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Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar

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Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar
Maharaja of Mysore
25th Maharaja of Mysore
Reign3 August 1940 – 25 January 1950
Coronation8 September 1940, Palace of Mysore
PredecessorKrishnaraja Wadiyar IV (paternal uncle)
SuccessorSrikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar (son)
Rajpramukh of Mysore State
In office
26 January 1950 – 1 November 1956
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byPosition abolished
Governor of Mysore State
In office
1 November 1956 – 4 May 1964
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byS M Srinagesh
Governor of Madras State
In office
4 May 1964 – 28 June 1966
Preceded byBhishnuram Medhi
Succeeded bySardar Ujjal Singh
Born(1919-07-18)18 July 1919
Mysore Palace, Mysore, Mysore State, India
Died23 September 1974(1974-09-23) (aged 55)[1]
Bangalore Palace, Bangalore, India
SpouseSatya Prema Kumari (m. 1938, div. 1940)
Tripura Sundari Ammani (m. 1942)
Issue
HouseWadiyar dynasty
FatherYuvaraja Kanteerava Narasimharaja Wadiyar
MotherYuvarani Kempu Cheluvaja Amanni
ReligionHinduism

Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar (Template:Lang-kn; 18 July 1919 – 23 September 1974), sometimes simply Jayachamaraja Wadiyar, was the twenty-fifth and last ruling Maharaja of Mysore, reigning from 1940 to 1950,[3] who later served as the governor of Mysore until 1964 and as governor of Madras from 1964 to 1966.

Wadiyar ascended the throne upon the sudden demise of his uncle Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV. His reign as King began in 1940 during the onset of World War II in Europe and concluded with his merging the Kingdom into the Dominion of India in 1947 but continued as maharaja until India's constitution into a republic in 1950.[4] Kuvempu, his Kannada teacher and the vice-chancellor of Mysore University, remarked upon his ceding the kingdom: "Whereas kings have become so upon assuming thrones, he became a great king by renouncing one".[5] C. Hayavadana Rao, a noted historian, referred to the maharaja in the preface of his unfinished book as a "supporter of every good cause aiming at the moral and material progress of the people".[6]

Early life

Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar was born on 18 July 1919 at Mysore Palace as the only son and the last child of Yuvaraja Kanteerava Narasimharaja Wadiyar and Yuvarani Kempu Cheluvajamanni. He had three elder sisters: Princesses Vijaya Devi, Sujayakantha Devi, and Jayachamundi Devi.

The young Yuvaraja Jayachamaraja Wadiyar with his grandmother, once regent, and Queen Mother Maharani Kempananjammanni Devi

Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar graduated from Maharaja's College, Mysore, in 1938, earning five awards and gold medals from Mysore University.[7] He was married the same year, on 15 May 1938, to Maharani Satya Prema Kumari at the Palace.[8] He toured Europe during 1939, visiting many associations in London and became acquainted with many artists and scholars.

Reign

Accession

In March 1940, Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar lost his father Yuvaraja Kanteerava Narasimharaja Wadiyar who was second in line to the throne. Five months later, his reigning uncle, Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV too expired, leaving his only nephew, Jayachamaraja Wadiyar, to succeed him to reign in what was dubbed one of the most prosperous states in Asia.[9] He ascended the throne of the Kingdom of Mysore on 8 September 1940 and was democratic in his administration, celebrated by his subjects as his uncle was. With the accession, he was inducted as a freemason[10]

Ceding the kingdom

Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar was the first ruler to accede to merge his kingdom with the newly formed tentative Indian Union after India's independence in 1947. He signed an instrument of accession with the Union on the eve of India's attainment of independence on 15 August 1947. The result took three years to materialise owing to the drafting of a constitution for the country in the meantime.

With the constitution of India into a republic, the Kingdom of Mysore was merged with the Republic on 26 January 1950. After the state was absorbed into the Dominion of India, he was granted a privy purse, certain privileges, and the use of the title Maharaja of Mysore by the Government of India,[11] However, all forms of compensation were ended in 1971 by the 26th Amendment to the Constitution of India.[12][4]

Wadiyar was made the Rajpramukh of Mysore State in 26 January 1950. After the integration of the neighbouring Kannada-majority parts of the Madras and Hyderabad States, the title was changed, and he became the first Governor of the reorganised Mysore State, from 1 November 1956 to 4 May 1964. He was later appointed Governor of Madras from 4 May 1964 to 28 June 1966.

Contributions

Sports

Wadiyar was a good horseman and a tennis player. He was also well known for his marksmanship and was highly sought-after by his subjects whenever a rogue elephant or a man-eating tiger attacked their immediate surroundings in and around the city of Mysore. There are many wildlife trophies attributed to him in the Palace Collections.

