Evolving with the times

The auditorium was closed for renovation purpose from March 18 till April 21. During this duration as many as 45 events and cultural programmes had to be cancelled like musical programmes,plays,performances,felicitation ceremonies and so on.

The good news is that all these grievances seem to have been taken care of. “We have fixed all the leakages and replaced all the 1,000 chairs with new ones,” says Amar Pradeshi,manager of Balgandharva Rang Mandir. Two new air conditioners have been installed and the capacity of the existing machines have been improved. “The thing is that,earlier,Pune would never experience temperatures like 40 degree Celcius,but now it does. So,the air conditioners started to become less effective,especially in the balcony. That is why we have increased the number of blowers from four to 12 over there,” adds Pradeshi.

The false ceiling and the tin sheets of the roof have also been replaced. A lot of work has had to be put in,considering that the last renovation of the Rang Mandir was undertaken in 2006. Although the work in the auditorium has been completed,the art gallery is still in the process of getting a makeover. “The art gallery was not air conditioned before and now we have made it completely air conditioned. We are also putting in a false ceiling and changing the flooring,this is why it is taking a little more time,” explains Pradeshi. The gallery is likely to open by the second week of May.

The Bal Gandharva Rang Mandir is considered one of the best drama theatres in the city and is a part of Pune’s heritage. “I am really happy to see that this place can move with the times,update itself and still have the most concrete cultural base,” says Vijay Kamat,a BCom student who is an avid fan of theatre.

Even the 17 stage attendants working at this PMC auditorium are donning a new look with the recently sanctioned uniforms. The issue of the uniform was pending from the year 2007.