‘Fit for the King’ is apt for this heritage grain as it is believed Rajamudi was exclusively grown for the Wodeyar Maharaja’s of Mysuru. Conversations with local farmers and elders in Mysuru reveal, “Those who could not pay tax to the Maharaja of Mysore, were asked to pay Rajamudi rice in lieu of that!
Rajamudi began as favourite of the royals and soon gained prominence across the state, and is now a popular variety amongst rural and urban Karnataka equally. Cultivation of Rajamudi, which was primarily around Hassan, later extended to parts of Holenarsipur, Arkalgud, Channarayapatna, Hassan, and Mysuru taluks in south Karnataka region.
The Karnataka Agricultural Price Commission and the Department of Agriculture are making all efforts to secure the coveted Georgraphical Indicaton (GI) tag for this traditional rice heritage variety of Karnataka.
Rajamudi is a drought-tolerant variety and can grow well in areas with low rainfall. Although Rajamudi falls under non-aromatic varieties, it has a pleasant aroma with a nutty taste which makes it well suited for everyday consumption as well as preparations like Bisibele Bhat, Pulav or Fried Rice. The unpolished variant of Rajamudi makes for good dosas and adai while the boiled variant, for idli or a nutritious bowl of kanji. Once cultivated in remote districts of Karnataka, Rajamudi is now revived and conserved in a small village called Manjakkudi.