On the ground from Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion, Mysuru

Circular skylight in the grand ballroom at Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion, Mysuru 

Restoration at the Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion and Folklore Museum in Mysuru is well underway. Currently, the team is restoring the glass skylights in what was once a ballroom. Meanwhile, the Collections team is cataloguing the museum’s artefacts, including leather puppets, timber carriages, and archival photographs.

Chamaraja Wodeyar X with his children (from left to right) –  Jayalakshmi Ammani, Chaluvaja Ammani, Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV, Kanteerava Narasimharaja Wadiyar, Krishnaraja Ammani.

In 1901, construction began on the magnificent Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion, which was to be the residence of Jayalakshmi, sister of the Wadiyar ruler Krishnaraja IV. With its symmetrical design and elegant part-circular arcades adorned with Ionic and Corinthian columns, Jayalakshmi Vilas stands as a stellar example of the Classical European style embraced by Mysore architects. Jayalakshmi Vilas remained a royal residence until the 1950s, after which it was incorporated into the adjacent campus of the University of Mysore, which used it to house their Department of Archaeology and Anthropology. In 2001, the mansion opened its doors to visitors as the city’s Folklore Museum. The Museum currently houses one of the most important collections of folkloric and ethnographic artefacts in Karnataka.

This grand ballroom once hosted elegant receptions and lively entertainments, captivating guests from around the world. With a soaring 40-foot ceiling, the ballroom bathes in natural light streaming through its exquisite circular skylights. These ten windows, each six feet in diameter, punctuate the jack arch roof, casting vibrant hues and creating a mesmerising, dramatic effect. Crafted from cast iron and adorned with fluted, plain, and curved glasses, the intricate skylights rest on low brick masonry, secured with wooden beading and sealed with epoxy, making them a true masterpiece of design.

The skylights in the ballroom require thorough restoration. The process involves cleaning the frames, refurbishing and reattaching the glass, and sourcing replacement glass for any missing panels. Additionally, the team must assess and ensure the structural stability of the roof. This means completely removing the skylights and their masonry base, repairing the roof, applying new waterproofing, reconstructing the base, and finally, reinstalling the skylights.

The DHF’s restoration efforts at Jayalakshmi Vilas are not just about preserving the mansion’s structure but also safeguarding the rich cultural narratives it holds. Under the expert guidance of our co-founder, Dr. Helen Philon, the dedicated Collections, Conservation, and Photography teams are meticulously shifting and documenting the Folklore Museum’s extensive collection. Each object is carefully handled, photographed, and catalogued to create a comprehensive digital archive.

We came across this marvellous photograph that highlights the performing tradition of Yakshagana, which is popular in Coastal Karnataka districts. Unique to Karnataka, Yakshagana is a rare combination of dance, music, song, scholarly dialogues and colourful costumes that is still performed today. At the museum, it was displayed alongside the traditional ornaments used in Yakshagana to illustrate their use.

This project would not be possible without the support of the Harish & Bina Shah Foundation (HBSF) and partial funding by the prestigious Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP). Get in touch with us for more information about how to get involved and support our ongoing restoration projects.

Discover and explore the historic city of Mysuru in our latest DHF guidebook, which is available in both paperback and digital format on the DHF Bookstore.