PANJIM: Artiste Rajdeep Naik was served a show cause notice by Kala Academy Goa for protesting against shoddy renovation work of the State’s premier institution.
In the notice dated August 14, 2024, served to Naik, Kala Academy Goa Member Secretary Arvind Khutkar sought an explanation asking why should not the performance permission sought by the later to perform on August 16 be denied in view of exceeding limits of the performance permission.
“It is noted by the management of Kala Academy that permission was granted for performance of Konkani Natak ‘Gaon Jata Zanto’ on April 10, 2024, and subsequently on April 29, 2024. It is noted that you have violated the limits of performance by your act to beforehand publicising your letter by reading it in front of the audience and then subsequently circulating on social media, without the same being raised to the concerned authorities,” the notice read.
“In case you had any complaint of the shortcomings in the auditorium, you should have reported the same instantly to the authorities concerned for resolving the same before the same were made public,” it said.
It alleged that though an opportunity was given to Naik by allowing him to perform on June 22, 2024, no improvement was noticed in his behaviour, wherein it was noticed that he circulated by way of uploading a video on social media covering on additional points of grievances regarding the repairs of the Kala Academy, without bringing the same to the notice of the authorities.
“Therefore, it is clear that your motive behind putting such videos and publicising the shortcomings noticed in the Kala Academy beforehand without bringing the same to the notice of authorities is destined to malign the image of the Kala Academy,” the notice said and sought an explanation from the actor, as to why the performance permission sought by him for performing the Konkani natak on August 16, 2024, be not considered and permission denied.
However, Naik in his response, wrote that publicly discussing concerns related to the condition of a public institution like Kala Academy is a legitimate form of expression and should not be viewed as an attempt to malign the institution’s image.
Naik, the producer of ‘Ganv Zala Zanto’, said he replied to the letter same evening clarifying his stand.
He wrote, “Kala Academy is a publicly funded institution and as such it is required to uphold principles of equity and fairness. Denying the permission to use Dinanath Mangeshkar Kala Mandir (DMKM) auditorium based on the content of my speech or criticism of the facilities would constitute viewpoint discrimination. This is impermissible under the law, as public spaces must be accessible to all, regardless of the view they express,” Naik said.
Naik further informed O Heraldo that following this he received a telephone call from the office of Member Secretary Kala Academy to pay the hall charges and to go ahead with the show. He did learn though that the show doesn’t easily go on for those artistes criticising the Kala Academy
“Since August 15 was a holiday, I made the payment on August 16, 2024, morning and performed my show at 7 pm the same day,” Naik said, adding that people had already bought tickets for the show.
He pointed out that after the show he and his team had verbally informed the Kala Academy staff about the issues observed during the programme but none of the issues were addressed.
He also said that the claim that he had exceeded the limits of performance permission was unfounded as there was no breach of any contractual terms.
