Public building
- Vol.86(4), April
- Mumbai Indian Institute of Architects 2021
- 43-45p.
Cultural Backdrop: Natarani Amphitheatre is a unique open to sky amphitheater and an integral part of the world-renowned Darpana Academy of Performing arts. This is the only state-of-the-arts venue in Ahmedabad city and the state of Gujarat to host high quality performances from around the world. Every year since its inception, there have been about eighty events including dance perfor- mances, concerts, plays, cultural programs and films. It has hosted seven major international fes- tivals every year. It also has been the nerve center for young writers, poets, musicians, and activists to hold informed performances. Physical Backdrop: The site for the amphi- theater is adjacent to the Darpana Academy of Per- forming Arts dance school built by Achyut Kanvinde in 1962 and in line with several cultural landmarks along the river edge, such as the Mill Owners build- ing by Le Corbusier and the Gandhi Ashram build- ing further along the river. The six hundred year old walled city is seen across from the river on the opposite bank. The site is primarily accessible from a neighborhood street to the west and provides a visual link to the river on the east suggesting a physical link down to the river to establish a vital cultural connect. The Sabarmati riverfront develop- ment project in Ahmedabad impacted the existing Natarani theatre precinct. A major chunk of the stage area was lost to the riverfront road and its sidewalk, rendering the theatre inoperable for sev- eral years. It is in the context of this reality that its re-imagination was both imperative and desired for its activities to flourish. The new proposed layout not only attempts to mitigate this situation but also improves upon its existing infrastructure, capacity and reestablishes its centrality in the cultural life of the city.