Wadiyar is credited for financially supporting the tennis player Ramanathan Krishnan participate at Wimbledon.[13] The maharaja also encouraged and aided the cricketer E. A. S. Prasanna's visit to the West Indies as his father was otherwise reluctant to send him.[14]

Literature

Wadiyar was a man of letters: he was an avid reader and writer and an acknowledged authority of Indian philosophy. His literary works deal with a range of disciplines including administration, theology, history, civics, philosophy, administrative studies, among others.

Wadiyar sponsored the translation of many classics from Sanskrit to Kannada as part of the "Jayachamaraja Grantha Ratna Mala", including 35 parts of the Rigveda. These are essentially ancient, sacred scriptures in Sanskrit which at that time were not available in Kannada language comprehensively. All the books contain original text in Kannada accompanied by Kannada translation in simple language for the benefit of common man. In the history of Kannada literature, such a monumental work was never attempted! As the courtier and astrologer Dharmadhikari H. Gangadhara Shastry, who himself contributed substantially in the above works, has stated, the Maharaja used to study each and every one of these works and discuss them with the authors.[15]

Wadiyar also encouraged historical research on modern lines; this finds an echo in the dedication of the encyclopaedic work entitled History of Mysore by C. Hayavadana Rao published in three voluminous works published between 1943 and 1946.[6]

Selected literary works by the maharaja

  • The Quest for Peace: an Indian Approach, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 1959.
  • Dattatreya: The Way & The Goal, Allen & Unwin, London 1957.
  • The Gita and Indian Culture, Orient Longmans, Bombay, 1963.
  • Religion And Man, Orient Longmans, Bombay, 1965 (based on Prof. Ranade Series Lectures organised at Karnataka University in 1961)
  • Avadhuta: Reason & Reverence, Indian Institute of World Culture, Bangalore, 1958.
  • An Aspect of Indian Aesthetics, University of Madras, 1956.
  • Puranas As The Vehicles of India's Philosophy of History, Journal Purana, issue #5, 1963.
  • Advaita Philosophy, Sringeri Souvenir Volume, 1965, pages 62–64.
  • Sri Suresvaracharya, Sringeri Souvenir Volume, Srirangam, 1970, pages 1–8.
  • Kundalini Yoga, (a review of "Serpent Power" by Sir John Woodroff)
  • Note on Ecological Surveys to precede Large Irrigation Projects- Wesley Press, Mysore; 1955
  • African Survey; The Bangalore Press; 1955
  • The Virtuous Way of Life – Mountain Path – July 1964 edition

Music

Wadiyar was a connoisseur of both Western and Carnatic classical music. As well as composing music himself, he also patronised numerous musicians in his court as well as international artists and became involved in acclaimed music organisations.

Western classical music

Wadiyar became a Licentiate of the Guildhall School of Music, London and honorary Fellow of Trinity College of Music, London, in 1945. Aspirations to become a concert pianist were cut short by the untimely deaths of his father in 1939 and his reigning uncle in 1940, when he had to succeeded to the throne.

Wadiyar became the first president of the Philharmonia Concert Society in 1948.[16] During his presidency, he founded the Medtner Society at London in 1949 in honour of the Russian composer Nikolai Medtner. The maharaja also financed the recording of a large number of Medtner's compositions. Medtner dedicated his third piano concerto to the maharaja. Walter Legge, who was the record producer in these efforts, stated:

"The visit to Mysore was a fantastic experience. The Maharajah was a young man, not yet thirty. In one of his palaces he had a record library containing every imaginable recordings of serious music, a large range of loud speakers, and several concert grand pianos... In the weeks I stayed there, the Maharajah agreed to paying for the recordings of the Medtner piano concertos, an album of his songs, and some of his chamber music; he also agreed to give me a subvention of 10,000 pounds a year for three years to enable me to put the Philharmonia Orchestra and the Philharmonia Concert Society on firm basis..."
A programme schedule during the maharaja's presidency of the Philharmonia Concert Society

This largesse proved sufficient to transform Legge's fortunes in 1949; he was able to engage Herbert von Karajan as conductor. The repertory the maharajah wished to sponsor were Balakirev's Symphony, Roussel's Fourth Symphony, Busoni's Indian Fantasy, etc. The association produced some of the most memorable recordings of the post-war period.

In 1950, Wadiyar sponsored an evening orchestra event at the Royal Albert Hall by the Philharmonia Concert Society with German conductor Wilhelm Furtwängler in the lead and soprano Kirsten Flagstad singing Four Last Songs, fulfilling Richard Strauss's last wish.

