the goan I network
MARGAO
Buckets, plastic sheets et al made their presence felt at the prestigious Ravindra Bhavan, Margao on Friday, but for a different reason. These items were in no way connected with any cultural extravaganza at the premiere city-based cultural institution, but the buckets, plastic sheets have only brought to the fore again that all’s not well with the ailing Ravindra Bhavan.
Incessant overnight heavy rainfall has exposed the Ravindra bhavan structure to water seepage, not at one or two places, but at several points across the premises. There was water seepage on the stage of the main auditorium named after Pai Tiatrist “ the venue of the Konkani tiatr.
Rain water also entered the Black Box, which normally plays host to launch of books and discussions. What, however, has worried the Ravindra Bhavan management was that the constant water seepage from the main dome will weaken the false ceiling in the main auditorium, posing risk to the audience seated below. Says Ravindra Bhavan vice-Chairman, Saish Panandikar: “Things are terribly wrong at the Ravindra Bhavan. We fear that the Ravindra Bhavan, Margao may go the Kala
Academy way if the government does not step in and control the damage”.
He added: “Our inquiries have revealed that the false ceiling is now soaked with water. Unless rectified and repaired, parts of the false ceiling may come down in the near future”.
The management of the Ravindra Bhavan, Margao was taken over by Chairman Prashant Naik and his deputy Saish Panandikar. He recalled how the General Council had dashed several letters to the Chief Minister, Art and Culture and all and sundry highlighting the urgent need to repair the Ravindra Bhavan. “The dome is craving for attention. It has to be replaced immediately at least before the next monsoons. Though a host of inspections had taken place over the last two years, the ground reality remained unchanged’, he rued.
Panandikar said tiatr will be hard hit if anything goes wrong at the Ravindra Bhavan, affecting the tiatrists eking a livelihood on this traditional form of art and deny entertainment to Saxttikars in particular and art lovers of South Goa in general.
