Victoria Public Hall is restored and ready for a revival

Built to commemorate the golden jubilee of British Empress Queen Victoria’s reign, Victoria Public hall has stood the test of time. While decades of neglect left it in a state of disuse, the hall, which was once a stage for art and culture, is set to reclaim its former purpose with the restoration initiative by the government (with a budget of ₹32.62 crore) that came to a final completion. And the restored landmark is fully set to reopen on Tuesday.

Located between the Chennai Central railway station and the Ripon Buildings, its intricate brickwork adds character to the building, designed by Robert Fellowes Chisholm, and constructed by Thatikonda Namberumal Chetty in 1887, and opened to the public by Lord Connemara.

When the hall rose, it became a civic and cultural epicentre, making it a ‘Town Hall’ hosting national leaders. Tamil amateur theatre artists admire Victoria Public Hall for many reasons, including its role as a venue where Suguna Vilasa Sabha pioneered Tamil theatre by staging evening performances, says heritage enthusiast Karthik Bhatt.

This hall was also the site where the Justice Party was formed in 1916, paving the way for Dravidian politics in the State. However, the hall was eventually relegated to hosting sari exhibitions, at the same time as cinema theatres grew. The year 2023 marked a turning point for the building as restoration work began under the Singara Chennai 2.0 initiative, after a meticulous structural study conducted the previous year. The execution was overseen by Savani Heritage, along with the architects of Abha Narain Lambah Associates as consultants.

Restoration of the timber roof trusses and tower roofs has been the key feature of the structural overhaul. The retrofitted structure has already weathered a couple of monsoons without any leaks — a testament to the efficacy of the restoration, the architects say. Historian Sriram V. says Victoria Public Hall is deeply connected with the city’s history and, being the former town hall, it stands as a symbol of the city in many respects.

According to officials, a part of the museum would host rolling exhibits, from ancient art forms to contemporary photo biennales, so that the space isn’t static and evolves overtime. Meanwhile, the upper hall is set for its cultural significance; public gatherings that could accommodate around 300 visitors are part of the vision. This restoration ultimately culminates in giving back to the people not only a monument to its past, but also access to heritage, and its glory, in the future.

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