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Vijayawada gets its own Ravindra Bharathi
Vijayawada Municipal Corporation’s (VMC) Tummalapalli Vari Kshetrayya Kalakshetram is all set for a big facelift with the city becoming the capital of residual Andhra Pradesh
Vijayawada Municipal Corporation’s (VMC) Tummalapalli Vari Kshetrayya Kalakshetram is all set for a big facelift with the city becoming the capital of residual Andhra Pradesh. In the months to come, the auditorium, which has been treated as the local Ravindra Bharathi, will be revamped on the lines of the auditorium it has so often been compared with.
The thought of having an auditorium was conceived by late TVS Chalapathi Rao, the then chairperson of VMC. He initiated the establishment of the auditorium and the foundation stone was laid on September 18, 1953. Construction of the auditorium was completed on June 16, 1980. It was during the inauguration by the then Chief Minister Dr Marri Chenna Reddy that the city was also recognised as the cultural capital of Andhra Pradesh.
The auditorium, owned and maintained by the VMC, has been providing space for artists to stage cultural shows. For the majority of artists, a chance to perform in Tummalapalli Kalakshetram is the first step to reach the Ravindra Bharathi in Hyderabad. It is for this reason that most stage artists throng here every year when state-level competitions are organised.
Leading performing groups Surabhi and Kalabharati have orgainsed several dramas in the auditorium over the years and several state-level artists, too, have performed here. Noted film writer and director Jandhyala had staged several dramas along with Dr MC Das, turning the auditorium into a weekend cultural destination. Even today, a cultural group called Sumadhura holds state-level comedy play contests, which bring in several artists from across the State.
Air conditioning facility for the auditorium was provided in 1994 by the then VMC Commissioner Sameer Sarma. However, over the years, the air conditioning failed due to neglect and improper maintenance.
Meanwhile, the bifurcation of the State had come as a blessing in disguise for the cultural organisations that have been depending on this auditorium to get a makeover. A couple of months ago, parliamentary affairs minister M Venkaiah Naidu had promised to help the civic body to develop the auditorium by adding more facilities and increasing the seating capacity.
The auditorium now provides seating for 1,200 and the municipal corporation plans to raise the capacity to 2,000. Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, too, had promised to develop the auditorium, raising hopes of cultural groups and artists.
