Will Rangamandira take off this time?

MANGALORE: The Rangamandira (theatre for fine arts) project for the city has still not got over its jinx even after it saw the third foundation stone laid by chief minister Yeddyurappa three months back.
The project is likely to see another blueprint, which will be the fifth one in a decade. Also, the project is likely to be a scaled down version of the original project.
Dramatist and writer Na Damodara Shetty, also Rangamandira Committee member, told STOI that going by the current indications the project may not house the Tulu, Konkani and Beary sahitya academies."The project may have only the theatre and not its allied projects as there is a dispute over land plus the project may be scaled down to half of what it was originally estimated at Rs 15-20 crore," he said.
As far as the Rangamandira is concerned, the city should be considered thoroughly unlucky. The project has been suffering from one malaise after another and the first committee constituted for this purpose has already celebrated its silver jubilee.
The conceptualization of a Rangamandira here started in mid-80s when the state government proposed to construct Rangamandira in the districts for promotion of language, folk art and culture during the World Kannada Convention at Mysore.
Initially, three places were identified for the fine arts theatre -- near Mangala Stadium and Wenlock Hospital and Urwa, but had to be rejected following public protests that they were needed for other developmental activities. Finally, Kadri Deer Park was selected and after the animals was shifted to Pilikula. Again Deer Park site was changed citing it was not spacious to house allied projects like buildings to house the offices of the Beary, Konkani and Tulu academies.
The present Bondel location is under the PWD. After the latest foundation stone was laid by Yeddyurappa, locals raised objections saying it was a play ground used by them. The location now has been shifted a little far from the where the foundation stone was laid, but the space available is only 4.5 acres, which is not enough for the allied projects.
On Saturday, deputy commissioner Subodh directed tehsildar to survey the land before the construction of the theatre commenced. He also told the department of Kannada and culture to submit the survey report by Wednesday so that a fresh blueprint of the project could be prepared. He said this unscientific approach and project report have been the cause of the Rangamandira project in a nascent stage since the past two decades.
Stanly.pinto@timesgroup.com