The Stage is set

Theatre days are here again. And the spotlight8217;s on the one and only Tagore Theatre.

8230;with Tagore Theatre returning in a magnificent 038; ingenious avatar

Theatre days are here again. And the spotlight8217;s on the one and only Tagore Theatre. It8217;s Act II for a building that8217;s synonymous with the complete art, 8216;theatre8217; and the applause is more than due. The word 8216;renovated8217; will be inappropriate to describe the place. The script has been re-written and not barely the look, but the soul has been resurrected and you have a scene-stealer.

The entrance leads into a glass box, one that has a beautiful glass ceiling with wood panelling. As sunlight streams into this box, you stop and stare, for there8217;s a sense of opulence, which is not jarring. And who better to take you through the making of it all, than the woman who has infused new life into Tagore Theatre. 8220;Coming to and into a theatre should be an experience, a celebration, a special moment and this is the philosophy that the plan was conceived and put into action,8217;8217; Namita Satnam Singh looks at her baby with pride. Without tampering with the basic structure and look, the architect has recreated the theatre, keeping in perspective the needs of both the audience and theatre performers and artists. 8220;It8217;s something we have all grown up with and I didn8217;t want to tamper with nostalgia, so yes, this was a challenge, but one positive factor was that the inside was completely independent of the outside, so I could create something entirely different inside,8217;8217; the architectural input by Namita has been honorary. An excellent team, complete support and back-up from the Chandigarh Administration, adds Namita, is responsible for the metamorphosis.

Starting with an increased seating capacity, from about 530 seats to now 824 and comfortable chairs, the Theatre is state-of-the-art, be it the excellent view of the stage from the first to the last row, advanced lighting and sound systems, plush interiors, a bigger and better stage, glass 8216;opera8217; boxes and an unbelievable feeling of space. The best feature, the theatre can change from a mammoth to an intimate one with the press of a button. 8220;Yes, we have a mechanical divider that does this task, depending on the size of the audience. What8217;s more, with mechanical wings, the stage too can be made smaller and the red seats too disappear from the scene,8217;8217; Namita shows you the huge green rooms, public utilities, a swish canteen area with an art wall and a spacious, sound-insulted basement for actors to rehearse and get their act together.

The old rehearsal area here is being transformed into an experimental theatre, with 150 seats and a flexible stage and there8217;s also a plan for a small pavilion with a library and refreshment area, so that this can be regular hang-out area and haunt for theatre artists. 8220;I studied closely theatres across the world, took inputs of senior theatre directors, performers and regular theatre-goers and of course my experience to work out a holistic plan,8217;8217; smiles Singh. Take a bow!

Parul

Parul is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express in Chandigarh. She is a seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience specializing in public health, higher education, and the architectural heritage of Northern India. Professional Profile Education: Graduate in Humanities with a specialized focus on Journalism and Mass Communication from Panjab University, Chandigarh. Career Path: She began her career covering local city beats and human interest stories before joining The Indian Express in 2009. Over the last decade and a half, she has risen to the rank of Principal Correspondent, becoming the publication’s primary voice on Chandigarh’s premier medical and academic institutions. Expertise: Her reporting is deeply rooted in the institutional dynamics of PGIMER (Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) and Panjab University. She is highly regarded for her ability to navigate complex administrative bureaucracies to deliver student-centric and patient-centric news. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2024 - 2025) Her recent work highlights critical reporting on healthcare infrastructure, academic governance, and urban culture: 1. Public Health & PGIMER "PGIMER expands digital registry: Centralized patient records to reduce wait times by 40%" (Nov 20, 2025): A detailed look at the digital transformation of one of India's busiest medical institutes to tackle patient influx. "Robotic Surgery at PGI: Why the new urology wing is a game-changer for North India" (Oct 12, 2025): Reporting on the acquisition of state-of-the-art medical technology and its impact on affordable healthcare. "Shortage of life-saving drugs: Inside the supply chain crisis at government pharmacies" (Dec 5, 2025): An investigative piece on the logistical hurdles affecting chronic patients in the tri-city area. 2. Education & Institutional Governance "Panjab University Senate Election: The battle for institutional autonomy" (Dec 18, 2025): In-depth coverage of the high-stakes internal elections and the friction between traditional governance and central reforms. "Research funding dip: How PU’s science departments are navigating the 2025 budget cuts" (Nov 5, 2025): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing researchers and the impact on India's global academic ranking. 3. Art, Culture & Heritage "Le Corbusier’s legacy in peril: The struggle to preserve Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex" (Dec 22, 2025): A feature on the conservation efforts and the tension between urban modernization and UNESCO heritage status. "Chandigarh Art District: How street murals are reclaiming the city’s grey walls" (Oct 30, 2025): A cultural profile of the local artists transforming the aesthetic of the "City Beautiful." Signature Style Parul is known for her empathetic lens, often centering her stories on the individuals affected by policy—whether it is a student navigating university red tape or a patient seeking care. She possesses a unique ability to translate dense administrative notifications into actionable information for the public. Her long-standing beat experience makes her a trusted source for "inside-track" developments within Chandigarh’s most guarded institutions. X (Twitter): @parul_express ... Read More