FRIDAY, JULY 05, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: Kala Rakhan Maand, an association of artistes, was formally launched on Tuesday to take up the issue of Kala Academy and on the occasion, the artistes demanded for white paper on Kala Academy renovation.
Traditional 'Garane' was performed by renowned writer Sai Pai Palondicar in front of the Kala Academy building in the presence of other artistes.Palondicar broke Shriphal (nall) to launch the agitation against alleged the shoddy repair works carried out at the Academy.
Actor Rajdeep Naik sang traditional 'Garane' on the occasion.
Speaking to reporters, Kala Rakhan Maand Convenor Devidas Amonkar said," Our demand is that Kala Academy should be made what it was earlier. Kala Academy is closed for three years. It should be open now. Today's event is symbolic. It has just started."
He said, "Chief Minister Pramod Sawant should hold a meeting with the artistes and find a solution to the issue. It has been three years and now we have lost our patience. Kala Academy does not only mean the auditorium. Its canteen, art gallery, open air, mini open air, the whole system should be in order."
Actor Rajdeep Naik said as the association has been formed many artistes will join it and Kala Academy will be renovated as it was earlier.
Cecille Rodrigues said, “We have been performing in the Kala Academy since our childhood. But now the situation is such that kids cannot perform here as we do not know which side of the building will collapse. It is the biggest shame for the elected representatives who have taken up this project. So much money has been spent but the renovation is not upto the mark then the elected representatives should resign. A third class type of repair and maintenance has been done.”
The artistes had planned to meet Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to submit a memorandum of their demands but as they could not get an appointment they submitted the same to a representative of the government.
The memorandum demanded white paper on renovation of Kala Academy and appointment with the Chief Minister to discuss the shabby condition of the renovated Kala Academy'
"The artiste community of Goa is deeply concerned that the iconic complex of Kala Academy is presently in shambles even after being shut for over three years for renovation. When it was partially opened for cultural performances, the artistes found that not only was the structure leaking but the infrastructural facilities such as sound light and acoustics have been replaced with low quality material making it difficult to have smooth and quality performances," it said.
"The artistes, who performed in the auditorium after the renovation, found that it was impossible to give their best in the circumstances. They are of the firm opinion that the facilities, equipment and overall environment of Kala Academy was of much better quality before the renovation," the memorandum said.
The white paper should be prepared by experts headed by a retired high court judge, it said.
