Even as the eight-decade-old Sir K.P. Puttanna Chetty Hall (Town Hall) is being renovated and the work is expected to be completed by December-end, the five-decade old Raveendra Kalakshetra, another important auditorium where cultural events are held, is all set to close for renovation from November 15.
According to sources in the Department of Kannada and Culture, a decision has been taken not to allow booking of the auditorium for any event to be held after November 15.
Though the department had planned to begin work on renovation last year and celebrate 50 years of Raveendra Kalakshetra in a grand manner, Assembly election came in the way, said a senior official.
Nayana and Samsa outdoor auditoriums will also be renovated along with Raveendra Kalakshetra. Existing sound and light equipment in the kalakshetra will be used to improve the two auditoriums.
A 10-member committee of experts comprising theatre personalities and officials of the Department of Public Works suggested the technical and civil renovation of the kalakshetra at a cost of Rs.1.5 crore.
Raveendra Kalakshetra was designed by renowned American architect Charles Wilson. The then Chief Engineer Manikyam assisted him in the endeavour. The imposing structure built on three acres of land was named after Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore to mark his birth centenary. Tamil actor Sivaji Ganesan had staged his popular play ‘Veera Pandya Kattabomman’ to raise funds for this cultural centre. It has seen the growth of professional and amateur theatre, B.V. Karanth to Girish Karnad, from Russian theatre to Peking opera.
Department sources say a 10-day theatre festival has been organised in January to mark the Golden Jubilee of Raveendra Kalakshetra.
