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| Renovation of heritage R.R. Sabha on cards By Aruna S. / Madras |   | |||
 Rasika Ranjani Sabha, popularly known as R.R. Sabha, in Mylapore, Madras plans to renovate its building. This is not news, really. That the heritage Sundareswarar Hall was to get a new look has been talked about for sometime now.This time though, the men who run the hall are seriously discussing this plan. R. Santhanakrishnan, President of the sabha, said so at the inauguration of the Navarathri dance festival on Saraswathi Pooja day, last weekend. Santhanakrishnan said, 'We have been planning to renovate our building since last year, and wešre happy to announce now that the Kanchi Mutt has offered its support for this cause. We're also looking for more sponsors who can contribute.' The problem of funding though seems to have been settled to some extent. However, what is to be done to R. R. Sabha? There are three options - the worst, is to pull down the present hall and build a new one. The second is to completely renovate the hall as it is. The third is to retain just the core of the hall and have a brand new one worked into the core. Sundareswarar Hall was one of the key venues for dance and music concerts and also plays. Dance guru Prof. Sudharani Raghupathy, who inaugurated the dance fest, recalled some of her experiences, performing at the sabha in the 1960s and the large audience that attended such concerts at this hall in those days. Today, plays do get a decent audience but at routine kutcheris, only a third of the hall is filled. Yet, the accoustics, the natural ventilation and the oldworld charm will be sacrificed if the hall is pulled down. The hallšs bosses though want to provide better facilities, with air-conditioning and a mini hall alongside, and if all goes well, the new-look R R Sabha will be ready for the December season next year. Sudharani has offered to present a benefit performance to raise funds for the renovation.
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