Sir M V caught in the frames

Reminiscences

Preethiya Visvesvaraya.. Akhila Bharata Gramodyoga Sangha Akhila Bharatha Congress ashrayadalli stapisalpattide... Nimmannu adara salahegararagi nemisabekindu ichchisuttive... ( Dear Visvesvaraya All India Gramodyog Sangha has been formed under the umbrella of Indian National Congress. We would like to nominate you as advisor to the sabha).

This is the extract from a letter written to Sir M Visvesvaraya from ‘Father of the nation’ Mahatma Gandhi on November 15, 1934.

Likewise, the Chikkaballapur Zilla Panchayat stall at Dasara Exhibition Grounds in the city has many such antique pieces connected with the great personality.

The letter written by Gandhiji as M K Gandhi has been reproduced in Kannada. Another letter, written in reply to M K Gandhi by Sir M V dated November 27 has also been reproduced in the local language, mostly for the benefit of the visitors.

Holy shrine

An idol of ‘Kaivara Thataiah’ from the famous holy shrine by the same name in Chikkaballpur welcomes the visitors at the stall.

Majority of the exhibits here are black and white photographs and also a few in colour, suffice to say its historical significance.

 The portraits of Sir M V’s parents, Sir M V the dewan of erstwhile Wadiyars with the Maharaja Jayachamaraja Wadiyar, another great son of the soil Sir C V Raman and Sir Mirza Ismail seated along with Sir M V and many more photos make it an interesting watch.

For the generation that came after Sir M V, here is a photograph of the veteran receiving the highest civilian award of the nation- Bharat Ratna from the then President Babu Rajendra Prasad. The centenary celebration of Sir M V organised at Glass House in Lalbagh- again in the form of a photograph is the cynosure. A stamp was brought out in commemoration of the centenary year of Sir M V by the Indian Posts. The stamp priced at 15 NP is also on display.

Rare photos

There are also some other rare photographs, that presents Visvesvaraya in different style, deviating from his trademark ‘Mysore Peta’, coat etc., Visvesvaraya without ‘Mysore Peta’ adorning his head, is sure to grab the attention of many. All it needs is equally intelligent brain to identify the man without headgear.

Foreign trip

The foreign trips of the great man, especially to England where he was accorded a warm welcome by the queen and industrial visits- framed with utmost interest is also on for view.

KRS dam one of the greatest ever contributions of Sir M V built across river Cauvery in neighbouring Srirangapatna taluk is also on show, albeit in the form of a photo. Mention must be made of succinct handwriting of Sir M V. If you want to get a glimpse of the same, the stall has also exhibited a letter by Sir M V in English. You may be wondering, when Visvesvaraya contributed for the development of then Mysore State, why did Chikkaballapura ZP zeroed in on the exclusive exhibition.

The eternal genius hailed fromMuddenahalli in Chikkaballapura taluk.