Team Herald
PONDA: After Kala Academy, it is time the government pays attention to the well-being of the infrastructure at the Rajiv Gandhi Kala Mandir in Ponda. Thesound systemat the cultural hub in the talukahas been out of order for over a year, prompting authorities to hire an outsourced system for various programmes and performances.
Local artistes and residents believe that the government should invest in repairing or purchasing a new, high-quality sound system instead of relying on temporary solutions.
While the original sound system functioned well, issues arose following renovation work, leading to its current state of disrepair. Artistes are urging authorities to prioritize repairs or invest in a quality sound system rather than continuing to outsource, emphasising that sound quality plays a crucial role in the success of their performances.
Currently, the 16th State-level GhumatiArati competition, which began on Friday, is set to run for five days, culminating in a final on Wednesday, September 25. Despite the significance of the event, participants are forced to use an outsourced sound system positioned near the VIP gallery. Approximately 74 groups across three categories—male, female, and children—are showcasing their talents, but many artistes express concerns about the impact of the inadequate sound quality on their performances.
Attempts to reach Art and Culture Minister GovindGaude for comments were unsuccessful. However, officials at the Rajiv Kala Mandir stated that they are actively working to secure a new sound system and hope to install it as soon as possible.
Drama artistes have voiced their frustrations, noting that since last year they have faced significant challenges due to the faulty sound system.