M. Kantaraj Urs

Kantharaj Urs was born on 20 September 1870. He was a scion of the famous Kalale family (near Mysore) who served as the traditional Dalvoy's (Army Commander) to the Mysore Royal family in the 16th and 17th century. He was from a branch of the family which had settled in Maddur, Karnataka. His eldest Sister Kempa Nanjammani was married to Maharaja of Mysore Chamaraja Wodeyar and went on to become known as Maharani Kempa Nanjammani Vani Vilasa Sannidhana. He graduated with distinction from the Madras Christian College in 1892-93. He was the first member of his community (Urs) to attain this distinction.

Kantharaj Urs was appointed Probationary Assistant Commissioner (schedule II) to the Mysore State service in 1894. But after the untimely death of his brother in law, the Maharaja in December 1894. His sister the Maharani became the Regent of Mysore in 1895. Kantaraj Urs was appointed to the responsible post of Special Assistant Private Secretary to Her Highness the Maharani C.I., from 1895-99.

Kantharaj Urs married his niece and eldest daughter of His sister Maharani Kempa Nanjammani Vani Vilasa Sannidhana, Maharaja Kumari Jaya Lakshammanni (1881-1924). They had one daughter Raja Kumari Lelavathi. Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion now better known as Manasa Gangothri, University of Mysore's Post Graduate center at Mysore was their Residential Mansion.

He died in October 1923.

• Mysore Gazetteer. p. 3143.
• Speeches of Sirdar Sir M. Kantharaj Urs Vol-1 by Sirdar K. Basavaraj Urs M.A., LL.B. p. 362.