Conservation of the Council Hall building in Pune
A significant landmark of the city of Pune and the state of Maharashtra is being conserved to celebrate the 75 anniversary of the formation of the State Legislature.
A significant landmark of the city of Pune and the state of Maharashtra is being conserved to celebrate the 75 anniversary of the formation of the State Legislature.
The Italianate Victorian Romanesque revival building was built by one Major Melliss in 1871 in the Queen's Garden area that is now in the Cantonment.
In appropriate colour scheme, furniture, lighting and acoustics are the problems with this 250 capacity meeting hall that measures 40 feet x 80 feet x 40 feet height.
Gold leaf and white were the original colours of the hall that are now 'whitewashed'by the PWD. Air Conditioning ducts and very small chandeliers are some of the later additions that need to be reversed.
The stained glass at the rose window has the queen's colours and motto 'Heavens guide our light'. Tropical fruits flowers and plants symbolize the locational attributes.
Centrally pivoted lancet windows have been added with a completely inappropriate glass while the stained glasses have sagged and the bulges are too prominent due to the heat. Conservation and replacement of glasses will form an important aspect of window repairs.
Poorly executed details of stairways need to be reversed with more appropriate carpets and better lighting.
A staircase in concrete was added in the 1930s to the southeast of the building. This is too large and wasteful in the use of space.
Flame finished red granite with white diamond shaped marble pieces added for patterns
Inappropriate flooring and veneers to panelled doors are some other recent repairs that need to be reversed.
The stained glasses are bulging inwards due to the effect of the sun on the windows. The last glass needs to be replaced with similarly made stained glass as the upper ones.
commemoration of the 50th year of the Maharashtra legislature.
This gallery was reinforced later as there were serious doubts about the crowds that would clamber up to watch the proceedings of the State Legislature.
Sketch up view of proposed flooring of the hall designed by Archana Deshmukh view rendered by Prachit Kalamdani.
another view of the same flooring.
East and west elevations by Poornima Ramakrishnan.
SUMMARY OF EXTRACTS FROM THE PWD ARCHIVES VOL 561 1868-1889, ELPHINSTONE COLLEGE, MUMBAI
In 1865 August 17th,Walter Paris wrote to M.K Kennedy, Secretary to Government, PWD, asking him whether he should continue the work of his locum tenant Mr. Molecey on the design of the Council Hall. The Executive Engineer in charge of the work was consulted in 1866 and in September 1867, M.K Kennedy passed a resolution saying that Mr. Paris should not be troubled for detailed designs of the building.
In January 1868, Major Melliss writes to the Secretary offering to restore the old building to make it suitable as a public office. In May 1868, The Executive Engineer forwards an estimate of Rs.5975 for adding a verandah and conducting repairs to the damaged portion of the Council House. On the 7 th June 1868, The Colonel Superintending Engineer informs the Secretary to Government about the alterations to the design on instruction from the Governor and takes objection to the 74 ft. high tower being off uncoursed rubble masonry and the rates proposed by Major Melliss are moderated to Rs.55 from 25, 30, 42 and 60. He also says that the construction of the tower should be similar to the one at Ganesh Khind being constructed at that time.
A resolution of 18 th November 1868 says that re-appropriation of Rs.70,000 for the current year’s budget needs to be made against the request of the SE for Rs.99,797 which was accompanied with sanctioned plans. On 5 th November 1869,a resolution was made sanctioning Rs.9,998 for a porch and some additions and alterations to the Council Hall. A site plan of 9 th October 1869,by Major Melliss shows three buildings and a well in the plot which is ear marked for the new Council Hall. On 18 8 1870 the EE writes to the SE that the cost of the building is Rs 1,16,295/- and that an excess of Rs 6500 is needed as the building was “unleaded”.
An estimate for roads, metalling and draining the grounds was sanctioned on 10 th March 1870 by the Undersecretary to Government Mr. W A Baker. On 25 March 1870 the work was rapidly approaching completion and permission was asked to remove the Cook House which was an eyesore. On 29 th April 1870 a resolution was passed to make provision for stables and to inquire if provisions can be made for the Legislative Council during the rains. 12 th August 1870 the EE makes plans and estimates for outhouses amounting to Rs 5582/- which are sanctioned. On 27 th September 1870 Rs1120 were debited for 28 window blinds that were reported by the EE of having been installed in the building. These were ordered on the consent of Mr Jardine. On 3 rd October 1870 Rs 5852 are allotted for constructing Outhouses in the premises.
