Catch history in frames at Bidadi Hall

These are among 50 exhibits that includes rare photographs in both black and white and colour, besides a few oil paintings, put up at ‘Historic Dasara Photographs Exhibition’ at Bidadi Hall in the premises of Mysore Palace. They promise you to take on a sojourn of the past giving a glimpse of good old history of Wadiyars.

A black and white photograph of Maharani Prathaparudra Kumari, wife of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar gives a contrast picture of a queen. Unlike queens wearing a bejeweled look, she represents simplicity. The black and white photographs of Sri Chamaraja Wadiyar X with his children, Yuvaraja Kanteerava Narasimharaja Wadiyar (younger  brother of Nalwadi), with his daughters Vijaya, Sujaya and Srijaya, Sri Jayachamaraja Wadiyar with Rajamatha, introduces the visitors to the royals.

Majority among the exhibits date back to Dasara from Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar’s period and other important occasions. Mummadi seated on throne conducting European durbar, procession in front of wooden palace, Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar conducting Dasara durbar with Yuvaraja Sri Jayachamaraja Wadiyar seated to his highness’ right, installation of Sri Jayachamaraja Wadiyar, Sri Jayachamaraja Wadiyar and C Rajagopalachari at Dasara Exhibition Grounds, Jayachamaraja Wadiyar leaving to worship banni tree, in a silver palanquin, Sri Jayachamaraja Wadiyar helped by an assistant in ascending the throne and many more photographs beckon.

Support

For those who were curious to know how Maharaja alighted from howdah mounted on an elephant after jamboo savari, the answer is here - a ladder provided necessary support and it’s evident from a photo of Sri Jayachamaraja Wadiyar alighting with the help of one.

Also on display are invitations from the royal family on important occasions like ‘upanayana’ of Nalwadi and Sri Jayachamaraja Wadiyar, coronation ceremony of Nalwadi, marriages of Krishnajammanni (Nalwadi’s sister), Vijayalakshammanni (sister of Jayachamaraja Wadiyar), Nalwadi and Sri Jayachamaraja Wadiyar. You can also see ‘rajamudre’ on the top of all these invitations indicating it is from the Palace.

Another antique on display is Dasara invitation of October 25, 1917. It reads ‘7.30 am-the arms, the state elephant, horse to leave to Bannimantap during thulalagnam in procession and wrestling by jetties. 4 pm- State procession followed by durbar at Amba Vilas in return’signed by special duty officer B Narainsamiengar. You can also see a letter with 10 points procedure for Dasara durbar on October 24 of the same year. It gives an account of the protocol then right from inviting ‘The resident’ and welcoming him on his arrival at Palace, leading him to drawing room, meeting with Maharaja, later to durbar hall and the related rituals. The dress code for civil officers entitled to wear uniform is durbar dress, full dress uniform for military and evening dress for others (Europeans). The exhibition remains open from 10 am to 6.30 pm till October 20.