CHAPTER - III

SOCIAL REFORMS AND RELIGIOUS REFORMS

SOCIAL REFORMS

The ‘Upanayana’ ceremony (sacred-thred ceremony) of SwathiThirunal

was conducted on the 18th of January 1828. Since the Upanayana was

conducted around the age of fourteen along with the ‘Samavarthana’ the

Kshathriyas of Keralawere considered as having attained their majority when

the Samavarthana was over. But in later years, completion of sixteen years of

age become the criterion for accepting the attainment of majority, Thus,

SwathiThirunal had to wait till 20thofApril 1829 on which day he celebrated his

sixteenth birthday. Both Rani GouriParvathiBayi and SwathiThirunal issued

proclamations on that day the former relinquishing the Regency and the latter

ascending the musnud.1

He ascended the gadi 1829 when he was barely 10 years old and ruled

for eighteen [Link] in duration of this period has become most

memorable in the history of the state for the great progress it made in several

spheres, in the fields of administration as well as arts and culture.

His Highness aptness for the right discharge of the functions devolving

on him as something wonderful, reformation and the maintenance of a rigid

moral discipline were the chief aim and ambition, of this young sovereign and

so they petty abuses which were over – looked during the previous late
1
Raja, R.P., New Lights on SwathiThirunal, Thiruvananthapuram, 2007, p.205.

14
administration. Bribery and corruption were pointed out as crimes severely

punishable, and those servants who gave cause even for suspicion were visited

with royal displeasure. Even the irregularity of attendance by public servants

would render them liable for dismissal from service. Tahasildars and other

officials were warned against any oppressive treatment of the ryots. In short,

several useful measures were introduced by royal proclamation in the course of

a couple ofyear’s.

Manyhad been the reforms and institutions established by

SwathiThirunal in Travancore for the progresss and prosperity of the state and

the people.2

It was a period of transition in the History of India. When this great

country was slowly but steadily losing its independence and coming under the

yoke of the British Raj. To the people of Travancore this period was of special

significance. Following it did the period of political exploits and consolidation

under two illustrious rulers MarthandaVarma and Rama Varma Dharma Raja

the transition created a feeling of set – back and even humiliation among the

people who could not easily reconcile themselves with the changes that had

taken places during such a short [Link] that deprived them of their

political independence and all the rights and privileges enjoyed by them from

time immemorial.3 To the Maharaja who inherited the proud tradition of one of

the oldest royal families, the change was almost intolerable and his spirit of

2
G.B. NR21 WM13, q1, p.32.
3
Churna No. 48, Y. 1031, Vol. 63, p.238.

15
independence struggled in vain against the all – absorbing British power to

retain as much of his rights and privileges as possible. This struggle on the part

of Maharaja had a direct bearing on his relation with the British power and on

the nature and success of his programmes andpolicies as an administrater.

Inspired by the highest ideals of the Dharma Sastra and motivated by the

welfare of the people committed to his care by providence, his ambition was to

build upon enhance the prosperity of the state in a manner worthy of the

traditions and suited to the conditions of the times.

During the period his predecessor’s efficiency of administration was

upheld, particularly under the stewardship of Dewans and Dalavas like Raja

Kesva Das and VeluThampi. During the period of his mother Lakshmi Bai and

his aunt ParvathiBai, there was a change in the nature of administrative pattern

when Colonel Munro combined in himself the roles of the British Resident and

the Devan, but even then the Administration under the able colonel was notable

for its efficiency. Steeped in Indian tradition and at the same time fully

acquainted with the ideals and ideas of the west nearly introduced in India,

SwathiThirunal wanted to give the benefits of the best features of both the

systems to his people and maintain efficiency in public administration at the

highest level.4

SwathiThirunalwished to appoint to the office of Dewan a man of his

own choice. He would have raised tutor SubhaRao to that high and responsible

position even at the very commencement of the reign had it not been for the
4
Cherna -30, Y. 1013, vol. 33, p. 184.

16
persistent counsels of the Rani and the Resident col. Morison who venkataRao.

But fortune soon dawned Rao tendered hisresignation and was appointed a

member of the Mysore Commission SubhaRao was appointed Dewan in 1005

M.E.5

Kollam (quilon) being the headquarted of the Resident, Huzurcutcherry

and other public offices were located there for a long time. The Maharaja

shifted them to Thiruvananthapuram so on to enable him to monitor the

administration under direct supervision. He set apart a few hours every day to

attend to public business, and days were appointed for receiving the Dewan, the

Judges of the appeal court the palace officers, the Temple official etc, with their

appropriate reports, Thismeasure of hearing reports directly from each

Department, facilitated the speedy conduct of public business by the several,

departmental officials. He also encouraged men of talent and intelligence and

in the course of a few years, his court and cutcherrys had the benefit of several

men of talent, learning and experience.

