“SHRI KRISHNA CINEMA HALL”: from a hub to a haunted.

It has become a routine for me to take a stroll on the terrace of my school building during recess; Everytime I take a walk, I confront a dull, old yet a massive view of a structure which lies opposite to my school building, the massive structure which once stood profound with its legacy of showcasing every new release of Indian and Nepali cinema. “SHRI KRISHNA CINEMA HALL” was indeed what made the then people of Rhenock proud, as there were hardly other places in Sikkim bestowed with the luxury of Movie Theater other than that in Gangtok. The very view of this majestic building brings back my memories with a feeling of nostalgia. I still remember how a convoy of vehicles staggered uphill from distant places to this theatre. People from nearby villages flocked in hundreds to watch their favorite Heroes and Heroinies (Heroines). Buzzing crowd consisting of men, women and children, waiting desperately for the bell to ring for the next show, and a queue that stood with eager eyes to purchase entry ticket, and a sense of fear “of not getting the ticket” always ran in their weary face, vendors yelling in a rhythmic mode were yet another way of attracting customers to increase their sales. Such was the exclusive picture one would confront with and the noise that always kept the place alive unlike the present days sleepy Rhenock.
I myself have enjoyed many super hit movies in this theatre during my kindergarten days. Disco Dancer, Sagar, Saino and Maiti Ghar were some of the most celebrated ones which my memory still retains. I still remember how my mother would wrap me up with the best available outfits I had, of how she would clench my hand as we made our way to the entrance through the infuriating crowd. As the show started there would prevail a dead silence, as though I was the only one watching in the pitch dark hall and every spectator had disappeared with a wave of a magic wand. No sooner the screen displayed their favorite “hero”, the entire hall would get enthralled with an uproar of cheers accompanied with whistles and applause thus kicking the silence with a drifting clamor.
Such was the vigor of Rhenock when it was bestowed with this cinema hall “Shri Krishna”. The hall was constructed by Shri Bhisma Pradhan in 1981, the then landlord of Rhenock, who enjoyed the most elevated status. He was known by a lofty title “Bhisma Hazur” in the society. After almost a decade of its consistent running, the cinema hall deliberately closed down due to several reasons. Thereafter, some charitable shows on several occasional were showcased by local club and NGO’s until early 90s.
At present the condition of this profound hall is wretched and sepulchral. Hardly a soul is seen to lurk around its surrounding. A passer-by would seldom have an urge for a second glimpse as it lies apparently haunted and abandoned from human activity. Engulfed with wild creepers, cracked walls, swampy damps, crawling lizards and tooting pigeons, the hall is at the verge of demolition. With the squall of time this mega structure might turn into mere debris but its memories shall always be cherished by all the people who acknowledge its significance until they take their final breath.