Swank senate hall to open

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A renovated Senate Hall, with cushion chairs, improved lighting and a perfect audio system, would host the platinum jubilee celebrations of the Kerala University (KU) which will kick off on Friday. The hall, which has been the hub of many a cultural activity, was closed for renovation in February last year. The main hall has a seating capacity of nearly 1,400 and hundreds more in the balcony. The portraits of former Vice-Chancellors, which had formerly adorned the walls, have been cut into a uniform size and redone. The portraits were redone by artist R S Madhukumar. Sound absorption panels, for which the hall has always received kudos, have been restored. ‘’We have already spent ` 50 lakh for the renovation. There is some work remaining in the second phase, which includes installing  CCTVs and air-conditioners and sprucing up the balcony. It will be the best hall in the city once the total renovation is done,’’ said Syndicate member B S Jyothikumar. The University has set aside ` one crore for the renovation of the hall in its budget. The platinum jubilee celebrations of the University would be the first event and a befitting opening for the hall, Jyothikumar said. It was on November 1, 1937, that the Kerala University came into existence as the University of Travancore, through a Royal promulgation of His Highness Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, the last Maharaja of the erstwhile state of Travancore. The University was renamed University of Kerala in 1957.  ‘’We have already announced our plans for the jubilee year. We have sought external funds for our projects and we expect it to turn out well,’’ said Vice-Chancellor A Jayakrishnan. Projects that touch upon all aspects of the University, including the academic and developmental activities, student activities, collaborations with foreign universities, arts and sports development in colleges,  festivals, seminars and lectures, would be part of the platinum jubilee celebrations.