Patna: After almost ten years, the sound of music and applause will once again fill the Bharatiya Nritya Kala Mandir in Patna. The city’s historic open-air stage is set to reopen on January 23, marking an important moment for Bihar’s cultural life. For years, this space remained locked and silent, leaving artists and art lovers without one of the city’s most important cultural platforms. Its reopening is being seen as a revival of Patna’s lost cultural vibrancy.
Officials from the department of art and culture said the renovation work began during the Covid-19 pandemic but faced several delays. Construction related to the Patna Metro project also slowed down the work. According to Kahkashan, deputy secretary of the department and in-charge of the Bharatiya Nritya Kala Mandir, the civil work is now almost complete. January 23 has been chosen for the reopening as it coincides with Saraswati Puja, a day considered auspicious for learning and the arts. Final approval from the authorities is still awaited, but preparations are in full swing.
A special cultural programme is planned for the inauguration. The opening event is expected to last around two hours and will feature folk performances by artists from the Bharatiya Nritya Kala Mandir. Artists from Assam have also been contacted to present a Magh Bihu performance. In addition, solo dance and singing performances are likely to be part of the evening. The renovated open-air stage will have seating for around 5,000 spectators, making it one of the largest cultural venues in the city once again.
Artists and writers have welcomed the news with enthusiasm. Poet Chandan Dwivedi said the Bharatiya Nritya Kala Mandir has long been a symbol of Bihar’s art, literature and cultural identity. In the past, it hosted poetry readings, mushairas, dance dramas and music festivals that left a deep impression on generations of art lovers. Legendary poets such as Ahmed Faraz, Gopaldas Neeraj and Rahat Indori once performed here, making the venue historically significant.
Established in 1950 by artist Dhumal Raghu Upadhyay, the Bharatiya Nritya Kala Mandir gained further importance when its open-air stage was built in 1963. Designed under the creative influence of renowned craftsman Upendra Maharathi, the venue is known for its natural setting, with trees, open skies and greenery adding to its charm. With its reopening, many believe the stage will once again become a centre for cultural exchange and creativity, giving new opportunities to local artists and restoring Patna’s place as a major cultural hub in eastern India.
