Renovation work has almost been completed at Kalamandira in Mysore city and final touches are being given to it. The 30-year-old auditorium and exhibition gallery have been revamped at a cost of Rs. 287 lakh.
Following widespread complaints from artistes and representatives of cultural organisations regarding on acoustics and lighting, the Kannada and Culture Department decided to renovate it in 2009. However renovation work was delayed for years owing to different reasons. After initial hiccups, the Public Works Department took up renovation 11 months ago. Nirmala Matapathy, Assistant Director of Kannada and Culture Department, told The Hindu that wall panelling, and refurbishment of the VIP lounge and green rooms had been completed. Push-back seats have been installed in the basement of the Kalamandira and the alignment of chairs altered so that visitors could move around without hassles. Seats have been installed in the balcony and the total seating capacity increased to 1,200. The ricocheting of sound inside the venue has been eliminated after wall panelling. The green rooms have been renovated and a modern sound system installed. A fire alarm has been installed and toilets rebuilt, Ms. Nirmala said.
The Kalamandira management committee, headed by the Deputy Commissioner, and the technical committee had visited the institute several times and supervised work.
Fees revised
The department has revised the rent of the Rangayana after holding several rounds of discussions with all stakeholders. As per the revised rent – fees for Kannada dramas (to be enacted by Havyasi) is Rs. 1,000 (without tickets), for classical and folk music concerts Rs. 3,000; instruments and celebrations of annual day by classical music organisations Rs. 5,000, Kannada orchestra Rs. 10,000, etc.
