PMC begins repairs at Pune civic theatres after complaints from artistes

Artistes have repeatedly complained about the condition of civic auditoriums in Pune. In some places the roof leaks, in others the air conditioning does not work properly, and in some the toilets are left dirty. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has now started repair work at some auditoriums, while further improvements are being planned at the rest.

The worst affected is the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Bhavan on Ghole Road. The auditorium has been closed since November 1. Its seats and air-conditioning system are to be repaired and the roof waterproofed. Once the work is complete, the auditorium may reopen after November 10. No play or other event can be held there while the work is on.

At Balgandharva Rangmandir, the focus is on improving washroom facilities. The work was taken up after complaints about poor cleanliness. The PMC has decided not to close the auditorium here. Plays and other events will continue alongside the repairs.

The complaints are not limited to a single auditorium. Artistes have raised the issues of broken chairs, unreliable cooling systems and rainwater coming into the hall through the roof. Such problems affect both artistes and audiences, especially during long programmes.

Next on the corporation's repair list is the Yashwantrao Chavan Natyagruha in Kothrud. Work is to be done on several parts of it, including the stage, sound system, seats and VIP room. It could take around two months, but the schedule has not yet been fixed.

The challenge before the corporation is not only to finish the current work. Artistes have been voicing concern about basic facilities for a long time, so regular maintenance is as important as repairs. If the auditoriums are to be made more dependable for plays and cultural events, these recurring problems will have to be resolved.