KA admin block returns to home base at Campal

Panaji : The administrative block and other departments of Kala Academy , Panaji, which shifted to the Adil Shah Palace (Old Secretariat) nearly four years ago, have reopened at the Kala Academy complex at Campal .
“Kala Academy appeals to all concerned to take note of the same,” a statement from the institute read.
Designed by the world-renowned architect Charles Correa in 1983, Kala Academy was renovated in 2004 on the orders of Manohar Parrikar, the CM at the time, to prepare the space for Iffi.
However, in 2019, art and culture minister Govind Gaude , who is also the KA chairman, considered demolishing the open-air auditorium of the building to reconstruct the entire structure. Following widespread criticism and public outcry against this idea, govt decided to renovate it instead.
After Rs 50 crore was budgeted by CM Pramod Sawant for its renovation, Kala Academy moved its administrative block and other departments in June 2021 to the Adil Shah Palace. Despite Kala Academy’s reopening in Nov 2023 after renovation, the institute continued to operate in a fragmented manner.
“We issued them a notice to vacate the space soon after Kala Academy reopened and issued two to three notices since last year. However, there were several delays,” said director of museums Vasu Usapkar.
While Kala Academy falls under the purview of the directorate of art and culture, the Adil Shah Palace is currently under the remit of the directorate of museums of the state.