Renovating Abhinav Theatre

Abhinav Theatre in Jammu is aging. It has been the repository of Jammu region’s cultural history. Many events of great historical significance were performed in this theatre. It is the only cultural hub of Jammu and has become part of cultural life of Jammu. The theatre has been the source of inspirations to a variety of cultural activity especially drama, symposia, mushairas, music and dance concerts etc. But it is aging and needs large scale renovation to be called a modern theatre in true sense of the term. Fortunately, it is located at a very central place with large space that can make it really a site of great attraction. A lot is needed to be done to change the entire face of the theatre. First and foremost is to remodel and renovate the entire structure, add more auditoriums, conference rooms, meeting rooms with adequate audio-visual facilities, state of art communication system, quality furniture and inner paraphernalia, rest rooms with modern sanitary fitting, a library with plenty of light and fresh air and florescent lights fitted, escalators and lifts and most modern sound system. At the same time the laying of gardens, flower beds, verdure and plantation in the spacious lawns of the theatre are also needed. The boundary of the premises should be walled and a parking slot has to be allotted, many be multi-storeyed parking structure. It should have excellent catering facility, modern type of fast food facility and children’s recreational facility. Such facilities would also be appreciated for Tagore Hall in Srinagar. We appreciate the Ministry of Culture having appointed a sub-committee to report on the plan of renovation and reconstruction of two prestigious cultural establishments.