"We have submitted a revised plan to Rajuk which is awaiting approval," said Chhayanaut President Sanjida Khatun.

However, when asked about the revised plan, LT Foyez, Member Development of Rajuk responsible for the planning of Dhanmondi expressed his ignorance.

"I was not in this office when Chhayanaut was given the notice and I don't know anything about the revised plan. If they come with a fresh design, I will certainly look into it."

The housing and public works ministry in 2001 allotted a one-bigha land on Dhanmondi Road 26 (old) to Chhayanaut on a 99 years lease at Tk 1,001 for Sangskritik Bhaban.

Rajuk approved the architectural plan of the building, prepared by Bashirul Haq, in May 2002. However in September that year, Rajuk issued a notice telling Chhayanaut to suspend construction work for not maintaining Rajuk's code in the plan.

The land for Chhayanaut Bhaban was allotted inside a residential area. Under the residential area code, individual entrance and exit ways for a building is not allowed but Bashirul Haq's plan kept separate provisions.

"Though the land was allotted at only Tk. 1,001 Chhayanaut had to spend Tk. 20 lakh just to get the permission for a commercial structure. We had already dispensed with another 20 lakh in the construction before Rajuk stopped the work," said Sanjida.

The estimated cost of the six storied cultural centre is Tk 4 crore 20 lakh. Chhayanaut is expecting to cover the cost from donation once work resumes.

"We have started with our own funds which amounts to Tk. one crore. We managed to save that money from fees paid by students," the president said.

The organisation has also received great response from the masses. More than Tk 1 crore has already been collected from people living at home and abroad.

"Our artists contribute through various programs. The theatre and recital groups give from the ir appearance money. Individuals send cheques. People are contributing in whatever way they can. Even a peon of a government office gave Tk 100 for the Bhaban," Sanjida said.

Chhayanaut has also marketed a 60-minute cassette consisting of the recitation of Golam Mustafa and songs of Nilufar Yasmin at Tk 60.

"This was the last performances by Golam Mustafa and Nilufar Yasmin for the Bhaban's trust fund before their death," Sanjida said.

The fund collection has been hampered due to the Rajuk notice and the delay in approval of the revised plan.

When completed, the building will have an auditorium for cultural programmes, classrooms and a recording studio.

Chhayanaut was established in 1961. In the beginning, it participated in traditional Bangla festivals and occasions like Basanta Utsab, Pahela Baishakh, Rabindra and Nazrul Jayonti and Srotar Ashor.

The Chhayanaut school came into being in 1963 and till date has presented some 40,000 graduates. After independence, Chhayanaut's classes were held at the University Laboratory School and when students increased, it rented the Kalabagan Girls' School in Lake Circus.

"We have been taking classes in makeshift arrangement for more than 40 years. We desperately need a building of our own," Sanjida said.