Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV - Patron of Carnatic Music and The Fine Arts

Patron of Carnatic Music and The Fine Arts

As noted, the Raja was a connoisseur of both Carnatic and Hindustani music, and his reign was described by some as "the golden age of Carnatic classical music".

The learning of Sanskrit language and literature was encouraged as never before. Yoga, through Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya prospered, and painting (notably by his protégé, Raja Ravi Varma) was promoted. He was an accomplished player of eight instruments -- flute, violin, saxophone, piano, mridangam, nadaswara, sitar, and veena. In fact, he was instrumental in one Mr Laksminarasimhiah playing carnatic music on saxophone as part of the Palace Band.Kadri Gopalnath was influenced by him to become a virtuoso on saxophone. Many illustrious members of the Agra Gharana including Nattan Khan and Ustad Vilayat Hussain Khan were guests of the Maharajah in Mysore. The legendary Abdul Karim Khan and Gauhar Jan were also his guests. Barkatullah Khan, one of India's greatest sitar players was a palace musician from 1919 till his death in 1930. Some of the Great Composers who flourished in his Court were, Veena Shamanna, Veena Sheshanna, ‘Vikatakavi”,K.R.Venugopal sarma,Mysore Karigiri Rao, Veena Subbanna, Bidaram Krishnappa, Mysore Vasudevacharya, Veena Subramanaya Iyer, Dr Muthiah Bhagavatar, Veena Shivaramiah, Veena Venkatagiriappa, Belakawadi Srinivasa Iyengar, Chikka Rama Rao, Mysore T.Chowdiah, B.Devendrappa, Gottuvadyam Narayana Iyengar, and Tiruvayyar Subramaya Iyer and others.

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