Open Savai Gandharva Hall, demand artists

Hubballi: Artists took out a protest march here on Monday demanding authorities to immediately inaugurate the Sawai Gandharva Hall, which has been closed for

renovation

.

Office bearers of Dr Gangubai Hangal Music Foundation and other artists vented their ire at civic authorities and elected representatives for neglecting to hall’s renovation.

Meanwhile, the closure of

Kannada Bhavan

for repairs has also irked artists. After Sawai Gandharva Hall was closed, artists used to organize cultural events at Kannada Bhavan.

Foundation president Manoj Hangal said that almost Rs 5 crore was spent for the renovation of the hall. “Despite spending all the sanctioned funds, still the hall is not open for artists. Because of which artists and cultural organizers are finding it difficult to conduct events. “We have waited for long time for the inauguration of the hall, but no authorities are showing interest to do so,” he added.

Now, we have decided to set an ultimatum to authorities. We will wait till January 03. If authorities fail to inaugurate the hall by then, we will protest in Dharwad during the 84th Akhila Bharat Kannada Sahitya Sammelana,” said Hangal.

Sahana Bhat, a classical dance teacher said, “Sawai Gandharva Hall is one of the important venues for artists and art lovers. Since many years the hall has not been available for artists. Civic authorities should inaugurate the hall without any delay,” she said.

Many artists alleged that seating arrangements in the hall is unscientific. “Lighting arrangements too are not supportive and are placed in wrong places. Before taking up renovation works, authorities should have taken artists into confidence,” they said. Baburao Hangal, Sujata Rajagopal, Urmila Vatra, Shashikala Dane, Gopal Kulkarni, Dnyanesh Warang and other artists, art lovers and event organisers took part in the protest.

Unique protest

Hangal said that artists will protest in a unique way at the DC office in Dharwad during the Sahitya Sammelana by performing different art forms like classical dance and classical music for six hours.