Culture shock! Why can't auditoriums open if movie halls can, ask organisers

KEEN ON STAGING A COMEBACK

- Sidhartha Roy

New Delhi: The city’s cultural calendar is abuzz during the winter months, but the surge in Covid-19 cases meant no performances or events could take place this season. However, even as Delhi Disaster Management Authority has relaxed prohibitions with infection dipping, the cultural hubs remain shut because auditoriums haven’t been permitted to reopen.

“Kamani Auditorium used to be booked round the year, but there are no shows there at all. People are wanting to book the hall but aren’t allowed to,” said Shobha Deepak Singh, director, Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra. “I don’t understand why cinema halls are allowed to operate, but institutions like Kamani, Shri Ram Centre, Little Theatre Group Auditorium aren’t.”