Posted on: 10 December 2013

Maharaja Sri Sir JAYA CHAMARAJENDRA WODEYAR Bahadur, Maharaja of Mysore,GCB, GCSI (18 July 1919 – 23 September 1974) was the 25th and the last Maharaja of the princely state of Mysore from 1940 to 1950. He was a noted philosopher, musicologist, political thinker and philanthropist and the Founder-President of Vishva Hindu Parishad(World Hindu Council).

He was the only son of Yuvaraja Kanteerava Narasimharaja Wadiyar and Yuvarani Kempu Cheluvaja Amanni. Wodiyar dynasty is the only Royal Family from Mysore and belong to Lunar Dynasty (Chandrvanshi Kshatriya lineage). He graduated from the Maharaja's College, Mysore in 1938, earning five awards and gold medals. He was married the same year, on 15 May 1938. He toured Europe during 1939, visiting many associations in London and became acquainted with many artists and scholars. He ascended the throne of the Kingdom of Mysore on 8 September 1940 after the demise of his uncle Maharaja Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar.

He signed the Instrument of Accession with the Dominion of India on the eve of India attaining Independence in August 1947. The princely state of Mysore was merged with the Republic of India on 26 January 1950. He was deposed from the position as the Maharaja. Kannada National Poet Kuvempu brings out his greatness, "ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಸಿಂಹಾಸನಾಧೀಶರಾಗಿ ಮಹಾರಾಜರಾದರೆ ಇವರು ಅದನ್ನು ತ್ಯಜಿಸಿಯೇ ಮಹಾರಾಜರಾದರು", which means everyone became kings ascending thrones, while he became the greatest king descending one. He held the position of Rajpramukh of the State of Mysore from 26-1-1950 to 1-11-1956. After the integration of the neighboring Kannada-majority parts of the States of Madras and Hyderabad, he became the first Governor of the reorganized or unified State of Mysore, 1-11-1956 to 4-5-1964 and was the Governor of the State of Madras (Tamil Nadu) from 4-5-1964 to 28-6-1966.

The Maharaja died at the age of 55 on 23 September 1974, and he was the last living premier prince of the Indian Empire with a 21-gun salute.

Source: http://bit.ly/IqRRsv


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Sri JAYA CHAMARAJA WADIYAR , 25th Maharaja of Mysore 1940/1974, was born 18th July 1919, a great HINDU, philosopher, musicologist, political thinker and philanthropist, educated at the Maharaja's College, Mysore, graduating in 1938, Rajpramukh of Mysore State 1950/1956, first Governor of the unified State of Mysore 1956/1964 and later Governor of the State of Madras a Licentiate of the Guild Hall of Music, London and honorary Fellow of Trinity College of Music, London in 1945, he was elected as the first president of the Philharmonia Concert Society, London in 1948, a fellow and president of Sangeet Natak Academy, New Delhi, 1966; author of a number of literary works, including The Quest for Peace: an Indian Approach, 1959; Dattatreya: The Way & The Goal, 1957; The Gita and Indian Culture, 1963; Religion And Man, 1965; Avadhuta: Reason & Reverence, 1958; An Aspect Of Indian Aesthetics, 1956; Puranas As The Vehicles Of India's Philosophy Of History, 1963; he was awarded a Doctor of Literature from the University of Queensland, and from the Annamalai University, a D.Lit from the Benaras Hindu University, the first Chairman of the Indian Wild Life Board, founder-president of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, he married 1stly, 15th May 1938 (sep'd.) (#1), HH Maharani Sathya Prema Kumari of Charkhari, died 1983, married 2ndly, 30th April 1944, HH Maharani Tripura Sundarammani Yavaru, died 1983, and had issue. He died 24th September 1974.

Maharaja is barefooted ?

That was the tradition of Brahmins in South India upto 1947, when a Brahmin Judge of High Court came to meet us at Connemara Hotel in Madras, he was barefoot, wearing traditional sarong type white dhoti wrapped round below navel with jacket on top without buttons as they were made with animal horns. Everything is changed now

RIP...

Sad

The Mysore royal family stand out for their great dignity, culture and self effacement. I taught the grandchildren of Gayatri Devi in a private school. She was a great pianist. She used to come to the school, sit at the piano to play, while i sang and led the children to movements with music. She used to ride a modest Maruti. I loved her for her quiet, well bred grace . Such people are very rare today.

The Wadiyar dynasty are Kshatriyas (Chandravanshi Rajputs) Bibhash Gupta.

Hats off to Wadiyar family