Maharaja Chandrakirti Auditorium : Hafta Kangjeibung, Imphal

By Lunminthang Haokip *

Maharaja Chandrakirti Auditorium : Hafta Kangjeibung, Imphal

Introduction: Arts and Culture had always flourished in the State of Manipur. A few auditoria have been built in the capital city, Imphal, in the past. The State patronage facilitated arts & culture aficionados to organize plays and dramas that reflected the collective aesthetic aspirations of the people.

Forward pushes commensurate with the natural flair exhibited by our drama-loving citizenry and the emotional support they got from their audiences catapulted committed artistes like our distinguished compatriot, Ratan Thiyam, to scale heights of fame and glory in his craft in the international theatre scenario.

Latest Infra: Thanks to the efforts rendered by the Department of Arts and Culture, Government of Manipur, provision to construct a new Art Complex at Hapta Kangjeibung was approved under the 10th Finance Commission Award by Government of India. The original estimated cost for the ambitious project was Rs. 573.70 lakhs. The well-projected art complex had five-fold components:
Auditorium,
Workshop-cum-Dormitory facilities,
Art Gallery,
Administrative Block and
Wall & Drain.

Experts in the field must have been involved to conceive such a massive concrete idea complete with all related items.

The Challenge Ahead: Estimates and drawings on paper were one thing; the real challenge lay in translating them into reality. The project was first taken up in 2001 by District Council Engineering Cell, Manipur. As the funding Department, Arts & Culture, desired, the plans and drawings of the Art Complex were reviewed and modified from time to time. So as to present a super-duper state-of-the-art auditorium to the people of Manipur, no effort was spared to rope in eminent theatre personalities from inside and outside the State to advice and improve the original concepts.

Enter MTDC: One thing led to another. In December, 2009, the erstwhile District Council Engineering Cell was merged with Manipur Tribal Development Corporation (MTDC) head-quartered at Lamphelpat, Imphal. Chaired at the helm of affairs by an MLA of the state, the construction division of MTDC had been headed by a Chief Engineer. Five Executive Engineers assisted by sufficient Assistant Engineers, SOs and RMs ceaselessly work on the various deposit works from several departments of GoM and GOI. Since 2009, the progress of the Art Complex construction at Hapta Kangjeibung, Imphal was under the charge of MTDC.

Expertise Displayed: It was a pleasant co-incidence that Mr. Shyamo Singh, the soft-spoken former EE of DCEC, who has recently been made i/c Superintendent Engineer of MTDC, was supervising the construction of the Arts & Culture theatre hall. Having been involved in the process of building many residential structures in the past and some other commercial ventures, handling Hafta Kangjeibung project was all the more easier for the ace Engineer.

He was ably assisted by a Civil and an Electrical AE who mastered their jobs. The best masons in town were deployed. It was with thanks to their efficient masonry "fielding" that their captain in the "building field" could boldly bat to become the notional "man of the match".

A Boon to Theatre Lovers: In the original Plan, the centrally air-conditioned A & C Auditorium was supposed to have 1000 seating capacity. Experts advised to give bigger space to the Proscenium or stage. As more weightage was given to the convenience of future performers, the stage-size was increased to 2400 square feet. Besides, 2 big rooms are provided backstage as green rooms for artistes to use for dressing and make-up.

One is meant for Ladies, and another, for Gents. With all these thoughtful conveniences attached at appropriate places, entering this beautiful auditorium, for the average home-grown theatre artiste, will be like shifting arena from a single screen hall to a multiplex.

Value-Added Backstage: An innovative idea that adds value to the new construction is that theatre accessories can be taken by light vehicles right up to the huge backstage rehearsal hall from the rear facade. Prospective performers or group dancers will have the advantage of going for a rehearsal in this room. But all these facilities came about at a price.

The total seating capacity had to be reduced to 850 from the conceived 1000, out of which 200 are upholstered VIP seats. The decrease in seats, however, is amply compensated by the space of free movement offered by the 40'X60' sprawling proscenium which is big enough for 3 cultural dance troupes to get their act together.

Best Technicians Flown In: No space is left untouched in this already-talked about masterpiece in town. Special attention is given to modern yard lighting in the frontal and southern facades. The basement below the sloping floor of the main hall is reserved for parking of vehicles. Old hands in the field like Arun and Delhi-based Modern Stage technicians were flown in to fix Stage Craft, Acoustics and Stage Lighting. Modern Pro-Audio and Lighting Systems are provided to equal one's betters and better one's equals in the field. One can visualise colourful special effects in future shows.

Precautionary Measures: The Administrative Block at the entrance of the auditorium may be either used by the Department as an office or ticket-sales counter. For the safety of future show-watchers, Fire Fighting and Alarm Systems replete with water pumps are installed. And like in an aeroplane, emergency escape routes are provided in both wings of the hall. All these afterthought additions escalated the construction and completion cost. The Final Revised Cost is estimated at a whopping 10.00 Crores. But a careful look at the magnificent building convinces one that it was money well-spent.

Decks Cleared for Inauguration: The mood is upbeat in the Department of Arts & Culture, Manipur. God willing, Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Hon'ble Chief Minister, Manipur is going to inaugurate the Maharaja Chandrakirti Auditorium, Hafta Kangjeibung , on the 17th November, 2013 at 2 30 pm. Shri T. Manga Vaiphei, Hon'ble Chairman, MTDC will preside the function.

Landmark Reference Point: Cultural Dance parties from seven Indian States have also been invited to put in artistic shows on the auspicious occasion. According to Mr. Kishawrjit, Deputy Director, Arts & Culture, Manipur, barring one auditorium in Guwahati, their Hapta Kangjeibung undertaking is the biggest and the best-equipped in the entire North East India.

All said and done, the imposing structure that has already become a landmark reference point in its vicinity, in the days to come, will be Neighbours' (other departments) envy and Owner's (Arts & Culture Dept) pride.

Lunminthang Haokip

* Lunminthang Haokip, a resident of Old Lambulane, Imphal, wrote this article for e-pao.net . He can be contacted at lunminthang(dot)haokip(at)gmail(dot)com or his blog here
This article was webcasted on November 17, 2013.