Mysuru: There is often a sense of comforting diminution that one feels while strolling along the corridors of the Jaganmohan Palace in Mysuru. The palace, one of the many that dot the city’s architectural landscape, is home to some of the most treasured masterpieces of Indian, and British art – from a not-so-very imposing height, one feels the penetrating gaze of kings of yore, painted in painstaking detail by the likes of Raja Ravi Verma , transporting him or her to another epoch in time. Apart from the massive life-size portraits of kings, there are also massive canvasses depicting battle scenes, and those featuring prominent British and Indian bureaucrats – Sir M Visvesvaraya and Sir Mirza Ismail among them.The palace has been undergoing restoration under the supervision of the erstwhile Mysuru royal family, and it is being hoped that the renovated gallery will be opened to public in time for the Dasara celebrations. Chairperson of the Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery Trust and royal family member Pramoda Devi Wadiyar on Sunday pointed out that restoration had been under way at the gallery for the past year.Highlighting that the building was being renovated in a manner that was congruent with the overall structure, constructed in 1868, Pramoda Devi said, “When it is completed, it will be a landmark – one of-its-kind – and the old glory of Jaganmohan Palace will be there for everyone to see.”She said that as many as 90 skilled labourers had been employed to work on restoring the palace to its original condition. “Restoration and refurbishment of Jaganmohan Palace include redesigning the electrical system, and integrating surveillance, and fire-alarm systems. We are also taking measures to ensure that the building remains free of pests and termites. Restoring the palace will be a tribute to my father-in-law Jayachamaraja Wadiyar for his birth centenary in July 2019Pramoda Devi said that the French Clock at the palace, one of the two in India, and a musical drum – a rare instrument – was also being undertaken as part of the project.Painting restoration lab at Palace campusPointing to the possibility of legal problems arising in the future, she said, “We need space for restoration, and have asked the 35 shops within the Jaganmohan Palace campus to vacate their stores. We had informed them about this a year ago, and had not been collecting any rent since. Now, we have learnt that they may approach the court, and we might face another legal battle.”Pramoda Devi said that a laboratory for painting restoration would be set up within the campus of the Jaganmohan Palace premises. “Earlier, restoration was carried at the Regional Conservation Laboratory in Siddarthanagar. We also want to restore the auditorium, and the Rajendra Vilas Palace atop Chamundi Hills,’ she added.Pramoda Devi also hinted at the possibility of hiking the entry fee for the art gallery, which currently stood at Rs 35 for children and Rs 75 for adults, once restoration was completed.On reports of the royal family celebrating Dasara in a private ceremony, she said, “We celebrate it as a private religious ceremony. What the government celebrates is Naada Habba, not Dasara.”On the dispute between the Mysuru royal family and the government over the ownership of the former’s properties, Pramoda Devi said, “The Supreme Court has declared that Mysuru Palace belongs to the royal family. The keys to the strong rooms where the family heirlooms and the Golden Howdah are kept are with us.”Gombe Habba splendourDolls or ‘Gombe’ as it is locally referred is among the quintessential elements of dasara celebrations. Gayatri Seva Trust of Andhra Pradesh is organising an exhibition of dolls at the Jaganmohan Palace during Dasara.The exhibition is part of the ‘Gombe Habba’, among the enduring traditions of Dasara celebrations, the Mysuru royal family has, for the first time, invited a private organisation to display its dolls, which number more than a lakh, during the festivities.The dolls will be arranged in ornamental formations at the palace auditorium, and depict various incidents from Indian myths. Pramoda Devi said that the dolls were part of the family’s private collection, and were being displayed to promote Dasara’s traditions.

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