the goan I network
MAPUSA
Giving thumbs up to the government move to fast track the Ravindra Bhavan project in Bardez, several artistes of the Marathi and Konkani stage said Bardez has suffered for very long time and the sooner it comes the better.
They also said that the cultural project should be set up in Mapusa, which is the capital of Bardez.
“It’s a good initiative. People of Bardez have been deprived from watching programmes for quite some time. Even a remote area like Sanquelim has a Ravindra Bhavan but we have been struggling to get one in Bardez,” said Yogesh Hirve, a well-known sitar player from Mapusa.
Seconding him was Joe Rose, a well-known tiatr personality, who said Ravindra Bhavan should be given top priority as Bardez lacks a good auditorium. He also said that the preferred destination of the cultural centre should be in Mapusa. “For any cultural activity, people have to go to Kala Academy. We have Hanuman Theatre in Mapusa but it lacks air-conditioned facility, seats are not comfortable and the acoustics are bad. It is very essential we have a Ravindra Bhavan in and around Mapusa,” said Rose who hails from Pomburpa.
Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude on Monday had announced that government had an option to set up Ravindra Bhavan either in Mapusa or Tivim.
He had held a meeting with all Bardez MLAs, including Revenue Minister Rohan Khuante and Mapusa MLA Joshua D’Souza.
According to Tomazinho Cardozo, president of Dalgado Konkani Academy, the Ravindra Bhavan should come up in Mapusa, as it was the capital of Bardez. “Bardez is a cultural hub. Marathi nataks, Konkani tiatr and other cultural activities have flourished and continue to flourish even now in Bardez. That is why the present government should give priority to this project and they should not think of taking it anywhere else except Mapusa,” said Cardozo, who was a founder member of Tiatr Academy of Goa.
Without taking names, Cardozo blamed former politicians of Mapusa for failing to get a Ravindra Bhavan in Bardez.
“Former politicians of Mapusa have done nothing to get a Ravindra Bhavan because of their selfish interests,” he said.
For well-known tabla player Gorak Mandrekar, a Ravindra Bhavan was a long felt need but he also rooted for the bus stand project.
“We will be happy if both the projects get simultaneous push from the government,” Mandrekar said.
According to Hirve, the government should think of setting up a cultural centre in Bardez instead of focusing only on one auditorium.
“It should not be restricted to one auditorium but simultaneously two or three mini-theatres could also be considered. There should be enough space for teachers to coach and conduct workshops for children,” he said.
Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude informed that around 22,000 sq mtrs of land between Bodgeshwar temple and Morod was identified in Mapusa while another area in Tivim has been suggested by local MLA Nilkant Halarnkar for the project.
“Next week, the deputy collector of Bardez and other officials will have another meeting to discuss ways in moving ahead on the project,” Gaude said.
It’s a good initiative. People of Bardez have been deprived from watching programmes for quite some time. Even a remote area like Sanquelim has a Ravindra Bhavan but we have been struggling to get one in Bardez,”
”Yogesh Hirve, well-known sitar player from Mapusa
For any cultural activity, people have to go to Kala Academy. We have Hanuman Theatre in Mapusa but it lacks air-conditioned facility, seats are not comfortable and the acoustics are bad. It is very essential we have a Ravindra Bhavan in and around Mapusa,”
”Joe Rose, well-known tiatr personality
Bardez is a cultural hub. Marathi nataks, Konkani tiatr and other cultural activities have flourished and continue to flourish even now in Bardez. That is why the present government should give priority to this project,”
”Tomazinho Cardozo, founder member of TAG
