Tagore Memorial Hall

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Tagore Memorial Hall
Tagore Hall Ahmedabad 3.jpg
From southwest corner
Alternative namesTagore Hall
EtymologyRabindranath Tagore
General information
TypeAuditorium
Architectural styleBrutalist architecture
AddressOpposite Sanskar Kendra, Paldi
Town or cityAhmedabad
CountryIndia
Coordinates23°00′46″N 72°34′16″E / 23.0129°N 72.5711°E / 23.0129; 72.5711Coordinates: 23°00′46″N 72°34′16″E / 23.0129°N 72.5711°E / 23.0129; 72.5711
Construction started1966
Completed1971
Renovated2013
Renovation cost₹11 crore (US$1.5 million)
ClientAmdavad Municipal Corporation
OwnerAmdavad Municipal Corporation
Technical details
MaterialConcrete
Floor countFour
Design and construction
ArchitectB. V. Doshi[1]
Architecture firmVastu Shilpa Consultants
Structural engineerMahendra Raj[1]

Tagore Memorial Hall, also known as Tagore Hall, is an auditorium in Ahmedabad, India. It is designed by B. V. Doshi in 1961. It is an example of brutalist architecture. The construction started in 1966 and completed in 1971. It was renovated in 2013.

History[]

Le Corbusier had designed the Sanskar Kendra as a part of the cultural centre of Ahmedabad, and had proposed two other buildings for performing arts which he had termed the "box of miracles" for professional artists and the "spontaneous theatre" for amateur artists. They were never built.[1] In the 1960s, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation commissioned B. V. Doshi to design the hall dedicated to Rabindranath Tagore at the same site. He completed the design in 1961.[1] The hall was built from 1966 to 1971[2] under Mahendra Raj, a structural engineer.[3]

Stainless steel portrait of Tagore on the entrance facade

The hall was renovated with a new interior, in addition to a light and sound system, in 2013 at the cost of ₹11 crore (equivalent to ₹16 crore or US$2.1 million in 2020). A 12-by-24-foot (3.7 m × 7.3 m) stainless steel portrait of Rabindranath Tagore with his Bengali signature was added on the entrance facade. It was reopened on 25 November 2013 by Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel.[4][5][6]

Architecture[]

The Tagore Hall is an example of brutalist architecture.[2] Doshi, inspired by Le Corbusier's buildings at Chandigarh and the "Box of Miracles" proposed by him, decided to use concrete to form the box-shaped exterior of the hall. On the north and south concrete walls of the building there are a series of rigid triangular folds along the foyer and auditorium. These structural as well as decorative folds form a 17m high and 33m wide outer shell of the building. These folds are followed by flat surfaces with a series of windows which make a box-shaped backstage and stage area. It is followed by a last triangular fold at the corner of the building which has an exterior staircase on the south corner inspired by the Mill Owners' Association Building.[1][7][8][2]

The east and west facades are simple concrete grids filled with concrete panels. The perforated curtain-like entrance facade on the west joins the south and north folded walls forming a porch. Entering the porch, in the foyer, the sculptural columns and cantilevers supporting the auditorium are visible. The auditorium with a capacity of 700 people is supported by an independent structure.[1][2]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e f Williamson, Daniel (2016). "Modern Architecture and Capitalist Patronage in Ahmedabad, India 1947–1969". ProQuest Dissertations Publishing. New York University. pp. 279, 342–348. Retrieved 2020-05-22 – via ProQuest.
  2. ^ a b c d "Tagore Memorial Hall". architectuul.com. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
  3. ^ Reyar, Akrita (2019-12-12). "The man who believed in taming the forces of nature to create iconic structures of modern India". Times Now News. Retrieved 2021-05-07.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ "In pictures/Videos: Revamped Tagore hall reopens". DeshGujarat. 2013-11-25. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
  5. ^ Dave, Jitendra (2013-12-23). "Renovated Rabindranath Tagore Hall at Paldi too costly for theatre". DNA India. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
  6. ^ Kuruwa, Drashya. "Renovation of Tagore Hall". P C Snehal Group. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
  7. ^ Doshi, Balkrishna V; Tsuboi, Yoshikatsu; Raj, Mahendra (1967). "Tagore Hall, Presentment". Structural Engineering International. 1 (3).
  8. ^ Doshi, Balkrishna V; Tsuboi, Yoshikatsu; Raj, Mahendra (1967). "Tagore hall". Arts Asiatiques. 60.
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