Tiff over Tagore hall

Thiruvananthapuram: The phase I of the renovation of Tagore Theatre - the popular cultural hub in the heart of the city - continues to be an unending ritual with KTDFC (Kerala Transport Development Finance Corporation Ltd)  dragging its feet on the project. An irked Information and Public Relation Department (I&PRD), who owns the hall,  has decided to disassociate all ties with KTDFC and has given a 30-day ultimatum to rectify all the flaws in the theatre hall. Leaking roof is one of the major concerns in the hall, which is going to be the main venue of the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK).

It is learnt the KTDFC is yet to hand over the completed Tagore theatre to I&PRD. Rs 23.04 crore worth renovation work was undertaken by KTDFC to spruce up the Tagore theatre back in 2011. Though the hall was reopened in 2015, recurring maintenance work is becoming a matter of concern.

"We have done an evaluation of the entire work undertaken by KTDFC with the help of Public Works Department (PWD). A report was submitted to the government following which a meeting was held with them. They have agreed to rectify all the flaws within a month," said an official of I&PRD.  "We are unable to award annual maintenance contracts because KTDFC is yet to officially hand over the project. We have released Rs 19 crores to KTDFC so far and there are some pending dues which will be settled only after they fix all the flaws in the works taken up by them," the official added.

Allegations of corruption are rife with cultural activists coming forward against I&PRD for mismanagement of Tagore Centenary Hall. Film critic and Kerala Chalachithra Academy general council member V.K. Jospeh said that there is a huge apathy from the part of the PRD authorities. "The PRD authorities have been a total failure in managing the Tagore theatre - which was one of the prime cultural spots in Thiruvananthapuram. They have heavily commercialised the theatre hall by hiking up the rates making it inaccessible for film societies and clubs. Many a time we have requested the authorities to hand over the theatre for setting up the film complex for conducting IFFK and other festivals," said Mr Joseph. He said that the government should carry out a thorough investigation on the money spent on the project.

Cultural activist Louis Mathew said that the investment to renovate the Tagore Theatre has gone in vain. "They could have constructed a brand new theatre hall instead of renovating the existing one. Government authorities are only interested in purchase and construction. There is huge corruption involved," said Mr Mathew.

Dolby system to be installed at Tagore

As part of the modernisation plan and to perfect the acoustics, the I&PRD is installing state-of-the-art Dolby system at Tagore Theatre.  The plan is to complete the installation of the Dolby system worth Rs 1.89 crores before the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) to be held in December.  Though leaking roof is a major concern, the authorities have decided to go ahead with the new sound system project.

According to I&PRD authorities, Kerala Transport Development Finance Corporation Ltd (KTDFC) has agreed to finish the rectification works of the Theatre Hall within a month. The electronic wing under the Public Works Department (PWD) is doing the Dolby project.

"Our focus is on rectifying all the problems before IFFK and brand new sound system would be a treat for film enthusiasts," said the official. The official said that the department has plans to provide the theatre for film certification in the future. "The current sound system is not a perfect one and the hall is very huge with a seating capacity to accommodate 1,000 people. This would give a new viewing experience for the public," said the official.

An official of Public Works Department said that the leaking roof will not affect the project for the timebeing. "The leak was detected in the backstage of the hall. However, we have informed the authorities to rectify the leaking problem at the earliest to avoid damages," said the official.