A pair of dazzling paintings depicting the Maharaja and Maharani of Mysore, adorned with exquisite gems and jewels, have found a new home at the C. Krishniah Chetty Crystal Museum in Bengaluru. The paintings, created by artist Reena Ahluwalia, are a tribute to the rich and glorious history of Indian jewellery, especially from the Deccan and Carnatic regions.
Ahluwalia, who is also a renowned jewellery designer, spent years researching and studying the jewellery worn by the Mysore royals, who ruled over a large part of South India from the 14th to the 20th century. She said that her paintings are not only a historical record, but also a source of inspiration and empowerment for the viewers.
Ahluwalia said, “I have painted the bejewelled Maharaja and Maharani with diamond-clad bodies. It’s a nudge, really – a reminder that we are the heroes of our own lives, as resilient and luminous as the diamonds and gemstones. I hope that my art not only serves as a historic record, but also opens a portal to self-reflection and empowerment, reminding viewers of their unique worth and inner brilliance.”
The paintings, which measure 4 feet by 6 feet each, are now part of the permanent collection of the C. Krishniah Chetty Crystal Museum, a private, by-appointment museum that showcases the art, gems, and jewellery history from Central and South India. The museum is owned by the C. Krishniah Chetty Group, a 150-year-old jewellery house that served as the official jewellers for over 21 royal kingdoms in India, including the Kingdom of Mysore.
Dr. C. Vinod Hayagriv, a renowned art connoisseur and a celebrated figure in the Indian jewellery industry, said that he was fascinated by Ahluwalia’s paintings and commissioned them for the museum. He said that the paintings are a testament to the legacy and craftsmanship of his family business, which has witnessed and preserved the splendour of Indian jewellery for generations.
Dr. Hayagriv noted, “Being the last person with interest in the illustrious history of our business, it was time to record and share the events and experiences the family has gone through over our now sesquicentennial journey. During our travels, we come across magnificent gems, and Reena’s exquisite paintings immediately caught my attention. Over time, I collected a few of her paintings. The two Royal Mysore paintings were commissioned by me and are now proudly displayed in the Crystal Museum Salon.”
The paintings capture the intricate details and symbolism of the jewellery worn by the Mysore royals, which are now dispersed across various museums and auctions, or lost, melted, or recycled. The paintings feature Golconda diamonds, which symbolised invincibility and purity, spinels from Badakhshan and Burmese rubies, which signified passion and courage, Colombian emeralds, which represented renewal and growth, and Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) sapphires, which stood for wisdom and truth. The paintings also include pearls from the Persian Gulf, which were highly valued by the royals.