No reforms in administration can be expected till a Chief Minister like Nalwadi comes to power: KBG
Mysore/Mysuru: The book titled ‘Kavyagalalli Wadeyaru,’ authored by senior journalist and Star of Mysore columnist Gouri Satya, was released by Rajachandra of Mysore royal family at a programme organised by Bharati Prakashana, Mysuru, in association with Parampare, Mysuru, at Sri Nadabrahma Sangeetha Sabha on JLB Road in city last evening.
Speaking after releasing the book, Rajachandra said that the literature concerning Wadiyars perhaps was less known until the publication of writer Hayavadana Rao’s work ‘History of Mysore.’ There is no match for this three-volume book on Wadiyar, he said, adding that writers and poets got good encouragement from the erstwhile Mysore rulers.
Recalling the contributions made by Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar to Kannada literature, he said that the wife of Krishnaraja Wadiyar-I had written many books. “Gouri Satya’s book is a collation of all the literary works and achievements of the erstwhile Mahrajas,” he noted.
Stressing on the need for the Government to extend subsidy to literary works too, Rajachandra said that many writers are not getting any monetary benefit from their works. “Even publishers are finding it difficult to get back their investment. The Government, which is looking at only the cinema industry, should also take note of the plight of writers and publishers and extend subsidy to literary works too just like cinema. Extending subsidy and other benefits will be of huge help in promoting the Kannada Publication Industry,” he observed.
Star of Mysore and Mysuru Mithra Founder-Editor K.B. Ganapathy (KBG), who spoke as the chief guest, said that a good and responsive administration cannot be expected until a person who has the qualities of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar comes to power.
Noting that the erstwhile Mysore Mahrajas ruled for 550 years, Ganapathy said that no other rulers, be it Magadha, Maurya, Sultans, Moghuls, Vijayanagar, Shivaji, Chola, Pandyas etc., ruled for such a long period. Pointing out that a multitude of developmental works were taken up since the times of Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, he said that Chamaraja Wadiyar continued the legacy of Mysore Maharajas, by good governance and statesmanship.
“The good administration of Nalwadi inspired Mahatma Gandhi to call the then Mysore kingdom as ‘Ramarajya.’ Nalwadi always scouted for talent and he appointed able people for running the administration,” KBG said while citing the examples of Sir M. Visvesvaraya and Sir Mirza Ismail. But despite the strong foundation laid by Nalwadi, the democratic Governments that came after independence failed to carry forward the rich legacy of Nalwadi, he rued.
Citing the example of the current status of Mandya’s MySugar, Bhadravathi’s Iron and Steel Factory, Mysuru’s Sandalwood Oil Factory and such others built by Nalwadi in the pre-independence days, he said that the sorry state of affairs of all these monumental works of Nalwadi are glaring examples of how our present day rulers have failed in good administration.
Reiterating that a good administration cannot be expected until a leader like Nalwadi emerges, Ganapathy said that Gouri Satya’s work reminds us of the glorious day of the erstwhile Mysore Maharajas and also their long history.
Asserting that he felt happy on reading the book, he said that he could learn more about the life and administration of Mysore Maharajas. Maintaining that the book is full of facts about our erstwhile rulers, he said that the book is a very useful one for learning about our Maharajas. Gouri Satya should continue writing such knowledgable and informative books, he added.
Referring to the hardships faced by publishers these days, Ganapathy recalled how he had to face some embarrassing moments 45 years ago when he wanted to start an English Daily in Mysuru, at a time when 40 newspapers were published from Mysuru and 80 from Bengaluru. “Some even sarcastically told him that who wants to read the 41st newspaper of Mysuru,” he said adding that he retorted back by questioning how 40 newspapers were being published and what was their source of income.
Highlighting that Government advertisements and subsidies makes one to come up with publications, he said that such things are only a business and as such it is neither a profession nor a public service. Stating that the Government should extend subsidy to books written by writers such as Gouri Satya, he said that at the same time, the Government should exercise caution and regulate reckless publications.
The book’s author Gouri Satya said that his book is a collection of his 20 articles published in Kannada Prabha newspaper over three decades ago and facts collected from other sources. “The book features the period right from Yaduraya to Jayachamaraja Wadiyar. It is regretting to note that not much people know about the rule of the erstwhile Mysore Maharajas. My intention is that the people of Mysuru, especially the current generation, should come to know of the great contributions of the Maharajas. I hope that the book fulfils this aspiration,” he said.
