Ravindra Manch demolished illegally: IPTA

Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA) today alleged that city's famous cultural landmark Ravindra Manch was demolished illegally in the garb of renovation to accommodate private sector to run art galleries.
Over 53 year old Ravindra Manch was demolished, and new building was being constructed without an authentic architect and without consulting National School of Drama, IPTA president Ranbir Singh alleged in a press conference here.
"Our main important demand is that what ever construction or repair are to be done should be done by the engineers of PWD (Public Works Department) and the old theatre should be made serviceable so that the theatre performances are done and the theatre can serve society", Singh, who also moved to the court, said.

The civil work should be stopped immediately there, and Ravindra Manch should be made as an autonomous body, he demanded.
A committee should be instituted on which the chairman should be a senior artist and eminent architects should be its members, he further added.
The proposed committee should be empowered to look after the artistic activities and all changes, renovation work when ever is being done, Singh said.

A planned cost of Rs 34.05 crore would be shared by the Centre with 60 per cent and the state would match 40 per cent cost of the new building, he said.

Theatre artists were so upset that they are bound to perform or play drama on streets near demolished Ravindra Manch, he said, adding that every year there used to be 200 plays at this theatre alone in the state capital.
Ravindra Manch is being renovated under the Union ministry of culture's Tagore Cultural Complexes scheme.
Meanwhile, the Manch's officials were unavailable for comments.