Mayor Kavitha Listens Grievances of Artists, Assures to solve problems
Mangaluru: Mayor Kavitha Sanil held a discussion with various stage play artists at her chamber, MCC Premises here on June 17.
Ashok Shetty Sarapady said that some stage plays should be performed in the town hall free of cost. Such plays should be given concession and for those who perform stage play with entry fees should be charged Rs 10,000 rent and Rs 5,000 as a deposit.
Popular Yakshagana artist Satish Patla said, “Earlier the Town Hall was utilised by poor artists and many talents have come out from this stage. After the renovation of the Town Hall, the rent of the Town Hall is very high and poor artists cannot afford it. Earlier there was a provision to book the Town Hall six months prior to the programme but now it has been reduced to two months. The poor artists are not getting the Town Hall to organise any stage plays nor cultural programmes. So our artists are moving to Mumbai and other states to perform.”
Devdas Kapikad said that in the rainy season there were many cultural programmes in the Town Hall that attracted many art lovers which helped the artists to grow as well as they have received good support. But after the renovation, the rent has been greatly increased because of which many of the artists go to other districts to perform.”
Vijaykumar Kodialbail said, “Town hall was the only place for cultural programmes as well as for stage plays. But after the renovation, there are many technical issues with sound system and lighting. Instead of asking suggestions and opinion of the artists the MCC is taking the opinion of Engineer Dharmaraj who doesn’t have any knowledge of cultural programmes. Now the artists need to bring the additional sound system, light and generator from outside which is a burden on the organisers”.
Artist Shivanand Karkera said, “Adjacent to the Town Hall, a mini hall has been constructed and inaugurated in a hurry. It was constructed to hold small programmes, but the hall does not have a green room, no screen, no Mike facilities etc. In such a situation how can anyone hold programmes in the mini hall?”
Kudroli Ganesh suggested that the Mayor take the initiative to reduce the rent of the hall.
Kadri Navneet Shetty said, “The booking for the Town Hall should be transparent and the artists should get an opportunity to organise programmes there. For additional lighting and sound system, additional plugs should be installed to the Hall generator.”
After listening to the grievances, Kavitha Sanil said, “Within fifteen days artistes will be able to book the Town Hall online. To avoid any misuse we will take necessary measures. In the next council meeting, the issue of the rent for the Town Hall will be discussed.”
All the artistes thanked the Mayor for listening to their grievances and appreciated the initiative of the Mayor to call for this meeting.
Former Mayor Mahabala Marla, Sabitha Misquith, Ganesh Hosabettu, MCC Commissioner Mohammed Nazir and Praveen were also present.