Reorganization and modernization of Judiciary by the establishment of

Munsiff courts, Zilla courts and an appeal court at the capital was one of the

early measures introduced by the Maharaja to improve the efficiency of

Judicial service in the state. The promulgation of a new code of regulations in

1835 on the British Indian model was another step in the same direction.6

5
Churna -4, Y-1037, Vol -69, p.87.
6
NagamAiya, V., Travancore State Manual, Vol. 1, Y. 1906, p. 483.

17
 Then Resident, Mr. Casamaijor, brought to His Highness notice, the

ability and intelligence of a Tahasildarpersonally known to himself in one of

the tabooks under the Malabar collectorate who accompanied the commissariat

during the coorg campaign in the year 1834. The MahaRajah, authorized the

Resident to invite that officer to enter the service of the Travancore

government.

In 1836 AD the Resident wrote to the Dewan to order the Tahasildars of

the state to take a detailed census of the respective Taluqs under their charge,

and accordingly a general census was taken which gave a total population of

12,80,668 for Travancore. This tahasildar’s name was ItterarichenCundappen

generally known as CundenMenon. This person accepted the offer of a

DewanPeishcar’s post in the Huzzoorcutcherry, and was accordingly appointed

in the middle of the year 1010 ME(early part of 1835 A.D).7

DewanPeishcarCundenMenon proved to be an excellecnt acquisition to

the Travancore service, and he afforded such great satisfaction to His Highness,

and merited are long his perfect confidence, that the MahaRaja placed the

details of the administrations in the peishcar’s hand and directed

DewanSubhaRao to place similar trust in the Peishcar, ordering father that if

the Dewan should entertain doubts on any points of importance, he should

report the same personally to his Highness CundenMenonPeishcar began to

mangae business and to offord general satisfaction. In a short time, he merited

7
NagamAiya, V., Travancore State Manual, Vol. II, New Delhi, p. 488.

18
the applause of the people who now began to talk of him as second only to ex-

DewanVencattaRao.8

The principal object of the Maha Rajah in inviting CundenMenon was to

compile a code of laws for Travancore, founded upon the enactments then in

force in the Honorable East India Company’s territories. CundenMenon

undertook this most important and onerous task, and having formed a

committee of experienced officers in the Travancore service he consulted with

them and examined all the rules then in force in Travancore. They then

commenced the drafting and arranging of the regulations, which they finished

in the course of a few months.9

The new code of laws was framed on the British model. It consisted of

eight regulation, the first five dealt with the civil procedure and the constitution

of the Munsiff, Zilla and Appeal courts. The sixth invested the Tahasildars with

police authority and the Zilla courts with criminal Jurisdiction. The seventh and

eighth regulationsauthorised Judges of the Appeal court to function as sessions

courts. The Munsiffs were to be appointed by royal commission. They were to

be person of not less than 25years of age with experience of the work in the

Munsiff, Zilla and Huzur offices. They had to take an outh before the Appeal

court that they would do their work with diligence and integrity. The laws

forbade them to decide cases to which their relations, subordinates or

dependants were parties. The Jurisdiction of these officers were limited to

8
Velupillai, Travancore State Manual, Trivandrum, 1996,vo.I., p.412.
9
ShungoonyMenon, P., 7th Edition, Travancore History, New Delhi, p.412, 1815-1830.

19
money suits. The plaints were to be written on stamped Cadjans procurable

from courts at fixed prices. Depositions were to be taken down and evidence

recorded in open court. The expedition disposal of cases was ensured by wise

provisions. The punishment of defaulters was amply provided for. If there were

too many cases on the file of the Munsiff, the District Judge was to send for

some of them to be tried in his [Link] entries in the old records prove that

the fining of Judges and Muniffs for slackness of work was common. The

district Judge was invested with the authority to punish the Munsiffs and the

sasthris attached to the court with a fine of rupees fine for every get of bribery

and correction.10

The virtues of European medicines and the benefits to be derived from

European medical treatment having been thoroughly appriciated from

experience, ever since the appoinment of a Doctor, as medical attendant upon

the Royal family, this benevolent Maha Rajah wished that his subjects should

also share in its [Link] therefore sanctioned the establishment of a

charity hospital at Trivandrum, under the superinterdence of the place

physician.11

The construction of the SreePadam palace, during the former regin, on a

plan drawn by a European Engineer, had impressed His Highness,even when

quite young with a favorable opinion of European engineering skill. The recent

construction of the observatory simply confirmed this [Link] Maha

10
[Link], p.174.
11
Cover file – R No. 570, Bu 228, Sl 1 File No. 6806, Y. 1899.

