Kavlekar said around Rs 10 crore has been kept on hold until the expert report is submitted and revised estimates are finalised, while the remaining sanctioned funds have already been released.
Kala Academy Member Secretary Shankar Gaonkar said the expert committee has completed inspections covering structural stability, acoustics, lighting and sound systems. Structural expert Dr Radhakrishna Pillai of IIT has also examined the building and is expected to submit the final recommendations on the repairs and rectification measures required.
"Once we receive the final report, the work will commence around August 1," Gaonkar said.
He clarified that only the main auditorium will remain closed during the renovation, while all other Kala Academy activities will continue uninterrupted.
"Our music classes, administrative offices, the Black Box theatre and other facilities will continue to function. We have ensured that artists' activities are not affected," he said.
Gaonkar said the final cost of the repairs will depend on the expert committee's assessment. If the work exceeds the Rs 10 crore kept aside, Kala Academy will seek additional funds from the state government.
Kavlekar meanwhile added that the experts will determine whether the repairs are minor or major. "If more funds are required, we will place the proposal before the Chief Minister," he said.
Meanwhile, the committee announced that Kala Academy will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Konkani Drama Competition on Friday. Veteran playwright Pundalik Narayan Naik will be conferred the Jeevan Gaurav (Lifetime Achievement) Award, which carries a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh, a memento and a citation.
As part of the celebrations, Kala Academy will release a commemorative book chronicling the 50-year history of the Konkani Drama Competition and stage Naik's play Pipal Petla, performed by the Kala Academy repertory. The event will also include the prize distribution ceremony for this year's competition and felicitations for artistes who have contributed to Konkani theatre over the past five decades.
