Royals plan CD of Jayachamaraja Wadiyar songs to mark his centenary

Mysuru: The year-long birth centenary celebrations of the 25th maharaja of the royal family of Mysuru, Sri Jayachamaraja Wadiyar, will include the screening of a documentary and the release of a book on his life, besides a series of seminars.

Speaking to reporters here, Rajmatha Pramodadevi Wadiyar,  said that although President Ramnath Kovind was invited for the inaugural event on July 18, he would not be able to make it, but he would participate in one of the events during the year.  Besides the Mysuru royal family and their relatives,  members of royal families from Delhi, Mumbai and other parts of the country, political leaders  and around a 1000 other guests are expected to participate in the event.

The occasion will see ten people, who have contributed significantly to various fields like Sanskrit, Kannada, philosophy, wildlife, classical music, yoga and, agriculture honoured  and a CD of the collection of 94 songs penned by Sri Jayachamaraja Wadiyar, which have been aired on All India Radio every Friday and Sunday for the last three months,  released.

Ms Pramoda Devi said that as Jayachamaraja Wadiyar had donated 20 acres for the speech and hearing institute in Kurubarhalli, the Centre had been requested to name it after him.  

“We have also requested the postal department to issue a commemmorative stamp on him,” she added.

Asked if she planned to enter politics, , she said, "My husband Sri Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar was MP for four terms. But he never used his political power to resolve his personal problems. I  understand politics, but don’t know how to do politics, so I do not want to enter it. But if Sri Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar( her s on)  is interested, he is free to enter politics.”