PANAJI
As Goa opens up its economy and the curfew conditions are relaxed, the government has permitted the theatres to open, albeit with a 50% capacity.
The decision to open the doors of theatres to the public is a welcome move, according to those associated with the entertainment industry, but they have put the onus of taking precautions on society and the public.
Producer, director and scriptwriter from Goa, Dharmanand Vernekar opines that opening the theatres is, indeed, a very good decision of the Goa government and one should welcome it, albeit, people should go to watch the movies in theatre only if they are double vaccinated.
“The public should make sure that they have had taken both doses of vaccine before stepping into the theatres. Also, the theatre management should strictly keep a vigil while booking the tickets, or while allowing entry inside the movie hall. The public must display their vaccination status. And if asked to reveal their documents about the vaccination, people should not feel offended. If guidelines are maintained -- social distancing, wearing a mask and sanitizing the hands -– then it’s safe to enter a theatre,” says Vernekar who points out that life has to move on.
Goan filmmaker and director Dyanesh Moghe also looks at the decision positively. “The opening of theatres is a good sign and why only movie theatres, even auditoriums should be opened up now. But before that, the government should instil confidence in the public minds that, if Covid-appropriate behaviour is followed, they can move out of their homes,” says Moghe who strongly supports the performing artistes, technicians, camerapersons, and back-stage people who have lost their jobs and livelihoods due to the pandemic and lockdowns.
“Entertainment is an essential part of our lives, and cannot be snatched away for a long period. Also, there are so many people whose livelihoods depend on this industry. During the oncoming Chaturthi festival, the government should allow staging of plays too, albeit maintaining social distancing,” suggests Moghe.
Tiatrist from Goa, Pradip Naik, who is associated with the Department of Art and Culture, states, “I am all for it. Theatres and auditoriums should be opened now.”
Others who are associated with the film industry have also welcomed the decision as it will initiate new projects and new films in the State. Gopinath Chandelkar, founder, Revas Production admits that after the success of his short film ‘Vaatyaa – The Cyclone’ a year ago, he has not thought of any new project.
“Vaatyaa won 2nd best film award at 7th Goa Short Film Festival 2020 and I kept another script ready, but the pandemic did not allow me to continue working on it,” says Chandelkar, who has seven short films and a documentary to his credit. “If we all adopt socially responsible behaviour, there’s no harm in opening up theatres or auditoriums,” feels Chandelkar.
A stage artiste himself and a practicing physician, and coordinator of ‘Art of Living’ in Goa, Dr Vyankatesh Hegde admits that the pandemic has changed the way one lived. Cautioning that the second wave has not subsided yet, the doctor who is still attending to Covid patients, says, “While shopping in a fish or vegetable market, we come in contact with others for a few minutes. But while one sits in a closed theatre or auditorium for three hours, it’s likely that he/she removes the mask, as it’s suffocating more in closed spaces than in open spaces like markets. Who will check whether people are wearing the masks or not, in the dark? And 50 per cent capacity means alternate seating arrangement, which again, does not maintain six feet distance between two persons. So, it’s risky to open theatres, compared to open market spaces,” says Dr Hegde.
As an artist himself, Dr Hegde understands the sentiments of his fraternity.
“Many have lost jobs. Some cannot do any other work for a living. Those who set the stages, do light or sound arrangements, or are make-up artists, are jobless. We understand their plight but we must also not forget that marriages, birthday parties during the pandemic helped spread it faster. We have learnt our lessons and should now adopt covid appropriate behaviour,” says Dr Hegde, who appreciates the various measures taken by the government to combat Covid, like opening quarantine centres, Tika Utsav for mass vaccinations, home vaccinations for bed-ridden patients and vaccinating even beggars and homeless.
