MYSURU: Call it a legend or a myth, dismiss it with the wave of a hand and a cynical mind that believes in science rather than a ‘old woman’s curse’ but a few words uttered by a distressed queen some 400 years back is still shaping the history of Mysuru.
When Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar was adopted earlier this week by queen Pramoda Devi, maybe the Boston-educated youth knew, or maybe not, that his destiny to ascend the throne was written way back in 1612. It all began when Alamelamma, the wife of king Tirumalaraja of Talakadu, cursed the Maharaja of Mysuru when their province was attacked in 1612. A Wadiyar king chased Alamelamma, forcing her to jump off a cliff, and took away her jewellery. But before she took the plunge, she chanted the curse, “May Talakad turn into a barren expanse of sand; may Malangi (a village on the banks of Cauvery) turn into a whirlpool; may the Wadiyars of Mysore not have children for eternity.” She died but her last words lingered on.
Since then, every alternate generation of the Mysuru royal family has been forced to adopt a successor. Going by the belief, prince Yaduveer is expected to have a son.
Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar, who died in December 2013, and his widow Pramoda Devi had no children, prompting the adoption. Yaduveer Gopal Raj Urs, grand nephew of Srikantadatta Wadiyar, will be the 27th scion of the Mysuru royal family. The 23-year-old successor is the grandson of Srikantadatta’s eldest sister princess Gayatri Devi and son of Tripurasundari Devi and Swarup Anand Gopal Raj Urs. Yaduveer comes from the same family (Bettada Kere) as Pramoda.
“The choice and decision have my husband Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar’s approval and blessings. His sisters and their family members are with me in this decision,” said Pramoda.
But how will a youth just in his twenties carry forward the rich legacy that come with royal heritage? Surprised by the choice, he has taken it in his stride. The disciplined, polite and shy boy—as he was described by his teachers at Vidya Niketan School and Canadian International School in Bengaluru—plays the veena and the guitar.
He is also passionate about creative writing and reading. But unlike Srikantadatta Wadiyar, who was a cricketer and represented the University of Mysore, Yaduveer is not interested in playing any sports, although he avidly follows them. However, he likes running.
“I wish to go around the Mysuru region and speak to people. I am thankful for their support. I grew up watching palace traditions and assure them I will follow them without any compromise,” he said, during his visit to the Chamundeshwari temple.
Pramoda said, “I am moved by the affection of the people. I did not except such a huge turnout to catch a glimpse of the new heir.”
Yaduveer inherits more than `2,000 crore property as Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar has
declared assets of `1,520 crore when he filed nomination papers to contest Lok Sabha election from Mysuru in 2004.
She said Yaduveer would continue traditions practised for generations, and promised to announce the dates of Yaduveer’s coronation and wedding soon.Yaduveer’s father Swaroop Urs, who runs a software business in Bengaluru, is confident the young prince will be able to handle the property battles the family is fighting with the government. The new legal heir had to take on the government in too many cases including that of Bangalore Palace ground, Mysore Palace that is pending before the apex court. There are also cases pertained to property disputes with the government and few individuals in lower courts.