The Maverick Maharaja- The Life and Times of His Highness Maharaja Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar

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Can someone find the divine in a Carnatic Kriti and a Western Symphony at once? Can one revere ancient knowledge while being fully aware of its limitations? Can a mind steeped in Advaita Vedanta seek Spinozist counterpoints? Can one's spirit be contemporary and classical at the same time?

His Highness the Maharaja of Mysore Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar's life beautifully negotiated such paradoxes and impossibilities. Philosophy, wildlife conservation, philately, photography, music, statesmanship--all converged in his consciousness like perfectly fitting pieces of a giant jigsaw puzzle. Life spoke to him in beautiful metaphors, understood by few. It is not very often that the man emerges from the shadows of his crown. That is precisely why his story has to be told.

DR DEEPTI NAVARATNA

is a musician-neuroscientist whose interests span the arts, science and history. She is a Chevening Clore Fellow (2021-22) and is recognized as one of the most dynamic cultural leaders across the globe. She is the first Indian woman to have performed at the Parliament of World Religions in 2021. Until recently, she served as the Regional Director, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts.

I am very happy to write this foreword to the book The Maverick Maharaja-a biography of my dear and revered daddy, Late Maharaja of Mysore, Sri Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar, by Dr Deepti Navaratna.

The title of the book is as intriguing as the person my father was! Famous playwright and wordsmith William Shakespeare in his play Twelfth Night tells us not to fear greatness: 'Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them." My father, no doubt, was born great but he achieved greatness by his innate talent. But ironically, greatness was never thrust on him. In 1954, when he was just 35 years old, he sums up his own persona quite eloquently. Speaking on the occasion of Maharaja's College Day Celebrations as chief guest, he said:

Several positions of honour and dignity, I have held in my life as a result of the circumstances of my birth, but there is one position, one destiny, I have carved out for myself and that is as a student, shall I say, as an advanced student of literature, history, philosophy, music and above all, our ancient culture which illumines my path and which serves as a perpetual refreshment for my mind and soul.

It is my great pleasure to write an introduction to this wonderful book about my venerable father Sri Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar, erstwhile Maharaja of Mysore. Smt. Deepti gives us rare insight into the life and times of my father, and not just a chronicle of his life. The biography delves deeper into his psyche, makes an effort to understand him as the person he was a father, a scholar, a king, and administrator of a kingdom. We were in awe of how he managed all of his duties and found time for his greatest passion, music, and his philosophical writings. In his life and legacy, we find many inspiring messages for the future generations to come. Through Deepti's rich tapestry of words, this aspect is well-showcased. His life was not merely extraordinary by circumstances of his lineage, but by the sheer grace and will with which he braved the extraordinary times in which his life was lived. His extraordinary appetite for knowledge, for the arts, for music, for wildlife, for photography, and creative pursuits was beautifully set in the light of his philosophical bent. Another extraordinary trait of his was his ability to embrace new realities and turn adversity of any nature into an opportunity. Often his creative side is spoken of more often than his successes as a king. Without a doubt, the documented history of Mysore speaks volumes of the staggering amount of work, diplomacy, administration, and innovative thinking that went into his reign. His reign was most definitely set in the politically turbulent times of India's birth and the decision to join the Indian Republic. I am very happy to note that several chapters of this book devote much time to this aspect of his legacy. The chapters on his music are refreshingly eloquent on the importance of his compositions in the larger culture-scape of South India and India. Kindness and empathy are two great values enshrined in him, and the chapter 'The Happy Prince' most heart warmingly captures his life after his tenure as Governor of Mysore and Madras ended. One finds that he practiced his Rajadharma long after he relinquished the throne-his many acts of benefaction and his service to music, Kannada, and his countrymen continued throughout his life. To relinquish one kind of power and to find a life of significance-that according to me, in essence is the crown jewel in his story.

I thank Deepti for devoting so much of her time, for such in depth research and for bringing together this beautiful book. Thank you, Deepti, I appreciate what you have done from the bottom of my heart!

**Contents and Sample Pages**