Cuttack: Renovation of Annapurna Theatre here is nearing completion and a troupe of amateur artistes is planning to stage plays within the next two months to revive on-stage actions with a bang.

Annapurna Theatre started its journey 85 years ago and gradually emerged as the cradle of Odia theatre. But, the theatre shut operations in the mid-80s and since then the arc lights have never been switched on.

On April 29, 2006, it got a new lease of life, feeble though, when the group of amateur artistes under the banner of Annapurna Theatre - B staged Bai Mana Ho, a social play. Since the, they kept staging a new play on 29 of every month.

The troupe went on to stage 113 plays, including a marathon of six plays stretching over eight-and-a-half hours to revive the theatre. But, collapse of a portion of the roof and crumbling walls put the spanner on the troupe's battle to keep theatre alive.

"After 113 plays in January 2016, no plays have been staged because of the theatre's dilapidated condition. But, we will be back and hope to start staging plays again in August this year," said Yugaprakash Kanungo, troupe head and director of over 30 of the plays staged.

Kanungo said his troupe had taken up the revamp over a year ago and had been able to provide a new roof and refurbish the walls and floors. He said the revamp had been possible with generous donations from various people.

"As part of the renovation, the stage has been given a new look with a concrete floor, new green room for artistes and sets on the stage. We hope to put in place permanent chairs and complete the restoration of the exteriors before August," he said.

Choreographer Safi Ul Haque said: "The track record of Annapurna Theatre - B since 2006 is a classic example of an amateur troupe's passionate effort to keep alive the cultural mascot of the city that was allowed a quiet burial by professional artistes."

The troupe has been unwavering in its effort to communicate with the audience through plays dealing with contemporary issues and social problems and create interest for theatre among the people and plans to continue it.

"Annapurna Theatre is too important to the cultural and social life of Cuttack to be ignored. The troupe has remained steadfast in its mission to breathe life into it, but unfortunately the effort still lacks patronage," said Pranab Das, Odia film-maker of Hakim Babu fame.