Built 47 years ago at a cost of Rs. 46.50 lakhs, a sum of around Rs.1.45 crore is being spent on the repair and upgradation of the first auditorium of Jammu—Abhinav Theatre.
The Abhinav Theatre was inaugurated by the then chief minister Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah on 27 April 1978 which was a great day for the art and culture of the region. This was the only theatre that was professionally built after Srinagar’s Tagore Hall.
Not many people know that the Abhinav Theatre is named after a great scholar and Dramaturgy Abhinavgupt, who was born in a Saiva Brahmin family of Kashmir between 950 and 960 A.D. He had written no less than 45 works which show his command over various subjects.
Abhinavgupt, as a philosopher and scholar of science of drama & dance, enjoyed great reputation throughout India. In South India, he is still recognised by dancers as an incarnation of Sesa (Sheshnag).
Abhinavagupta was born in Kashmir in a Kanyakubja Brahmin family of scholars and mystics whose ancestors immigrated from Kannauj on invitation by the great king of Kashmir, Lalitaditya Muktapida.
It is unfortunate that we in J&K have failed to recognise the contributions of Abhinavgupt, except constructing the theatre, but the Lucknow University has established the Abhinavagupt Institute of Aesthetics and Shaiva Philosophy to promote advance researches in the field of Shaiva Philosophy of Kashmir. This philosophy flourished in Kashmir in the period of 9th AD to 13th AD. It is considered the most advanced thinking in the field of Indian Philosophy. Abhinavgupt is the chief exponent of this system.
The Gulab Bhavan near the Shalamar Chowk was the main centre for performance of art and culture before the Abhinav Theatre came up.
According to official figures, a sum of Rs. 41.60 lakh has been spent during the last financial year on repair & upgradation of the Abhinav Theatre. Rs. 5.69 lakh have been spent on repair of the rooftop of the theatre.
Another amount of Rs. 101.93 lakhs is being spent on upgradation of sound & light and also replacing the curtains. Rs. 37.41 lakhs are earmarked for rebuilding the theatre’s compound wall.
The brochure published at the time of inauguration of the Abhinav Theatre gives an insight into the vision and cost in its construction
The report by HL Maini, the then managing director of JKPCC Ltd; says that the work of the construction of Cultural Academy Building was entrusted to J & K Projects Construction Corporation Ltd. (A J & K State Government Enterprise).
“The J & K PCC Ltd. considers it as a matter of pride to have been entrusted with the execution of such a prestigious work, which is aimed at fostering the social and cultural activities of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Considering the ethical values attached to such a construc- tion of public importance, we cannot but remain grateful to the Govern- ment for having asked this Corporation to execute this work”.
“The Theatre Building is a unique structure in its own way and has, therefore, reason to stand apart from the general class of construction coming up these days. The construction is a blend of haunting imagination and art perfected by the modern engineering techniques. Even an outside view of the building offers a temptation to every passer-by to become inquisitive about it”, the report said.
The chart of the building material etc given in the report is as below:-
The builders report further said “As per the present assesment the building is likely to cost about Rs. 46.50 lacs. Out of which an amount of Rs. 35.15 lacks has already been spent”.
“We must acknowledge that it is only due to the keen interest evinced by the Government of J & K and the untiring efforts of the Academy of Art and Culture, coupled with the invaluable guidance provided by the Architect, Shri Aditya Prakash, from time to time, that such a construction has come to be raised”, it added.
The brochure has acknowledged those engineers and officials who were involved in the construction of the theatre.