The maharaja was an equally good critic of music. When asked by Legge to pass judgement on the recent additions to the EMI catalogue, his views were as trenchant as they were refreshingly unpredictable. He was thrilled by Karajan's Vienna Philharmonic recording of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony ("as Beethoven wished it to be"), held Furtwängler's recording of the Fourth Symphony in high esteem, and was disappointed by Alceo Galliera's account of the Seventh Symphony, which he preferred Karajan had recorded. Above all, he expressed serious doubts about Arturo Toscanini's recordings. "The speed and energy are those of a demon", he wrote to Legge, "not an angel or superman as one would ardently hope for". One of the reasons he so admired Furtwängler's Beethoven was that it was "such a tonic after Toscanini's highly strung, vicious performances".

In the July 1950 edition of Gramophone, Legge writes:

... Many more correspondent have written expressing their admiration for the vision, constructive enterprise, and generosity of the young Indian Prince who conceived this plan, and who is making it possible for the music lovers throughout the world to learn, enjoy and study works which but for his knowledge and love of music, would never have been recorded...

Carnatic classic music

After becoming Maharaja, he became increasingly exposed to Carnatic classical music owing to the cultural vibrancy which prevailed in the Mysore court. He learnt to play veena under Vid. Venkatagiriappa; he eventually mastered the nuances of Carnatic music under the tutelage of the veteran composer and courtier Vid. Vasudevachar. The maharaja composed as many as 94 Carnatic music works under the assumed name Shri Vidya. All his compositions are in different ragas and some of them for the first time ever. He is credited with the creation of the raga Jayasamvardini.[17] These compositions were published as a book in 2010 by R. Raja Chandra, his son-in-law, as "Sree Vidyaa Gaana Vaaridhi", edited by S. Krishna Murthy, Vid. Vasudevachar's grandson.

A few notable compositions by the Maharaja
Song Ragam Talam
Sri Mahaganapathim Bhajema (Template:Lang-sa) Athana Adi
Gam Ganapate Namaste (Template:Lang-sa) Durvanki Rupakam
Bhairavam Bhavayeham (Template:Lang-sa) Bhairavam Adi
Maha Tripura Sundari Sankari mam pahi (Template:Lang-sa) Kalyani Jhampa
Kshria Sagara Shayana Vakshasthala Vasinim Pranamami (Template:Lang-sa) Mayamalavagowla Jhampa
Siva Siva Siva Bho Mahadeva Sambho (Template:Lang-sa) Nadanamakriya Jhampa
Sri Guru Dakshinamurte Namostute (Template:Lang-sa) Bhavapriya Matya
Sri Jalandharam Asrayamyaham (Template:Lang-sa) Gambhiranatta Adi
Sri Rajarajesvarim Ashrayami (Template:Lang-sa) Lalita Rupakam
Vandeham shive (Template:Lang-sa) Katanakutuhalam Matya

During these compositions, Wadiyar built three temples in Mysore city: Bhuvaneshvari Temple and Gayatri Temple, located inside the Mysore Palace Fort, and Sri Kamakaameshwari Temple, situated on Ramanuja Road, Mysore, all sculpted by his guru Siddalingaswamy.

Many noted Indian musicians received patronage at his court, including Mysore Vasudevachar, Veena Venkatagiriyappa, B. Devendrappa, V. Doraiswamy Iyengar, T. Chowdiah, Tiger Vardachar, Chennakeshaviah, Titte Krishna Iyengar, S. N. Mariappa, Chintalapalli Ramachandra Rao, R. N. Doreswamy, H. M. Vaidyalinga Bhagavatar. V. Ramarathnam, a veteran musician and scholar, authored the "Contribution and Patronage of Wadiyars to Music", a book that delves deep into the patronage and contribution of Wadiyars to Carnatic music.

The Maharaja with Queen Elizabeth II at Mysore
The Maharaja with the Minister of Home Affairs Sardar Vallabh Patel

Death

Jayachamaraja Wadiyar died at the age of 55 on 23 September 1974 at his Bangalore Palace; he was the last living person who had been the premier king of a state with a 21-gun salute status in British India. He was succeeded by his son Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar as the head of the Royal Family and the ceremonial maharaja of Mysore.

Family

Jayachamaraja Wadiyar married Maharani Sathya Prema Kumari of Jigni province on 15 May 1938. The marriage failed; the maharani returned to and settled at Jaipur. There were no children by this marriage.

On 6 May 1942, two years into his accession as maharaja, Jayachamaraja Wadiyar married Maharani Tripura Sundari Devi. The couple has six children: Maharajakumari Gayatri Devi (1946–1974), who predeceased her father due to cancer;[18] Rajakumari Meenakshi Devi (b. 1951, d. 2015); Yuvaraja Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar (b. 1953, d. 2013); Rajakumari Kamakshi Devi (b.1954); Rajakumari Indrakshi Devi (b.1956); and Rajakumari Vishalakshi Devi Avaru (b. 1962, d. 2018).

