It is high time Dharwad, known as educational hub, is also developed as a special cultural zone. This could make it first of its kind in the country.
The city of seven hills has strong traditions in promotion of art and culture. It is a laboratory of Hindustani Music. Highly accomplished people in the field of theatre, poetry, fine arts have enriched this region. Dharwad still carries forward this tradition.
Thus Dharwad's DNA of Dharwad , which is its cultural vibrancy, needs to be preserved, promoted and consolidated.
Taking a cue from the SEZ then deputy commissioner of Dharwad district Darpan Jain had mooted the idea of Special Cultural Zone.
This zone focuses on preserving, promoting and consolidating of Dharwad's arts and cultural heritage. The SCZ would have the hard and soft infrastructure required for achieving this end. The hard infrastructure comprises auditoriums, open air theatre, museums, rehearsal areas, studios, libraries, research centres, training schools, merchandise etc. Soft infrastructures consist of artists, musicians, litterateurs and supporting people who would pursue their vocation from here and at the same time train the young and upcoming artists.
Already Dharwad has well developed physical infrastructure in the form of Kalabhavan (which is being renovated), Karnatak Vidyavardhaka Sangha, Government Art Gallery, Suvarna Cultural Complex, Rangayana, Alur Venkatrao Bhavan, Karnataka College, Srujana auditorium, Mallikarjun Mansur Trust, Sadhanakeri, Kittur Channama Park, BendreBhavan and Kelgeri which form an important cultural corridor.
Kala Bhavan, which is the nerve centre and Kadapa Maidan are now being developed. Already civil work at a cost of Rs 2 crore under chief minister's special grants has started. It would comprise modifications to stage, green rooms, shifting of toilet blocks and improvement of elevation of the building.
The biggest auditorium in the district would be centrally air-conditioned with latest lighting and sound system. Interiors are also being changed. Kadapa maidan needs to be suitably landscaped to consist of exhibition area, sitting areas, cafeteria, open air theatre and parking places. Jain had estimated that the total cost of the entire work could go up to Rs 7 crore.
The city of seven hills has strong traditions in promotion of art and culture. It is a laboratory of Hindustani Music. Highly accomplished people in the field of theatre, poetry, fine arts have enriched this region. Dharwad still carries forward this tradition.
Thus Dharwad's DNA of Dharwad , which is its cultural vibrancy, needs to be preserved, promoted and consolidated.
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Dharwad with its good connectivity, pleasant weather, green and peaceful environment is rightly poised to take this leap. Being a cusp between an urban and a rural area, it has advantages of both without their disadvantages. However, due to fast urbanisation and increasing outside influence through internet, television and other media this is going to be a challenge. It is, therefore, important to ensure that this treasure trove of culture gets further evolved and enriched rather than getting eroded.
Taking a cue from the SEZ then deputy commissioner of Dharwad district Darpan Jain had mooted the idea of Special Cultural Zone.
This zone focuses on preserving, promoting and consolidating of Dharwad's arts and cultural heritage. The SCZ would have the hard and soft infrastructure required for achieving this end. The hard infrastructure comprises auditoriums, open air theatre, museums, rehearsal areas, studios, libraries, research centres, training schools, merchandise etc. Soft infrastructures consist of artists, musicians, litterateurs and supporting people who would pursue their vocation from here and at the same time train the young and upcoming artists.
Already Dharwad has well developed physical infrastructure in the form of Kalabhavan (which is being renovated), Karnatak Vidyavardhaka Sangha, Government Art Gallery, Suvarna Cultural Complex, Rangayana, Alur Venkatrao Bhavan, Karnataka College, Srujana auditorium, Mallikarjun Mansur Trust, Sadhanakeri, Kittur Channama Park, BendreBhavan and Kelgeri which form an important cultural corridor.
Kala Bhavan, which is the nerve centre and Kadapa Maidan are now being developed. Already civil work at a cost of Rs 2 crore under chief minister's special grants has started. It would comprise modifications to stage, green rooms, shifting of toilet blocks and improvement of elevation of the building.
The biggest auditorium in the district would be centrally air-conditioned with latest lighting and sound system. Interiors are also being changed. Kadapa maidan needs to be suitably landscaped to consist of exhibition area, sitting areas, cafeteria, open air theatre and parking places. Jain had estimated that the total cost of the entire work could go up to Rs 7 crore.