Minister of State for Kannada and Culture and Women and Child Development, Umashree said that it is the responsibility of the local municipal bodies to keep the ‘rangamandirs’ (auditoriums) in good condition to enable the theatre groups to stage plays on a regular basis.
She was speaking to presspersons in Hubballi on Wednesday, after paying a visit to the residence of theatre personality Abdulsab Annigeri, who passed away on Monday and consoling the family members.
Ms. Umashree said that it was not possible to ensure availability of dedicated auditoriums for staging dramas in every district of the state. “In places where good number of drama companies are still active, the concerned municipal bodies should maintain the ‘rangamandirs’ properly so that the drama companies could make use of them”, she said.
She said that she was aware of the problem being faced by the theatre artists in finding good auditoriums for their plays. “I would only appeal to the municipal bodies to maintain the available halls, auditoriums in good condition”, she said.
To a query regarding demand by the theatre companies and a proposal mooted during the previous government about having ‘rangamandirs’ constructed in district and prominent towns, the Minister 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 and ensuring that all artistes got opportunities.
