The following extract is from A Guide to Madras and its Suburbs, published by Higginbothams in 1889, just a year after VP Hall’s inauguration. It gives us some information pertaining to the circumstances in which the Hall was conceptualised and then made a reality. It also gives us details of what the rentals for the Hall were then.

– The Deputy Editor

The first public meeting convened by the Sheriff to consider the question of supplying Madras with a Town Hall, was held at Patcheappah’s Hall, on 24th January 1871, when the late Maharajah of Vizianagram presided and after several attempts, the scheme was set on foot by a few public-spirited men in Madras, with the approval of the inhabitants. In March 1883, a prize of Rs. 1,000 was offered, and the design for the building was thrown open for competition, and as an inducement, an honorarium of Rs. 500 was given to the competitors.

In May 1883, eight designs were submitted and the sub-committee accepted Mr. R.F. Chisholm’s (late Government Architect) design and awarded him the prize. The then Governor of Madras, Sir M E Grant Duff, was asked to lay the foundation stone, but he declined, as he disapproved of public money being spent in that manner, when the drainage of the town demanded more attention. The Committee then requested the present Maharajah of Vizianagram to perform the ceremony, which he did on 17th December 1883, in the presence of a large number of people, and he then renewed the donation of Rs. 10,000 his late father had promised. Subscriptions came pouring in on all sides, which exceeded Rs. 75,000. The site selected, measuring 30 grounds, is that portion of the People’s Park lying north of the Poonamallee Road and upwards of 120 wells had to be sunk for laying the foundation, as that site was originally a tank. The work progressed very rapidly and the Committee had hoped the Hall would have been ready on the occasion of the celebration of the Queen’s Jubilee in Madras, but they were disappointed, and the opening ceremony took place on 25th January 1888, when His Excellency Lord Connemara, the present Governor of Madras, presided at a meeting in the Hall, which was duly opened, the Trust Deed adapted and 12 Trustees elected.

The building is admirably suited for the purposes it is intended to serve. The main Hall measures 110 feet long by 40 feet broad, without any intermediate pillars. At the western end of the Hall there is a raised dais, capable of accommodating 100 performers, and which is easily convertible into a stage with necessary accommodation for wings, screens, &c. A recess with dome is also provided (10 feet deep) capable of holding an organ, which would be a valuable acquisition. At the eastern end there is a wide gallery, which is about 20 feet above the floor of the hall; and on the northern and southern sides there are verandahs with a depth of about 16 feet. At the top of the main staircase, at the eastern end of the building, the northern room has been fitted up to serve the purpose of a “bar” and refreshment room, while the room to the south contains a winding staircase, which leads up to the top of the tower, from which point an excellent view of the city can be obtained. The lower floor contains an entrance hall and staircase at the eastern end, measuring 40 feet by 15 feet, with cloak rooms on either side, and a private retiring room, each of which measures 17 feet square. The supper room is 78 feet long by 40 feet broad. Then there is a Committee room to the south, which covers an area of 46 feet by 17 feet. There is another room on the ground floor, which measures 30 feet by 15 feet; this was meant for the Secretary’s office. The kitchen has an air-tight door, and measures 30 feet by 15 feet, and the rooms for storing furniture are 40 feet by 25 feet each.

The following is the inscription on the trowel used on the occasion:

Presented to His Highness Mirza Ananda Gajapati Raz Munney Sultan,
Maharajah of Vizianagram,
on the occasion of his laying the Foundation Stone of THE MADRAS TOWN HALL
on the 17th December 1883.

The following is the inscription on the Foundation Stone:-

The Foundation Stone of THE MADRAS TOWN HALL was laid
by His Highness Maharajah Mirza Ananda Gajapati Raz, Munney Sultan of Vizianagram,
on the 17th December 1883.
His Excellency The Right Honorable M.E. GRANT DUFF, C.I.E. Governor of Madras.
and
H. E. Lieut. General Sir FREDERICK ROBERTS, Bart., v.C., G.C.B., C.I.E., Commander-in-Chief.

The charges for the use of the Hall are: for professional entertainments, taking money at the door:- for first week, Rs. 350; for second week, Rs. 300 each week; for third week, Rs. 250 each week; for fourth week, Rs. 200 each week; but if taken for one month certain, Rs. 1,000. These charges include use of the stage and paraphernalia. For a term less than a week and more than one night, the charge will be Rs. 50 a night, or for a single night only Rs. 60. For ­quasi-public entertainments where entrance money is taken, the charge will be Rs. 40 a night; for Amateur Dramatic Societies, whether money is charged or not, Rs. 40 a night; for Entertainments by the Madras Volunteer Corps, Rs. 25 a night; for private entertainments, Rs. 25 a night; for purely charitable purposes, Rs. 25 a night; for Lower and Upper Halls taken together, with lights, for one night Rs. 70 a night; and for Lower Hall, by day Rs. 20, and for a night Rs. 25. The North and South Rooms (downstairs) by day, Rs. 7, by night, Rs. 10, without lights. All charges will have to be paid in advance.