Mysore: A 150-year-old mural that documents the erstwhile state of Mysore in the famed Sri Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar Art Gallery could be displayed for public viewing in a couple of months.
Spread over 2,080 sq.ft and covering the four walls of 'Ranja Mahal' from ground to ceiling, the mural is thought to be the biggest in the country.
The masterpiece was in shambles until the Regional Conservation Laboratory (RCL) began restoring it a few years ago and now that it is in good condition, the management is considering letting tourists have a peek at it.
"Ranja Mahal was closed for several years as the mural showed signs of discolouration and damage owing to water seepage. It took the RCL two years to complete the conservation and restoration work. Now we are planning to put up barricades and install LED lights to enhance the mural. All this will take a few months," says an official of the art gallery.
Painted using vegetable and minerals dyes during the period of Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar III shortly after the Jaganmohan Palace was constructed in 1861, the mural is a rare artwork depicting the entire Vijayadashami procession that marks the culmination of the Mysore Dasara festivities. The ASI has studied the entire scene and documented it in detail.
Significantly in the mural, Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar III, is seen seated in a chariot pulled by six elephants and multiple wooden howdahs are seen mounted on jumbos.
A gallery guide explains the golden howdah began to be used only during the reign of Chamaraja Wadiyar X. The mural also draws the family tree of the Wadiyars.
