The Pandit Paluskar Theatre in Panchavati, renovated at a cost of Rs 4 crore under the Smart City project, remains closed even after four years. Frustrated by this long delay, members of the Indian People's Theatre Association (EPTA) staged a unique protest on Monday evening by performing a street play titled 'Why Paluskar?' right outside the locked theatre premises.
The protest, held at 5 pm, brought together local artists and citizens who expressed their disappointment at the continued inaction by the Municipal Corporation and Smart City authorities. EPTA artists warned that if a decision is not taken immediately, they will be forced to break open the theatre's locks and reclaim the space for the public.
Despite the massive investment, the theatre has been left unused. The protestors alleged that the contractor appointed under the Smart City mission has abandoned the project without even clearing the overdue electricity bills. Artists are now demanding a thorough inquiry into who is responsible for this negligence and that action be taken against those found guilty. They also urged that the wasted public money be recovered.
At the protest, citizens and performers like Prajakta Kapdane, Samadhan Murtadak, Mukund Dixit, Sai Ahire, and others shared their views, questioning why the theatre is still not accessible to local talent or the public.
EPTA’s protest highlights the growing frustration among Nashik’s artist community, who say their voices will only get louder if the theatre remains shut.
“The major theatres like Kalidas Kalamandir and Parshuram Saikhedkar Auditorium are too expensive for small, experimental productions. Paluskar Theatre was meant to support such initiatives, but its prolonged closure is a blow to the artistic community,” IPTA said in a statement.
To raise awareness, leaflets and posters asking “When will Paluskar open?” have appeared across the city. Though they don’t carry IPTA’s name, they reflect growing frustration over the hall’s unused state. A public demand is now rising, not just to open the theatre, but also to investigate and take action against those responsible for keeping it shut for three years.