Roof repairs disrupt programming; critics allege mismanagement
Pai Tiatrist auditorium at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, will remain closed until June 1 due to ongoing roof repairs delayed by rain.
Photo Credits: The Goan
MARGAO
There’s bad news in store for tiatr lovers. The Pai Tiatrist auditorium of Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, will remain closed now until 1 June.
While the management of Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, had a day ago announced that the main auditorium would be shut until 25 May, the closure of the Pai Tiatrist hall has now been extended up to 1 June, cancelling a total of 12 tiatrs scheduled until Sunday next.
Chairman of Ravindra Bhavan, Rajendra Talak, said the closure of the Pai Tiatrist hall has been extended in view of the red alert issued by the authorities, saying continuous rains will now facilitate work on the replacement of the roof of the main auditorium.
He said the roofing work of the Pai Tiatrist auditorium had started from 18 May and was scheduled to be completed by 30 May. “But due to untimely rains from 19 May, work had to be stopped for the safety of the workers working on the curved roofs. Due to the red alert in Goa and in order to avoid inconvenience to the artists as well as the public, we have taken the decision,” he said.
Saying that tiatr shows will be allotted to all the concerned producers in the first week of September or in future on that particular day as per the producer’s booking, Talak said Ravindra Bhavan will give preference to tiatr producers for staging their tiatrs at the Pai Tiatrist hall as and when the roofing work is completed.
The Chairman of Ravindra Bhavan has appealed to all the artists, producers and public to co-operate with Ravindra Bhavan, Margao. “This decision has been taken in the best interest of everyone, as Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, has always considered giving the best facilities to the artists and public at large,” he said.
Meanwhile, artist and former member of the Goa State Cultural Development Committee, Vishal Pai Cacode, has reiterated the need for competent and sensitive leadership in cultural institutions. “We don’t need cheerleaders of the government; we need administrators who understand culture and stand by the artistic community. Ravindra Bhavan must be run in a transparent and inclusive manner that reflects the spirit of Goa’s diverse cultural legacy,” Cacode stated.
Strongly condemning the sudden closure of the Pai Tiatrist auditorium at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, Cacode has called it a reflection of poor administration and misplaced priorities. He criticised Chairman Rajendra Talak for displaying insensitivity towards the needs of the artist community.
Reacting to the abrupt announcement that the auditorium would remain closed for roof repairs, Pai Cacode questioned the timing and intent behind the decision. “Artists are facing inconvenience and losses because of the Chairman’s failure to plan or communicate in time. Such behaviour undermines the spirit and function of a cultural institution,” he said.
He further revealed that documents obtained from government sources show nearly Rs 2 crore have already been spent on roof repairs at Ravindra Bhavan over the past two years. “If crores have already been spent on repairing the roof, what justifies more repairs now?” asked Pai Cacode, suggesting that the repeated works raise serious concerns about financial irregularities.