20
Rajah, desirous of introducing a knowledge of European Engineering art into

Travancore, in consultation with the Resident Colonel Fraser, Sanctioned the

organization of an experimental engineering department and Lieutenant

Horselywas offered, and accepted, the post of a visiting Engineer and

superintendent of Irrigation and other important works at Nanjenaud and

Trivandram.12

An experimental Engineering Department was opened and Lient.

Horsely was appointed visiting Engineer the karamana stone bridge was one of

the first works of European engineering skill.13

SwathiThirunal was a very intelligent independent and highly cultured

person. He stopped the ‘hand Dipping’ ordeal called ‘kaiMukku’ when a man

committed a crime, he was taken in to custody and was made to observe certain

austerities. After the prescribed number of days,he was made to ‘dip’ his hands

in boiling ghee. If his hands did not get burnt, he was declared as ‘innocent’,Ifit

burnt and he could be declared guitty and was punished.

He felt that this ordeal was very superstitious, primitive at cruel and so

put an end to it. Naturally, there were protests from the orthodox, but he was

bold enough to implement his decision. Similarly there was the cruel practice

of disgracing women under suspicion by shaving their heads, parading them

before the public for slighting and after these physical and mental tortures

banishing them from the kingdom. SwathiThirunal put an end to this primitive

12
Churna 26, Y 1018, p.45.
13
NagamAiya, V., Vol I, The State Manual of Travancore, 1906, p.489.

21
and Grude method of punishment and brought such cuses under more civilized

legal system.14

His Highness took an early opportunity to abolish the custom of

disgracing female criminals by shaving their heads and afterwards banishing

them from Travancore. The Suchindramgree ordeal resorted to by the

Nambudiri Brahmins in cuses of suspected adultery was also abolished. A

revenue law was introduced remitting one – fourth of the tax on coconut and

other trees planted and reared by the ryots.

Another example to quote is about a fisherwoman. She lost her husband

in the sea she and her seven children were in great misery and were virtually

starving. She appealed to the Maharaja for help. Those were times when there

were ‘kanji pura’ all over the state to feed the poor Free of cost. But they could

be used only by ‘caste’ Hindus. The fisherwoman being a Christian could not

be allowed inside the kanjipura or even near the permises. After making an

observation on this situation, while explaning, why she needed help,

SwathiThirunal issued a ‘Neetu’ (Royal writ) sanctioning a monthly pension

for the sustenance of the poor family.15

Inter Caste Marrage System:-

Before going in to the details regarding the merital life of

SwathiThirunal, it is necessary to understand and even name so to appreciate

certain community and social customs which were prevalent in kerala of those

14
NagamAiya, V., Travancore Manual, V. I, 1906, Travancore, p. 489.
15
[Link]., p.208.

22
days. I,am confining here, only to the customs and manners of the Kerala

[Link] most important and primary thing which one has to

understand is that the Kshathriya community of Kerala, practiced what is

known as ‘Anuloma’ marriage from time immemorial. In ‘Anuloma’ marriage,

the female member is always married by a made member of higher caste, or by

a higher grade male of the same caste. The purpose of ‘Anuloma’ marriage was

a develop pedigree. When a higher caste man married lower caste women the

progeny will have ‘higher blood’ than the mother.

Now if the progeny is a female, then maraging,she again by the same

higher caste, will further ‘purity’ the blood and these, the grade of the

progeneies are elevated through the generation. The ‘smrithis’ considered the

‘Anuloma’ marriages as ‘superior and the opposite, the ‘prathiloma’and very

inferior among the different families of Kshathriyas ofKerala, there are families

where the females were married by Namboothiri Brahmins only. 16 For how

many centuries this custom lasted nobody knows. It was only in the latter half

of the Twentienth century, that the custom became relaxed andKshathriya –

Kshathiyamarriage began to take place. The Royal Family of Travancore had a

different custom. Here the Female members were married by

Kshathiriysthemselves, belonging to a class called ‘koilThampurans’. In

koilThampuran families the female members were always married by

Namboothiri Brahmins, in the past.17

16
ShangoonyMenon, Ecoliest Period of Travancore history, New Delhi, 1878, p.567.
17
Velupillai, The State Manual of Travancore, Trivandrum, 1996, p.364.