Noted Gamakis K. Ramachandra and Dr. Jyothi Shankar introduced the book to the audience through a unique interpretation and Gamaka Vaachana. Earlier, Vidwan Manmohan rendered the invocation.
Bharati Prakashana’s B.N. Srinivas and others were present.
Much as I respect Mr Ganapathy, I regret to say that his knowledge of Indian history at best is shaky. I have read his repeated narratives about J and K for example, where his slant was to accuse Nehru, the loss of territories to China etc.. to put a better picture of what Narendra Modi has been able to achieve. In the recent skirmishes between China and India, India lost territories- the only difference now is this information was masked in India, thanks to the BJP propaganda machine; but the facts were widely known in the West. I hasten to add, I am not a supporter of Congress or BJP.. My intention is to set the historic facts rights here.
This talk of his, about the length of Wadiyar Dynasty compared to for example, the Cholas is at best spurious as he does not compare the like with like.
Those days ,say in 195o for example, Mysore history was compulsory in middle school syllabus-mostly about Wadiyars, and students had to answer a paper on it in the middle school exams, which were public exams ( it was later abolished in mid-1950s). My elder sisters studied this Mysore history; we used to have a copy of a book called Mysoru Kaipidi, which was the source of the syllabus. My sisters discussed the Wadiyar history with my father ( I was listening in) who was closely linked to the Palace as a scholar under Nalwadi period and later a few years under JC Wadiyar’s period. Although Wadiyar Dynasty stretched from 1399-1947, their achievements were verifiable only during the 150 years before Nalwadi Wadiyar. The achievement of Nalwadi Wadiyar is well known to this day and is well recorded.
I should add, however, the Wadiyars were fairly local in terms of their kingdom stretch , which was in parts of what was known as Old Mysore territories.
I was fortunate to have had relatives who were interested in archaeology and history of S India, and who were able to take me along with them to visit the places linked to Wadiyar rulers, as well those with Cholas in Tamil Nadu. Cholas dynasty lasted about 450 years, and that was well before the advent of the Wadiyar Dynasty. Cholas under Rajaraja and Rajendra rulers achieved much in the corridors of Tanjore area, building the first dam across the Kaveri River-called ‘Kallanai’ , near Tanjore, which was still functioning when I visited to see it in 1952. Cholas stretched their influence as far as SriLanka and SE Asia in areas now called Thailand and Indonesia- they were pioneers in that respect. The relics of their influence is still visible in Thailand and Indonesia.
Hence, one has to be careful what one is comparing with. Indeed, Let us not forget the Wadiyars in their recent 300years history were under the control of the British, and without the British rulers of India-the British Viceroy’s/ British Governor Generals ‘blessings they would not have achieved anything at all. Cholas regime predates British rule by centuries and in that respect they were independently powerful rulers.
Lastly about the literary contributions of Wadiyars-like every dynastic kingdom, Wadiyar kingdom employed scholars in the arts of literary work and music composition, who very often acted as ghost poets and writers as well as ghost music composers. JC Wadiyar in particular employed a galaxy of musicians led by the eminent Chennakeshavaiah , whose effort is found in the Carnatic music compositions attributed to JC Wadiyar.
It is not surprising as Swati Tirunal’s ( The Tirunal dynasty of Kerala-trivandrum) Carnatic music compositions were known to be the effort of the famous Tanjore Brothers in his court. Please keep reminded about these aspects. History is about facts and not about fairy tales.
Mr Ganapthy wearing a Saffron dress there?
“Recalling the contributions made by Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar to Kannada literature, he said that the wife of Krishnaraja Wadiyar-I had written many books. “Gouri Satya’s book is a collation of all the literary works and achievements of the erstwhile Mahrajas,” he noted.”
I do not believe the above publication of books by the wife of Mummadi. Is there any evidence, he can quote?
As for Gouri Satya’s book, I am afraid that unless he provides evidence for the provenance of those literary works by Maharajas, I would conclude that they were the works of the poets and literary men in the courts of maharajas produced in the names of the respective maharajas.
As for the gripes of those present demanding government subsidies, it is not the job of the government to spend taxpayers money to support books or newspapers, where the persons concerned can enjoy the profits from them. Best, the government keeps away from such ventures, to ensure the independence of opinions and thoughts.
