Ram Prakash Theatre

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	Ram Prakash Theatre in July 2007. (click image to open large version)
	A pencil sketch of Ram Prakash Theatre by Shri Manish Raj depicts the front facade in its original state, a model of which lies in the City Palace (click image to open large version)
SOURCE: Information from interviews with Shri Ranbir Sing, Vinod Joshi, Pankaj Sharma nd Sushri Reema Hooja.

Built in 1879 by Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II, Ram Prakash was the first theatre to be built in Jaipur. It was part of Ram Singh’s strategy to modernize the city and its design reflected Victorian architectural principles. Upon completion, it was promptly listed amongst the top performance theatres of India. Ram Prakash not only was the home to Parsi (Hindi) theatre, but also was frequented by the traveling British theatre groups. It had one of the largest collections of translated Sanskrit plays and at its time was something of a revolution. Back when men and women were separated by the purdah system, the plays staged at Ram Prakash were amongst the first in India to have female roles played by women. Originally cream-colored, Ram Prakash received a pink coat later to match with the rest of Jaipur. In the 1940s, it was remodeled into a cinema hall and the rear that harbored the stage fell in disuse. The back area was once oranate and had a fountain, but is now in disrepair and used as a bakery. After it was sold to a new owner, Ram Prakash was closed down and its ownership disputed by the government and a private citizen who did not pay the property tax. Some therefore argue that the government should withdraw property taxes for owners that maintain their buildings in a heritage condition.

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