Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB/SP)
Udupi, Dec 1: State minister for women and child welfare, Kannada and culture department, and Udupi district in charge minister, Dr Jayamala, laid foundation for the district Ranga Mandira and construction of Rangayana building at MPMC ground, Adi Udupi here on Friday, November 30.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Jayamala said, "Additional grants will be provided to Udupi Rangayana in the next budget. Rangayana will be constructed at a cost of five crore rupees. The building will be built in an area of 1.37 acres."
"There will be a rehearsal auditorium, teaching room, gymnastic room, accommodation for students, open air theater, and canteen in Rangayana," she added.
She further said that a sum of two crore rupees has been provided by way of grant towards the construction of Ranga Mandira. Out of this amount, Rs 50 lac has already been released, Jayamala explained.
A number of art forms can get developed through Rangayana. This will be a suitable platform to showcase the talent of artistes. Theater activities will begin soon. In order to pave way for this, the construction work will be completed at the earliest, she explained..
Theatre association member, Gopalakrishna Nairy, said, "The main problem for Rangayana here is the lack of space (land). Since we are connected with an art related to campus, there is no separate room for workout, which is very much needed," he stated. He also stressed the need to build gym rooms rather than creating obstacles for Ranga Mandira activities.
Deputy commissioner of the district, Priyanka Mary Francis, additional deputy commissioner, Vidya Kumari, taluk panchayat president, Nalini Pradeep Rao, Kalaburagi Rangayana director Mahesh Patil, Shivamogga Rangayana director M Shivakumar, Ganesh, Ranga Samaj members L Krishnappa, Mallikarjuna Kadapa Pond, Uma Barigidada, Shripad Bhat,
Vishveshwari Hiremath, M Chandrakanta, Sahana Pinjar, chief of Idagunji Sri Mahaganapathi Yakshagana Mandali and others were present.
Deputy director in the department of Kannada and culture, Chandrashekhar, welcomed. Poornima compered the programme.