Minister of State for Kannada and Culture Umashree has said that it was the responsibility of local municipal bodies to keep rangamandirs (auditoriums) in a good condition to enable theatre groups to stage plays regularly. She was speaking to presspersons here on Wednesday, after visiting the residence of theatre personality Abdulsab Annigeri, who died on Monday.
Ms. Umashree said that it was not possible to ensure the availability of dedicated auditoriums for plays in every district. “In places with enough active companies, the munical bodies concerned should properly maintain rangamandirs so that the companies could use them,” she said.
She said that she was aware of the problems of theatre artistes in finding good venues for their plays. “I would only appeal to municipal bodies to maintain the available halls, auditoriums in a good condition,” she said. Regarding a demand by theatre companies and a proposal mooted to construct rangamandirs in districts and prominent towns, she said that it had not come to her notice. About complaints by theatre artistes about not being given opportunities to stage plays, she said that she had already directed the Assistant Director of the department in Dharwad to ensure transparency while giving such opportunities. Ms. Umashree said that steps would be taken to transfer the Annigeri’s pension to his two wives.
