Shesadri Iyer Memorial Hall, strategically sited in Cubbon Park in Bangalore was built as a tribute to Sir K.Seshadri Iyer, the Dewan of Mysore State from 1883 to 1901. One of Bangalore’s most coveted tourist spots of historical eminence, Sheshadri Memorial Hall is a replete with a picturesque and colorful garden.
The red edifice complete with a pretty as a picture rose garden houses the commemorative epitaph of Seshadri Iyer. The building also contains a library, which was established in the year 1915 and is the convergence point of an avenue extending from Hudson Circle.
Shesadri Iyer Memorial Hall is a bibliophile’s dream. The State Central Library is set up with the building premises and contains some rare out of print editions. The building itself is one of the most legendary and historically significant buildings of Bangalore, encompassing an area of approximately 300 sq. km.
Lord Nathaniel Curzon has a significant contribution to the existence of Shri Seshadri Iyer Memorial Hall. The erstwhile Viceroy of India is credited as the mastermind behind Kolkata’s treasure, the imperial Victoria Memorial and Bangalore’s magnum opus, the Shri Seshadri Iyer Memorial Hall. Lord Curzon impressed with Shri Seshadri Iyer’s dedication and service to the British Raj wrote to the then British Resident, Sir Donald Robertson. It was then agreed upon to honor the erstwhile diwans’s relentless services by building a posthumous Memorial Hall in his name. The building, conveniently sited in one of Bangalore’s most enchanting and popular parks amidst lush greenery is thereby almost always swarming with tourists and visitors.
Shesadri Iyer Memorial Hall is truly a treasure trove of Bangalore’s natural splendor, culture, heritage and a hallmark of the British Rule in India.
