in Lord Jesus and Mother Mary,” he adds.
So many years in this field, any regrets? “I do not regret my decision of coming into tiatrs. Tiatr has given me a lot. I got the opportunity to travel out of Goa and abroad too. By God’s grace, I now have everything. I can look after my family. We have got a shop which my mother takes care of.”
Many tiatrists change their name and adopt a stage name to add intrigue and also create a different identity. Does he have plans of following suit? “No, I will never change my name. People have accepted me with this identity. Wherever I go people know me by my name,” replies Ulhas.
Recently Ulhas worked in three Konkani films Don Ropa, Ek Vat Menachim and Vakdo Tikdo Mog. Till date, Ulhas has acted and sung but he had never wielded the baton of director. He says, “I have dreams of directing my own tiatr. Maybe I will celebrate my 25 years in tiatr, a landmark which is round the corner, with my own tiatr,” he says on a concluding note.
By- Pratima Achrekar