23
 Now this Inter caste marriages of the past had created certain peculiar

situations in Kerala among the Kshathriyas. When a Namboothiri Brahmin

marries Namboothiri women the progeny is also of Namboothiri caste. But

when a NamboothiriBarahmin marries a Kshathriya women, the progeny

cannot be elevated to the Brahmin caste, but continues in his or her mothers

caste, that is, continues as a kshathriya, Another point is that the very orthodox

customs among the Namboothiri Brahmins did not permit the free movement

living by non – Namboothiri’s in their ‘Illoms or Manas’ (houses). That means

when a NamboothiriBrahmin married a Kshathriya women, he cannot take to

his own houseillom. He was forced to leave her the same house.

This rule was applicable for all the girls in the house with the result, the

family grew into a long ‘joint Family’ Because there was always a cast

difference between husband and wife, the children, male and female belonged

to their mothers caste and naturally to the ‘mothers’ Familyand not to the

family of their further.18This is the ‘Marumakkathayam’ the matrilineal system

of Malabar. Thus, this system had its origin in ‘caste’ customs and practices

and not on economic considerations as it is propogated now.

We have already seen that the female members of the Royal family of

Travancore weremarried by a class of kshathriyas known as koilThampurans.

In present times, other categories of Kshathriyas also Marry them similarly in

the part, the male membrs of the royal family of Travancore married ‘Nair’

girls. The belonged to the Sudra caste. So, here also an “Inter cast” marriage
18
Cherna No. 36, Vol. 47, Y. 1019, p.256.

24
took place nowdays, the male members of the Royal family marry from the

Kshathriyacaste also as already seen, when amale member of the Royal family

of Travancore Married Nair women, the cast of the progency cannot be

elevated to that of a kshathriya, and so had to continue in his or her mother’s

caste. That is the children born to a maharaja of Travancore willcontinous as a

Nair child. And because of rigid caste customs which prevailed in those days,

the child can never became a member of the Royal family of Travancore. That

means, only children born of female members of a Royal Family are

considered and accepted as Royal Family members and not those born to the

male members of the family. The position can be cleared and made simple by a

chart.19

Namboothiri Brahmin marries Kshathriya

Woman

Children

Male-Nair Female Brahmin Female –Nair (kshathriya)Female Brahmin

(kshathriya) (kshathriya) (kshathriya)

Child (Nair) Child (kshathriya) Child (kshathriya) Child

(Brahmin)
19
SooranaduKunjanPilla, CharithrathinteEdukal, p , y ,p

25
 Since the Royal families are Costitated of members of the Kshathriya

caste, it naturally follows that only children born to the female members of the

family could continue the royal family. And the children of the male members

of the royal family are just ‘blood relations’ of the Royal Familythat is all.20

There was another important social custom which was prevalent in those

which also needs to be understood. The male members of the Royal family of

Travancore usually married Nair girls. Sometimes in olden days they used to

marry Tamil girls (saivapillas) from Kanyakumari District also. But by

andlarge, they come Nair girls. When a male member of the Royal Family of

Travancore decided to marry a Nair girl, he could marry her only under certain

conditions. These details we based parely on documentary evidences provided

by the ‘Huzzoor Accounts’.

Troops in Travancore:-

Twenty years of continuous peace encouraged the parmount power to

withdraw the subsidiary force maintained in Travancore’. About 1829 A.D the

Madras government on the suggestion of the court of Directors proposed to the

Maharajah the idea of withdrawing the subsidiary force and the Residency staff

maintained in Travancore. The Maharaja assented to the reduction of the

subsidiary force to one regiment of native infantry, but desired for various

reasons retention of the Resident and his staff at least for some time to come.

20
[Link]., p.223.

26
This on being communicated to the supreme government in Bengal was duly

sanctioned, and instructions to that effect were immediately transmitted to the

madras government. Accordingly in December 1830, the company’s troops

stationed at ArambolyandBhatapandi were recalled and the subsidiary force in

Travancore,21 was reduced to one regiment of native infantry, a detachment of

which was stationed at Nagercoil to protect the country from enemies one that

side.

Immediately after the war of 1809, the state of Travancore was deprived

of its arms, ordanceand military stores, and the inhabitants so completely

disarmed as to be, from a military point of view, utterly annihilated, No man

has since been permitted to hold firearms of any descrption that care not

stamped registered and accompaniedby a certificate or permit from the Dewan

and as this regulation prevents the importation of arms to any extent, it affords

the best security against serious internal disturbance or resumption of designs

hostile to the British authority.

