New and improved Valluvar Kottam set to open by end of May in Chennai
Chennai: A sprawling 1,600-seater AC
auditorium
is set to open at
Valluvar Kottam
by the end of this month, the centrepiece of an ambitious 80-crore
renovation project
.
Work began in Jan 2024. The plan was to transform Valluvar Kottam into a cultural space, with musical fountains and
Thirukkural
display, combining traditional architecture with modern amenities.
"More than 270 workers were involved in improving aesthetic elements," a PWD official overseeing the project said. "Pillars and sculptures inside the monument have been painted," he said, adding that all of the work, including final touches, have been completed.
The renovated complex promises an immersive experience for visitors, featuring a light and sound show around the 110-feet stone chariot housing the Thiruvalluvar statue.
"We've focused on creating an engaging environment while preserving the monument's cultural significance," says Deepak S, project director of P and C Projects.
Visitors will be greeted by a musical fountain at the arch on Kodambakkam High Road. There will also be wheelchair-accessible ramps and elevators.
The first floor of the auditorium has a 20,000sqft hall with 68 pillars, each displaying Thiruvalluvar's couplets and some artistic interpretations.
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A new cafeteria, featuring mural screens with Thirukkural verses and atmospheric cane lighting, will offer visitors a pleasant dining experience. The complex will also house administrative offices and various visitor facilities.
Valluvar Kottam, inaugurated in 1976, was conceived and executed by former chief minister M Karunanidhi, and designed by the late architect Ganapathy Sthapathi.
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