BENGALURU: Six decades after the seat of power was set up, the state government now plans to take the Vidhana Soudha to the people. Visitors can watch documentary movies, listen to audio clippings of speeches, browse through a photo exhibition and also appreciate the architecture of Vidhana Soudha.
To mark 60 years of the majestic legislature building, two noted directors, Girish Kasarvalli and T N Seetharam, will film documentaries to showcase the history of Vidhana Soudha and also the Assembly sessions. These short films will be screened at theatres and broadcast on TV channels.
Former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru laid the foundation stone for the Vidhana Soudha in 1951 and the construction was completed in 1956. Thought there is no record of the official date of inauguration, the Vidhana Soudha is said to have been opened sometime between 1956-57. The diamond jubilee is being celebrated this year.
Speaking to Express, Legislative Council Chairman D H Shankarmurthy said the government wants to mark the occasion with a special series of programmes. “We have plans to allow people inside Vidhana Soudha. Of course, we will make special security arrangements. It is often assumed that Vidhana Soudha is not for general public. We want to take Vidhana Soudha to the people,’’ he said.
Some years back, there was an attempt to bring out a book on the history of Vidhana Soudha and the legislature sessions. “We could not get it done. Now we are planning to have documentaries for which we have approached directors Girish Kasarvalli and T N Seetharam. While Kasarvalli will bring out the history of Vidhana Soudha, Seetharam will record the history of the legislature sessions,’’ said Shankaramurthy.
Further, he said they also have plans to publish the documentaries online. “This is an attempt to reach out to the public,’’ he said.Speaking to Express, Seetharam said there is a vast history of the legislature sessions. “It goes way back to 1891. The sessions of the Mysuru Representatives Assembly during the time of the Mysore state used to be held in the Attara Kacheri (the present High Cuurt building). Eminent personalities like D V Gundappa were members of that Assembly. If we go by this, we have 127 years of assembly sessions. Post independence, since 1952, it’s been 65 years. It’s a vast subject. The most challenging task is gathering information about many prominent people. Unfortunately, many of them are no more. I am planning to bring out a series of seven documentary films, each of 25-30 minutes duration,’’ he said.
Seetharam and team have started their work. “We are interviewing many people, which will be for the record. This is a piece of history which should be saved for the coming generations,’’ he added.
Sources in the Karnataka Legislature said they are collecting rare photographs right from the construction of Vidhana Soudha, foundation laying ceremony to the inauguration, first assembly sessions, eminent leaders speaking in the Houses - right from K C Reddy to Siddaramiah, many Chief Ministers, Opposition party leaders and many historic Bills that were passed.
What you’ll get to see
Glimpse of Vidhana Soudha architecture
Exhibition of photographs with historic value
Audio clippings of speeches of prominent leaders made in both Houses
Documentary films
Books related to Vidhana Soudha and the legislature sessions