UoM signs MoUs for conservation of Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion

Mysuru: In a big boost to the conservation of Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion which houses the folklore museum by the University of Mysore (UoM), the varsity signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoU) on Thursday with two donors to take up the conservation and restoration works. Under the agreement, the US consulate general through US Government’s Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) will take up the restoration works of the west portion of the building with a grant of $300,000. VC NK Lokanath, and US consul general, Chennai Christopher W Hodges signed the MoU in this regard.The UoM also entered into a MoU with Harish and Bina Shah Foundation for the restoration of the rest of the palace at an estimated cost of Rs 30 crore. Harish, an old student of the UoM during 1975-80, is funding through his Harish Bina Shah Foundation. Harish and VC Lokanath signed MoU in this regard.Jayalakshmi Vilas mansion was built in 1905. According to history, it was built as a residence for Maharajakumari Jayalakshammani, eldest daughter of Mysuru maharaja Chamaraja Wadiyar. It is in European classical style and has four wings. When poet laureate Kuvempu was the VC of UoM, the university acquired this. The folklore museum started in 1969.The UoM joined hands with the US Consulate General last year and funds have been transferred to Deccan Heritage Foundation, who are the architects of restoration headed by Latha Reddy. An experts committee has been formed to guide and monitor the restoration works.Speaking on the occasion, VC Lokanath informed that a year ago, the university had estimated Rs 30 crore requirement for the conservation and restoration works. “Earlier, we had entered into an agreement with the Kannada and culture department over the conservation and restoration works. As per the agreement, the department should have started the restoration works within a year. But as the department didn’t take up the work, we are now opting for other donors,” he explained. “Even though donors conserve and restore the building, its ownership will remain with the UoM,” he said. Hodges informed that the US mission India AFCP grant of $300,000 to the UoM is the second largest AFCP grant awarded in India in the last twenty years. “This project in Mysuru will bring together conservation and museum experts, architects, designers, and skilled craftspeople — all with a shared passion for preserving and protecting India’s cultural heritage in Karnataka,” he said.In 2012, the UoM had got a grant from the US consulate general Chennai towards the conservation of the Oriental Research Institute.Speaking on the occasion, Harish, head of the Harish & Bina Shah Foundation said he is delighted to be part of the conservation works of the heritage structure of Mysuru. US consulate general Chennai public affairs officer Jennifer Bullock, grants officer representative Ratna Mukherjee, Chairperson of Deccan Heritage Foundation India Vijayalata Reddy, Deccan Heritage Foundation co-founder Helen Philon, Deccan Heritage Foundation trustee Stephan Bloch Saloz, B Sarath Chandra, representative of Deccan Heritage Foundation, UoM registrar VR Shylaja, and others were present.