There is no clarity on the date of the inauguration of the iconic Kala Academy auditorium and building, which was the centre of much of Goa’s cultural activity. The Kala Academy building is being renovated at a cost of Rs 56 crore. Goa Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude last said that the building would be thrown open to theatregoers in November 2022.
Due to the controversy and complaints over the renovation work and the carrying out of works without a tender, a vigilance inquiry was instituted. It appears that the technical committee has submitted the inquiry report but there is no word on its inauguration much to the utter disappointment of tiatrists and theatregoers.
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The renovation of the building of Kala Academy, designed by celebrated Indian architect and urban planner late Charles Correa, had led to a war of words between culture minister Govind Gaude and the Charles Correa Foundation. The Foundation had accused the government and the minister of changing the core design elements of the heritage building to the point that “it will no longer be the same building”. The foundation said the academy was one of the finest examples of architect Charles Correa’s work. It also showcased the work of renowned caricaturist Mario Miranda, whose hand-painted murals adorn the walls of the main auditorium. The world’s foremost acoustic consultants Bolt Beranek and Newman, who also designed the acoustics of the United Nations permanent headquarters in New York also did the acoustics of Kala Academy. Charles Correa’s daughter Nondita Correa Mehrotra said the repairs were necessary but “the lack of transparency” was troubling.
Minister Govind Gaude had hit back, alleging that the building had a ‘faulty design’ and that the foundation set up by Charles Correa was no longer a stakeholder who needed to be consulted at the time of renovation. Amid allegations that the work of renovation was not tendered, Minister Gaude also became famous for his claim that even Shah Jahan had not tendered the work of the Taj Mahal. Gaude said that the tendering process was carried out by PWD, and not his department.
In September Last month, the directorate of vigilance recommended that the state government constitute a technical expert committee to probe the alleged irregularities and corruption in the renovation of Kala Academy, following multiple complaints.
