An alleged arson attempt at the Shantaveri Gopala Gowda Rangamandira in Tumari, located in the Shivamogga district, has left the local community in shock. Miscreants reportedly broke into the 40-year-old theatre two days ago, vandalizing the premises and attempting to ignite a fire within the building. This venue has long served as a cultural hub, hosting countless theatre performances and events that have drawn audiences from across the state.
The attack involved the destruction of furniture and the pouring out of paint intended for ongoing renovations, which were funded by a ₹25 lakh grant from the state government. The local cultural organization Abhivyakti Balaga, overseeing the renovation, filed a complaint with the Kargal police, detailing the damage and the arson attempt.
Local residents, known for their appreciation of the arts, expressed their dismay over the incident. G. T. Sathyanarayana, a member of the Taluk KDP, condemned the act and urged police to swiftly identify and apprehend those responsible. The estimated damage has been placed at around ₹1 lakh, according to Raghavendra M., secretary of Abhivyakti Balaga.
Reactions have poured in from various corners of the state. K. P. Suresh, a poet and writer, took to social media to denounce the act as heinous, lamenting the anticipated inauguration of the renovated theatre. “We were all looking forward to the inauguration of the renovated building. However, some depraved individuals attempted to set fire to the structure, ” he stated.
Purushottama Bilimale, chairperson of the Kannada Development Authority, also weighed in, emphasizing the need for justice against the perpetrators. Theatre artist Mime Ramesh condemned the act as despicable, calling for a deeper investigation into the motivations behind such violence. Prasad Raxidi, another theatre figure from Sakleshpur, echoed these sentiments, expressing his outrage.
Residents like Raghu Halkere, who has a personal connection to the theatre through his late father, expressed feelings of hurt and frustration. Halkere recalled how his father, Manjunath Bhat, a socialist, had organized numerous events at the venue. He hopes those responsible will come to regret their actions.
In response to the incident, representatives from the Shantaveri Gopala Gowda Study Centre, led by Kallu Megharaj, submitted a memorandum to Shivamogga SP B. Nikhil, demanding a thorough investigation and the arrest of the culprits. The community's commitment to preserving their cultural heritage remains strong, despite this unsettling event.
