Inaugurating the new Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly and Secretariat Complex in Chennai on March 13, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said, “It is only appropriate that the decision to construct this new magnificent complex was taken by this giant of Tamil Nadu politics, who is serving his eleventh term as Member of the Legislative Assembly and his fifth term as Chief Minister of this State” and also expressed his desire that “in this new premises where the voice of Tamil people will be articulated by their representatives, we shall hear the echo of your glorious past”. Both these statements of the Prime Minister are very valid and worthy of thinking over.
It was indeed natural and logical that those who came to the inaugural of the edifice, showered praise on Chief Minister Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi whose hard work and commitment were the driving forces behind the successful completion of the massive structure. Describing the complex as a ‘magnificent and resplendent’ building, Tmt. Sonia Gandhi said though many experts and others worked tirelessly for the completion of the complex, ‘the spirit behind is that of Kalaignar’. Commending the Chief Minister for his dedication, she referred to his visit to the project site on everyday in morning and evening during the construction. In fact Kalaignar visited the site past midnight by 1 AM on March 7, on his return from Villupuram by train after attending three functions there. On the day of the inaugural he inspected the final arrangements at 5 o’clock early in the morning.
Kalaignar had once said that art and politics are his two eyes. This engineering marvel was sketched and drafted by technical experts. However, it is the artistic vision of Kalaignar which provided the inputs, right from the design stage till completion of the building, which is an amalgamation of modern construction techniques and the unique aspects of traditional Dravidian architecture. Kalaignar, despite his advanced age, strived every nerve to ensure that each stone in this splendid building is set in the right place. He gave valuable guidance to the architects and engineers to ensure that this edifice comes out as he has envisaged.
In the State which provided one of the earliest examples of a representative grassroot democracy, the grand new Assembly complex has four circular buildings of diminishing sizes. This signifies the people and three pillars of representative democracy – the legislature, the judiciary and the executive. In his public invitation to the inaugural event, Kalaignar, who conceived the entire project, referred to the Uthiramerur inscription, which testifies to the existence of a highly refined electoral system and a written constitution on the mode of elections. The importance of the inscription, which historians date around 920 AD during the reign of Paraanthaka Chola (907-955AD) was featured in many articles in journals.
In the architectural concept behind the complex, the biggest of the four buildings will be the Public Plaza, to which people will have free access. The Chief Minister is for turning the Plaza into yet another place of tourist importance. An open air museum is proposed to be set up there. The Plaza will be thrown open to the public on March 19 when the State budget will be presented in the new Assembly. The circular Assembly Hall where elected representatives of the people debate issues and problems concerning the State, will be the next biggest structure. The third is the circular library structure that will essentially be used by the Law Department, which can be considered as representing the judiciary.
The smallest of the four circular components will have the Chief Minister’s office, which is the highest institution of the executive branch. The Chief Minister is particular that the circular building meant for his office should be the smallest, meaning that the executive should be modest. After obtaining passes, people can come upto the seat of the government. Four water fountains have been set up at the entrance of the complex representing the four circular buildings symbolically. They are designed in proportion to the size of the buildings.
The famous landmarks of the state mirror in the form of terracotta murals on the walls of the main porch of the Assembly building. The ancient as well as modern architecture – Valluvar Kottam, the Tidel Park building in Taramani, the 1000-year old Brahadeeswarar temple in Thanjavur. It also features the 133-foot tall statue of Tiruvalluvar in Kanyakumari. Kalaignar, a man with a penchant for art and architecture, had taken keen interest in the murals, pointing out minor mistakes and giving suggestions. The original landmarks of the terracotta murals too, were built during Kalaignar’s various stints as Chief Minister. His eye for details came to the fore when he pointed out some minor differences in the replica from the original Valluvar Kottam, which eluded the notice of others. The upper portion of the chariot did not reflect the original one. ‘Do you know that Valluvar Kottam was modeled on the chariot of Tiruvarur, which is my hometown’ he had asked Rajani, one of the painters. Kalaignar drew the design on a piece of paper and explained to them in the intricacies of the sculpture.
The portraits of 10 prominent personalities which adorned the previous Assembly hall is being shifted to the new building. Initially it was planned that those portraits could be left in the old Assembly Hall, which is to be converted into museum, and the replica could be used in the new building. But the replica of Tiruvalluvar portrait didn’t measure up to the CM’s aesthetic taste. So, he directed the officials to use the original paintings in the new building.
The Tamil Nadu Cabinet in its recent meeting decided to open a portrait of Kalaignar in the new Assembly hall along with those of Mahatma Gandhi, B.R.Ambedkar, Thanthai Periyar, Tiruvalluvar, Rajaji, Kamarajar, Arignar Anna, Muthuramalinga Thevar, Quaid-e-Milleth and M.G.Ramachandran.
In all, the architectural marvel is a combination of state-of-the-art techniques, State’s cultural traditions and aesthetic design. What is unique is that it is the country’s largest green building, energy efficient and the first and only green Assembly building in the world. The complex would use less water, consume less energy, preserve natural resources, generate less waste water and provide healthier space for occupants, as compared to conventional buildings.
In every speech Kalaignar delivers in and outside the Assembly and in every epistle he writes and statement he issues, there is invariably an underlying yearning for return to the good old days of bonhomie between the leaders, functionaries and cadre of all political parties irrespective of their ideological and political affiliations and for the glorious traditions of past in political discourse, for which the state remained exemplified. Even at the inaugural function, Kalaignar said that he had ‘often counseled that our criticism of others should not lead to bitterness when we happen to come across them face to face in future.’
On the last day of the session at the Assembly hall in Fort St. George on January 11, the five-time Chief Minister mentioned that the House had witnessed some unpleasant events. “I do not want to enumerate what these were and end up creating circumstances to re-enact those events. Let us forget them and in the new place that we are moving to, I request you to remember the needs of the country and its people – and restart our work” he said. “Whenever you speak about an issue, you should also think about the repercussions it would create. Before you speak, think for a moment about the words you are about to utter. I realised that this will be in everyone’s best interests and I follow this in my life” he counselled the legislators.
These words of Kalaignar should be inscribed in golden letters and if every member consciously follows his advice, the present Assembly itself can return to those good days when Tamil Nadu legislature about which Kalaignar went down memory lane on the day.
The Prime Minister and Tmt. Sonia Gandhi referred to the stalwarts and great parliamentarians gracing the State Assembly in the past by their very presence and high profile and healthy debates involving Treasury and Opposition Benches. There are any number of interesting anecdotes involving Anna and Kalaignar for their sharp wit and witticism. Both from the opposition and ruling benches, Kalaignar had an inimitable knack of cooling tempers when emotions ran high during debates, by his witty interventions. In fact the presence of Kalaignar in the House provided an insurance cover for orderly proceedings.
The imposing structure of the new Assembly-Secretariat complex adds one more feather to Kalaignar’s cap and will go in the annals of history as one of the crowning glories of ‘Kalaignar Era’. Hopefully, the occupants of the New Assembly hall fulfil the wishes of Kalaignar and
Dr. Manmohan Singh by their performance!
(21-03-10)
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