Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar’s legacy remembered on his birth centenary

Mysuru: A glimpse of royal era descended over the Durbar hall of the Mysuru palace on Thursday as a grand event to mark the birth centenary of the last King of erstwhile Mysore dynasty Sri Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar was held. The event was hosted by Rajamatha Pramoda Devi Wadiyar held under the auspices of SNW Trust run by the royal couple (with her late husband Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar).   

Former governor of West Bengal Gopalkrishna Gandhi inaugurated the celebrations. Governor Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala could not make it to the event due to political developments in the State. Mr Gandhi recalled the contributions of 25th Maharaja of Mysore Kingdom Wadiyar, and said, "Kings and queens are crowned but most of them lose their crowns with passage of time. But, in case of exceptional monarchs the crowns they wore remain firm. Those crowns are not made of gold or studded with gems but made of enormous amount of public admiration of their work and their generosity towards their subjects. In the same manner, the crown or fame of Sri Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar has remained undiluted till date like the fragrance of Mysore sandal. He was a great philosopher among kings. Self fulfillment attained from the sense of duty well performed mattered to him. He was born with a royal stature. He entered his office with grace, held his office with majesty and he demitted his office with serenity," he said.

Rajamatha Pramodadevi Wadiyar recalled the life and contributions of her father-in-law Sri Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar (father of husband Sri Srikandatadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar) on the occasion.  She said she took up the restoration, renovation and conservation works of art gallery (which houses over 2000 paintings and artefacts including 16 original paintings of Ravi Varma) at Jaganmohan Palace as a mark of her personal meaningful tribute or gift to her father-in-law for his birth centenary celebrations and added that she would like to dedicate it to the last Mysore King him on the occasion, she said.

She said the Trust had identified 10 persons of excellence who have contributed in various fields patronized by Sri Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar to be bestowed with the Sri Jayachamarajendra Award. Those who were honoured on the occasion include Ms Sudha Murty for outstanding contribution to society, B Saroja Devi (Cinema), B N S Iyengar (Yoga), Dr T V Venkatachala Shastri (Kannada literature), Dr M A Lakshmithathachar (Sanskrit literature), Prof A L Shivarudrappa (philosophy).

Syed Ali Khan a farmer from Kirugavalu of Mandya district (who has cultivated 850 varieties of rice and 150 varieties of mangos following traditional farming) was also honoured for agriculture. Pranavi Urs, 16, who started playing Golf at the age of 6 was also honoured for being a promising sports personality and for her achievement in Golf. Ajay Desai for wildlife conservation and K J Jesudas (classical music) were also conferred with the award. But, Jesudas  was not present.

A CD collection of 94 songs composed by Sri JayachamarajendraWadiyar (previously broadcasted on All India Radio over the last three months) was released on the occasion.  

Sri Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, scion of Mysore royal family, his wife Trishika Devi Wadiyar, members of royal family of Mysore, sisters of Sri Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar, Maharajakumaris Kamakshidevi and Indrakshidevi and over 800 select guests participated in the event.

The event also saw invocation rendition by carnatic classical musician Ms Manasi Prasad who sung "Chinthayami Jagadamba", one of the compositions of Sri Wadiyar. Badrasana (silver throne) was placed in front of Sri Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar’s portrait. The Old Mysuru anthem (kaayo Sri Gowri) was played by Carnatic and English police band as the event was being inaugurated.

Hemanth Kumar, Vice-Chancellor, University of Mysore said the new institution coming up at Siddharthanagar, Mysuru spread over 22-acres that was donated by Sri Jayachamaraja Wadiyar will be named as "Jayachamarajendra Centre for Higher Learning".

Mr R G Singh of Ramsons Prathishtana gifted dolls (Pattada gombe) to the royal family on the occasion.

Earlier, Gopalkrishna Gandhi opened the art gallery to public.