Moreover the habits and character of these people have undergone a

complete change with in the last twenty years. That warlike, refractory and

turbulent temper for which the Nair of Travancore were once so remarkable has

totally disappeared, and they must now be regarded as a population of pacific

habits placing the most implicit confidance in our protection and well

21
Velupillai, Travancore State Manual, Trivandrum, 1996, p. 547.

27
convinced that their safety entirely depends on the stability, support and

friendship of the British government.22

The ostensible reason, by treaty for maintaining a force in Travancore

was to protect the territories of His Highness against all enemies by sea and

land. But when it is considered that Travancore is bounded on those sides by

the company’s territories and on the fourth by the sea, the policy of shutting up

a large body of troops in the heart of the country to shield it from foreign

aggression needs no comment. The well known fact that Travancore furnishes

no carriage for equipping the smallest force for the field renders it highly

improbable that any European enemy will ever attack as through this part of the

court, and should a landing beeffected in ignorance of this want of means, and

chance of five miles from the beach could be perfectly impracticable. 23

The native regiment now in Travancore is retained for the purpose of

affording protection to the unarmed inhabitants in the frontiers, who are subject

to frequent attacks by formidable gangs of robbers from the provinces of

Thirunelveli Coimbatore and South Malabar. It has also to guard the

company’s treasuries at quilonErnakulamandCochin and it appears to me fully

adequate to all these duties.24

By the foregoing observation I have endavoured to show, first that as the

Travancore state isunprovided with arms, ordanceand military stones, it is quite

incapable of disturbing the authority of the British government for a moment;

22
NagamAiya, V., Travancore State Manual, New Delhi, vol. II, y. 1987, p.484.
23
Churna No.4, v. 19, y. 1003, p.231.
24
Velupillai, Travancore State Manual, Vol. III, y. , p. 648

28
Secondly that there can be no well – Founded apprehension of its ever

supporting a foreign enemy because its own preservation depends entirely upon

our stability, and it is not probable that it could act it direct opposition to its

own interest; thirdly no power can invade the Travancore territory without

passing through the company’s country by land, and it cannot be assaited by

sea with any hope of advantage, and fourthly, the troops now in Travancore are

quite sufficient for the purpose intended and I see noreason for any increase

whatever.25

This was assurance, enough and the paramount power sanctioned the

withdrowd of the forces. The Maharajah however, was for the retention of the

Resident’s military staff for some more time to come. In December 1830 the

Company’s troops stationed at ArambolyandBhuthappanti were recalled, and

the subsidiary force in Travancore was reduced to one regiment of infantry.26

In 1005 M.E. (1830) the governor of madras Lushington visited

Travancore to acquaint himself personally with the state of affairs. It was the

first time that paid a visit to this kingdom. The former Resident had prejudiced

the governors mind against the Maharaja. But thereal facts were discovered to

be otherwise. Lushingion left Travancore delighted with all that he saw.

However the higher authorities, and especially the court of Directors, were still

under a cloud of prejudice. In their extract from political letter to Bengal on

18th December1832.27

25
ShangoonyMenon, Travancore State Manual, vol. II, New Delhi, y., p.158.
26
Cover file 1896, RN. 490, Bu. 216, Sl No.2, Y. 1896.
27
Balakrishnan Nair, R., SreeSwathiThirunal – life history, Thiruvananthapuram, 1962

29
 Our relation with the state of Travancore therefore appears to as this

existed at the date of your mark recent communications, to have been in a state

by no means satisfactory. Upon authority indeed, which Col-Morison seems

confidently to rely on it would seem that the country, which on the accession of

the Rajah was in a most flocrishing condition, was hastening to decline. Its

affairs we trust have received in the meantime your judgement and care for

discovering and executing whatever the exigencies of the case may require, and

for that purpose we desire that you will consider the management of

Travancore affairs as specially entrusted to you.

The visit of the Governor gave the Maharajah an opportunity to see the

British army in full parade. He was so much struch with their dress and their

drill that he made arrangements for the improvement of his own forces after the

British model new accoutrements were got down and the commanding officer

was ordered to give the men an improved training. The dress of the mounted

troopers was improved and their number increased. The name of the force was

changed. It was thereafterto be called the Nayar Brigade. 28 The brigade was

charged with the performance of guard duty in the place, treasuries, and

temples they formed the Maharaja’s escort in state ceremonies and religious

[Link] the early years of British administration the company’s govt

were glad to lend their soldiers to enhance the importance and grander of

religious festivals. But the old policy was changed in difference to the agitation

against the officers and servants of a Christian govt participating in religion

28
Velupilla, Vol. III, Travancore State Manual, p., y., p. 526.

30
functions of what was termed a superstitious character. 29 The European

officersof the Nayar Brigade were relieved from attending the Hindu religious

economies in accordance with the advice of the court of Directors.

