The historic cultural complex of Jammu called Abhinav Theatre came into existence in early 1970s when the wave of cultural renaissance swept the entire Jammu region. Elders of Jammu civil society had at that time taken up a cause that in the course of the march of history, vibrant and noticeable characteristics of Jammu region’s cultural heritage needed to be preserved, protected and promoted. This complex was raised with great expectations which came true in the course of history. When we look back at the history of the complex and re-visit the memory of cultural event of extraordinary significance performed from the stage of this complex we appreciate the vision of the founders of this complex.
The blue print of the Abhinav Theatre prepared by a Chandigarh-based architect could easily be called a remarkable piece of creativity on the sprawling lawns adjacent to the busiest point in the city of Jammu called Jewel Chowk. The theatre has originality and individuality. Local masons, carpenters, artisans and builders contributed their ingenuity and vision in raising this structure. It has a huge auditorium capable of accommodating more than a thousand guests, halls, large balconies, stately performance stage, over-imposing curtains and tapestry and well-cared for audition system. Many events of historical importance have been performed in this theatre and many distinguished personalities inside and outside the country have address the audience from its stage. Many functions of abiding social and cultural importance have been organised and many celebrated artists have walked the stage of this theatre. It has become integral part of post-independence history of Jammu and a memorabilia for the future generations of Duggardesh. The very name Abhinav goes back in history to the great scholar of Kashmir Abhinav Gupt whose contribution to Shaivite philosophy remains unparalleled.
The theatre is more than four decades old. Though it retains its pristine grandeur and grace, yet keeping in mind the fact that performing arts have gone through sea change in our times and culture itself has become dimensional because we need to represent even the smallest cultural unit from the mosaic of our heterogeneous society, therefore it was thought unavoidable to renovate and refurbish the theatre with such facilities, equipment and additions as would upgrade it to the level of a functional modern theatre.
People at the helm of affairs gave thought to it and after due consultations recommended that the State Government and the Union Ministry of Culture take up for approval and execution the project of renovating the theatre in a befitting manner. A sum of rupees 2.97 crores was approved for updating the theatre and the job was assigned to the State Public Works Department. It is nearly two years or more that the work on the project is going on. The cost has escalated to more than 6 crore rupees. In the meanwhile a team of experts aided by the central team from the Union Ministry of Culture visited the site in November last to assess the nature and quality of progress. But regrettably the team was unhappy to find that those handling the project were devoid of aesthetic taste and eye for excellence. They did not have the experience of understanding what the cultural and aesthetics demand the building and its structure to be. Thus what they are trying to recreate is a mundane and unexciting kind of renovation that does not go with the spirit of the cultural excellence that the theatre is supposed to represent. Even the chairs that have been accepted are reported to be insipid and tasteless. It is painful that instead of leaving the project entirely to the discretion of the PWD functionaries, the decorative and aesthetic part of the structure, its furnishing, decor etc. should have been left to the care of artists and interior decorators with fine and delicate sense of aesthetics. After all, such a historic and significant complex needs vision and taste to go hand in hand in its making.
We would like to implore the authorities on State and Central level to immediately constitute a committee of artists, architects, interior decorators and experts to advise and guide the PWD to inject the aesthetics into the renovation and remodelling of the Abhinav Theatre. The outer landscape must be one that would make onlookers spellbound about the innovative faculty of its creator. It has to be a speaking and vibrant monument not a morbid one.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel