Chief Minister N Chandrabau Naidu wants Rajamouli touch to Amaravati capital design

Amaravati: Dissatisfaction with the lack of Indian historical flavour in the designs submitted by international consultants for new capital city of Andhra Pradesh, Amaravati, Chief Minister N Chandrabau Naidu suggested the British firm Norman and Fosters to contact Telugu Film director SS Rajamouli immediately. Chief Minister also said the Rajamouli can be made to fly to London in the coming weeks to assist in capital designing.

Chandrababu Naidu again reviewed the final models of the buildings for Legislative Assembly and the High Court that were presented by Foster + Partners at Secretariat on Thursday along with Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, P Narayana and Ganta Srinivasa Rao. He said he will finalise the designs on October 25 and visit Norman and Fosters on the same day as part of his UK tour.

Chief Minister opined that the façade can look much better and advised the firm to spend more time on the façade as he wants to ensure that the building reflects world-class architecture. “Try to involve the youngsters in the government also, who have had considerable exposure to art and architecture,” he also told the Ministers. Chief Minister chose international consultants to design capital city.

After the Maki and Associates was dumped, the government appointed Fosters+ Partners and Indian architech Hafiz Contractor is partenering with them in designing iconic structures- High Court, Assembly and Secretariat buildings apart from 900 acres administrative city in core capital area.

However, Chief Minister seems to be unhappy with the international consultants. Sources in the Municipal Administration said Municipal Administration Minister P Narayana and APCRDA commissioner Ch Sreedhar had met Rajamouli in the past following the suggestions of the Chief Minister.

“Chief Minister inspired with the works of Rajamouli in creating the ancient kingdom of Mahishmathi in the blockbuster fantasy movie Bahubali,” they said. The movie featured lavish sets, computer-generated imagery, huge waterfalls, grand temples, enormous statues, impressive places and others.

Chandrababu Naidu almost every time suggests modifications to the capital city designs submitted by different international architecture firms, Maki and Associates in the past and Foster+ partners now. “Chief Minister feel that the designs lacked an Indian ethos,” said an official.

Naidu was also said to have discussed with Rajamouli in the past on development of Krishna river waterfront promoting Telugu traditions. Besides, Chief Minister also wanted another film director Jagarlmudi Krish, who worked for Gauthamiputhra Sathakarni and art director Anand Sai who worked for films-Badrinath and Indra. Besides, film director Boyapati Sreenu was engaged by the State government to design Pavitrasangamam ghat in Ibrahimpatnam during Krishna Pushkaralu and worked for Godavari Pushkaralau also.

An official said Chief Minister wanted Norman Fosters to take inputs from Rajamouli amd also suggested officials to consult other film directors having artistic view to extend their experience in designing capital city designs.