Education and Research in Human Settlements
OHeraldo I Published on: November 23, 2025
Kala Academy, Goa’s iconic cultural hub, faces significant structural challenges, warns a recent inspection led by IIT Madras. The expert team, including civil engineering professors and PWD officials, conducted a thorough visual inspection and recommended an extensive structural overhaul based on observed corrosion risks and water damage.
Read the full article here Kala Academy at High Risk of Corrosion: IIT Madras
The Goan Everyday I Published on: September 05, 2025
Nearly three months after the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras agreed to conduct the long-awaited structural audit of the Kala Academy, the Goa government is yet to begin the process to onboard the experts officially.
Read the full article here KA Safety in Limbo as PWD Delays Stall IIT Madras Structural Audit
OHeraldo I Published on: July 26, 2025
A section of the false ceiling in the Western Music classroom at Kala Academy, Goa, collapsed on July 26, 2025, raising serious concerns about the building’s structural safety. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The incident occurred without warning, prompting academy officials to immediately cordon off the affected area as a precaution. Structural assessments and safety inspections are currently underway.
Read the full article here False Ceiling Collapse at Goa’s Kala Academy Sparks Safety Concerns
Goemkarponn I Published on: June 23, 2025
Should only artists head institutions like Kala Academy and Ravindra Bhavan? It’s a question that resurfaces every few years in Goa, often sparked by controversy, corruption, or sheer frustration from the artistic community.
Read the full article here When politics takes the stage, art pays the price
Gomantak Times I Published on: May 24, 2025
Image credits : Gomantak Times | ART OF THE MATTER : Goa’s Kala Academy is in they eye of the storm following a controversial remark by Goa’s Art and Culture Minister
‘Supari Andolan’ is a creative protest by Goan artists reclaiming a slur to defend the iconic Kala Academy and preserve Charles Correa’s legacy, demanding accountability, transparency and cultural respect.
Read the full article here Know what is ‘Supari Andolan’ to save Goa’s Kala Academy
O Heraldo I Published on: May 18, 2025
The once regal Kala Academy, which has hosted many a celebrity and has been the venue of numerous big-ticket events, including the international Film festival of India, has now been reduced to a joke, or rather, a comedy of (contractual) errors.
Just days after the media reported that Kala Academy was likely to be closed for two whole months for ‘rectification’ work, the state government was slammed for continuing to delay the upgrade of the iconic centre of the arts. But what probably evoked widespread public ire was chief minister Pramod Sawant recently saying that the current contractor will complete repairing the rectifications themselves at no additional cost, in keeping with the Kala Academy’s task force suggestion, and complete the work by October this year, in time for IFFI. “Once that is done, the contract will be terminated and the contractor will be blacklisted,” Sawant is reported to have told the media. If this was not enough to enrage citizens, Sawant went a step further by blatantly declaring that new tenders will be floated for additional works that were not covered in the original contract.
Read the full article here Those responsible must pay for crippling our Kala Academy
Devdiscourse News Desk I Published on: May 16, 2025
The Goa government has blacklisted contractor Techton Buildcon Pvt Ltd due to renovation flaws at the iconic Kala Academy. Critics, including political opposition and artists, raised concerns about light and sound issues. The government canceled the contractor’s annual maintenance contract and a task force will implement remedial recommendations.
The Goa government has taken decisive action by blacklisting Techton Buildcon Pvt Ltd, the contractor responsible for renovating the iconic Kala Academy. This decision follows persistent flaws in the renovation work, which have drawn widespread criticism from opposition parties and local artists.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced that the contractor has until October to rectify these issues at their own expense. Furthermore, plans for a four-year annual maintenance contract with the contractor have been canceled. The decision came in response to disruptions experienced at the 1,000-seat Deenanath Mangeshkar auditorium, including light and sound problems.
Read the full article here Controversy Erupts Over Renovation of Goa’s Kala Academy
PTI I Published on: May 16, 2025
The Goa government on Friday said a contractor had been blacklisted for flaws in the renovation of the iconic Kala Academy building here. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said contractor Techton Buildcon Pvt Ltd has been given time till October this year to rectify the flaws at its own cost.
