Ravindra Bhavan, Margao
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| Ravindra Bhavan, Margao | |
|---|---|
 The official logo of RBM | |
 The main entrance of RBM, 2016 | |
 Interactive map of the Ravindra Bhavan, Margao area | |
| General information | |
| Status | Completed |
| Type | Government-owned cultural center |
| Location | Fatorda, Goa, India |
| Coordinates | 15°17′7.12″N 73°57′45.04″E / 15.2853111°N 73.9625111°E |
| Opened | 20 July 2008 |
| Inaugurated | 20 July 2008 |
| Cost | ₹22 crore (equivalent to ₹61 crore or US$7.3 million in 2023) (first phase) |
| Client | Government of Goa |
| Owner | Government of Goa |
| Dimensions | |
| Other dimensions | Area 30,539 square metres (328,720 sq ft) |
| Design and construction | |
| Main contractor | Public Works Department, Goa (renovation)[1] |
| Other information | |
| Seating capacity |
|
| Parking | Parking lane (150 cars and 400 bikes) |
| Website | |
| ravindrabhavanmargao | |
The Ravindra Bhavan, Margao (RBM) is a cultural center situated in Fatorda, Goa, India. It is administered by the Directorate of Art and Culture, which is part of the Government of Goa. The center was founded in July 2008 and was inaugurated under the governance of the Congress party in Goa at the time. It serves as a venue for a diverse range of cultural activities and events, featuring programs and performances in languages such as Konkani, English, Hindi, and Marathi. In addition to hosting local cultural programming, the center serves as a prominent venue that hosts a variety of important national and international events. It functions as a central nexus for a wide range of cultural events and activities within the Salcete taluka district of South Goa.
Ravindra Bhavan, Margao (RBM) was inaugurated on 20 July 2008[2] during the tenure of the Congress party-led government of Goa. The Ravindra Bhavan was established under the auspices of the Directorate of Art and Culture, a department of the Government of Goa.[3] It is officially recognized as an independent organization established according to the regulations set forth in the Societies Registration Act, 1860.[4] The first phase of the center's construction was completed at an estimated cost of ₹22 crore (equivalent to ₹61 crore or US$7.3 million in 2023). Since its inauguration, the Ravindra Bhavan has functioned as a significant location for a wide spectrum of cultural activities and presentations, encompassing the traditional Goan performance style known as tiatrs.[5] The center's auditorium has a seating capacity of 1,069 people.[6]
In July 2009, shortly after the Ravindra Bhavan opened, there were reports of water seepage and damp issues, particularly around the building's joints and walls. The administrative body of the center had confirmed that the structural concerns would be rectified during the implementation of the upcoming phase of construction and renovation projects facilitated by the state government.[5] As a cultural hub in Margao, the Ravindra Bhavan plays an important role in promoting and preserving the arts, traditions, and heritage of the Goa region. The center's establishment by the Government of Goa aims to support and develop the state's vibrant cultural landscape.[4]
The establishment of Ravindra Bhavan in Margao led to a recognition of the need for similar centers in other parts of Goa, prompting the government to approve the construction of analogous "Bhavans" (buildings) across various talukas (administrative divisions) of the state.[7] Ravindra Bhavan, Margao is located on a spacious area and acts as a primary venue for a wide range of cultural events and initiatives in the Salcete taluka region. Within the center, there is a significant auditorium named in honor of João Agostinho Fernandes, a popular Goan actor, playwright, and influential figure in the Konkani tiatr tradition. Fernandes played a pivotal role in fostering the careers of several leading tiatrists in the area.[8]