One of the most important measures adopted by the govt during the time

of this Maharajah was the revenue survey started in 1012 ME. The main

principle of the survey was the taking of field Measurement and the fixing of

different rates for different classes of coconut and certain other trees as judged

by their yield. Old stables were repaired, one for the royalstuddanother for the

cavatry horses, and a third the horses to be supplied to the palace officials and

servants who accompanied the Maharajah during state processionsand also for

are of officers on argent public duty. The horse breeding establishment

maintained at thovala was improved. The best elephants caught by the forest

department were brought to Trivandram for carrying houda, flags and other

attached a managerie where tigers, panthers and other child animals were

collected and caged. A cow stall was constructed in the fort. All this was done

as much for demonstration as for pleasure.30

The Maramath department for repairing and constructing palaces,

padogas, and similer works, was now recorganised on a Large scale and a

person of experience was appointed with an adequate salary, as

superintendent.31

Turbulent years in SwathiThirunal:-

29
Cover file. 1898, R. 492, Bu, 218, Sl No. 3, Y. 1898.
30
File No. 16307, R. 311, B. 19, Sl. 9, Y. 1844.
31
Churna.36, Vol. 48, y. 1019, p.39.

31
 The efficiency of the governmentand the wisdom of the policies

inaugurated by the Maharaja failed however, to make the administration an

easy task. Mr, RungaRao, the then DewanPeishcar, was authorised to assume

the functions of DewanRungaRao was the younger brother of the farmer

popular DewanVencuttaRao, and the father of Rajah Sirt. MadavaRao, and

being a very active and honest officer of the sircar, he conducted the

administration most satisfactorily.

The Maha Rajah, remembering the good qualities and ability, of the ex-

Dewan, VencattaRao, entertained the idea of re-appointing him to the office of

Dewan, and in consultion with His Highness brother, the Elia Rajah, this with

measure was resolved upon. His Highness the Elia Rajah then wrote to

VencattaRao, who expressed his willingness to accept the kind offer. The Maha

Rajah then depated His Highness favorite attendant one CunjenThampan of

Vycome, the Kumbaconum, to arrange personally with VencattaRao regarding

his return.32

In the next year 1013(1838 A.D), VencattaRao arrived at Trivandram,

and were at one appointed Dewan administration, and His Highness the Maha

Rajah had reasons to be dissatisfied with DewanSubaRao, and his assistant

CochuSankeraPillayPeishcar. About this time some service charges were

preferred against these high officials by a number of petitioners. In 1012

M.E(1837 A.D) the Maha Rajah issued orders with the concurrence of the

Resident, Colonel fraser, for the suspension of the Dewanand the Peishcar. The
32
[Link]., p.214.

32
first judge of the appeal court, NarayanenKesaven, was dismissed in

1010M.E(1835) on certain charges which were pending inquiry before the

palace. A commission was now appointed, consisting of two European officers

and as many natives, presided over by then conservator of forests, [Link], a

sun of the late Resident, Colonel Munro, to inquire in to the charges against the

accused.

After a prolonged inquring of about two months, the importment was

found to be unsustainable, and the commission closed their sitting, but the

Maha Rajah being dissatisfied, throught it proper not to re-instate the judge, the

Dewanand the Peisbcar in their respective offices. After the suspension of

DewanSubaRaoandPeishcarCochuSankarapillay, proceedings gave entire

satisfaction to His Highness the MahaRajah As the new Dewan was

progressing in his brilliant career, he had the mistorance to fall out with caption

Douglas, the then Ading Resident Finding that they could not agree,

VencattaRao tendered his resignation, though much against His Highness wish,

in the month of means 1014(1839 A.D), after a career of only twelve months.33

DewanPeishcarRungaRao, having resigned his office, when his brother

Vencatta Row was appointed Dewan, there no fit officer at the time in the

Huzzoor establishment to conduct the administration, and consequently, the

Maha Rajah in consultation with the Resident, captain Douglas, called in the

other ex-DewanSubhaRao, in the year 1014 M.E(1839 A.D), to resure charge

of the administration. His absence of a little more thentwo years from office,
33
Velupillai, The State Manual of Travancore, Trivandrum,1996, pp. 418-419.

33
even the inquiry beforementioned did not seen to weigh upon his resumed

charge of the office in the gayest spirit as if he had been attending the cutcherry

all the time.

Though the resignation of VencattaRao was generally and deeply

regretted by the people, yet SubhaRao was also not waiting in popularity.

DewanSubhaRao kept in his old groove his administration was marked by great

success, and the Maharajah considered the arrangements best suited to the

time.34

In 1840, General Cullen was appointed as the Resident of Travancore.

