Ode to an icon

Architects create a memorial for Dr. Vishnuvardhan in Mysuru, fostering community engagement and reflection, winning design award.

When architects Nischal Abaykumar and Jesal Pathak of M9 Design Studio decided to participate in the design competition for building a memorial for the renowned Kannada actor Dr. Vishnuvardhan, their first thought was to come up with a space that not only pays homage but also one that elicits multiple reflections and reminiscences. Essentially, they looked at creating a space that would facilitate public gatherings and interactions, not just on a specific date in a calendar year but consistently throughout the year. The 5-acre site allotted for the memorial is in the suburbs of Mysuru, with funding received from the government of Karnataka for the memorial trust.

In keeping with their intent on winning the competition, the duo designed a structure that permitted the public, especially the less privileged, to use the space throughout the year.

Incidentally, this intent was also in keeping with the strong sentiments expressed by the memorial trust to give back to the community, an ideology that was deeply entrenched with Dr. Vishnuvardhan, who had been intensely service-oriented. The intervention that thence ensued was confined to only 2.5 acres of the site, “as we decided to leave the other half to evolve naturally based on requirements that may arise in the future”, states Jesal.

Given the functional intent, the programme for the structure adopted is one of closed and open spaces. The memorial also houses a state-of-the-art auditorium for the general public, performing artists, and “for government school children who are given free access to the facilities.” A set of classrooms is also located next to this auditorium for the use of school children when needed. A café to serve refreshments also features alongside the office spaces for the memorial’s functioning.

The main structure of the memorial is designed in a circular form that weaves around the altar where the actor’s ashes are placed. This circular outer ring of exposed concrete displays the life journey of Dr. Vishnuvardhan in the form of videos and photographs, along with select famous quotes from his over 200 films. A continuous vent runs between this circular wall and its roof to let in abundant natural light that negates the need for artificial lighting. The washing of the walls by the filtering in sunlight creates an interesting drama of light and shadow as the day progresses.

The circular wall, with its interior display of the actor’s journey, also has strategically placed openings that enable the visitor to exit into the core of the memorial, which houses the altar, which overlooks a water body. In recall of the actor’s favourite colour, the metal columns and the exit doors are painted yellow.

“The exits are strategically placed so that the visitor, after perusing through the interior displays on Dr. Vishnuvardhan, can step out to the altar where the waterbody and the semi-circular meditative steps around it permit them to reflect and pay their silent homage”, states Nischal. “The silence and stillness that greets the visitor in this inner circle is reverential and strikes an emotional chord with the visitors, prompting many to return with moist eyes”, adds Jesal.