Agartala, 30th May 2026: Udaipur’s Rajarshi Kalakshetra, once envisioned as a hub for cultural expression and artistic dreams, is now facing severe neglect. Established on October 4, 2010 under a government initiative, the project was formally inaugurated on September 6, 2014 by then Chief Minister Manik Sarkar. Just over a decade later, the center stands in disrepair, sparking outrage among artists and residents.
Locals allege that the facility has fallen victim to extreme negligence. The hall’s roof is overgrown with weeds, its surroundings resemble a jungle, and basic amenities have collapsed. Water tanks remain dry, toilets are unusable, seating arrangements are broken, air-conditioning systems have failed, and even the generator lies defunct.
Most troubling, say residents, is that those paying rent to use the hall are not receiving even minimum services. Microphones and essential equipment are dysfunctional, forcing organizers to rent gear externally. Inadequate electricity supply further disrupts events.
Adding to the woes, poor drainage and lack of civic maintenance around the complex have worsened the situation. Questions are being raised about where the allocated funds for upkeep are being spent. Meanwhile, Udaipur’s sewage-cleaning vehicle remains out of service due to the absence of a dumping station, compelling locals to bear extra costs by hiring services from nearby Amarpur.
With no alternative large venue in Udaipur, the cultural community is heavily dependent on Rajarshi Kalakshetra. Artists and citizens are now demanding immediate intervention from the Udaipur Municipal Council and urging the district’s ruling party legislators—particularly the minister among them—to take swift action.
The people of Udaipur are left asking: will this vital center of culture be allowed to collapse under neglect, or will the administration step in before it is too late?
