GUWAHATI, May 29 - A creation of the golden age of theatre movement in Assam, Kumar Bhaskar Natya Mandir got a new lease of life with the inauguration of its renovated auditorium today. The renovation project was taken up as a corporate social responsibility of the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL).
Sanjeev Singh, Director of Refineries, IOCL, inaugurated the hall today. The total cost of the project was Rs 47,39,000.
The Natya Mandir, which has completed 104 years of its existence, was constructed in the year 1912. Chandrawali was the first play to be staged in the hall.
�We are privileged to be associated with the renovation of the Kumar Bhaskar Natya Mandir, which is so closely associated with the cultural movement of Assam. Being a culture-loving State, we hope that the new facilities of this hall would fulfil the aspirations of the people of Assam,� Singh said. He also elaborated on some other CSR initiatives of the IOCL.
Jogen Borpujari, Executive Director of the Guwahati Refinery, also stated that the heritage structure of the Guwahati city has seen the ups and downs of the cultural movement of the State and stands as a testimony to the tireless efforts of the cultural and theatre activists of the State and the city. �Taking up the project as a CSR initiative, we put all our efforts to complete it and dedicate it to the culture lovers in approximately three months,� he added.
The renovated Natya Mandir has a capacity of 290 seats, with state of the art interiors, electrical and sound system and comfortable chairs. In the next phase, the auditorium would be made air-conditioned apart from introducing total generator backup.
Chief convener of the Centenary Celebration Committee Dhiren Baruah, who is also the past president of the Kamrup Natya Samity looking after the Kumar Bhaskar Natya Mandir, was also present. Speaking on the occasion, he remembered the contributions of the activists associated with the theatre movement as well as those with the construction and preservation of the Kumar Bhaskar Natya Mandir. He also applauded the IOCL initiative to uplift the auditorium, terming it as a valuable contribution to help the artistes as well as culture lovers.
Kamrup Natya Samity president Bimal Medhi, chief advisor Dilip Hazarika, executive Kailash Sarma, and general secretary Rupjyoti Hazarika, were also present on the occasion.
