By Marcellus D’Souza

Apr 25: Kala Academy, the premiere institute in the field of Art and Culture in Panjim will open to the public by August 2022.

This announcement was made by Art and Culture Minister Govind Goude at the Tiatr Day celebrations organised by Kala Academy, the Tiatr Academy of Goa and the Institute Menezes Braganza.

“Tiatrists have been highlighting what is happening in society and has kept tabs on politicians. Let me admit that ever politician, like me, fear tiatrists”, Goude said. “Tiatr portrays a real life incident and creates a social awareness among the people. It has the ability to send out a strong message to the people which affect them directly or indirectly”, Goude added.

“Tiatr has a 130 year old history which has promoted Konkani not only in the state but across the globe”, the minister said.

Commenting on the renovation work of the Kala Acemedy, Goude said, “The work of strengthening the structure is almost complete. I am examining the work myself along with PWD Engineers, architect and Kala Academy member secretary”.

The Kala Academy was supposed to be ready in February 2022 but has been delayed. The minister had then examined the structure and the waterproofing of the slab as well as the sound and acoustics of the buildings but then the Model Code of Conduct kicked in due to the recently held elections process.

However, Goude had then said, Gowde said “The model code of conduct will not affect the pace of work. We are optimistic that the work will be completed within 10 months. We started the renovation work in June and by February we will be able to complete them. We will give the best infrastructure to Kala Academy.”

The state government had submitted before the High Court of Bombay in Goa that it has decided not to demolish any structure in the Kala Academy complex, including the open-air auditorium, but to undertake structural repairs and even Renovation work will also be done for that protection. The court had taken cognizance a statement made by Gowde in which he had said that Kala Academy, Panaji’s most iconic buildings, would see its popular open-air auditorium demolished. The minister later submitted to the high court that although the state government had not taken any decision to demolish the open-air auditorium, “other options” would be explored only if restoration of the structure was not possible.

The Kala Academy Goa was established by the government of Goa on 28th February 1970 with the approval of the government of India, Ministry of Art & Culture, as an apex body to develop Music, Dance, Drama, Fine Art, Folk Art, Literature etc. and thereby promote cultural unity of Goa.

The Academy functions under the overall tutelage of 28 member General Council consisting of persons drawn from various cultural fields and is assisted by a 14 member Executive Board Besides having Advisory Committees for Indian Music, Dance, Western Music, Folk Art, Literature, Drama, (Theater Art), Tiatr, Visual Art/ Fine Art, Film, Vision, Stage Craft, Service matters and School of Drama. This institution is fully funded by the government of Goa.

The minister said the foundation stone for the Ravindra Bhavan at Sanguem will be laid soon while the government is in the process of acquiring land for the Ravindra Bhavan in Mapusa after settling ‘matters with two tenants’.