Mysore: A gallery showcasing the life of Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar, the last scion of the Wadiyar dynasty who passed away recently, could be opened at the Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar Art Museum located in the Jagan Mohan Palace.
On show could be some of the personal belongings of Wadiyar throwing light on his lifestyle and his varied interests. Currently, the Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery has over 2,000 exhibits donated by four generations of the Mysore royals.
“We feel it would be a fitting tribute to Srikantadatta, if a gallery is opened showcasing his magnanimity. Maharani Pramoda Devi will take a call on how to go about it,” said superintendent of the art gallery and close associate of the Mysore royals, M.G. Narasimha.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, he revealed Srikantadatta had planned to renovate the Jayachamarajendra Art Museum and even wrote to the Union Ministry of culture seeking its support to set up a Conservation and Restoration Laboratory in its grounds. While the ministry had shown some interest, he feared Wadiyar’s death could delay the renovation.
The major attractions of the art museum are the 16 oil paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, the painting of a lady with a lamp by Sri Haldenkar titled the ‘Glow of Hope,” the paintings of Nicholas Roerich, Peter Paul Rubens, Rama Varma, Nandalal Bose and Venkatappa.