On 3 rd December 1870 the cost of the building reached Rs1,16,295/- including a fresh re-appropriation of Rs 6495/-. In 1871 Major Melliss finds the overall effect of the building to be unsatisfactory (to square and too formal and the tower attached too low in proportion) and proposes a heavy stone cornice which will have the effect of dwarfing the building. According to Superintending Engineer Col Wilkins “the formality of the building was produced by the strong contrast between the lively colours of the materials employed in the construction and the severe outlines which bind the skyline of the parapet and the roof. The tower appears low in consequence of the depressing effect of its low and heavy roof; and the deep and low horizontal lines of the balcony which surrounds the tower, and which cuts off from the views below a great portion of the lantern itself, greatly detracts from its height.” He further criticizes the parapet of the building that has round holes and no cornice which is without character and suggests pinnacles in red brick with panels filled in with yellow brick. For the ridge he opines that a simple iron grille would be too slender and a simple serrated pattern of ridge cresting in brick which might be made in Poona.
The heat in the Council Hall is a subject of a letter on 14 th September 1873 where the Superintending Engineer writes to the Secretary saying that there is a need to open the windows by placing them on a rotating vertical axis. On 16 th May 1877 a letter to the UnderSecretary to Govt., legislature department speaks about the weakness of the bracket supports to the spectator’s gallery and their inability to carry the weight of the crowds who assemble there. On 26 th May Col Melliss examined the gallery and reported that there was a longitudinal crack along the eastern gallery above the boarding in the wall. He wrote that there was no cause for concern. However on the same day the Superintending Engineer wrote to the Secretary to Government, Public Works Department saying that there is a need to drive three feet long bolts across the brickwork to secure the brackets to the walls and a cost of Rs 90/- should be immediately done and charged to special repairs.
On August 12, 1878 the Secretary to the Governor writes to the Superintending Engineer conveying the appreciation of the Governor after taking a round of the premises about the work though it needed further development. There is a note about him wanting to know the cost and not letting the press knowing about it. On 17 th December 1878 the under secretary to the Government passed a resolution to instruct the Executive Engineer to hang a portrait of Khan Bahadoor Nosherwanjee Jamasjee on the recommendation of Mr Vinayak Wasoodew, a member of the Portait Committee. On 24 th November 1880 one Sir Munguldass Natthobhoy along with 4 other friends saying that they and four other friends of the Mr Vinayak Wasoodew, late Oriental Translator to the Government, desire to place an annual scholarship of Rs 120/- to perpetuate the memory of their friend, to be awarded to a sketcher of nature at the Jamshetji Jeejeebhoy School of Art, and requesting that the Director of Public Instruction may be instructed to receive Government Promissory notes of four per cent. Loan for Rs 3000 for which they are prepared to handover to him.
It seems that by 1882 the Portait Gallery at the Council Hall was functional as on May 22, 1882 a letter from W A Baker, Under Secretary to Govt. to the Superintending Engineer saying that portraits executed by Mr. John Griffiths, Superintendent to the Jamshetji Jeejeebhoy School of Art, was sending portraits for the gallery including that of the late Sirdar Veenayak Wasoodew . A 10 th August 1882 order from the Secretary to Government, Public Works Department to the the Superintending Engineer saying that Rs 4012 are sanctioned for additional works to the Council Hall for work to be carried out as soon as possible without specifying what work is being done. On 25 2 1882 Walter Hughes the UnderSecretary to Govt. writes to the Superintending Engineer saying that permission is granted to hang a portrait executed by Mr. Griffith of the late David Sassoon which is similar in size and character.
Correspondence of 1884 relates to the appointment of a Mali under the Executive Engineer as a permanent employee and an annual grant of Rs 1100/- for shrubs, trees and flowers in pots at the Council Hall is sanctioned. Dhondi valad Vittoo Bendkar is appointed as the head gardener in the Legislative Department.
On 7 th December 1888 Walter Hughes the Acting Secretary to Government sanctioned Rs 238/- for a witness box at the Council hall. The record closes with an oder of 11 December 1889 sanctioning Rs 1000/- for Illumination of the Council Hall for HRH Prince Albert Victor’s Visit.
Kiran Kalamdani
In 1865 August 17th,Walter Paris wrote to M.K Kennedy, Secretary to Government, PWD, asking him whether he should continue the work of his locum tenant Mr. Molecey on the design of the Council Hall. The Executive Engineer in charge of the work was consulted in 1866 and in September 1867, M.K Kennedy passed a resolution saying that Mr. Paris should not be troubled for detailed designs of the building.