To begin with the relationship between the Maharaja and the General were very

cordial and friendly General Cullen was a man very much interested in science

and the attraction which the Maharaja also had for the subject almost formed a

bond between them. But unfortunately, this happy state of affairs did not last

very long.

Krishna Raothe Resident’s favourite, a native of Masulipatanam who

accompanied his patron to a Travancore. The Maharaja out of deference to the

Residents wishes appointed him Deputy Peishkar in the Huzzoor in charge of

the Devasam, uttupura’s and other departments. General Cullen had a close

associate with him, one Krishna Rao a Telugu Brahmin. He was with Cullen

even while he can in the commissariat at Madras. He was a very intelligent and

active man but was over ambition too. While Krishna Rao was in Madras, he

worked as an aide to Cullen and never entered govt service. But when he
34
ShungoonyMenon, The Travancore State Manual, Vol. II, P. , Y. p. 425.

34
reached Travancore the idea of entering government service dendered on

him,so when the Resident expressed his interest in finding a job for Krishna

Rao in Travancore government, SwathiThirunal obliged actually, there was no

opening our vacancy where Krishna Row could have been accommodated. Still

to place the Resident, the Maharaja went out of the way and created a new post

of a DewanPeischer in the Huzar office and appointed Krishna Rao on a

monthly salary of Rs.300/- which was very had some indeed by the standards.35

Once Krishna Rao settled himself in Travancore govt service, other

ideas began to germinate in his mind. Brilliant though he was he had great

ambitions and a hankering for power in his heart. These impulses began to act

of him and turned his eayla eyes on nothing lessthen the Dewanship of

Travancore. Accordingly his actions also tooka turn to find out methods of

achieving it. Naturally the first obstacle was subhaRao the Dewan himself

Krishna Rao began to work with a view of overthrowing SubhaRao.36

With this object in view, he started playing his little game against

SubhaRao. The first victim to fall for his intrigues was of course General

Cullen himself. He began to influence the Resident against SubhaRao, and that

found expression in the correspondence and transactions between the royal

court and the Resident office. The Maharaja had great admiration for and

confidence in SubhaRao’s administrative abilities and the adverse remarks.

Though put in a very oblique away disturbed the Maharaja. When some kind of

35
[Link]., p.214.
36
NagamAiya, V., The Travancore State Manual, Vol. II, New Delhi, y. 1987, p.437,

35
pressure was also thrown up by the Resident on the decisions which SubhaRao

had taken with the concurrence and permission of the Maharaja, the Maharaja

began to feel that his authority was being challenged. Being a very independent

and sensitive men his naturally began to irritate him very much. To make

matters course, General Cullen was very poor in hearing and the Maharaja did

not feel happy to talk to him at the top of his voice. As a result their meeting

with each other in favour less forequentthis in turn was much in favour of

Krishna Rao’s plans, and he played his part to cuiden the gap between the

Maharaja and the Resident.

Krishna Rao was the principal person who used to furnish information

to the Resident on all matters connected with the govtand he took the

opportunity of prejudicing General Cullen’s mind against DewanSubhaRao. He

made the Resident to believe that the excuses of the Maharaja and his

unwillingness to receive visits from the Resident, proceeded from a personal

discharged to the Resident; that the Dewan advised the Maharaja not to make

himself too friendly with the Resident; and that the Maharaja was acting solely

under the counsel of SubhaRaowho was also his teacher. It was his that the find

seeds of misunderstanding were sown in the mind of General Cullen.37

Day after the interference increased. It passed all bounds. The attitude of

the Resident became unbearable. The authorities of Fort [Link] lent their

ears freely to him. They accepted his facts an indisputable and his opinions

absolutely correct. Great indeed was the value which attached to the judgment
37
NagamAiya, V., Vol. II, New Delhi, Travancore State Manual, 1989, p.440.

36
of the man was no spot in those days when there no railway nor telegraph, no

vigilant press nor any other channel of speedy and reliable communication. The

position of the Maharaja became humiliating. General Cullen misrepresented

matters to the Madras govt who recorded the most unfavourable minutes on the

administration of Travancore. The Maharaja’s remonstrances were of no avail.

The court of Directors endorsed the views of the Madras government. In this

critical state of affairs SubhaRao resigned his office in disgust (1017 M.E). 38

The General himself was a proud man and resentful by nature. Through

kind and affable as a rule, he began to view things with a very prejudicial eye,

and a based mind. Decisions on public questions of importance were aftered,

and objections to every measure proposed and suggested by the Dewan under

the authority of the Maharaja, became the order of the day. General who was

only a British agent in Travancore and who had nothing to do with the

administration directly, began to receive petitions from parties concerned in

police, revenue and civil [Link] can imagine the position of a king in his

own kingdom with another person interfering with his authority and decisions.

