MARGAO: The eagerly awaited reopening of the Pai Tiatrist auditorium at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, is set for May 22. This event will mark the return of tiatr performances and other engaging programs to the beloved venue. In a commendable move towards inclusivity, the renovated auditorium will feature six specially allocated seats for individuals with disabilities.
Speaking to reporters, Rajendra Talak, Chairman of Ravindra Bhavan Margao (RBM), provided insights into the renovations and future plans for the venue.
“The entire flooring of the auditorium stage has been replaced, and the sound system, which was operating at only 30% efficiency, has been repaired. This system was 15 years old and is now fully functional,” explained Talak.
“The flooring outside the wooden stage and green rooms has been refurbished, and damaged seats have been repaired. The auditorium now offers its full seating capacity of 1,069 seats, including six reserved for disabled individuals,” he said, taking reporters on a tour of the hall.
“To ensure the quality of the renovations, two trial tiatr shows were conducted by Pascol de Chicalim and Menino de Bhandar. Each group received a remuneration of Rs 30,000 for their participation and support,” Talak added.
Tiatr directors and producers expressed their satisfaction with the improvements. Roseferns commended Talak for the swift completion of the repair works. “All the major issues raised by the tiatr directors have been successfully resolved, which will undoubtedly enhance the performance of tiatr artists,” he stated.
He also mentioned that in the past, they encountered numerous challenges related to sound quality, air conditioning and restroom facilities. Wilson Mazarello (Wilmix) emphasised that the reopening of the RBM auditorium will not only benefit tiatr directors but also the entire community of tiatr enthusiasts.
Talak also announced the opening of registration for the Ravindra Bhavan Film Club, encouraging interested individuals to join by paying a membership fee of Rs 1,000. The club plans to screen a minimum of 20 films annually and host a mini International Film Festival and a National Award-winning Film Festival each year. During screenings, efforts will be made to invite film experts and celebrities for audience interaction. Film screenings are scheduled to begin on June 15.
The auditorium’s upgrade for film screenings in preparation for IFFI 2024 is underway, with support from Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG). Additionally, the Khula Manch weekly shows will continue even during the rainy season in the conference hall.