Artistes rue pathetic condition of auditoria in Hubballi

Hubballi: Artistes in Hubballi have urged the HDMC to improve the condition of Kannada Bhavan and Convention Hall before April.
Addressing reporters at a news conference here on Saturday, Raghavendra Ramadurg, convener of Prakash Nritya Kalamandir (Hubballi), said artistes have been facing a lot of inconvenience, but the authorities are not taking any initiative to improve the condition of the two halls. "Because of the pathetic condition of Kannada Bhavan and Convention Hall, the organizers are finding it difficult to host events there," he added.

Though the organizers pay Rs 20,000 as rent to host cultural events, they are compelled to shell out Rs 20,000-30,000 more for lighting and sound system, Prakash said.

To highlight the problem, the artistes will perform street plays, classical music, etc, for 20 minutes on the HDMC premises on January 30. After the performance, they will submit a memorandum to the authorities ahead of the general body meeting involving HDMC authorities, elected representatives and officers.

"If the HDMC fails to address the issues by April, then artistes will hit the streets to intensify the strike. We are fed up with the negligence," Ramadurg warned.

Kiran H S of Nupur Nrutya Vihar said that they had petitioned HDMC officers and elected representatives several times, but to no avail.

Hema Waghamore of Mayur Nrutya Academy and Vanita Mahale said there is a need for proper seating arrangements, green rooms, generator facility and lighting at the halls. "It's time the authorities attend to these concerns," he said.

K V Shankar of Chitra Sangam Cultural Academy said Kannada Bhavan and Convention Hall have not been designed properly. They both have adequate space, but they are not good to host art exhibitions, he claimed.