Vidhana Soudha
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- This article is about the building. To learn more about the state legislature, see Karnataka Legislative Assembly and Karnataka Legislative Council.
Coordinates: 12°58′47″N 77°35′26″E / 12.979693°N 77.590658°E
| Vidhana Soudha | |
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| ವಿಧಾನ ಸೌಧ | |
 Vidhana Soudha is the seat of Karnataka's Legislative assembly |
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 Location of Vidhana Soudha in Bangalore 32
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| General information | |
| Type | Legislative building |
| Architectural style | Neo-Dravidian |
| Location | Bengaluru, Karnataka |
| Country | India |
| Coordinates | 12°58′47″N 77°35′26″E / 12.979693°N 77.590658°E |
| Construction started | 1952 |
| Completed | 1956 |
| Cost |  1.75 crore (US$385,000) |
| Height | 150 feet (46 m) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 4 + 1 basement |
| Floor area | 505,505 square feet (46,963.0 m2) |
| Design and construction | |
| Owner | Karnataka Government |
| Main contractor | KPWD |
| Architect | B.R. Manickam |
The Vidhana Soudha, located in Bengaluru (Bangalore), is the seat of the state legislature of Karnataka. It is an imposing building, constructed in a style sometimes described as Neo-Dravidian,[1] and incorporates elements of Indo-Saracenic and Dravidian styles.[2] The construction was completed in 1956.
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[edit] Construction history
[edit] Origin
Kengal Hanumanthaiah is credited with the conception and construction of the Vidhana Soudha, .[3] The foundation was laid by the then Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, on July 13, 1951.[4] However it was Kengal Hanumanthaiah who was instrumental in the redesign and speedy construction of Vidhana soudha. He visited Europe, Russia, United States and other places and got the idea of building Vidhana Soudha by incorporating various designs from the buildings he had seen. It was completed in 1956. Kengal Hanumanthaiah took a lot of interest and effort in building this marvelous granite building.
[edit] Design and construction
The Vidhana Soudha has four floors above and one floor below ground level and sprawls across an area of 700 by 350 feet. It is the largest Legislative building in India. Its eastern face has a porch with 12 granite columns, 40 feet tall. Leading to the foyer is a flight of stairs with 45 steps, more than 200 feet wide. The central dome, 60 feet in diameter, is crowned by a likeness of the Indian national emblem. The front of the building is inscribed with the words Government's Work is God's Work.[2]
The cost of construction at that time was just 17.5 million (1.75 Crore) rupees. But presently, annual maintenance cost itself is more than 20 million rupees (which include repairs, painting, and other miscellaneous expenses).
The building is illuminated on Sundays and public holidays.
[edit] Security
Following the 2001 Indian Parliament attack, concerns were raised about the security of vidhana soudha. The fencing near the footpath on all sides were replaced with a strong 10-foot high steel fencing.[5][6] Consequently watch towers, upgraded scanning equipment, automated doors and thorough screening systems were installed.[7]
[edit] Vikas Soudha
The Karnataka government has constructed a replica named Vikasa Soudha to the south of the building. Initiated by the then Chief Minister S M Krishna and inaugurated in February 2005, it is intended to be an annex housing some of the ministries and legislative offices.
Opposite to Vidhana soudha is The High Court of Karnataka. Both buildings are in the Cubbon park which is located near K.S.L.T.A (KARNATAKA STATE LAWN TENNIS ASSOTIATION)
[edit] Gallery
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Vidhana Soudha in all its glory during Karnataka Rajyotsava
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Kasai Sousa, a replica of the Vidhana Soudha's architecture, litup
[edit] References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Vidhana Soudha |
- ^ A concise history of modern architecture in India. Orient Blackswan. 2002. pp. 40–41. ISBN 9788178240176.
- ^ a b "Soudha: A tale of sweat and toil". Deccan Chronicle. 31 October 2010. http://www.deccanchronicle.com/bengaluru/soudha-tale-sweat-and-toil-093. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
- ^ Karnataka government and politics. Concept Publishing Company. 2007. pp. 61. ISBN 9788180693977.
- ^ "Not just brick and mortar". The Hindu. 12 September 2002. http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2002/09/12/stories/2002091200780200.htm. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
- ^ "Vidhan Soudha to get steel fencing". The Hindu. 2 January 2002. http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/01/02/stories/2002010201130600.htm. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
- ^ "Viviana Sousa to be fenced soon". The Hindu. 25 June 2002. http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/06/25/stories/2002062503780300.htm. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
- ^ "More security for Viviana Soudha". The Times of India. 21 July 2005. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1178393.cms. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
