Punjab’s Virsa Vihar in Jalandhar Faces Neglect, Cultural Activities Decline

Once a vibrant hub for cultural expression in Jalandhar, Punjab, Virsa Vihar is now grappling with significant infrastructure decay and a marked reduction in organized activities, leading to widespread neglect. The once-thriving centre, established to foster arts and culture, now exhibits visible signs of disrepair, impacting its ability to attract artists and audiences.

Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that upon entering the premises, stray dogs roam freely, and several rooms, including the Dr. Satya Pal Art Gallery, remain locked and inaccessible. The open-air theatre, intended as a venue for performances, is rarely utilized due to its poor upkeep and limited facilities, deterring local theatre groups.

Sneha, a theatre artist based in Jalandhar, shared her concerns, stating that despite the presence of an open-air theatre at Virsa Vihar, artists often opt for alternative venues. She highlighted challenges such as unpredictable weather making open-air performances difficult, hygiene concerns, insufficient seating arrangements, and a lack of consistent management attention. The absence of fixed booking rates further complicates arrangements.

The center’s struggle to engage younger demographics is evident, particularly following initiatives announced in March by the then Deputy Commissioner, Himanshu Aggarwal. These initiatives included music and dance classes aimed at youth engagement and combating drug addiction. While the music classes saw limited participation, the proposed dance classes failed to materialize, underscoring the center’s declining appeal.

However, some stakeholders maintain that certain facilities within Virsa Vihar continue to function. Dr. Sucharita Sharma, Director of Apeejay College of Fine Arts, reported that the Dr. Satya Pal Art Gallery has consistently hosted painting and art exhibitions in recent years, attracting artists from neighboring cities such as Ludhiana, Amritsar, and Hoshiarpur. She noted that the Lalit Kala Akademi recently held its annual exhibition there, with an increased footfall indicating growing public awareness of cultural events.

Major General Balwinder Singh (retd) of INTACH Punjab reminisced about a decade ago when Virsa Vihar regularly hosted a multitude of cultural programs, including weekly events featuring prominent personalities, music concerts, and exhibitions with substantial public participation. He observed that local colleges also frequently organized their own programs at the venue, a culture that has since significantly diminished.

Gurmeet Singh, the secretary of Virsa Vihar, acknowledged that while the center still hosts events like mushairas, workshops, and art exhibitions, a severe lack of funds has hindered necessary infrastructure maintenance. He stated that the center has not received any grants for the past four years, and the auditorium’s air conditioning unit has been non-functional for two years, exacerbating the difficulty in hosting events, especially during humid weather.

Singh also pointed out that a deep pit, dug by the water supply department for pipeline repairs at the rear of Virsa Vihar, remains unfilled despite repeated requests. He noted that the issue of stray dogs is a city-wide concern requiring intervention from the district administration. Despite these challenges, Singh expressed a strong desire to revive Virsa Vihar and restore it to its former status as a dynamic cultural center.

Deepak Bali, a government advisor in the Department of Culture and Tourism, stated that the department has not received any formal requests or letters seeking grants from Virsa Vihar. He affirmed the government’s commitment to promoting art and cultural activities and assured that any stated requirements would be addressed.

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