MARGAO
Tiatr directors and producers cried foul on Thursday over Ravindra Bhavan’s decision to suspend shows at the Pai Tiatrist hall as well as the treatment meted out to them by the cultural institution.
Noted Tiatr director Prince Jacob even wondered whether the government is seeking revenge on the tiatrists as the Ravindra Bhavan, Margao is being shut down for tiatr after the Kala Academy and Ravindra Bhavan, Vasco on ground of repairs and maintenance.
When Ravindra Bhavan Member Secretary Agnelo Fernandes pointed out that the air-conditioned facility has been giving problems since the last two years, the tiatr directors and producers questioned why the process could not be taken to its logical conclusion till date.
They reminded that hundreds of people are eking a livelihood on the tiatr and the sudden decision to suspend shows and the delay in carrying out the maintenance work does not augur well for art.
Roseferns pointed out to the Ravindra Bhavan Member Secretary that tiatr has been their livelihood and the government should do something to ensure there’s no stop to tiatr shows for want of auditoriums.
“I had called on Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude, who had assured me that the hall will remain closed for 15 days only when actual maintenance work starts at the auditorium. But, our shows were suspended even before the work could commence,” he said.
Tiatr directors and producers also lamented lack of cooperation from the Ravindra Bhavan staff for the tiatr fraternity.
Prince Jacob said Ravindra Bhavan had imposed a 50 per cent restriction on audience when government functions have been going housefull. “Why this discrimination towards the tiatr fraternity? Why this harassment to the tiatrists,” he questioned, pointing out that tiatrists do not even get to the hall on time for rehearsals.
Prince Jacob further pointed out that Ravindra Bhavan should not stop staging of tiatr during holidays such as Ganesh festival, suggesting the institution should put on duty staff from other communities when the Hindu brethren will be celebrating Chaturthi,” he said.
