PATNA: If the concerns of the state’s art, culture and sports department to upgrade and remodel existing venues of performing arts (theatre, music, drama) and to also create new such venues are any indicator, Patna could very well emerge as a major centre of performing arts as a bridge between Delhi and Kolkata in the next couple of years.
In fact, deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi gave an indication of it on Sunday, when he said, “Bihar’s cultural heritage has been rich. The state government, in synergy with other sectors and fields, will also develop the art and cultural arena to establish a new milestone on this front.”
According to him, Patna would soon have a Sanskritik Bhawan of international standard that would play host to 5,000 capacity crowd. “The final touches are being given to spot selection and estimate preparation,” Modi said, adding that the NDA government, in its first term, too, had paid adequate attention to building an infrastructure for the cultural efflorescence of both Patna and the state.
With regard to Patna, he said that the NDA-I decided to withdraw security forces from Premchand Rangashala (Saidpur, Patna) so as to give it a polished remodelling finishes to make it a major cultural venue. According to him, the new Rangashala would be ready for cultural activities in the first half of the next year.
Similarly, Rs 1.5 crore has been allotted for the remodelling of Rabindra Bhawan on Beerchand Patel Path. The steps taken would not only modernize the venue, but also increase its seating capacity, and the new building would be ready to host cultural activities early next year, Modi said, adding that the government has also planned to provide AC fittings in the auditorium of Kalidas Rangalaya and Vidyapati Bhawan.
According to him, the high-water mark of the venues would be the International Convention Centre that is coming up at Rajgir (Nalanda) at a cost of Rs 33.56 crore. Its attraction would be Heritage Museum, while for its facilities, it would have Conference Hall and Convention Centre.
To add to the cultural attractions of Patna, the government has already decided to have a supplementary museum of international standard on Bailey Road, Modi said, adding that it was being constructed because the existing Patna Museum did not have enough space to house items of cultural significance. Besides, the department has been directed to make a blueprint for the remodelling and upgradation of Open Air Theatre of the Bharatiya Nritya Kala Mandir, he said.
Modi made these announcements and observations at the inaugural function of the three-day state-level Yuva Utsav that began here on the day. Art and culture minister Sukhda Pandey appealed to the youths to fill their lives with `sadgun, sadvichar and sadbhavana’ and also work to make the state’s cultural heritage more rich. Department secretary K P Ramaiah said that competitions were being held in performing and visual arts during the three-day cultural fest.
Read more: Art & culture to get a big boost: Modi – The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Art-culture-to-get-a-big-boost-Modi-/articleshow/7169168.cms#ixzz19NZyllD5