The Public Works Department on whose shoulders lay fixing responsibility for the recent false ceiling collapse at the renovated Kala Academy, and which probed the incident, held that there was no fault of the contractor who executed the works. The report which has been submitted to the State government has exonerated the contractor and blamed the incident on the water that accumulated on the edifice’s slab due to fallen leaves choking the drainage. Moreover, there is no clarity on other water leakages at the premises.
It may be recalled that a portion of the false ceiling came crashing down on April 20 when the State witnessed sudden showers, with Panaji bearing the brunt. There were furious reactions from across the society amid an air of expectancy after the Art and Culture Department announced that Goa would get a renovated Kala Academy that everyone would be proud of. Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude, who was in the eye of a storm after the infamous concrete roof collapse at the Open Air Auditorium in July 2023 needed to ensure that nothing goes wrong from there.
Kala Academy is considered to be the hot seat of Goa’s art and culture weaved in archaeology and history. Back in 2023, when the concrete roof collapsed, hopes hinged on Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s assurance on the floor of the House that those guilty would be brought to justice. In August last year, when the report was tabled, it came to light that the collapse of the roof was caused by the corroded steel in the structure. Surprisingly, while the CM explained what went wrong, there was no responsibility fixed, and it was business as usual at Kala Academy as the issue got an abrupt burial.
In the current case, the PWD report appears to make light work of the false ceiling collapse, despite knowing the fact that it could have been catastrophic because students were regularly attending practices at the venue. When there is an assurance of a world-class structure, this reasoning of water accumulation is unjustifiable. It is the job of the contractor and those overseeing works to ensure checks at every level, including drainages and trouble spots.
Recently, noted playwright Rajdeep Naik while hosting his play “Ganv Zaala Zanto” at the renovated auditorium, showed bravado and picked holes in the grandeur projected at Kala Academy. He pointed out that ‘spot’ lights were not as per expectations and sound required major refinements.
These may be early days to judge Kala Academy's stage settings, lights and audio, but again, against expectations, this is certainly a letdown. Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude, who is also a noted stage artiste in his heydays, must understand the sentiment and steer away from controversy. Questioning Rajdeep on his knowledge of sound reflects arrogance and does not bode well for the stage.
Authorities and departments linked to Kala Academy renovation must ensure that contractors are accountable for every work undertaken. There is public money involved, and hence citizens, including stage artistes, have a fundamental right to question every wrong. Questioning cannot be construed as mere criticism or political vendetta. Gaude cannot forget that art and culture are embedded into the soul of every niz Goemkar.
