Videos of the Kala Academy auditorium leaking during a Konkani Tiatr went viral on Sunday putting the spotlight back on the quality of works. A dripping auditorium in the two drizzles in less than a month, a sound system that is not consistent with industry requirements and intermittent power disruptions and backup failures are issues that have raised concerns not only among stage personalities but also general citizens.
The Opposition has expectedly pounced upon this opportunity and levelled allegations of a scam in the renovation works while demanding an audit. The crux of the matter is that while the talk has been over “sub-standard works”, there is no convincing reply from the PWD or the contractor.
When a portion of the false ceiling collapsed after a bout of heavy unseasonal rains, the Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude had blamed it on the accumulation of dry leaves that blocked the draining pipes leading to leakage. In the second case, the PWD claimed that it was an AC duct leak that led to water seeping into the auditorium.
Much against the criticism that the Art and Culture minister faced over the works, right from the time the work order was allocated with Gaude handpicking the contractor where opposition trained guns and Charles Correia Foundation also giving a thumbs down to the work, all eyes were on delivery. It was up to the departments that were involved and the contractor to live up to those expectations, which Gaude raised even higher after assuring of top-quality finishing that would restore Kala Academy’s stature as the shining capital of State’s art and culture.
There was disenchantment all around when videos emerged about leakages because that meant something had gone horribly wrong. In this age when one marvels at top-notch architecture, such lapses are not passable by any measure, and for now, Kala Academy cuts out a sorry picture. A leak due to drainage clogs or AC duct malfunction makes a mockery of the entire project that was presented so tastefully by a defiant Gaude.
While the departments and the minister may plug these failures eventually and try to hold on to the argument that ‘all is well’ at Kala Academy, from the common man’s perspective, these are not encouraging signs when there is a full-fledged season ahead of us, and there are haunting memories of the horrific slab collapse of Open Air auditorium.
While Gaude has stoutly defended the sound system, calling it professional and best in the field, he has to understand the requirements of the local artistes. Artistes, on the other hand, need to give the system time to settle down. Spitting fire over teething problems and taking cudgels with the department is not the right way forward. If we recall, when Ravindra Bhavan, Margao was first introduced to the tiatrist fraternity, there was a hue and cry with some directors terming it a move to discourage tiatrs. A few years later, the very venue became the big stage for every Konkani tiatr.
The need of the hour is to reconcile and move forward. Stage artistes, instead of being overtly critical, need to hold their patience till the system settles down. There is also a need for Gaude to involve stakeholders and win their confidence. Authorities at Ravindra Bhavan Margao engaged directors and producers of shows before beginning repair and renovation works, which is why, despite over a month’s delay, there is no adverse comment, nor panic.
This is a very sensitive issue, and hence egos must be buried in the larger interest of the audience and the numerous artistes who have made supreme sacrifices in upholding the spirit of Goa’s culture.
