Dinanath Mangeshkar theatre in Sangli in disrepair, from stage to toilets

Sangli is known around the world as a city of theatre. The Sangli Miraj Kupwad Municipal Corporation's theatre here is named after Master Dinanath Mangeshkar, who is called Sangeetsurya. Through his singing and powerful acting, he enriched the world of Marathi musical theatre in particular. It is alleged that the administration has turned the theatre bearing his name into a dumping ground.

Several handcarts, flex banners, digital boards and other unwanted items taken from encroachers in the municipal area have been dumped in the theatre premises. A large quantity of waste paper from the corporation's offices has been stacked at the entrance itself. Heaps of rubbish can be seen piled up below the portraits of a man who built a grand reputation through art.

The main stage and the seating in front of it, the doors, windows, toilets and make-up rooms are all completely dilapidated. Trees have also sprung up in large numbers in many places. The municipal administration has not paid attention to the theatre since the 2019 floods.

Councillor Kedar Khadilkar has taken up the cause of getting the theatre renovated so that ordinary and poor artists and citizens can use it. For this, he will also lobby the administration at the political level. Khadilkar said all councillors and the leader of the opposition should take the initiative and raise the demand in the general body meeting.