Polish-American architect and artist Daniel Libeskind once said, “Art and culture are not just frills, but crucial elements of human life.” Anybody who lives amidst other humans and is not a loner in the depths of the forests will agree with Daniel. And, therefore, in progressive societies, the promotion of art and culture receives an important place.
Goa is known for its scenic beauty and therefore attracts millions of tourists from across the country and the globe. However, the important aspects of Goa that are yet to get the kind of recognition and space on global platforms, as much as the more popularised hippie culture (which does not exist anymore), are the State’s traditions and cultural ethos that unite and keep the identity of Goa unique. But for that, back home a conducive atmosphere and concentrated efforts from the government are a must. While the governments over the last six decades can claim to have made a great deal of progress, but the zeal and impetus are still missing.
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Take for example, the infrastructure for the promotion and development of culture. Kala Academy, which of late has been nicknamed ‘Taj Mahal of Goa’ for the unexpected comments of the Art and Culture Minister last year, who stated that the Mughal emperor Shahjahan did not invite tenders for the construction of the iconic Taj Mahal at Agra, when questions were raised on the quality of the renovation works.
After spending around Rs 56 crore on its renovation and after being closed for over two years on account of renovation works, Kala Academy, the State’s premier art and culture centre, was finally thrown open to the public in November last year by the State government. But even before its reopening, on July 17, 2023, the roof of the open auditorium of the Kala Academy had collapsed, leading to an uproar from across the State.
In December 2023, the mirrors in the green room, a crucial space for artistes to prepare and unwind, came crashing down, a month after it was reopened. Again, this year on April 22, the false ceiling inside the Kala Academy came down crumbling in bits and pieces following sudden torrential rains. Videos and photographs of water leaking in the main Dinanath Mangeshkar auditorium went viral.
At the time of the reopening, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had said that the renovated structure would stand strong for the next 50 years. Leave alone 50 years, it hasn’t been able to stand for even 50 weeks.
In September 2022, following multiple complaints, the Directorate of Vigilance had recommended that the State government constitute a technical expert committee to probe the alleged irregularities and corruption in the renovation of Kala Academy.
The Charles Correa Foundation had alleged that the government got a common contractor instead of an expert, called him an expert and gave him work without a tender. Recently, renowned dramatist Rajdeep Naik, known for his satirical telephonic conversations with the fictitious ‘Vasanti’, during a stage performance at Kala Academy read out an open letter to the Art and Culture Minister on the deteriorating condition of the Kala Academy, the home of theatre in Goa. He warned that the artistes will come on the streets if the government fails to carry out a full-proof renovation of the “renovated” Kala Academy auditorium.
The government takes pride in stating that it has approved the construction of Ravindra Bhavans at Valpoi, Bardez, Pernem and Canacona. Five full-fledged Ravindra Bhavans at Ponda, Sankhali, Vasco, Margao and Curchorem are functional and the construction work of Ravindra Bhavan at Canacona is in full swing. However, the quality of the infrastructure at the existing centres too has been in question time and again due to demands for improvement and renovation. Artistes are upset that while Kala Academy remained out of access for nearly three years, at the same time other cultural centres too have not been capable of being centres of development and promotion of art and culture.
Goa needs a renewed commitment towards promoting and showcasing the art and culture of the State.
