By R.G. Singh, Secretary, Ramsons Kala Pratishtana

1st January 1903. Delhi Coronation Durbar was a statement of paramount authority of the colonial power of the time. It was held at Delhi to celebrate the coronation of His Majesty King Edward VII, Emperor of India and Queen Alexandra. A commemorative volume of 250 copies was published in 1904.

Among the several portraits in the book, the official portrait of H.H. Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV based on a photograph by Barton, Son & Co., of Bangalore is reproduced here. This popular photograph was used as a basis for many oil portraits, like the one reproduced here, by court artist K. Keshavayya.

The Maharaja, a handsome lad of nineteen, is dressed in a shimmering salmon pink silk jacquard coat. He is adorned with European style jewellery which was in vogue and favoured among Indian royalty. The majestic aura of H.H. is richly offset by a riviere necklace consisting of several clawed collet strands which have been fashioned as an elegant choker. He sports a circular European style turban ornament fastened at the centre. These ornaments are matched with a typical heavy Indian style crossband and a broad, sturdy, flexible gold belt with the royal coat of arms of Mysore.

The painted photograph evidently shows that the choker consists of diamonds, cut emeralds, tear-drop pearls and emeralds while the crossband is teeming with pearls and emeralds.

His composed countenance belies the fact that he is just out of his teens and who has taken over the reins of the administration a mere six months earlier.

[Print from the book – Collection: Ramsons Kala Pratishtana; Painted Photograph – Collection: V&A Museum, UK]