Mysuru is all set to get another statue of its former maharajas. An eight-foot tall bronze statue of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, the founder of University of Mysore, who is described as a progressive king, will be unveiled in front of Crawford Hall, the university’s administrative office, here on July 22. Vice-President Hamid Ansari will unveil the statue that has been placed on a pedestal measuring eight-feet.
This comes close on the heels of the unveiling of the life-size marble statue of Sri Jayachamaraja Wadiyar, the last Maharaja of Mysore, in the city’s Hardinge Circle on Sunday. The circle has now been renamed as Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Circle. The Rs. 5 crore Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Circle has been developed on the lines of K.R. Circle and Chamaraja Circle and was the third life-size statue of one of the former maharajas to be installed in a public place in the city.
The bronze statue of Krishnaraja Wadiyar weighs about 600 kg and has been sculpted by Varaprasad, a Hyderabad-based sculptor. A sum of Rs 6.50 lakh has been spent in its making. “The long-felt aspiration of the residents of the city and the students of the university will be fulfilled with the unveiling of the statue in Manasagangotri campus,” said Vice-Chancellor K.S. Rangappa.
The statue will get a steel canopy (measuring six-feet in width) with an etched glass cover for protecting the sculpture. University’s Executive Engineer Kishore Chandra said the canopy will match the landmark structure known for its heritage value.
The university has invited Pramoda Devi Wadiyar and Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar to the event.
