On January 4, the U.S. Mission in India, in collaboration with the University of Mysore, officially revealed U.S.-funded conservation initiatives for the Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion Folklore Museum in Karnataka. The project, supported by the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP), targets the West Wing of the museum and over 6,500 artifacts from Karnataka. The University of Mysore, partnering with the Deccan Heritage Foundation, leads the restoration efforts expected to conclude in 2025.
Christopher W. Hodges, U.S. Consul General Chennai, highlighted the AFCP grant’s significance, emphasizing community engagement and expressing America’s friendship and respect for India’s cultural heritage. The Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion, constructed in 1905, is situated within the University of Mysore campus and has historical ties to Mysore Maharaja Chamaraja Wadiyar X.
The AFCP, a vital U.S. government cultural initiative abroad, has collaborated with India on 24 projects, totaling over $2.7 million. Noteworthy preservation efforts include UNESCO World Heritage sites in New Delhi and initiatives like recording endangered folk music and preserving manuscripts in Bengaluru. The cultural commitment extends globally, showcasing respect for diverse traditions.
Professor N.K. Lokanath, Vice Chancellor of the University of Mysore, envisions the restored Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion Folklore Museum becoming a tourist attraction, a research center, and a hub for scholars focusing on Karnataka’s ethnographic traditions.
The University of Mysore, having received a grant in 2012 for the conservation of the Oriental Research Institute, previously showcased successful restoration efforts with the inauguration of the renovated ORI building in 2015, attended by former U.S. Ambassador Richard Verma.
