Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, who pioneered pro-poor programmes and dominated politics in the state over the past three decades, died on Monday night.
A seven-day mourning period has been announced in the state. The Chief Minister’s body is lying in state at Rajaji Hall for people to pay tribute. She will be laid to rest next to her political mentor MGR's memorial at Marina Beach.
Here is a look at why the Rajaji Hall is important in the history of the sate:
RAJAJI HALL
- Rajaji Hall(earlier known as Banqueting Hall) has witnessed some very impressive events in the history of TN.
- The main structure is Greek Temple-style with a tall flight of steps that takes one to the main hall.
- The hall was built to mark the victory of British forces in the Battle of Plassey in 1757 and the defeat of Tipu Sultan in 1799.
- The terraces of Rajaji Hall which hosted meetings of the State Assembly in 1938-39 are now home to piles of paper and furniture belonging to the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission.
- The building was renamed Rajaji Hall in 1948 from Banquet Hall through a government order by the then Madras State. Since then, the space has been a favourite venue for stately events, exhibitions and meetings.
- In February 1961, Queen Elizabeth cut her birthday cake there at a function organised by the then Chief Minister K. Kamaraj.
- The bodies of former Chief Ministers C.N.Annadurai (February 4, 1969) and K.Kamaraj (October 4,1975) lay in state in Rajaji Hall.
- The swearing-in-function of Governor K.K. Shah was held in this majestic hall in May 1971.
- The Omandurar estate originally belonged to Antonia de Madeiros and the company purchased it in 1753. It was then known as Government Estate.
- In 2000s it was a sought-after location for film shootings to meetings
- Currently, records of the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission are stocked there.
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