I attended three shows at this venue in the past eight days — Papa Yaar by Zakir Khan on April 13th at 3:00 PM, Vipul Goyal Unleashed on April 19th at 8:00 PM, and Kal Ki Chinta Nahi Karta by Ravi Gupta today at 7:00 PM. Two of these were premium ticket shows. Unfortunately, each experience was marred by poor organization and what felt like deliberately unhelpful behavior from the security and administrative staff.
On the first day, we were asked to form a queue, yet people kept jumping ahead. Instead of correcting this, the staff legitimized the disorder by allowing those who cut the line to stay. The security loudly discussed that only food and drinks are not allowed but water is allowed. They laughed about it and disallowed water as well which felt like a punishment at this 3 hours something show.
At yesterday’s event at Kala Kunj (ground floor), the queueing process was whispered to a few — we were told to queue behind the building on the left, but there was no proper signage or announcement. Today was even worse: despite having online tickets, we had to stand in line at the ticket counter for wristbands, with no prior information provided at the entrance. There was a separate queue to enter the venue at which I waited in vein not knowing that one has to queue at ticket counter despite having tickets. No written info was displayed anywhere.
Exiting the venue was unnecessarily frustrating — as I approached the first gate, it was closed on my face although the previous few exited. Moving with the crowd to the second gate, that too was shut as we arrived. Only after we reached the far third gate did they reopen the first gate behind us.
Overall, I felt the staff took a strange pleasure in inconveniencing the audience. I will not be attending any future shows...
Read moreThe Kala Mandir Auditorium in Kolkata is a vibrant cultural hotspot, offering a diverse array of shows and events to entertain and inspire audiences. Whether you're into music, theater, dance, or visual arts, there's something for everyone at this dynamic venue. The auditorium itself is spacious and well-equipped, providing a comfortable and enjoyable experience for attendees.
One of the highlights of Kala Mandir is its lively atmosphere and bustling energy. From the moment you step inside, you can feel the excitement in the air as people gather to immerse themselves in the arts. The auditorium plays host to a wide range of performances, including concerts featuring local and international artists, theatrical productions showcasing both classic and contemporary works, and dance performances that showcase the rich cultural heritage of India.
In addition to its regular lineup of shows, Kala Mandir also hosts art exhibitions, workshops, and cultural events throughout the year. These events provide a platform for emerging artists to showcase their talents and for audiences to engage with a variety of artistic expressions.
Located in the heart of Kolkata, Kala Mandir is easily accessible from all parts of the city. Its central location makes it a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, seeking to experience the vibrant cultural scene that Kolkata is renowned for.
Overall, the Kala Mandir Auditorium offers a dynamic and engaging experience for art enthusiasts of all ages. Whether you're looking for a night of entertainment or an opportunity to explore the rich cultural heritage of India, Kala Mandir is the...
Read moreI'd gone to see Vir Das live on 25th June and was so excited. Ended up being so disappointed by the old auditorium's acoustics and complete lack of proper management. We were sitting on the balcony, but the sound was only coming out from the speakers on the other side of the balcony. The speakers closer to us just weren't working. So we missed half of what he was saying, because the sound was so so unclear and coming to one side of our ears. On top of that, I dunno what went wrong with the management when they started seating people before the show started, because HALF AN HOUR after the show had ALREADY started, they KEPT letting late guests in and when they went to sit in their seats, they found out that someone was already sitting there! Either people just sat down wherever they wanted before the show, or the ushers sat them down in the wrong seats. Anyway, these late comers then proceeded to STAND ON THE STEPS IN FRONT OF US, BLOCKING OUR ENTIRE VIEW and also started arguing loudly with the ushers. This was by the way almost at the mid point mark of the show. One of the worst auditorium experiences of recent times. The speakers on both sides not working is just unforgivable. Add to that, allowing people to come in so late and then disturb the experience of those who chose to come on time, is just pathetic. I tweeted about this experience and Vir Das replied to my tweet, expressing the same frustration with...
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