Kala Academy’s taskforce to hold ‘supari andolan’ on heels of Gaude’s remarks, CM’s snub

Panaji: A 16-point recommendation report detailing the issues at the Kala Academy was prepared by the Kala Academy taskforce led by the Kala Rakhon Mandd. However, despite seeking an appointment with chief minister Pramod Sawant for the past two months to present these findings, the requests were repeatedly denied, Kala Rakhon Maandd members said on Tuesday.
The taskforce, which is working to address the ongoing technical and infrastructural problems at the Kala Academy, also stated that reports from inspections carried out by the Goa Engineering College and Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation were not shared with it. This lack of transparency further fuelled their frustrations, leading to the protest, which will be called the ‘supari andolan’.
The protest is a direct response to a recent statement made by art and culture minister Govind Gaude, who, in an attempt to defend the newly renovated Kala Academy, harshly accused artistes of taking a ‘supari’ (contract) to malign his image. Gaude’s comments came after Marathi theatre actor Sharad Ponkshe expressed disappointment with the technical shortcomings of the Kala Academy, wherein flickering lights disrupted his play on April 13.
Devidas Amonkar, a member of the Kala Rakhon Mandd, condemned the treatment of Ponkshe. “Gaude has been humiliating Goan artistes, but by accusing Ponkshe of taking a ‘supari’, he has crossed the line,” he said.
Francis Coelho, another member, demanded that the chief minister and Gaude resign. He also accused Sawant of forming the taskforce only as an eyewash. “We have insisted that a structural audit by IIT Madras is necessary, but that demand remains unfulfilled,” he said.
A week following the disruption of Ponkshe’s play due to flickering lights on April 13, another Marathi play was disrupted on April 20, after the ACs at the same venue malfunctioned.