Ravindra Bharathi

On 23 March 1960, the then Governor of Uttar Pradesh and a former Chief minister of Andhra State, Bezawada Gopala Reddy laid the foundation stone of the auditorium. The building was designed by Mohammad Fayazuddin, an alumnus of Architectural Association School of Architecture, London.{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/a-house-for-maharaja-kishen-pershad-in-hyderabad/article23413947.ece|title=A house for Maharaja Kishen Pershad in Hyderabad|newspaper=The Hindu|date=2 April 2018|last1=Nanisetti|first1=Serish}} Built during the birth centenary celebrations of Rabindranath Tagore, the auditorium was constructed by the Government of Andhra Pradesh for over a year. On 11 May 1961, former President of India, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan inaugurated it to serve the cultural needs of the region.{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/article424553.ece | title=Year-long treat awaits art and culture lovers | work=The Hindu | date=8 May 2010 | accessdate=16 September 2012 | location=Hyderabad}}{{cite web | url=http://www.ravindrabharathi.org/about.html | title=About Ravindra Bharathi | accessdate=16 September 2012}}{{cite news |last1=Telangana Today |first1=Hyderabad |title=Ravindra Bharathi curating culture for 58 years |url=https://telanganatoday.com/ravindra-bharathi-turns-59 |accessdate=13 May 2019 |publisher=Madhulika Natcharaju |date=13 May 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513112525/https://telanganatoday.com/ravindra-bharathi-turns-59 |archivedate=13 May 2019}} The inaugural program was a performance of Tagore's Mukta Dhara (The Waterfall) under the auspices of the Osmania University Dramatic Club as part of the celebrations of Tagore's centenary.{{Cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1000597496|title=Languages and Literary Cultures in Hyderabad|date=2018|isbn=978-1-351-39400-0|editor-last=Azam|editor-first=Kousar J.|location=Abingdon, Oxon|pages=60|oclc=1000597496}}

File:Ravindra Bharathi in Lighting on State Formation Day 2018 (08).jpg

The auditorium continued to be maintained by the Government of Andhra Pradesh. In 2005, renovation works were taken up after 44 years of its inauguration. As per that, the government spent {{Indian Rupee}}1.5 crore to improve the interiors, lighting, acoustics, air-conditioning, stage, green room. The seating area was totally refurbished to give state-of-the-art look to the auditorium. In addition, the building exteriors, landscaping, parking areas, food courts and other facilities were also improved. For the renovation, the auditorium was closed for a month.{{cite news | url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/07/03/stories/2005070313480500.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218074239/http://hindu.com/2005/07/03/stories/2005070313480500.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=18 February 2009 | title=Ravindra Bharathi to be closed for renovation from August 1 | date=3 July 2005 | accessdate=16 September 2012 | work=The Hindu | location=Hyderabad}}

On 11 May 2010, the golden jubilee celebrations of the auditorium were organised by the Government of Andhra Pradesh. The Department of Culture helped in organising Kuchipudi recitals by Shobha Naidu and her troupe, and a Bengali ballet by the local Bengali society. In addition, the celebrations featured playback singer Kavita Krishnamurthy and violinist L. Subramaniam.{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/dance/article428773.ece | title=Ravindra Bharathi turns 50 | work=The Hindu | date=13 May 2010 | accessdate=16 September 2012 | author=Gudipoodi, Srihari | location=Hyderabad}}

The auditorium's facilities can be leased by the general public for cultural programs. In 1981, the Government of Andhra Pradesh instituted a Department of Culture and entrusted it with the administration of this auditorium.

The auditorium has a plinth area of {{convert|2295|sqyd|sqm}} with a seating capacity of 1,104.{{cite news | url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/11/08/stories/2009110859180200.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091112013551/http://www.hindu.com/2009/11/08/stories/2009110859180200.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=12 November 2009 | title=Website on Ravindra Bharathi launched | date=8 November 2009 | accessdate=16 September 2012 | work=The Hindu | location=Hyderabad}} The performing stage is 105 feet wide, 48 feet deep and 38 feet high.

In 2009, the state cabinet minister J. Geeta Reddy inaugurated the website of the auditorium. This facility was to make the process of booking easier.

The building consists of three floors—one main hall that can comfortably accommodate 1,000 people at once, and two others with a seating capacity of 150 and 112 people respectively. The centre is completely air-conditioned and Wi-Fi enabled.

Telangana state is going to build a new Ravindra Bharathi in the place of existing one.[http://www.telanganastateofficial.com/new-ravindra-bharathi-telangana/ New Ravindra Bharathi Building Designs] The Telangana State CMO officially releases a first look designs of new Ravindra Bharathi auditorium with Day and Night View on 04-02-2015.[http://www.telanganastateofficial.com/new-ravindra-bharathi-telangana/ HD New Design's of Ravindra Bharathi in telangana.] The new building is being designed by noted architect, Hafeez Contractor.{{Cite web|url=http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Telangana/2015-02-06/KCR-to-replicate-Australian-Opera-House-at-Ravindra-Bharathi/130008|title = KCR to replicate Australian Opera House at Ravindra Bharathi|date = 6 February 2015}}

A 125-day cultural festival in 2016, which included Burrakatha, Hairkatha, Oggukatha, Surabhi natakam, Girijana nrutyalu etc., created a record in the 58-year history of Ravindra Bharathi. Similarly, in 2018, "Salam-E-Telangana", the 30-day Urdu cultural events, which was the first-of-its-kind in the city.

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• [http://www.telanganastateinfo.com/new-ravindra-bharathi-beats-hitech-city-in-telangana/ New Ravindra Bharathi Building Beats Hi-Tech city]
• [http://www.telanganastateofficial.com/new-ravindra-bharathi-telangana/ Official DESIGNS of NEW RAVINDRA BHARATHI]

Category:Buildings and structures in Hyderabad, India

Category:Convention centres in India

Category:Tourist attractions in Hyderabad, India

Category:Auditoriums in India