Kolkata: Following CM Suvendu Adhikari’s announcement to renovate and modernise Mahanayak Uttam Mancha at Manoharpukur Road as part of the state’s year-long birth centenary celebrations of legendary Bengali actor and matinee idol Uttam Kumar, the state govt has approved a funding of Rs 9.4 crore for Kolkata Municipal Corporation to take up the project.Officials said that the plan includes transforming the auditorium into a modern cultural hub equipped with advanced acoustics, sound technology, new seating arrangements and enhanced fire safety facilities.“The renovation and upgradation of Uttam Mancha, to be overseen by KMC, aims to fix structural deterioration caused by weathering, age and past firefighting damage. The auditorium will be upgraded with modern facilities, equipped with advanced acoustics, state-of-the-art sound technology and enhanced fire safety facilities,” said a govt official.Officials said that the seating arrangements of the auditorium will be modernised, keeping in mind the comfort of the spectators, with an upgraded air-conditioning system.Uttam Mancha was built in memory of Uttam Kumar following his demise in 1980. Originally a private venture, +KMC later purchased the auditorium to preserve it for the public. The auditorium was later revamped and reopened in 2013. The auditorium now serves as a cultural hub hosting various theatre and musical events and annual tributes to Uttam Kumar.The state govt has launched a year-long calendar of events to mark the 100th birth centenary of Mahanayak Uttam Kumar, beginning with a mega four-day inaugural phase that was held from Sept 3 to Sept 6. Alongside the renovation of Uttam Mancha, CM Suvendu Adhikari laid the foundation stone for a separate Rs 25 crore Uttam Kumar Film Centre in New Town, naming actor Mithun Chakraborty as the state govt’s cultural adviser to steer the initiative. Tentatively, two-and-a-half years will be taken to make this film centre functional.
