Sir,

Readers of your curiosity-provoking news report on J. Jayalalithaa’s Mysore roots (SOM dated July 9) may find it interesting to know that her mother Sandhya was a socialite in Mysore, with links to the ruling elite. After leaving Mysore and living for a while in Bangalore, Sandhya settled in Madras and started acting in Tamil films at the instance of her actor-sister Ambujavalli (Vidyavathi).

Sandhya’s pre-screen name was Vedavalli (Vedavathi) and it is said that even Jayalalithaa’s original name was different: it was “Komalavalli.” It is also said that the prefix “Jaya” in the names of her family signifies their association with the Palace.

Jayalalithaa’s grandfather Dr. N. Rangachar, L.M. & S., was a Palace doctor in Mysore and his name is exclusively inscribed on a donation plaque in Mahila Samaja, close to Jayalalithaa’s ancestral residence on 2nd Main Road, Lakshmipuram (the building now houses the Lakshmipuram Sports Club). Dr. Rangachar’s image is also seen in an enchanting mural depicting a group of Durbaris at the Mysore Palace.

This context rekindles memories of the similar, interesting roots of Vyjayanthimala in Mysore. Her mother Vasundhara Devi, a glamorous dancer and Tamil film actress, too, enjoyed direct contacts with the Mysore Royalty. Vasundhara Devi counted the Yuvaraja of Mysore, Kanteerava Narasimharaja Wadiyar, among her admirers, and she and her family were part of the Yuvaraja’s contingent that toured Europe in 1939. Vyjayanthimala’s paternal grandfather Dhati Gopalacharya and step-grandmother M.D. Ranganayakamma founded Mahila Sadana on N.S. Road (near Maharani’s High School) in Mysore.

—S.G. Seetharam

on e-mail / Gita Road, Mysore / 17.7.2014

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Voice of the Reader / July 27th, 2014