The government has also cancelled a proposal to sign a four-year annual maintenance contract (AMC) with the contractor, Sawant told reporters. The BJP government in the state had come in for criticism from opposition parties and artistes after glitches were observed in the newly-renovated Kala Academy complex, including light and sound disruptions at the 1000-seater Deenanath Mangeshkar auditorium.
Read the full article here Kala Academy renovation glitches Goa govt takes action against contractor
OHeraldo I Published on: Apr 22, 2025
Image credits: Herald Team
Delegation demands minister’s resignation over recurring technical failures and derogatory remarks
In a scathing attack on the State government, a delegation comprising Congress leaders and artistes visited the Kala Academy on Sunday, questioning the authorities over the recurring technical failures at Goa’s premier cultural institution and calling for the resignation of Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude.
The delegation also demanded that Minister Gaude publicly apologise to veteran actor Sharad Ponkshe and the wider artistic community for derogatorily labelling Ponkshe a ‘Suparibaaz’ following the disruption of his performance last week due to lighting issues at the Academy.
They further claimed that the renovation of the iconic institution—designed by renowned architect Charles Correa—had tarnished Goa’s reputation in the cultural domain.
Read the full article here Congress Demands Minister Gaude’s Resignation Over Kala Academy Failures
OHeraldo I Published on: Apr 18, 2025
Minister Govind Gaude blames ‘technical glitch’, not human error
Even after a Rs 50 crore renovation, the Kala Academy — Goa’s premier cultural venue — is facing basic operational failures, with no one willing to take responsibility. The recent light malfunction during a Marathi play has exposed not only technical flaws but also the absence of accountability among the agencies involved.
Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude on Thursday termed the incident — where stage lights flickered and halted the performance for 10 minutes — as “unfortunate,” but was quick to dismiss it as a technical fault rather than human error.
Read the full article here After Rs 50 cr ‘renovation’, why is Kala Academy still in the dark?
OHeraldo I Published on: Apr 17, 2025
Image credits: OHeraldo
Here’s a look at how poor planning and botched renovations have plagued Goa’s premier arts institution for over half a century
February 28, 1970 – Goa govt establishes Kala Academy to promote the arts. The iconic building is designed by renowned architect Charles Correa
2004 – Upgraded to serve as a venue for International Film Festival of India
October 30, 2017 – Minister Govind Gaude announces major facelift for Kala Academy
May 23, 2021 – Techton Buildcon Pvt. Ltd. awarded contract for renovation work. Performances come to a standstill
July 17, 2023 – A large portion of open-air auditorium collapses, raising safety concerns
November 10, 2023 – Building reopens after repairs, but concerns about construction quality persist
April 22, 2024 – Part of newly-renovated false ceiling crashes due to water leakage
May 20, 2024 – Heavy downpour causes auditorium roof to leak during a performance of the Konkani tiatr ‘Girgirem’
July 8, 2024 – Heavy rains inundate Kala Academy
September 27, 2024 – State govt forms task force led by theatre artist Vijai Kenkre to assess state of building and recommend improvements
October 25, 2024 – Charles Correa Foundation withdraws from offering assistance, citing lack of structural audit
April 13, 2025 – Technical failure in stage lighting causes temporary stoppage of a Marathi play starring Sharad Ponkshe, who apologises to audience
The famed Kala Academy has faced several ignominious setbacks, including flooding from a roof collapse during rains and the partial collapse of its open-air auditorium.
Read the full article here Kala Academy From Icon of Culture to Crumbling Legacy
by O Herald I Published on: Feb 5, 2025
Image credits: Herald Team
Charles Correa Foundation prefers audit by IIT-Madras having expertise in working with and conserving old concrete.
The Charles Correa Foundation has demanded immediate audit of the iconic Kala Academy building post renovation, preferably by IIT-Madras having the expertise in working with and conserving old concrete and to ensure the building’s structural stability but also to ensure safety for the public.
