Mysore: The cultural capital of Mysore has contributed significantly in promoting theater, owing to which it has prominence among the theater groups in the nation.

Meanwhile, the infrastructural developments meant for theater groups in the city are neglected that is proven in the under construction amphitheater located On Hunsoor Road, here.

Amphitheater not yet realized:

The state government had released funds to construct amphitheaters in seven key towns including Mysore as part of golden jubilee celebration of Karnataka statehood.  Its irony that in spite of the project has begun five years ago, it has not been completed.  The theater artistes of Mysore who are significant with extraordinary talents still lack a amphitheater owing to the lethargy of state administration towards arts and culture.

In spite of the amateur theater artistes of city have been demanding the state administration, since 40 years to construct an amphitheater, it was yet to be realized.  However, the state administration of that time, granted Rs 30 lac to construct an amphitheater on the left side of Kala Mandir, to mark the celebration of Karnataka statehood.

The then DC convened a meeting in this regard and state Kannada culture department commissioner Vittal Murthy earmarked a plot and issued the contract to build the amphitheater to Nirmiti Kendra. It has prepared a project at an estimated cost of Rs 1.61 crore and forwarded the proposal to the state administration.

The blue-print has been prepared by architect Bhushan and construction works began 5 years ago.  However, the works are going on in snails phase. The thater artistes are in distress, since construction works that are overseen by Deputy Commissioner are remained incomplete. Several theater artistes including Na Ratna, Kadamba, Umesh presented memorandum to CMs,urging the authorities to complete the works at the earliest for the benefit of theater enthusiasts.

There are no amphitheaters in the city, except Dwanyaloka of Professor C D Narasimhayya, located near Bogadi layout, here. There are several theater groups including Samatantu, Amarakala Sangh, Samudaya, Janamana, Nirantara, Natana etc; there their aspirations for an amphitheater got to be realized, that is what theater enthusiasts urge for. 

M S Raghavendra