THE SENATE HOUSE

One of Chennai's most impressive architectural marvels, Senate House, at the Madras University campus on the Marina, was constructed under the supervision of Robert Fellowes Chisholm, one of the greatest architects of the 19th century.

This building, whose foundation stone was laid in 1869, was occupied in 1873. The entire structure is a harmonious blend of Indo-Saracenic style, with Byzantine architectural features.

The Senate House has a central hall on the ground floor, 130 feet long, 58 feet broad and 54 feet high, with the corridors supported by six massive stone pillars on either side. The stone arches between the pillars, with the four towers rising high at the corners of the building, surmounted by exquisitely shaped domes (painted in different colours) gives the building a grandeur that is difficult to match.

The main entrance at the north, leads to the convocation hall, while a corresponding entrance, in the South, leads to the rooms on the southern wing. Besides these, there are two entrances on the eastern wing of the convocation hall and two corresponding entrances on the west. Elegantly constructed porticos adorn the frontage of all these entrances. A parapet surrounds each of these porticos, at the corner of which appears a decorated dome of a miniature size.

Initially, the Senate House housed some of the University departments and the offices of the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar. In some of the smaller halls the meetings of the Senate, Academic Council and the Faculties were held. But after the construction of the new departmental library building and later on the centenary building, the use of Senate House was limited to the holding of the convocation and examinations, besides being used as classrooms for teaching foreign languages. However, since 1965, convocations have been held only at the massive centenary auditorium, built in 1960.

The ravages of time and the extremes in climatic conditions have left the Senate House dilapidated; with cracks on the walls and ceilings, broken drainage pipes, damaged flooring and broken windowpanes. Sporadic attempts to renovate were made by way of red oxide painting of the original red brick stones, cementing against original lime mortar plastering and plain glass replacements for stained glass windows.

But, realising that in restoration, one has to be faithful to the original character of the building, the University authorities have taken concerted efforts to study systematically and obtain technical advice for the renovation. The University has also appealed to alumni, lovers of art, philanthropists, the public and private organisations interested in the preservation of this heritage monument, for funding the renovation of the Senate House.

PANCHA MANDAPAMS

Adjoining the Governor's residence (Raj Bhavan) at Guindy, there are five memorials. To the father of the nation - Mahatma Gandhi, the first Indian Governor General - C Rajagopalachari, former Chief Ministers of the state - Kamaraj and Bhaktavatsalam and one to Martyrs.

The Gandhi Mandapam is immediately recognisable by the temple gopuram styling of its portals. The Kamaraj memorial has a distinctive Charakha (Spinning Wheel) atop the memorial. The Rajaji memorial, with its dominating pink, is quite conspicuous. Clustered among these are the memorials to Bhaktavatsalam and the Martyrs.

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