Kaveri Kalakshetra cries for a facelift

Kaveri Kalakshetra, an auditorium in Madikeri, is in a deplorable condition and is desperately waiting for a facelift.

The hall had been used in the past for public meetings and cultural programmes in the district headquarters even before India became independent. Unfortunately, these days the organisers of events hold the programmes amid fear.

The cracks on the wall, broken windows and doors, the damaged ceiling and seats are what one will encounter while visiting Kaveri Kalakshetra.

During the rainy season, water also seeps on to the stage. The weeds growing on the roof of the building highlight the neglect by the CMC in maintaining Kaveri Kalakshetra.

The building gets a coat of paint only during Dasara celebrations, said a local resident.

The district does no lack artistes. However, there is no platform for the artistes to showcase their talent. The residents in the district have been demanding a ranga mandira to promote cultural programmes.

CMC members feel that if Kaveri Kalakshetra is developed, then many will use it for marriage functions, thus increasing the revenue of the CMC.

Though the CMC had earmarked Rs 2 crore for a new building for Kaveri Kalakshetra in its budget in 2016-17, it has not materialised so far. The state government too fails to sanction money for the facelift of Kaveri Kalakshetra, said CMC members.