| Nelum Pokuna (Lotus Pond)Theatre | |
|---|---|
| The landmark Nelum Pokuna (Lotus Pond) Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre.JPG | |
| General information | |
| Type | Arts complex[1] |
| Architectural style | Postmodern |
| Location | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Completed | 2011[1] |
| Opening | 15 December 2011 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Kahawita De Silva & Associates[2][3] |
| Structural engineer | Yanjian Group |
The Nelum Pokuna (Lotus Pond) Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre[4] (also known as the National Performing Arts Theatre) is a performing arts centre in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The theatre opened on 15 December 2011.[5]
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The architecture of the building is inspired by the 12th-century Nelum Pokuna (Lotus Pond) in Polonnaruwa.[1] Built by King Parakramabahu the Great, Polonnaruwa's Nelum Pokuna is shaped as a stylised eight-petalled lotus flower.[4]
The total estimated cost of the project is LKR 3080 million.[6] Government of the People's Republic of China provided LKR 2430 million out of the total cost of the building.[1]
The building spreads over 14,000 square metres floor area.[1]
The theatre is equipped with ultra modern facilities such as an auditorium with 1,288 seats, a library, and training facilities.[7] The building features two permanent theatres—the main auditorium and an open-air theatre—and the ability to convert the front steps into an additional open-air theatre.[4]
The 690-square-metre moving stage in the auditorium includes the ability to raise and lower the orchestra pit to and from stage level.[4] There are facilities to conduct educational and research activities. Parking for 500 vehicles, is also available.[7]
The National Performing Arts Theatre's construction began in 2006 and took four years to build.[6] The theatre's construction was completed around early 2011[1] and it was opened in December 2011. It was ceremonially opened by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse and China's Vice President of the Chinese Republican Committee, Sang Chiang.[5]
The Nelum Pokuna Theatre has shows, productions, and other bookings scheduled through September 2012.[4]
For opening night, an opera was produced by leading Sri Lanka artistes, such as Jayantha Chandrasiri, Rohana Weerasingha and Channa Wijewardena. A Chinese opera was also produced upon opening. The Chinese opera depicted the story of fourth-century Chinese-Buddhist monk Fa-Hsien's travels to Sri Lanka. Both performances employed the Seda Mawatha concept, incorporating both film and drama.[8]