Margao: Madganvcho Awaaz strongly condemned the arrogant and dismissive behaviour of the Chairman of Ravindra Bhavan Margao during the peaceful Supaari Aandolan organised by Kala Rakhan Maand.
“The artists were simply demanding transparency and accountability in an institution meant to serve, not suppress, Goa’s cultural community,” said youth leader Prabhav Naik.
He stated that the concerns raised go beyond programming and finances, extending to serious infrastructure issues such as visible disrepair, repeated leakages, and concerns over the structural safety of the building. “Instead of responding with responsibility, the Chairman chose hostility and disregard,” Naik added.
Madganvcho Awaaz expressed full solidarity with the Supaari Aandolan and called upon all Salcete MLAs to raise the matter forcefully in the upcoming Assembly session.
“The government must act decisively. Ravindra Bhavan should not be allowed to go the way of the Kala Academy,” said Naik.
The sudden closure of the Pai Tiatrist Auditorium is a glaring example of institutional mismanagement and lack of foresight. This has resulted in financial losses for professional tiatrists, theatre groups, and production houses who are now unable to stage their shows.
“Ravindra Bhavan is not the personal property of any individual. It is a public cultural space, and the executive committee must function as custodians of public trust, ensuring transparency, accountability, and community participation,” Naik asserted.
Most concerning, according to Naik, is the Chairman’s failure to disclose basic information — including the nature of the damage, estimated cost of repairs, or a timeline for restoration. “Such a lack of preparedness and communication is unacceptable when public funds and artistic livelihoods are at stake,” he said.
Madganvcho Awaaz appealed to the Chief Minister of Goa, who also holds the Art and Culture portfolio, to intervene immediately. The group has demanded the formation of an independent Committee of Experts — including members from the artist community — to oversee all ongoing and future works at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao.
