The tens and thousands of Goans await the re-opening of Kala Academy which is considered a pinnacle in the state’s cultural history. The iconic building is currently closed for repairs and renovation work. It was announced by the government that it would be re-opened in August but considering the slow pace of work, one may wonder if it would be opened even at the end of the year.
The opposition cornered Minister of Art and Culture Govind Gaude in the legislative assembly on Tuesday over the ongoing renovation work of the Kala Academy. In the flow of senseless talk, Gaude stated an example of a 17th century Mughal emperor to justify his decision of handing over renovation work to a contractor without floating a tender. “Even Shah Jahan did not invite quotations to build Taj Mahal,” he said.
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Gaude’s passion for Marathi theatre is well-known. The huge portraits of him from historical plays are hung in his office at his residence. The influence of quoting dialogues from plays seems to have become his usual way to speak as well. Through his way of conversation he comes across as someone reading aloud dialogues from a play. Hence it’s no surprise that he invoked Shah Jahan out of the blue.
However, the example he has mentioned is entirely wrong and misleading. The building in question here is Kala Academy in the present day, not Taj Mahal which was built centuries ago. Democracy was not prevalent during Shah Jahan’s era.
The decisions taken by kings or emperors were final. The dialogues from periodical dramas may sound impressive but they hold no relevance in today’s world Artists and art enthusiasts of Goa aren’t interested in knowing the history of Taj Mahal but want Kala Academy made available as it was before.
The building of Kala Academy is magnum opus artwork of world-renowned architect Charles Correa and the government must understand the sentiments of the public involved in renovation work. This building has been maintained by all the governments who have came to power till date. It does not mean that it was not possible for governments from yesteryears to organise exhibitions or do the rebuilding work but, they understood the sanctity that needed to preserve in artistic space such as the Academy.
There is no other opinion on the repairs needed in Black Box and the main auditorium which was experiencing seepage of rain water. What’s concerning for many is the way the building is being destroyed in the name of renovation.
The work of renovation was started by the government on its own. It was told in the Assembly that the decision to begin the work without floating tender was taken in a cabinet meeting.
Whether that can be done or not is a different issue and now focus should be on completing the work as soon as possible. The Kala Academy is not any simple building. It’s a sacred space for theatre, dance, painting, music and many other arts. The geniuses have honed their artistic talent in this premise and hence it’s an issue of personal interest for many.
The authority should not approach the Academy’s renovation work as repair work for any other ordinary building. The Taj Mahal may very well be the Mughal architectural style’s prime example but Kala Academy has worked as oxygen for the State’s long history of artistic lifestyle. The oxygen has been cut off for long enough.
Those who want to analyse whether the government behaved as per Central PWD’s law manual should do it. But is it wrong for to expect revamp of State’s biggest symbol of its rich art and culture legacy?
