‘Elected representatives neglecting Wadiyars’

Members of a few organisations, which celebrated the 99th birth anniversary of Jayachamaraja Wadiyar (JC Wadiyar), on Wednesday, as a prelude to their plans for year-long centenary festivities, are unhappy with the government officials and people’s representatives.

Director of Arasu Mandali Sangha Mahesh Raje Urs complained that the officials of the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) did not take any steps to clean the canopy and the premises of the JC Wadiyar statue, at least on his birth centenary (born on July 18, 1919).

“We had sought permission of the MCC for garlanding the statue one month in advance. Besides, no people’s representative has cared to offer even a ‘lip service’ tribute to the king, whose family is responsible for the development of the region,” he said.

“Every monarch in history has become a king by ascending a throne, but, he became the greatest king by descending one”. G P Siddegowda, a History lecturer, pointed out that this is how poet Kuvempu described JC Wadiyar, the 25th king of the Yadu dynasty, who was also the last Maharaja of Mysuru.

“Kuppalli Venkatappa Puttappa (Kuvempu), who went on to win the first Jnanpith award for Kannada, was one of the admirers of JC Wadiyar. But, nowadays, people remember others only if they can reap either financial or political dividends. People do not understand the significance of remembering great personalities on their birth anniversaries. It is not just to glorify them. By recalling their messages from their sayings and deeds, we should renew our will to lead by example. If we find fault with the personalities we remember, we should resolve not to commit such mistakes,” said Siddegowda.

Appeasement

“Unfortunately, jayantis (birth anniversaries) of personalities of well-organised communities, with a sizeable population, are celebrated throughout the year in a grand manner. The personalities are glorified day after day and year after year to appease the people of the respective community,” Siddegowda said.

Former president of Kolagaala Meenugaarara Sahakara Sangha, H D Kote taluk, V Sriprasad said, the Mysuru maharajas have been cut to size over the years for various reasons.

“They are now restricted to Mysuru city. People have forgotten that Mysuru comprised nine districts — Bengaluru, Kolar, Tumakuru, Mandya, Mysuru, Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, Shivamogga and Chitradurga — before Independence. Following the bifurcation of some of them, now there are Bengaluru Rural, Bengaluru Urban, Chamarajanagar, Davangere, Ramanagar and Chikkaballapur districts. Thus, the present 15 districts were administered by the Wadiyars. Even after Independence, JC Wadiyar played an important role in the Indian polity as the Governor of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu states,” he pointed out.

“One can compare the socio-cultural, academic and economic conditions of the 15 districts of the old Mysuru with the remaining districts of Karnataka, that were under the rule of the Nizams of Hyderabad, and the Madras and Bombay presidencies of the British. Gradually, the future generations will forget the glorious history of the old Mysuru region and the contributions of the Wadiyar kings. Of late, the Wadiyars are projected as the kings of just Mysuru city. Finally, their memories would be completely erased from the peoples’ minds,” Sriprasad said.