In January 1868, Major Melliss writes to the Secretary offering to restore the old building to make it suitable as a public office. In May 1868, The Executive Engineer forwards an estimate of Rs.5975 for adding a verandah and conducting repairs to the damaged portion of the Council House. On the 7 th June 1868, The Colonel Superintending Engineer informs the Secretary to Government about the alterations to the design on instruction from the Governor and takes objection to the 74 ft. high tower being off uncoursed rubble masonry and the rates proposed by Major Melliss are moderated to Rs.55 from 25, 30, 42 and 60. He also says that the construction of the tower should be similar to the one at Ganesh Khind being constructed at that time.
A resolution of 18 th November 1868 says that re-appropriation of Rs.70,000 for the current year’s budget needs to be made against the request of the SE for Rs.99,797 which was accompanied with sanctioned plans. On 5 th November 1869,a resolution was made sanctioning Rs.9,998 for a porch and some additions and alterations to the Council Hall. A site plan of 9 th October 1869,by Major Melliss shows three buildings and a well in the plot which is ear marked for the new Council Hall. On 18 8 1870 the EE writes to the SE that the cost of the building is Rs 1,16,295/- and that an excess of Rs 6500 is needed as the building was “unleaded”.
An estimate for roads, metalling and draining the grounds was sanctioned on 10 th March 1870 by the Undersecretary to Government Mr. W A Baker. On 25 March 1870 the work was rapidly approaching completion and permission was asked to remove the Cook House which was an eyesore. On 29 th April 1870 a resolution was passed to make provision for stables and to inquire if provisions can be made for the Legislative Council during the rains. 12 th August 1870 the EE makes plans and estimates for outhouses amounting to Rs 5582/- which are sanctioned. On 27 th September 1870 Rs1120 were debited for 28 window blinds that were reported by the EE of having been installed in the building. These were ordered on the consent of Mr Jardine. On 3 rd October 1870 Rs 5852 are allotted for constructing Outhouses in the premises.
On 3 rd December 1870 the cost of the building reached Rs1,16,295/- including a fresh re-appropriation of Rs 6495/-. In 1871 Major Melliss finds the overall effect of the building to be unsatisfactory (to square and too formal and the tower attached too low in proportion) and proposes a heavy stone cornice which will have the effect of dwarfing the building. According to Superintending Engineer Col Wilkins “the formality of the building was produced by the strong contrast between the lively colours of the materials employed in the construction and the severe outlines which bind the skyline of the parapet and the roof. The tower appears low in consequence of the depressing effect of its low and heavy roof; and the deep and low horizontal lines of the balcony which surrounds the tower, and which cuts off from the views below a great portion of the lantern itself, greatly detracts from its height.” He further criticizes the parapet of the building that has round holes and no cornice which is without character and suggests pinnacles in red brick with panels filled in with yellow brick. For the ridge he opines that a simple iron grille would be too slender and a simple serrated pattern of ridge cresting in brick which might be made in Poona.
The heat in the Council Hall is a subject of a letter on 14 th September 1873 where the Superintending Engineer writes to the Secretary saying that there is a need to open the windows by placing them on a rotating vertical axis. On 16 th May 1877 a letter to the UnderSecretary to Govt., legislature department speaks about the weakness of the bracket supports to the spectator’s gallery and their inability to carry the weight of the crowds who assemble there. On 26 th May Col Melliss examined the gallery and reported that there was a longitudinal crack along the eastern gallery above the boarding in the wall. He wrote that there was no cause for concern. However on the same day the Superintending Engineer wrote to the Secretary to Government, Public Works Department saying that there is a need to drive three feet long bolts across the brickwork to secure the brackets to the walls and a cost of Rs 90/- should be immediately done and charged to special repairs.
On August 12, 1878 the Secretary to the Governor writes to the Superintending Engineer conveying the appreciation of the Governor after taking a round of the premises about the work though it needed further development. There is a note about him wanting to know the cost and not letting the press knowing about it. On 17 th December 1878 the under secretary to the Government passed a resolution to instruct the Executive Engineer to hang a portrait of Khan Bahadoor Nosherwanjee Jamasjee on the recommendation of Mr Vinayak Wasoodew, a member of the Portait Committee. On 24 th November 1880 one Sir Munguldass Natthobhoy along with 4 other friends saying that they and four other friends of the Mr Vinayak Wasoodew, late Oriental Translator to the Government, desire to place an annual scholarship of Rs 120/- to perpetuate the memory of their friend, to be awarded to a sketcher of nature at the Jamshetji Jeejeebhoy School of Art, and requesting that the Director of Public Instruction may be instructed to receive Government Promissory notes of four per cent. Loan for Rs 3000 for which they are prepared to handover to him.
