Last darbar bakshi of Mysore palace recalls regal glory

Before the state government took over the responsibility of holding the annual Dasara events and made it a Naada Habba (state festival), supervision was entirely in the hands of the Darbar Bakshi, or, the master of ceremonies, appointed by the king.

The last surviving Bakshi is 84-year-old H D Gopal Raj Urs, who was the chief of the ‘Avasarada department’, the name given to the group to oversee the arrangements for the Dasara festivities. The first Palace Bakshi was Ambal Narasimha Iyenger.

Under the department, the members draft the schedule of public events held within the Palace, not only during Dasara, but also of all other royal events inside the Mysore Palace.

Gopal Raj Urs, a resident of Srirampura, who holds a BA degree, was appointed as Bakshi in 1964, the year Jayachamraja Wodeyar passed away.

Urs rendered service till 1971 with a starting salary of `300 and drew his last salary of `1,000. He has witnessed two major events of the royal family — the wedding of Jayachamaraja Wodeyar and his coronation in 1940, after Nalwadi Krishna Raja Wodeyar died. Urs was seven years old then.

Recalling the Dasara celebrations in the 1940’s , Urs said, “In the earlier days, a Nishane elephant went ahead of the Dasara procession carrying a royal flag, which symbolised the commencement of festivities. It was followed by the king’s cavalry, local artistes, Maharaja’s body guards and prominent Palace officers riding on horses.

“The king, seated in the golden howdah on the royal elephant rode in the middle of the procession accompanied by performers on stilts on either side. En route, flowers and fruits offered by merchants were handed over to these performers who, in turn, handed them to the king,” Urs recalled.

All preparations were completed two months ahead. These included the list of dignitaries to be invited, fixing the timings of the pujas and other rituals.

The king ascended the throne exactly at the auspicious time prescribed by the royal priest. His first visit was to the Ganesha temple near Amba Vilas followed by the Navagraha Puja before entering the Darbar Hall.

Gopal Raj Urs said: “Till 1969, the Darbar was held at the main Darbar hall and the king used to ascend the golden throne, which was assembled seven days prior to the event. Once the throne was assembled, no one was allowed inside.”

“After independence, Karnataka’s first Chief Minister Chengalaraya Reddy, accompanied by six cabinet ministers, took part in the first-ever Dasara. The ministers attended the Darbar wearing the traditional Durbar dress.

“When the palace administration came to end and the private Dasara was introduced for the first time in 1970, Jayachamaraja Wodeyar placed his ‘kankana’ and the royal sword on the Golden Throne (Simhasana) and left for Bandipur. After eight days, he returned and took part in the Ayudha Puja. This is the one of the unforgettable incidences in my life.” he said.

Unforgettable incident

When the Palace administration came to end and the private dasara was introduced for the first time in 1970, Jayachamaraja Wodeyar placed his 'kankana' and the royal sword on the Golden Throne (Simhasana) and left for Bandipur. After eight days he returned and took part in Ayudha Puja by performing Puja for vehicles and arms inside the armory. This is the one of the unforgettable scene in my life.

How the King's ruled the city

Dressed in ordinary clothing the Wodeyars used to go on a horse across the city and listened to the grievances of the people. If any of the roads were found to be in bad condition or any developmental work was lacking immediate action was initiated against the concerned Tashildars. As soon as people saw the King's entourage approaching, they stood aside with folded hands bowing in respect. The roads were in pretty good condition those days.

Brief introduce of Gopal

Gopal Raj Urs who holds a Hons in BA was appointed as the Bakshi in 1964 the very year when the erstwhile ruler Sri Jayachamraja Wodeyar passed away. He has rendered service till 1971 and had drawn his last salary Rs 1000 (Rs 300 when joined). He has witnessed two major events of the royal family, that is wedding of Jayachamaraja Wodeyar and the other his coronation in 1940, ascending the throne as the King of Mysore, after the demise of Nalwadi Krishna Raja Wodeyar.

Reminiscing the old days he said that after the British gave their consent to perform the coronation and issued a letter accordingly, the ceremonies were held which went on for three days.

He further informed that the first Palace Bakshi was Ambal Narasimha Iyenger and later the tradition has continued with Gopal family members. He says: “I enjoyed lot rendering service in place, watching place activities, and royal families very closely.”