Vidhana Soudha

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
ವಿಧಾನ ಸೌಧ
Vidhana Soudha is the seat of Karnataka's Legislative assembly
Location of Vidhana Soudha in Bangalore 32
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	₹14.8 million (US$220,000)
Owner	Karnataka Government
Height	150 feet (46 m)
Technical details
Floor count	4 + 1 basement
Floor area	505,505 square feet (46,963.0 m^2)
Design and construction
Architect	Kengal Hanumanthaiya
Main contractor	KPWD
Other information
Seating capacity	300members

The Vidhana Soudha located in Bengaluru (Bangalore), is the seat of the state legislature of Karnataka.^[1] It is an imposing building, constructed in a style sometimes described as Mysore Neo-Dravidian,^[2] and incorporates elements of Indo-Saracenic and Dravidian styles.^[3] The construction was completed in 1956.

Construction history

Origin

Kengal Hanumanthaiah is credited with the conception and construction of the Vidhana Soudha.^[4] The foundation stone was laid by the then Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, on July 13, 1951.^[5] However, it was Hanumanthaiah who was instrumental in the redesign and speedy construction of Vidhana Soudha. He visited Europe, Russia, the United States, and other places and got the idea of building the Vidhana Soudha by incorporating various designs from the buildings he had seen. It was completed in 1956. He took a lot of interest and effort in building this marvelous granite building. It was meant to dwarf the British-built Athara Kacheri (High Court) building.^[6] Hanumanthaiah was criticized for the nearly 15 million rupees spent to construct the building.^[7] But the building designed by him is an impressive structure of Neo Dravidian style.

Design and construction

The slogan "Government Work Is God's Work" is inscribed in Kannada and English above the entrance to the Vidhana Soudha.

The Vidhana Soudha has four floors above and one floor below ground level and sprawls across an area of 2,300 by 1,150 feet (700 m × 350 m). It is the largest Legislative building in India. Its eastern face has a porch with 12 granite columns, 40 feet (12 m) feet tall. Leading to the foyer is a flight of stairs with 45 steps, more than 200 feet (61 m) wide. The central dome, 60 feet (18 m) in diameter, is crowned by a likeness of the Indian national emblem.

The front of the building is inscribed with the slogan "Government's Work is God's Work," and the Kannada equivalent, "ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ಕೆಲಸ ದೇವರ ಕೆಲಸ" (sarkarada kelasa devara kelasa).^[3] In 1957, the Mysore government planned to replace the inscription with Satyameva Jayate, at a cost of 7,500 rupees,^[7] but the change did not take place. In 1996, the inscription inspired a visiting U.S. state governor, George Voinovich of Ohio, to propose etching "With God, all things are possible" onto the Ohio Statehouse, prompting a high-profile lawsuit.^[8]

The cost of construction at that time was just 17.5 million 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.

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.^[9][10] Consequently, watch towers, upgraded scanning equipment, automated doors and thorough screening systems were installed.^[11]

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 annexe building, housing some of the ministries and legislative offices.

Location

It is located on Dr Ambedkar Rd, Seshadripuram. 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 Association).

Gallery

• 

  Vidhana Soudha, Bangalore, a side view.

• 

  Vidhana Soudha in all its glory during Karnataka Rajyotsava

• 

  Vikasa Soudha, an annexe of the Vidhana Soudha, litup

References

1. "Vidhana Soudha, Bangalore".
2. A concise history of modern architecture in India. Orient Blackswan. 2002. pp. 40–41. ISBN 978-81-7824-017-6. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
3. "Soudha: A tale of sweat and toil". Deccan Chronicle. 31 October 2010. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
4. Karnataka government and politics. Concept Publishing Company. 2007. p. 61. ISBN 978-81-8069-397-7. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
5. "Not just brick and mortar". The Hindu. 12 September 2002. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
6. Ranganna, T. S. (August 29, 2012). "A wall at Vidhana Soudha demolished". The Hindu. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
7. Kapoor, P. C., ed. (1957). "'Government's Work Is God's Work'—Inscription To Go". Civic Affairs 5 (Citizen Press). p. 44 – via Google Books. The Mysore Government has decided to erase the inscription "Government work is God's work" on the facade of the Vidhana Soudha, the Rs. 1.5 crore colossal Legislature and Secretariat buildings... which has been a subject of considerable controversy. It is proposed to replace this inscription with another, Satyameva Jayate, which is inscribed under the Asoka Chakra in the national emblem. This change is expected to cost Rs. 7,500. The huge expenditure already incurred on the Vidhana Soudha has been the subject of considerable criticism both inside the Legislature and outside.
8. American Civil Liberties Union v. Capitol Square Review, 20 F. Supp. 2d 1176 (S.D. Ohio 1998).
9. "Vidhan Soudha to get steel fencing". The Hindu. 2 January 2002. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
10. "Viviana Sousa to be fenced soon". The Hindu. 25 June 2002. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
11. "More security for Viviana Soudha". The Times of India. 21 July 2005. Retrieved 11 November 2010.

• Vidhana Soudha
• vidhanasoudha.com
• Additional Information about Vidhan Soudha