As for Mr Ganapoathy’s observation of Nalwadi like the CM, he should remember that Wadiyars like the Mummadi and Nalwadi were able to rule within the framework set by the British, who were the supreme rulers of India then; any efficiency of Nalwadi rule was because of the British . The CM of today, is operating in independent India government by its constitution,, and is elected by a party, and can only function constrained by his/her party. That observation is nonsense too, as Indian society is corrupt , and the CM of the day reflects the society.
Mr Ganapthy wearing a Saffron dress there?
“Recalling the contributions made by Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar to Kannada literature, he said that the wife of Krishnaraja Wadiyar-I had written many books. “Gouri Satya’s book is a collation of all the literary works and achievements of the erstwhile Mahrajas,” he noted.”
I do not believe the above publication of books by the wife of Mummadi. Is there any evidence, he can quote?
As for Gouri Satya’s book, I am afraid that unless he provides evidence for the provenance of those literary works by Maharajas, I would conclude that they were the works of the poets and literary men in the courts of maharajas produced in the names of the respective maharajas.
As for the gripes of those present demanding government subsidies, it is not the job of the government to spend taxpayers money to support books or newspapers, where the persons concerned can enjoy the profits from them. Best, the government keeps away from such ventures, to ensure the independence of opinions and thoughts.
As for Mr Ganapoathy’s observation of Nalwadi like the CM, he should remember that Wadiyars like the Mummadi and Nalwadi were able to rule within the framework set by the British, who were the supreme rulers of India then; any efficiency of Nalwadi rule was because of the British . The CM of today, is operating in independent India government by its constitution,, and is elected by a party, and can only function constrained by his/her party. That observation is nonsense too, as Indian society is corrupt , and the CM of the day reflects the society.
Mr Ganapthy wants some one like Nalwadi to be the CM of Karnataka. Nalwadi was a Maharaja controlled by successive British Residents in Bangalore, who were taking orders from Viceroys Lord Elgin to Lord Linlithgow. Hence , he was not an independent ruler-although , he was given freedom by the Viceroys on matters of improvement of the state of Mysore. Give credit to these Viceroys. But the laws laid out were British laws, and administered by them through Nalwadi. The powers wielded by the British through Nalwadi were immense and almost dictatorial.
Whether Mr Ganapathy likes it or not, Those dictatorial powers given to Wadiyars by the British , enabled them to take steps that would be impossible by a CM today in independent India today.
Democracy with all merits, involves participation of society and people, and is as good as the quality of the society and its people, from where politicians merge.
It is a delusion to think that a CM will emerge with honesty, probity and functioning with efficiency, when the current society of Mysore ( or anywhere in India ) is not any of it.
These days, I do not take seriously any observations made by Mr Ganapathy, I am sorry to say this.
Longevity of a ruling dynasty is not the criterion, but achievements were and who is to be credited for them.
The rulers of Hoysala and Vijayanaga empires were independent rulers with foresight , and were able to lay the foundations of the rich culture of Old Mysore. Unfortunately the legacy of Mughal empire was Muslim rulers of all kinds in the Deccan area, and they destroyed the best developments of Vijayanagara empire.
But for the British, Tipu Sultan would have put an end to Wadiyar dynasty. There would have been no Immadi and Nalwadi Wadiyars, no Shivisamudra , KRS Dam and other developments cited by Mr Ganapthy. Hence due credit to the British for the removal Muslim rule menace in Old Mysore territory. Wadiyars since the demise of this Muslim thugTipu Sultan, flourished protected by the British,; although they had autonomy in their rule, but were still subjected to the powers of the British Viceroy of the day.
The Dewans Sir K Seshadri Iyer and Sir MV were like the CEOs, who planned and executed projects. Bangalore was developed from a mere small town to a modern city, was the first city in Asia to have eletctric street lights, thanks to the Shivasamudram hydroelectric project; the latter enabled the establishment of factories by Sir MV. Give massive credit to these 2 Dewans, when Nalwadi Wadiyar is mentioned. These Dewans had to overcome the scepticisms and a many times attempts to overrule them by the Palace. They had to appeal to the Viceroys as they had dual roles as Dewans tothe Wadiyars and CEOs of the Viceroy of the day, to approve their planned developments. Sir MV , hence was a very clever administrator in this balancing act.