Rangamandiras to be constructed in all districts: Minister Sunil Kumar

Udupi: The Karnataka government has taken a policy decision to construct ‘Rangamandiras’ in all districts to showcase the rich heritage of the respective regions, state Minister for Kannada and Culture V Sunil Kumar said Sunday.

Speaking after laying the foundation stone for the Rangamandira in Udupi, he said it was surprising that Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, which have a rich cultural heritage, did not have centres for performing arts till now.

The minister said at present, 13 districts did not have Rangamandiras and the government is taking steps for the construction of the centres in all the districts. A grant of Rs 5 crore will be provided for district-level Rangamandiras and Rs 2 crore for taluk-level centres, he said.

Kumar said Rs 2.5 crore will soon be released for the Udupi centre, while the construction of a Rangamandira in Mangaluru will start soon. Various cultural forms of the region, including Yakshagana, can be promoted through such centres, he said.

Udupi MLA K Raghupathi Bhat and Karnataka coastal area development authority chairman Mattar Rathnakar Hegde were among those present.