The demand from the not-for-profit public charitable trust comes in view of the recent degradation and collapse of sections of the State’s premier art and cultural institution post renovation,
Read the full article here Charles Correa Foundation Demands Urgent Structural Audit of Kala Academy for Public Safety
by TNN I Published on: Oct 25, 2024
Panaji: The Charles Correa Foundation has formally requested the inclusion of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras to conduct a thorough structural analysis of Kala Academy following ongoing concerns regarding the integrity of the building post-repair.
In a letter to the PWD’s chief engineer- I and member secretary of govt-appointed task force committee, Santosh Mhapne, the CCF cited its role as a primary source for architectural resources related to the Kala Academy, but was being given a cold shoulder. “Despite being a primary source of information for the drawings and other resources pertaining to the Kala Academy, we were prevented from accessing the site,” the letter signed by CCF’s managing trustee, Arminio Ribeiro, stated.
Read the full article here Charles Correa Foundation calls for IIT Madras to assess structural integrity of Kala Academy
By Gerard Desouza
The week began on a stormy note in more ways than one. The state has seen stormy weather both literally — with the monsoon picking up pace across the state — as well as figuratively with more than a hundred artists, and lovers of Kala Academy gathered at the Goa Union of Journalists Hall at Panjim to decry the sorry state of the iconic Kala Academy — the state’s foremost centre for art — that despite seeing around ₹60 crore worth of “renovations” poured into the ageing but still robust institute designed by Charles Correa, was reopened to the public in a state worse than it was before.
Continue reading “Kala Academy and the Dark Arts” →
By Team Herald
Artists and stalwarts from the background of theatre, music, films and various other backgrounds have pledged to take the agitation to the streets to ensure action against the wrongdoings and to correct what has been already done to the Kala Academy.
The gathering heavily criticised the Government, Art and Culture Department, Minister and the Chief Minister for destroying the old infrastructure and glory of Kala Academy under the garb of renovation. Charles Correa Foundation representatives, Arch. Arminio Rebeiro, Tanvi Kharia, Ex-Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly Tomazinho Cardozo, Devidas Amonkar were present at the meeting.
Continue reading “Artists, stalwarts demand resignation of Art & Culture Minister for the wrongdoings in the renovation of Kala Academy” →
By Times News Network
Panaji: Artistes from across Goa met in Panaji on Monday where they demanded the resignation of art and culture minister Govind Gaude over the faulty renovation of Kala Academy (KA). They passed a resolution demanding govt release a white paper on the expenses incurred on the refurbishment of KA.
They discussed the issue threadbare while Gaude was seated in the audience to hear their grievances.
They were unanimous in their demand that Gaude step down immediately. KA has courted controversy since work was taken up three years ago. The matter got worse when leakages were reported more than twice after the renovated structure was opened by govt six months ago.
Continue reading “Gaude attends KA Protest meet, artistes tell him to quit” →
By O Heraldo
By Times News Network
Porvorim: Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai on Tuesday demanded a free and fair probe into the collapse of the slab of Kala Academy’s open-air auditorium.
He also sought the resignation of art and culture minister Govind Gaude before the probe is initiated.
Continue reading “Fatorda MLA demands probe into Kala Academy slab collapse” →
By Nida Sayed
“We will find out the facts and figures behind it. From my understanding, the Kala Academy main building is separate from the main structure. It was a fabricated structure and only the area above the stage has collapsed.”
“We will understand the cause behind this and only after the PWD finds out the reason behind the collapse, will I be able to comment as the chairman of Kala Academy and as art and culture minister,” said Gaude Prior to the renovation works being sanctioned, Gaude had pointed out the structure’s fragility — as well as that of the ‘Black Box’ beneath it — as the reason behind the upgradation works.
Continue reading “As KA Crumbles, Stage is Set For Blame Game” →
By Times News Network
The opposition members relented only after the chief minister assured them that the inquiry reports would be tabled in the House before the sessions ends, and the issue discussed then. “The inquiry reports will be placed in the House within 18 days. The day the reports are presented in the House, there will be a discussion on the issue,” Sawant said during Zero Hour.
Continue reading “Issue top priority, inquiry report to be tabled in 18 days” →