Cultural venue with royal history: Karthika Thirunal Theatre, reeks of garbage

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The entrance of the Karthika Thirunal Theatre in East Fort, under the Swathi Thirunal Sangeetha Sabha, the main cultural face of the city, is dumped with garbage. The garbage collected from the municipal fort area is being piled up here. Swathi Thirunal Sangeetha Sabha Secretary Velayudhan says that it is only getting removed after two to three days.

Music and dance programs by artists from within and outside the country are organised here. The Karthika Thirunal Theatre was also the venue for the recent State School Kalatsavam. Margi and Kathakali are also organised here under the leadership of Drishyavedhi. Often, when programs are held inside the auditorium, a foul smell emanates from the garbage outside. The issue doubles during the rainy season.

Accommodation and practice facilities for artists coming from abroad are also set up here. Despite complaining to the municipality several times, there was no result. When the Fort Ward Councilor was informed regarding this, the garbage gets removed quickly. Till yesterday afternoon, numerous bags of garbage were lying in front of the auditorium.

Auditorium authorities said that the municipality staff came and removed the garbage only when it was informed that there was a program in the evening.

Where will it be stored?

Fort Ward Councilor Janaki Ammal said that the problem is the lack of facilities (material collection facilities) to store the garbage collected from homes. Work is underway for this. The issue was also discussed in the municipality council meeting held yesterday. The councillor informed that the problem will be resolved within a week.