Both the queens died in 1982 within a span of 15 days.

  • A public wedding pamphlet of Prince Jayachamaraja Wadiyar to his first wife Sathya Prema Kumari Devi
    A public wedding pamphlet of Prince Jayachamaraja Wadiyar to his first wife Sathya Prema Kumari Devi
  • The Maharaja with his queen consort Tripura Sundari Ammani
    The Maharaja with his queen consort Tripura Sundari Ammani

Honours

Jayachamarajendra Circle at Mysore

Fellowships and memberships

Honorary doctorates

Memorials

References

  1. ^ "Jaya Wadiyar Bahadur Dies; Former Maharaja of Mysore". The New York Times. 24 September 1974. Page 53, columns 4-6. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  2. ^ "Two members of erstwhile Mysore royal family die on final day of Dasara celebrations". 19 October 2018. Archived from the original on 19 October 2018.
  3. ^ "Remembering the Maharaja who was a maverick, a genius".
  4. ^ a b Schmidt, Karl J. (1995). An atlas and survey of South Asian history. M.E. Sharpe. p. 78. ISBN 978-1-56324-334-9. Although the Indian states were alternately requested or forced into union with either India or Pakistan, the real death of princely India came when the Twenty-sixth Amendment Act (1971) abolished the princes' titles, privileges, and privy purses.
  5. ^ "'Elected representatives neglecting Wadiyars'". Deccan Herald. 18 July 2018. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  6. ^ a b Rao, Hayavadana (1943). History of Mysore (PDF). pp. i.
  7. ^ Trehan, Tanvi (18 July 2022). "Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar was a 'maverick maharaja' who ruled Mysore—and the world of music". ThePrint. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  8. ^ "Wedding Of Prince Of Mysore 1938". British Pathe News. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  9. ^ Rao, Conjeeveram Hayavadana (1930). Mysore Gazetteer. Government Press.
  10. ^ https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2017/jul/04/masons-offer-hand-not-handshake-in-friendship-1624250.html. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  11. ^ Ramusack, Barbara N. (2004). The Indian princes and their states. Cambridge University Press. p. 273. ISBN 978-0-521-26727-4. The crucial document was the Instrument of Accession by which rulers ceded to the legislatures of India or Pakistan control over defence, external affairs, and communications. In return for these concessions, the princes were to be guaranteed a privy purse in perpetuity and certain financial and symbolic privileges such as exemption from customs duties, the use of their titles, the right to fly their state flags on their cars, and to have police protection. ... By December 1947 Patel began to pressure the princes into signing Merger Agreements that integrated their states into adjacent British Indian provinces, soon to be called states or new units of erstwhile princely states, most notably Rajasthan, Patiala and East Punjab States Union, and Matsya Union (Alwar, Bharatpur, Dholpur and Karaulli).
  12. ^ "The Constitution (26 Amendment) Act, 1971", indiacode.nic.in, Government of India, 1971, retrieved 9 November 2011
  13. ^ "The Last Great King". www.thisday.app. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  14. ^ "Kanteerava, the sports stadium in a lake bed". Hindustan Times. 10 October 2022. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  15. ^ Praveen Kumar (18 September 2014). "Stolen: 82 rare tomes on ancient texts from Ramakrishna Math". Bangalore Mirror. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  16. ^ "10 facts about the Philharmonia". Archived from the original on 18 May 2006. Retrieved 3 December 2006.
  17. ^ "Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar Life, Music And Contributions". www.magzter.com. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  18. ^ Devi, Meenakshi (17 June 2007). "My daddy, His Highness, the Maharaja of Mysore". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar.
Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar
Born: 1919 Died: 1974
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV
(as Raja of Mysore)
 Maharaja of Mysore
1940–1950 		Succeeded by
Monarchy abolished
(Merged with the Republic of India)
Political offices
Preceded by
None;
post created 26 January 1950
 Rajpramukh of the State of Mysore
1950–1956 		Succeeded by
Post abolished
Abolished by the Government of India 31 October 1956
Preceded by
None;
post created 31 October 1956,
following the abolition of the position of Rajpramukh
 Governor of Mysore State
1956–1964 		Succeeded by
S.M. Sriganesh
Preceded by Governor of Madras State
1964–1966 		Succeeded by
Ujjal Singh
Titles in pretence
Preceded by
None
 — TITULAR —
Maharaja of Mysore
1950–1974 		Succeeded by
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