Minister for Finance, Labour & Employment and Culture, Haseeb A Drabu today asked the officers of Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) to chalk out plan for setting up an amphitheatre adjacent to Abhinav Theatre to make optimum use of available space and resources.The Minister said this while inspecting JKAACL complex and Abhinav Theatre which is all set to be thrown open for the artists soon.While reviewing the renovation works, the Minister directed the concerned officers to start the landscaping work in the complex highlighting local cultural diversity, besides properly displaying all the sculptors and artifacts in the complex. The cultural contours should be kept in mind while making pathways and seating arrangements, he added.He further said open air theatre will act as a parallel stage for the artists and it should be equipped with all the ultra modern facilities and minimum concrete work should be done to keep the natural contours intact.
The Minister also discussed the proposed site and plan of Writer’s Club in Jammu with the Secretary JKAACL, Dr Aziz Hajini and stressed that the already raised structures should be utilized properly.The Minister said that he wants to make Abhinav Theatre and Tagore Hall, the nerve centres of cultural and literary activities in the state. The Minister was shown a specially designed entrance gate for facilitating the entry of VIPs directly to the main stage of the auditorium.The Minister was informed that the audio, light and air conditioning system installed in the ground floor of the theatre had developed some defects due to flash floods. The whole system has been revamped now for facilitating proper functioning of the theatre.Additional Secretary JKAACL, Jammu Dr A S Aman and other officers of the Academy also accompanied the Minister during the inspection.