Set in the heart of Cubbon Park, is a striking red-painted building designed in classical European style. It features Tuscan and Corinthian columns, triangular gables, and tall arched windows. This is the Sheshadri Iyer Memorial Hall. It is framed by lush greenery and fronted by a carefully maintained rose garden.
The State Central Library within the Memorial is the apex of Karnataka’s public library system, governed by the State Library Authority. With a collection of over 265,000 books, it serves students, researchers, and general readers alike.
A Brief History
Built in 1915, the Seshadri Iyer Memorial Hall was erected to honour Sir K. Seshadri Iyer, Dewan of Mysore State from 1883 to 1901. Under his leadership, the state saw major reforms in infrastructure and education, including the commissioning of the famous Shivanasamudra hydroelectric project that powered Bengaluru.
The Memorial was conceived not just as an architectural landmark, but as a cultural beacon—a space that would nurture knowledge, literacy, and public life in the heart of Bengaluru. Today, it houses the State Central Library, popularly known as the Seshadri Memorial Library.
Sketching at the Sheshadri Memorial Hall
Cubbon Park is a public space, which means that you may carry with you any kind of drawing equipment. The Seshadri Iyer Memorial Hall is a great subject to paint, with its bold red façade framed by green parkland, all of which create striking contrasts.
Artists can easily find quiet corners to sketch without distraction. A medium-sized sketchbook (A4) is ideal for capturing the building’s proportions, and simple watercolours or coloured pencils can be used to bring out the vivid reds and greens of the scene.
