Minerva Theatre is a famous theatre stage in Kolkata, in the Indian state of West Bengal which was built in the year 1893. It was erected at the site on Beadon Street where the Great National Theatre stood before. The maiden play held on this stage was "Macbeth". It was initially owned by Nagendra Bhusan Mukhopaddhaya. However, with time, it witnessed many transfers of ownership. Sri Girish Ghosh is noted for having given the last stunning presentation of his existence in this theatre. "Minerva" was burnt down in a fire in 1922. However, it was renovated and in 1925, it regained its old status and play acting was resumed. The Minerva, along with the Star Theatre and The Classic Theatre, were also one of the places where the first motion pictures in West Bengal, made by Hiralal Sen, were screened.
History of Minerva Theatre
The historic Minerva Theatre was taken over by the Government of West Bengal by the Information and Cultural Affairs Department in 2004 with a view to preserving the theatre tradition of the State.
Dilapidated and unused for decades, the auditorium with its majestic facade was wearing a ghostly look when it was taken over. Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority was entrusted with the task of renovating the building. KMDA with the architectural expertise of Shri Dulal Mukherjee, the famous architect, renovated the building and the auditorium keeping its heritage flavour.
After renovation the auditorium with a new look was inaugurated on 28th February 2008 by the Honourable Chief Minister. Theatre personalities of the State including Shri Kumar Roy, the veteran director and actor were present on the day.
Honourable Chief Minister in his inaugural speech declared that Minerva Theatre auditorium will not be used like other auditorium in the city and that it would be a centre of excellence for theatre.
Minerva Natya Sanskriti Charchakendra was constituted by a Government Order dated 5th November 2008 with Shri Kumar Roy as Chairman of the Kendra with a broader objective as a centre of excellence for promotion of theatre and culture. It was registered as Society under Registration of Societies West Bengal Act XXVI of 1961 on 2nd February 2009.
