Ahmedabad: Celebrations for Theatre Day saw a gathering of artists and theatre enthusiasts, with a special presence of the state’s Chief Minister at Vishala here this evening. During the event, veteran actor Siddharth Randeria expressed his gratitude for the government’s efforts in constructing modern theatres across Gujarat but raised serious concerns about their maintenance.

“It’s a matter of great joy that Theatre Day is being celebrated and that the Chief Minister himself is participating,” Randeria stated in his speech from the Stage in presence of the Chief Minister, acknowledging the government’s support for the arts. However, he pointed out the deteriorating condition of many of these state-of-the-art theatres.

Randeria highlighted that while the government has invested significantly in building these venues, their upkeep is severely lacking. He cited examples of issues such as non-functional sound systems, poor seating arrangements, and even incidents of theft, such as the reported theft of taps and furniture from a newly inaugurated theatre in Vadodara within six months of its opening.

“Artists frequently perform in these venues, and it is disheartening to see them in such a state,” Randeria expressed. He suggested that the government consider entrusting the maintenance of these theatres to dedicated organizations, similar to the system in Rajkot, to ensure their proper care.

Randeria’s concerns were echoed by recent incidents, including a Hindi film actor, Ashutosh Rana, apologizing to the audience in Vadodara after the air conditioning in a theatre malfunctioned during a performance. Additionally, a report in a local newspaper highlighted the closure of a newly inaugurated auditorium in Junagadh.

The event saw the Chief Minister felicitating various artists, including Randeria, recognizing their contributions to the theatre. Randeria, who has worked under renowned directors like Suresh Rajda and Praveen Joshi, emphasized the importance of addressing these maintenance issues to preserve the sanctity of these cultural spaces. DeshGujarat