Team Goemkarponn
PANAI: The State government has sought a detailed report following a technical glitch that disrupted the performance of the Marathi play Purush at Kala Academy’s Dinanath Mangeshkar Auditorium on Sunday evening.
The incident, which involved a lighting failure, brought the play to a halt for approximately 15 minutes, prompting apologies from lead actors Sharad Ponkshe and Spruha Joshi to the audience. The unexpected pause sparked frustration among the cast and audience, with criticism directed at the Kala Academy’s infrastructure.
Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude called the episode “unfortunate” and confirmed that the Kala Academy’s Member Secretary has been directed to submit a report within two days. “We need to understand what went wrong,” Gaude said.
The theatre troupe, which had come from Maharashtra, expressed displeasure over the venue’s technical arrangements. Veteran actor Sharad Ponkshe later voiced strong criticism of the sound and lighting systems, as well as the overall management of the facility.
Ponkshe also appealed to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to intervene and ensure much-needed improvements to the institution’s infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister has declined to comment on the issue.
The Kala Academy had recently undergone major renovation work, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the upgrades following the disruption during the high-profile ticketed performance.
