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Time of India

New look, better sound & lights: IconicBali auditorium reopens after 6 years

TNN Lucknow: The Rai Umanath Bali auditorium, a cultural landmark in the city, which has seen the best of city's theatre in the past, reopened after six years on Friday following an extensive renovation work. Renovated at the cost of about Rs 3.81 crore, the light and sound system in the auditorium with the seating capacity of 246 has been improved. The renovation of the auditorium also includes new seats and covers carpets, improved air conditioners and fire safety. Constructed by the culture department, the auditorium was opened to the public on March 27, 1987, by the then chief minister Veer Bahadur Singh. On Friday, the renovated auditorium was inaugurated by culture and tourism minister Jaiveer Singh. The auditorium was named after one of the founder members of Marris College of Hindustani Music, now Bhatkhande Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya, said Daya Prakash Sinha, who was state cultural secretary at that time. The first play staged in the auditorium was 'Yahudi Ki Ladki', which starred city theatre's doyen Anil Rastogi and was directed by Urmil Thapliyal, he added. Recalling old days, Rastogi said, "Rai Umanath Bali auditorium was like a Mecca for theatre artists in UP. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Scam Exposed: What They Won't Tell You about zero trust! Expertinspector Click Here Undo It helped in the growth of many artists." Another actor, director and playwright Surya Mohan Kulshreshtha said, "It was an ideal place for theatre with appropriate seating capacity. It was also accessible to people from all over the city." Artist Dabir Siddiqui said, "It was the most affordable auditorium for theatre artists in UP." The minister announced that from now on performance remuneration will be transferred directly to bank accounts of artists. He also said a pension scheme for senior artists is also in the pipeline. Principal secretary Mukesh Meshram announced that cultural competitions will be held across Uttar Pradesh from block to district levels and winners will be felicitated during the UP Diwas celebrations. Bhatkhande Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya's VC Prof Mandavi Singh and registrar Shrishti Dhawan were also present. The event was also attended by folk singer Malini Awasthi and Swareshwar Bali, grandson of Late Rai Umanath Bali, principal secretary of health department Selva Kumari, chairperson of Birju Maharaj Kathak Sansthan Kum Kum Dhar Chaudhary and president of Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Akademi (UPSNA) Jayant Khot. TNN Lucknow: The Rai Umanath Bali auditorium, a cultural landmark in the city, which has seen the best of city's theatre in the past, reopened after six years on Friday following an extensive renovation work. Renovated at the cost of about Rs 3.81 crore, the light and sound system in the auditorium with the seating capacity of 246 has been improved. The renovation of the auditorium also includes new seats and covers carpets, improved air conditioners and fire safety. Constructed by the culture department, the auditorium was opened to the public on March 27, 1987, by the then chief minister Veer Bahadur Singh. On Friday, the renovated auditorium was inaugurated by culture and tourism minister Jaiveer Singh. The auditorium was named after one of the founder members of Marris College of Hindustani Music, now Bhatkhande Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya, said Daya Prakash Sinha, who was state cultural secretary at that time. The first play staged in the auditorium was 'Yahudi Ki Ladki', which starred city theatre's doyen Anil Rastogi and was directed by Urmil Thapliyal, he added. Recalling old days, Rastogi said, "Rai Umanath Bali auditorium was like a Mecca for theatre artists in UP. It helped in the growth of many artists." Another actor, director and playwright Surya Mohan Kulshreshtha said, "It was an ideal place for theatre with appropriate seating capacity. It was also accessible to people from all over the city." Artist Dabir Siddiqui said, "It was the most affordable auditorium for theatre artists in UP." The minister announced that from now on performance remuneration will be transferred directly to bank accounts of artists. He also said a pension scheme for senior artists is also in the pipeline. Principal secretary Mukesh Meshram announced that cultural competitions will be held across Uttar Pradesh from block to district levels and winners will be felicitated during the UP Diwas celebrations. Bhatkhande Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya's VC Prof Mandavi Singh and registrar Shrishti Dhawan were also present. The event was also attended by folk singer Malini Awasthi and Swareshwar Bali, grandson of Late Rai Umanath Bali, principal secretary of health department Selva Kumari, chairperson of Birju Maharaj Kathak Sansthan Kum Kum Dhar Chaudhary and president of Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Akademi (UPSNA) Jayant Khot.