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

This endearing photograph of H.H. Yuvarani Kempu Cheluvajammanni avaru seated on the floor along with her son, Prince Jayachamaraja Wadiyar, was shot at an unknown location. The unusual angle of the photograph shows that the photographer must have shot this image while seated on the floor. The bamboo basket in the background and informal attire of the protagonists focuses on the casual domestic ambience. Several photographs of the duo in later life dating from the 1930s to 1960s show the same affectionate bond.

H.H. Yuvarani (23.06.1893 to 30.12.1970) was the fourth daughter of Dalvoy Devaraja Urs (biological father: Bodyguard Putta Devaraja Urs, adoptive parents: Dalvoy Nanjaraja Urs of Kalale and Kamalajammanni of Bilikere) and Lakshmammanni (second daughter of Bale Urs of Hullahalli).

She was married to H.H. Yuvaraja Kanteerava Narasimharaja  Wadiyar (17.06.1910) and had four children: Prince Jayachamaraja Wadiyar,  Princess  Vijayalakshmammanni avaru, Princess Sujayakanthammanni avaru and Princess Sri Jayachamundammanni avaru.

The Yuvarani in her fairly long lived life of seventy-seven years witnessed some of the most important events of the Princely State of Mysore at close quarters like the inauguration of the new Palace, the demise of Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV and the Yuvaraja, the weddings of her four children, births of fifteen granddaughters and a grandson, the coronation of her only son as the Maharaja, the merging of the Mysore State into the Indian Union, the demise of her daughter Sri Jayachamundammanni, the stripping of the privy purses, weddings of some of her grandchildren and  births of three of her great granddaughters. In several photographs, she is seen with her grandchildren as an affectionate, doting grandmother.

[Size: 13×9 cms; Collection: Ramsons Kala Pratishtana]