The Hindu : Karnataka News : Mangeshkar Kala Mandir renovated

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Nov 27, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka - Others

Mangeshkar Kala Mandir renovated

By Our Staff Correspondent

PANAJI, NOV. 26. Designed by the renowned architect Charles Correa and built for theatre activities almost two decades ago, the Dinanath Mangeshkar Kala Mandir, the festival theatre for the 35th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), has undergone a transition to become a cinema-cum-theatre and a cultural hotspot in Goa.

The renovation of the complex has been completed in 125 days at an estimated cost of Rs. 24 crores.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Kala Mandir here on Thursday, the Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar, said that a special project had been conceived as per the requirements of the festival. The building had not been re-designed and efforts were made to restore the original character of the building.

Facilities

The academy would feature two Christies projectors, Dolby Digital sound system, an inaugural auditorium with a capacity of 954, a press briefing room, a media centre with 36 workstations with Internet facility, a jury preview hall with 26 seats, a room for question and answer sessions with film directors, an amphitheatre with 1,100 seats, a restaurant, and a film bazaar.

A wooden jetty had been erected on the banks of the Mandovi to ferry invitees from Fort Aguada Beach Resort, while the entire promenade between the academy and the Mandovi had been redone with colourful lighting, Mr. Parrikar said.

The chairman of the academy and Leader of the Opposition, Pratapsingh Rane, who was present, expressed satisfaction over the renovation of the complex. He said Mr. Parrikar's suggestion to start a film club would be considered.

Websites launched

Mr. Parrikar launched the official website of IFFI-Goa, www.iffigoa.org, which will act as an interface between the local organisers, participants, delegates, and the public. It will provide information about the festival, participants, registration queries, accommodation, travel, hourly update of the festival, and other programmes. The website will also have a photo gallery.

The Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) has launched a website, www.welcome2goa.com.

The ESG and the Directorate of Film Festivals had decided to reserve at least 20 per cent of the seats at Inox Multiplex, which has 1,275 seats, for the public to view the festival films, Neelam Kapur, Director IFFI, said.

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