Date:15/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/15/stories/2008121558200300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Sabhas and security matters

R. Sujatha

“As programmes are held for many years, we will keep an eye on new persons”

— Photo: V. Ganesan

SPACIOUS: Well-lit entry and exit points in sabhas are required for audience safety.

CHENNAI: During December and January, the numerous auditoria in the city remain busy all day, courtesy the Chennai music festival.

With the recent terror attack in Mumbai leaving a scar on people’s minds, one question arises: How safe are the city’s auditoria?

The city has a large number of big and small halls that are run by music sabhas and associations. There are also associations that rent out halls and invite performers. Some associations even rent marriage halls.

D.S. Ramanujam, secretary of Karthik Fine Arts, says, “As we don’t have an auditorium, we hire one. In order to host a show, an auditorium has to follow certain rules laid down by the Chennai Corporation.”

The auditorium must have an approved building plan and the authorities must have approval from the civic body, endorsing its sanitary conditions. The halls must provide fire-fighting equipment and a first aid kit. The licence is issued by the Commissioner of Police and only if the hall is licensed can a programme be held, points out Mr. Ramanujam.

Screening visitors using metal detectors and frisking is unheard of in sabhas. “The visitors are regular members and a new person will be noticed usually. As organisers who have been conducting programmes for many years, we will keep an eye out for new persons. It is only during light music programmes or fund-raisers and charity shows that one has to be wary,” Mr. Ramanujam says.

The Fire and Rescue Service Department does not place auditoria high on its priority list, says director K.R. Shyamsundar. “We are concerned when there is congregation in a commercial establishment and in multi-storeyed buildings. Most sabhas are generally on the ground or first floor and the crowd there is not as large as in a commercial establishment. The licensing authority, Police Commissioner’s Office, will ensure that the rules are followed before issuing a no-objection certificate. The sabhas and auditoria owners need not come to us,” he says.

Auditoria owners are expected to follow the general rule of having a separate entry and exit door and the Fire Department’s recommendation of installing fire extinguishers, he says.