People, particularly those associated with Art, Culture and Theatre, have strongly opposed the government proposal to convert historic “Tagore Hall” into a cinema in Srinagar.
“It is ill conceived proposal and Union Territory (UT) Jammu and Kashmir administration should reconsider it,” former secretary of Academy of Art and Culture, who also headed Radio and Doordarshan, in Kashmir, Dr Rafeeq Masoodi said.
Several Art and Cultural associations besides actors, directors and others theatre personalities have also expressed concern over the proposal to convert the Tagore Hall, where renowned artists across the globe have performed and Film Festivals held in the past.
All cinema halls, wine shops and beauty parlors in Kashmir valley were closed in early 90s after eruption of militancy. Almost all cinema halls were occupied by the security forces in the valley, including Srinagar. However, in 1996 when Dr Farooq Abdullah assumed office as Chief Minister of the state, financial assistance was provided to reopen cinema halls again in Srinagar.
Three cinema halls of “Broadway” in high security Batwara Badami Bagh Cantonment, “Regal” in the civil lines and “Neelam”, a stone’s throw away from Civil Secretariat, seat of the government, were opened. However, Neelam was the first to close and stop screening of films after a grenade blast. Neelam has been converted into a shopping complex while Broadway has also been closed down. Khayam cinema has been converted into a hospital.
Security forces are still occupying majority of other cinema halls in the valley.
Last year, CRPF reopened a cinema hall in Anantnag, which also houses CRPF battalion headquarters. However, common people stayed away.
Now the UT administration has decided to convert the Tagore Hall, building during the regime of former Prime Minister Late Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad in 60s, into a cinema hall since it is in safe zone, where a number of CRPF battalion and company headquarters are located near Indoor Stadium.
Dr Masoodi said ‘we are not opposed to opening of cinema halls but why to convert the Tagore Hall cinema’.
“Let government or private agencies construct new cinema halls in the valley,” he said, adding great Artists from across the globe have performed at Tagore Hall.
“Film festivals are being organized for the past few years in the hall,” he said, adding almost every year Drama Festival is being held there. “Converting it into a cinema will destroy our history and culture associated with it,” he said.
Actor, Doctor and Producer Raja Sarafraz also expressed similar views. “Tagore hall is not just a hall but the history of people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said and opposed the move strongly.
Similar views were also expressed by others associated with stage drama, Art and Culture and films.
Three wine shops also reopened at Broadway, Dalgate and Aclochi Bagh in Srinagar. However, Alochi Bagh wine shop was closed after several grenade attacks and massive protests by the locals. Almost all beauty parlors are back doing good business in the valley, including Srinagar.