Inaugurating the renovated Kamban Kalaiarangam here on Saturday, Union Minister of State for Planning, Parliamentary Affairs and Culture V. Narayanasamy urged the government to fix a low tariff for the auditorium, which would help all sections of the public utilise it.
He recollected the earlier condition of the hall when it had no air conditioning facility.
“Despite the delay in completing the work, the auditorium has been renovated well. It is a place to hold government functions, Kamban Vizha and political party meetings,” he said.
Noting that places for public convergence were few in Puducherry, he requested the government to keep the rent for the auditorium low. “There are plans to construct a huge convention centre near Perunthalaivar Kamaraj Manimandapam,” he said.
Constructed in 1975
In 2004, it was decided to renovate Kamban Kalaiarangam, which was constructed by the Puducherry Municipality in 1975. The municipality handed over the auditorium to the Public Works Department (PWD) in 2006 for the renovation work, according to a release.
It has been renovated at a total cost of Rs. 3.75 crore with new and modern features. The stage and auditorium have been air conditioned and two green rooms constructed for make up purposes of artists, Chief Engineer of PWD S. Manohar said.
New acoustic treatment for the auditorium and stage, heightened flooring with new seats to accommodate 600 persons and new sound and light equipment are some of the features of the renovated facility. The roof and ceiling have been renovated and new curtains put up for the stage.
The official said that arrangements to have 32 microphone attachments have been done and the stage has imported wooden flooring. The front portion of the building has been renovated and plants and lawns established. Lighting facilities for the exterior have also been put up. Chief Minister V. Vaithilingam, Ministers E. Valsaraj, M.O.H.F. Shahjahan, M. Kandasamy and A. Namassivayam were present.
