Pune News : Sudhir Mungantiwar announces state-of-the-art facilties at 52 theatres in Maharashtra
Pune: The Minister of Cultural Affairs Sudhir Mungantiwar has announced plans to equip 52 theaters with modern facilities in preparation for the upcoming Amrit Mahotsava years of the state. Speaking on the occasion of World Theatre Day, the minister pledged to support the growth of Marathi theater and ensure that audiences and theater artists are well catered for.
Mungantiwar congratulated working actors, producers, directors, and others associated with theater, highlighting the important role they play in promoting the cultural heritage of the state. He also revealed that experts will be consulted during the construction or renovation of theaters to ensure that they can serve as movie theatres as well in the future.
One of the experts enlisted to guide the department’s efforts is senior artist Prashant Damle. The minister expressed his joy at Damle’s acceptance of the responsibility and said that discussions had been held with experts and artists regarding the condition of theaters in the state.
Of the 52 theaters that are to be equipped with modern facilities, Ravindra Natya Griha is with the Cultural Department, while the others are under the jurisdiction of local bodies. Efforts are also underway to introduce solar systems in the theaters and modernize them to ensure the continued growth of the theater movement in the state.
The Covid-19 pandemic hit the Marathi theater sector hard, and Mungantiwar acknowledged that theater and artists had faced financial difficulties during this period. However, with the sector now on track, talks have been held with the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Commissioner, Iqbal Singh Chahal, to make theaters in Mumbai available at discounted rates by June 2023. The minister also pledged to make theaters available to amateur artists at a low cost.
