JOIN USKalamandir rental hike forces users opt for alternate platforms
There were complaints about the auditorium regarding its basic facilities. As a result of this the Kalamandir got revamped with new chairs, stage, audio facilities and even the exterior got a face lift.
Before the dust could settle down, Kalamandir is back in the news, this time with its rent in limelight. The rent was increased considerably which made various organisations host their programmes in the Gandhi Bhavan and Placement auditorium.
Charges
The rent for the Kalamandir ranges from ` 3000 to ` 10,000 depending upon the scale and nature of the programme. Cultural programmes are charged ` 3000 while College and school programmes are charged ` 5000. District-level and state-level function attract higher rent. Electricity charges and other miscellaneous charges are levied other than the rent.
Assistant Director of Kannada and Culture Department, rejected this complaint that the programmes have reduced in number at Kalamandir. He said that unlike before, only one programme is being held here, which is why people think the number of programmes have gone down.
Diesel prices
He added that the rent has been increased in accordance with the hike in diesel prices and the revamping of the auditorium.
He said that a meeting would be held to discuss this matter at the earliest and was unable to do so with preparations for the District Utsava and Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar Utsava.
“ It is very difficult to organise programmes at these venues as the rent is very high.
Their aim should not be profit but it should be community welfare. There is no use talking with the officials, we will have to protest,” Jayaprakash Gowda, President, Karnataka Sangha
Reduce
“ We have to pay Rs 10,000 for a state-level programme as rent and also have to bear the diesel and electricity charges. Instead of increasing the rent they can reduce the rent and have more programmes” said H S Muddegowda, President, District Kannada Sahithya Parishat.