Once Dharwad’s cultural heartbeat, Kalabhavan waits in silence for revival nod

Pic: Decay, failed repairs and delays have kept auditorium shut since 2022, even as a Rs 100-crore redevelopment plan awaits approvalDharwad: In Dharwad, where music and literature are woven into everyday life, the Dr Mallikarjun Mansur Kalabhavan stands locked and quiet, its doors shut and its future unresolved.Built in the 1970s at Kadapa Maidan, the auditorium rose to national prominence as a venue for international music festivals and performances, drawing audiences from across the country. Named after legendary Hindustani vocalist Dr Mallikarjun Mansur, it came to embody the city's musical legacy.That legacy began fading in the early 2000s, when signs of structural strain surfaced. Cracks appeared, ceilings weakened, and seating deteriorated. Citing safety concerns, authorities closed the building in 2005, starting a cycle of long pauses and unfulfilled revival plans.In 2010, the state govt sanctioned renovation funds and handed the project to Nirmiti Kendra. After nearly seven years, the Kalabhavan reopened in 2017 following repairs costing Rs 5 crore. The revival did not last. Within three years, false ceilings collapsed, cracks reappeared, and infrastructure fell into disrepair. The venue was shut again in 2022.Since then, the absence of a large, affordable public auditorium has been keenly felt. Many artistes, particularly young and financially constrained performers, say opportunities have narrowed."It was accessible to all, including underprivileged performers. Today, with most venues privately owned and expensive, many artistes are left without opportunities," said theatre activist Ravi Kulkarni.Civic authorities say efforts were made to revive the Kalabhavan. Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) floor leader Iresh Anchatgeri said attempts during his tenure as mayor were hindered by recurring maintenance problems. Proposals to rent the venue for private functions, including weddings, also met resistance from cultural groups concerned about safeguarding its artistic purpose.The HDMC has now proposed a Rs 100-crore redevelopment plan to be submitted to the state govt shortly. The plan calls for demolishing the existing structure and constructing a modern complex with a 1,000-seat symphony auditorium, a music gallery and commercial spaces on the upper floors, with government funding support.Yet scepticism remains after years of delay. Social activist Uday Yendigeri criticised authorities for repeatedly citing a lack of funds despite appeals to ministers and officials.As the proposal awaits a decision, the Kalabhavan continues to deteriorate — an iconic space frozen between memory and intent in a city that once placed it at the centre of its cultural life.