Theatre lovers here are worried as the Vijayapura City Municipal Corporation has passed a resolution to demolish the seven-decade-old Rani Chennamma theatre.
One of the oldest hubs for professional artistes of the State, it is located next to the central bus stand. Recently, it was reported that the corporation has decided to pull down the building and lease out the land for construction of a commercial complex.
Theatre artistes are not only angry but also upset with the move.
“It is the job of the government to preserve and protect art and culture. Since theatre is an intrinsic and ancient part of art, the government must not allow the building to be demolished for constructing a commercial complex,” Shaikh Mohiuddin Khedagi, one of the veteran thereat artistes and playwrights, said.
He said that some of the best known artistes such as Gubbi Veeranna, Handignur Siddaramappa, Subbaiah Naidu and Chindodi Leela had performed here. Theatre groups including Chitri, Gadageri Kamatagi, and Ashapur, too had presented plays, Mr. Khedagi said.
He said that during British rule, the theatre acted as a shelter to freedom fighters, who were disguised as actors to protect themselves from being caught by the authorities.
L. B. Shaikh, chairman, Karnataka Nataka Academy, asserted that any move to raze the building would not be allowed. “Where will the artiste and the theatre lover go if it is demolished,” he asked.
Meanwhile, Mayor Sajjadepeeran Mushrif admitted that the resolution had been passed, adding that the plan included providing space for theatre too. “The plan is to build a three-storeyed building which includes a commercial complex while one floor will be given for theatre,” he said. A final decision had not been taken yet, Mr. Mushrif said.
The theatre is closed for the last few months.
Proposal is to construct
a commercial complex
on the land
