PANAJI
With former Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude no longer holding the position of Chairman of the Kala Academy, the Kala Rakhonn Mand has demanded that the post be given to a non-politician with both artistic and administrative experience.
Addressing the media at Kala Academy on Friday, Sandesh Prabhudesai of the Kala Rakhonn Mand pointed out that Gaude’s term as Chairman had technically ended in April 2025. “He (Gaude) was not the Chairman of the Kala Academy post-April... The institution had to face a lot and we hope things will improve for this iconic structure,” he said.
The group has demanded that the next Chairman be someone from the artistic field but without political affiliations. “We want a veteran artist with administrative knowledge. Someone who understands both the cultural value and the organisational needs of the institution,” Prabhudesai said, accompanied by members of the Experts Committee on Kala Academy.
The group also called for the post of Vice Chairman to be kept away from political hands, suggesting instead that it be held by a non-political figure to ensure the institution receives the attention it deserves.
“The General Council and Executive Body should consist of artists. We believe autonomous persons will perform better than those with political baggage,” Prabhudesai said.
Extending their demand beyond the Kala Academy, the Kala Rakhonn Mand also insisted that Kala Mandirs and Ravindra Bhavan should have non-political chairpersons.
In a symbolic protest a month ago, members of the group met Gaude at the Kala Academy and offered him an arecanut as a part of their ongoing ‘Supari Andolan’. The then minister had declined the gesture even as the group reiterated its call for Goan artists to come together and support the movement to protect the State’s cultural institutions from political interference.
