The State government is seeking financial assistance from the Centre to reconstruct Tagore Theatre at Vazhuthacaud here and convert it into a Rabindra Bhavan complex equipped with modern facilities to host cultural events.
The Kerala Transport Development Finance Corporation (KTDFC) will prepare a revised master plan for the project.
The plan will be submitted to the Union Ministry of Cultural Affairs to avail of the financial aid announced for Rabindra Bhavans across the country in connection with the 150 {+t} {+h} birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore. The Union government will foot 60 per cent of the estimate for projects costing up to Rs.50 crore.
A high-level meeting including Minister for Information K.C. Joseph, Transport Minister V.S. Sivakumar and Shashi Tharoor, MP, had approved the preparation of the revised plan last month.
The new proposals include a performance theatre to showcase the ideals and contributions of Tagore, a mini theatre, a gallery for paintings, sculptures, handicrafts and books, an open venue for staging plays and art forms, an audio video production centre, and archive.
Rs.9-crore project
Work on the first two phases of the project has commenced. Director, Information and Public Relations, M. Nandakumar said the Rs.9-crore project was designed to transform the 40-year-old complex into a multi-purpose auditorium capable of hosting public meetings, film shows and stage programmes.
The KTDFC is implementing the project which also involves the beautification of the grounds and improvement of parking facilities. Mr. Nandakumar said the State government had sanctioned Rs.6 crore for the first two phases.
The work involves construction of VIP lobbies, separate green rooms for men and women and an administrative office, improving stage facilities and equipping the auditorium with better seats.
The stage will be expanded. State-of-the-art audiovisual equipment, acoustic panels, mood lighting and drop sheets have been envisaged to enhance viewer experience in the auditorium.
Lighting system
The building will be provided with centralised air-conditioning and a modern façade lighting system. A highlight of the project is a performance lighting system that can adapt itself to different stage performances. The stage will have mechanical adjustments for various purposes.
Mr. Nandakumar said the theatre would be equipped for screening of films using satellite transmission. An art gallery is another attraction.
Wider seats and two cross passages linking the aisles will bring down the seating capacity marginally, but the auditorium is expected to seat up to 1,000 people. The building will have a barrier-free entry for physically challenged people and an elevator to the balcony.
The project also involves landscaping of the grounds, retaining the trees within the 2.5-hectare campus. The designers have proposed a two-tier car-parking system, making skilful use of the landscaping to conceal the level difference.
The last phase of the project includes a water fountain, paved footpaths and a compound wall with art works in relief.
Prev
Linear Mode
