THE GOAN NETWORK
MARGAO: Expressing concern over the closure of the Margao Ravindra bhavan and other issues affecting art and culture, Kala Raakhan Maand activists held its “Supari Andolan” at the Ravindra bhavan, Margao on Thursday to draw attention of the government on the need to resume art and culture activities at the institution and ensure transparency in the execution of works.
After the meeting with Ravindra Bhavan Chairman Rajendra Talak, where the later insisted that all works pertaining to the Ravindra bhavan fall in the domain of the PWD, the delegation has made a fervent plea to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who also holds the PWD portfolio, to explain to the people of Salcete in particular and South Goa in general the status of Ravindra bhavan.
Artist Devidas Amonkar expressed his shock and surprise that the Ravindra bhavan is still in possession of the PWD though it was built around 17 years ago. “We had raised a number of queries with the RB Chairman, but we have not received satisfactory replies. We have raised our concern that RB should not become another Kala Academy and a white elephant. Since the work is of sensitive nature, we have required the RB Chairman to appoint experts as well as artists to monitor the work”, he said.
Dilip Prabhudesai said the RB Chairman tried to push everything in the court of the PWD, right from repairs undertaken at the institution to the proposed works.
Sandesh Prabhudesai has demanded that the Chief Minister should intervene and explain the status of RB at the earliest. “Every time the artists have raised issues on Kala Academy and Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, the Chairmen has tried to push the ball in the court of the PWD. Let he CM explain the status of the RB, Margao”, he said.
Saying that Kala Akademy has reached to the present state of affairs because of IFFI, Sandesh said the Ravindra bhavan, Margao should not deteriorate further because of IFFI.
Vishal Kakode said that Talak had no replies to the huge funds spent on the Ravindra bhavan, Margao since he took over the reigns over a year ago.
Meanwhile, Rajendra Talak later told the media that the delegation of artists sought to raise technical issues, when they should have raised issue pertaining to art and culture. “This only goes to show that they have political issue rather than genuine issues affecting art and culture”, he said.
Talak said that he could not reply on the question raised on the tendering process since the matter falls in the domain of the PWD.
