Absence of private durbar will be a break from tradition

The decision of the royal family not to conduct the Khasgi durbar (private durbar) as part of Dasara is the first such break from tradition since the Rendition in 1881.

The origins of Mysore Dasara can be traced to Srirangapatna — which was the capital then — when Raja Wadiyar ascended the throne in 1610 and ordained that Dasara be celebrated on a grand scale. There was a break during the era of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan from the mid-18th century to 1799. But when Tipu was killed in the fourth Anglo-Mysore war in Srirangapatna, the capital of the kingdom was transferred to the present Mysore and from then on, Dasara came to be celebrated here.

But there was an insurrection against the rulers of Mysore in 1831, after which the administration was taken over by the British who governed for 50 years till 1881, when administrative powers were restored to the Wadiyars.

Sources well acquainted with the events related to the Wadiyar family told The Hindu that there was no break from the tradition of observing private durbar and ascending the throne during Dasara after the Rendition in 1881.

After Chamarajendra Wadiyar IX was crowned in 1881, the tradition continued until his death in 1894 and he was succeeded by Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV, who was a minor. But there was no break in the tradition and the glory of Mysore Dasara reached its peak during his period. He died in 1940 after which Jayachamaraja Wadiyar took over and the tradition continued without a break. However, on one occasion — the maharaja did not ascend the throne, but worshipped it. After the death of Jayachamaraja Wadiyar in 1974, Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar continued the tradition.

But there is a vacuum now as the the legal heir is yet to be decided by the family members. The succession, though described by the government as a private matter, is now being linked to the resolving of the disputed Mysore Palace acquisition issue. Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, wife of Srikantadatta Wadiyar, has made it clear that it will be difficult to appoint a successor unless the disputed Mysore Palace Acquisition Act is withdrawn by the government. However, the State has described the succession issue of the Wadiyars as a purely private affair.

On the demand for withdrawing the Act, the Chief Minister has already stated that it is sub judice and pending in court, and he cannot comment on it.