Shri Deepak Open Air Theatre

Open Air Theatre By No Comments

Located in Madan Zampa area, is an open air theatre, which is more than a 150 years old. Earlier known as the Wankaner Theatre, it was built by Maharaja Ganpatrao Gaekwad. It was named Wakaner Theatre as it was inaugrated by the then Maharaja of Wankaner (Saurashtra). No exact date of inauguration is found but it is said that it was rebuilt in 1954 by Maharaja Fatehsinhrao Gaekwad and was renamed as Shri Deepak Open Air Theatre. It is said that Madan talav existed at this place, but may have been filled up later and the theater came up on it.

Back in the day, the theatre was a common cultural centre and many plays were staged there. It used to host many Gujarati and Marathi programs. Along with the regional programs, the theatre also once hosted the famous Bollywood actor – Dilip Kumar and singer Mukesh.  In 1935, even Charlie Chaplin was scheduled to perform there, as a part of Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of the reign of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. However, the program was cancelled as Charlie Chaplin was unable to make the visit to India, on account of his ailing mother.

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With emergence of closed hi-tech theatres, this old open air theatre lost it’s charm and fell into disrepair over the years. However it was renovated and reopened in August 2015, with added facilities like improved lighting, parking and green rooms. Although renovated, the theatre hasn’t been able to gain it’s old popularity, and very rarely hosts any programs. In July 2020, VMC demolished parts of theatre like stairs & sitting areas. It was reported that town-hall is being made here, as the theatre was hardly being used for any programs!

Source: ToI 1 2 3

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