It seems that by 1882 the Portait Gallery at the Council Hall was functional as on May 22, 1882 a letter from W A Baker, Under Secretary to Govt. to the Superintending Engineer saying that portraits executed by Mr. John Griffiths, Superintendent to the Jamshetji Jeejeebhoy School of Art, was sending portraits for the gallery including that of the late Sirdar Veenayak Wasoodew . A 10 th August 1882 order from the Secretary to Government, Public Works Department to the the Superintending Engineer saying that Rs 4012 are sanctioned for additional works to the Council Hall for work to be carried out as soon as possible without specifying what work is being done. On 25 2 1882 Walter Hughes the UnderSecretary to Govt. writes to the Superintending Engineer saying that permission is granted to hang a portrait executed by Mr. Griffith of the late David Sassoon which is similar in size and character.
Correspondence of 1884 relates to the appointment of a Mali under the Executive Engineer as a permanent employee and an annual grant of Rs 1100/- for shrubs, trees and flowers in pots at the Council Hall is sanctioned. Dhondi valad Vittoo Bendkar is appointed as the head gardener in the Legislative Department.
On 7 th December 1888 Walter Hughes the Acting Secretary to Government sanctioned Rs 238/- for a witness box at the Council hall. The record closes with an oder of 11 December 1889 sanctioning Rs 1000/- for Illumination of the Council Hall for HRH Prince Albert Victor’s Visit.
Kiran Kalamdani
Note by the Governor's secretary.
a sketch of the bracket from the archives.
archival picture of 1876
Archana clarifies the need to not guild the boss entirely as the older version had a combination of white and gold to Anil Javiya while Tonde Assistant Engineer and Tatya Shivne look on.
Workers rub the old door to remove paint and prepare it for a coat of polish.
paint removal and plaster stripping in progress.
earth removal at the plinth to restore the original levels of the plinth protection.
rejected sample of gilding to the roof boss
the old ventilator cover shows traces of gold leaf work.
Sample of the restored brickwork.
Sample of the restored window work.
Lead sheet soldering work in progress.
Lead solder.
Gutter detail to prevent rainwater seepage
roof boss after paint was removed.
bosses painted pink and paint removal of teak false ceiling in progress.
The original levels of the storm water drains of the building were restored and line with basalt stone masonry. Lighting fittings were integrated to befit the charater of the landmark after several trials.
An old storm water drain and plinth protection was found while trying to locate the visible plinth of the building. this was reused and new lights were located here.
Bevelled glasses, restoration of original brass fittings.
restored brickwork.
Gold leaf work on the beams and ceiling bosses being completed.
The restored ceiling and work on restoring the railings in progress.
The new furniture to suit the heritage ambience
The roof tiles over the belvedere were removed to reveal crude timbers used for the rafters.
The restored false ceiling with polish and gold leaf!
Restored stained glass, plaster doors and windows
The new furniture windows and the colour scheme in white and gold.
the new furniture and the chandeliers.
The new sofa with Italian Leather.
The original colour scheme of white and gold has been complimented by the colour of natural teak.
The new swarovski crystal chandeliers restored plaster, stained glass and teakwood surfaces create a feeling of richness that might have once been here!
The early morning light streaming in through the stained glass lancet windows throws interesting patterns on the floor of the Council Hall.
The bottommost row of stained glass panes are new replcements after repairs to the older glasses by Parveen Mistry.
A heritage gallery that would explain the development of the Legislative assembly of Maharashtra State, one of the oldest bicameral legislatures of India (75yrs)
One of the few places in the building where the original brickwork was made visible by removing later layers of paint.
The later added staircase block to the northeast to allow access to the press gallery above.
One of the VIP waiting lounges with new sofas in Italian Leather.
The picture gallery getting ready to receive history of the building, the city and the legislative council of the state.
The Northern Porch after restoration
The team of Architects during the inaugural meeting
The team of architects at the inauguration.
The Deputy Chie Minister and the District Collector convened a meeting at the hall after a gap of 18 months to restart use of the premises in the most informal manner. A short presentation of the work was made by the Superintending Engineer of PWD.
Chandeliers using swarovsky crystals by Jaguar were installed to give warm while colour rendering as against the bright cool white colour renders of fluorescent lighting installed earlier.
The restoration almost complete on the western facade.
New types of shutters installed in the windows having pilasters in Porbandar Limestone.
The night lighting of the Monument.
The flower arrangements on inauguration day 16 2 2014
The team of architects and contractors who worked on the project
Felicitations from the Deputy Chief Minister and the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the state of Maharashtra.
The sofas and restored space of the verandah on the first floor.
The restored door handle.
Installing new stained glasses
The verandah on the first floor before restoration.
