A royal who worked alongside the public

Historians, scholars, students and common people know more about Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV, the illustrious Maharaja who ruled Princely Mysore since 1902. The Maharaja is also credited with the diverse developmental activities in the state. On the other hand, very little is known about his younger brother, Kanteerava Narasimharaja Wadiyar, who was also popularly known as Yuvaraja. He was responsible for the start of many important movements, particularly those in the cooperative sector.

The Yuvaraja was born on June 5, 1888 as the second son of King Chamarajendra Wadiyar X and Kempananjammanni. The Yuvaraja was provided with all the facilities of both formal and informal education. Tutors like Sir S M Fraser and M A Narayana Ayyangar taught him. Later, Yuvaraja joined the Mayo Rajkumar College at Ajmer. However, he had to cut short his education at this college due to an attack of typhoid. In Mysore, his education once again resumed under private tutors. In 1910, he married Kempu Cheluvajammanni. With her, the Yuvraja had four children. 

Acting as a link
Many times, Yuvaraja accompanied the Maharaja on his tours within the province. On many occasions, he visited different parts of Mysore on his own. He was also given a share in the administrative responsiblities by the Maharaja. The Yuvaraja accepted this position both as a duty and a privilege. He decided to serve as a link between the administration and the public.

He became a part of the constitutional machinery of the Government of the Maharaja of Mysore. He was nominated as the extraordinary member of the council. He was meticulous and methodical in his official work. He also gave equal attention to all the work he was given. He had deep sympathy towards the poor and the downtrodden. He was proud about the martial glory of the Mysore state. In 1920, he attended a conference held at Delhi where questions relating to organisation of Imperial Service Troops were discussed. Interestingly, he supported military training to be imparted to the students. Because of his personal interest and interference, military training came to be adopted in the colleges run by the government.

Education & cooperatives
He considered education as a key for social change, particularly among the illiterate and the downtrodden. Historians and scholars have pointed out his proximity with the leaders of some numerically dominant non-brahmin communities and groups. He supported them and helped float an informal political forum to spearhead the cause of non-brahmin communities. The idea behind this was to have a legitimate share in power, extend educational facilities and to secure more job opportunities for the downtrodden. The Yuvaraja also generously helped build free hostels for their children, which were built in Bangalore and Mysore. They became more famous as ‘Narasimharaja Hostels’. 

Apart from education, he also supported the growth of the scout movement in the state. Being the chief scout and patron of the scout movement, he participated actively in the conferences and rallies of scouts held across the state. Because of his initiatives, the scout movement gathered momentum in Princely Mysore.

In the Kannada speaking regions, the cooperative movement emerged in the year 1905 when the first cooperative society was established in Kanaginahal, a village in Gadag district. In coastal Kannada region, its mentor was Molahalli Shiva Rao, while Shantarama Hegde was its pioneer in Uttara Kannada district. Similarly, the other cooperatives were established in Mandya by K V Shankare Gowda and in Kolar by M V Krishnappa. Cooperative departments and movements began in Mysore during the first decade of the 20th century. Gradually, it became more popular by the efforts of many officials and non-officials.

Along with cooperative societies,
societies for weavers were also created and one such was established at Saligrama in Udupi district. During this time, loan facilities were also extended to many societies. As years passed on, there was a gradual increase in the number of cooperative societies. Areas such as weaving, silk reeling, lacquer works and agriculture implements sectors were given much importance.

The Yuvaraja was keen to provide a strong base to the cooperative movement and took a keen interest in popularising the sector. As a part of this, he helped establish a cooperative propaganda institute in Bangalore. In his lifetime, the Yuvaraja presided over 20 sessions of cooperative conferences held across the state.

He also motivated small cooperative societies in rural areas. A committee was also constituted to look into the work of cooperative societies, their progress and working pattern. The two central banks, Bangalore Central Co-operative Bank and Mysore & Chamarajanagar District Cooperative Central Bank rendered their help in financing cooperative societies established in rural areas. 

A lover of cultural activities, the Yuvaraja generously supported them. He passed away in Bombay on March 11, 1940. With his death, Princely Mysore lost a charismatic Yuvaraja, a great friend of the mass.