by Vasanthkumar
Mysoremath
Recently, I attended a function at the auditorium of Jaganmohan Palace and was shocked to find that the famous heritage structure is almost crumbling into bits and pieces. Found even the famous art gallery that holds invaluable heritage artifacts, paintings, etc. badly maintained.
Jaganmohan Palace is one of the seven grand palaces of the former Maharajas of Mysore. It was completed in 1861 and was initially used by the Kings of Mysore as their home (when the present majestic Amba Vilas Palace was under construction after the old wooden palace turned into ashes owing to a fire accident). Jaganmohan Palace then became an alternate retreat for the royal family. It is now known as Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery with a function hall. Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, the IV Scion, was installed to the Mysore throne, in a ceremony held inside the Jaganmohan Palace. The Palace was used for his daily Durbar by the king and also the special Dasara durbar. The first session of the Legislative Council was held in Jaganmohan Palace and was presided over by Dewan Poornaiah (the then Prime Minister of the State).
Later, Sri Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar converted the Palace into a trust and opened it for public viewing; in 1955, it was converted as an Art Gallery and was named as Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery.
Incidentally, it is reported that the Bungalow at Yelandur in which Dewan Poornaiah and his family resided has been taken on lease for 33 years and is being developed as a memorial-cum-museum and a park is being developed around the house at a cost of more than Rs.178 lakh (SOM dated July 26).
While this is a welcome move by the State Government, the existing famous heritage Jaganmohan Palace that should have been a showpiece and tourist attraction is very badly maintained. The interiors of the Art Gallery are ill-maintained, invaluable artifacts are gathering dust, paintings are unprotected and are exposed to dust, heat and light; murals on the walls have been damaged due to water seepage, humid condition and poor lighting are robbing the originality and there is utter neglect in maintaining the very structure of the gallery.
The well designed and spacious auditorium is leaking, a lot of waste material is dumped in the first floor with full of dust and grime, window panes that once contained artistic glasses are broken, the roof of either sides of the central hall are full of holes and leaking, the stage is unkempt and there is an air of unhealthiness as one enters the hall.
Vacant premises in and around the Palace is badly maintained, being exploited as a commercial space for parking of visitors vehicles, uncontrolled littering and the entire area is an apology for a park; surrounding vacant space is being misused even as urinals for the thousands of visitors who visit the famous heritage structure.
There is an urgent need to restore the Jaganmohan Palace to its original glory by attending to maintenance aspects of Art Gallery, its priceless artifacts, restoration of paintings, murals etc., by competent team, and proper repairs and periodical maintenance of this beautiful auditorium structure and such other similar heritage structures in Mysore City, under proper supervision. This negligent attitude of all concerned in maintaining this priceless gallery and the Jaganmohan Palace may be brought to national attention so that it may be handed over to a more competent restoration team and management.
In addition, the presence of century old paintings in the art gallery must also be brought to the notice of UNESCO, if not already done, so that the issue can be taken up seriously for gaining international recognition and proper maintenance/upkeep under proper supervision.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / August 05th, 2014