The 10-year-old auditorium is being renovated with the state-of-theart facilities including latest lighting and sound systems, apart from modern seating facilities at a cost of Rs 59 lakh. The centralised airconditioned hall will also have eyecatching designs on ceilings, wooden panelling and a ramp leading to the stage.

The hall named after Sir Theyagaraya - One of the three founders of Justice Party - was first inaugurated by Chief Minister M Karunanidhi in 2001.

After three years, it was the venue for a felicitation function to honour him (Karunanidhi) for taking steps to announce Tamil as a classical language by the Union government in 2004.

However, in the later part of the year, the auditorium was shut down by the AIADMK government, allegedly citing leakage in electricity.

A legal suit followed against its closure, filed by Mayor M Subramanian, who was then a councillor.

“When DMK took over the government again in 2006, Sir P T Theyagaraya Hall was reopened,” Subramanian told Express. “Thereafter, we decided to renovate it and it is likely to be thrown open for the public by February,” he added.

Asked whether the hall can be used for holding marriages, the Mayor replied that a decision in this regard is yet to be arrived at.

Presently, it can be used for conducting cultural programmes, government and private functions.