Maharaja Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar

Maharaja Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar was the 25th and last maharaja of the former Kingdom of Mysore. Born in 1919, he was the only son of the then heir-apparent Yuvaraja Kanteerava Narasimharaja Wadiyar and Yuvarani Kempu Cheluvajamann.

Wadiyar was known for his substantial contributions to the fields of music, philosophy and philanthropy, and was awarded a Doctor of Laws honoris causa by the University in 1963.

Following the death of his uncle, Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV, Wadiyar ascended to the throne at the age of 21. Mysore underwent significant transformation under Wadiyar’s reign, including the signing the Instrument of Accession in 1947 to enable Mysore to become a part of the Indian Union.

An accomplished musician in both western and Carnatic (South Indian) classical, Wadiyar composed as many as 94 pieces under the name ‘Srividya’ in a period of just over two years between 1945 and 1947.

Wadiyar died at the age of 55 in September 1974.

Awards

Doctor of Laws honoris causa
1963