Cullen stand calling for reports from the Dewan surprising the Maharaja. He

also began to take decisions and give orders as it happens everywhere, there are

people who are more concerned with personal guins than value systems. So

some grievance mongers began to approach the Resident through Krishna Rao.

The Maharaja promoted the Resident’s portege Krishna Rao to the post of head

DewanPeishcar and put him in charge of the administration. This was done to

38
Churna No. 5, vol. 89, y. 1037, p.11.

37
avoid further troubles. The ruler was obliged to conciliate of the representative

of the paramount power. But General Cullen continued his activities in

harassing the Maharaja with his acts of interference in the internal affairs of the

state. When the worry and indignity became unbearable the Maharaja prepared

a detailed memorandum pointing out the great injustice which was being done

to his country and the humiliating condition to which the relationship with the

British government had expressed him and his dynasty. The letter concluded

with the offer that things were to continue in that manner he was ready to

abdicate. But Rani ParvathiBayiand theElaya Raja prevailed upon him to

retrain from forwarding the memorandum to the Madras government.

Krishna Row encouraged such people and practices, always putting the

blame on SubhaRao for the delay or non- redressal of their grievances. Thus

gradually, the Resident’s office became virtually a court for having inquiring

and settling all questions, questions affecting the general internal

administration of Travancore.39

Meanwhile the work of Krishna Rao failed to give satisfaction to the

[Link] Madras government were however, obliged to give their

approval to a charge of personal when the facts and figures. Removing

SubhaRaoandascurping that place being the ambition of Krishna Rao, a

favourable climate in favour of himself and an unfavourable one in respect of

SubhaRao was also to be created in the Madras government. For that purpose

he motivated the Resident to send regular reports to Madras. When their trusted
39
NagamAiya, V., vol. IV, The Travancore State Manual, New Delhi, 1987, p. 524.

38
agent conveyed bad reports about the administration of Travancore, naturally

the Madras governmentfell for it. It never occurred to them that the very same

government, which lauded the administration of the young Maharaja to the

havens had now turned against him, merly on the basis of some letters from

General Cullen. It was a very unfortunate development.

In the meanwhile, the Resident assumed almost sovering authority.

Every appointment of importance, such as Tahasildars, Munsiffs,

superintendants etc. were ordered to be made only after official communication

with the Resident and after obtaining his special Sanction. It was as though the

ruler of the country had no powers. In shart, the Dewan’s hands were tied up,

and he was rendered incompetent even and others of his own office without the

special sanction of the Resident.40

The extraordinary interference of the Resident irritated the Maharaja,

and the misunderstanding between His Highness court and the Resident

became stranger and stronger. Meanwhile, General Cullen Continued

representing matters to the Madras government so as to place the Maha Rajah’s

administration of the country in an unfavorable light. The governmentnaturally

placing confidence in the statement of their representative, viewed matters

prejudicially to the Maha Rajah.”

The general policy of the rulers of Travancore in their relationships with

the English East India Company was formulated by

AnizhumThirunalMarthandaVarma, who ruled from 1729 to 1758. He was a

40
ShangoonyMenon, P., The Earliest Time of Travancore, New Delhi, 1985, p.556.

39
very far sighted man and he made the members of his family understand that

among the four foreign powers in India at that time, namely the portuguese, the

Dutch, the frenchand the English, the English were destined to become the

mostpowerful in India. It was so because of the organization which they had

and the sea power which they enjoyed. So he instructed his successours to treat

the English as ‘allies’ (never as sovereigns) and to avoid conforontations with

them to the extent possible. This policy was followed by SwathiThirunal’s

mother Rani Gowri Lakshmi Bayi, and was encouraged by his father Raja

RajaVarma.

Thus, SwathiThirunal was restrained by his further from going in to an

open conformation with the Resident andthrough that with the company.

Yielding to pressures from his family SwathiThirunal tolerated this interference

for some time. But then as it happens with every individual limit of his patience

was lost and he represented the problems to the Madras [Link] by that

time it was too late for the persistent reports from the Resident had already set

the company’s mind against the Maharaja Cosequently, the Madras

government did not give to his letter the attention it really deserved more than

that, the Madras government passed serveral minutes where in unfavourable

opinions were recorded regarding Travancore affairs of the period, and these

opinions were endorsed even by the court of directer in Culcatta.41

Krishna Raowho anxiously waiting for the coveted post of the Dewan

ever since he set fool in Travancore, new thought that the time for
41
NagamAiya, V., The Travancore State Manual, Vol. III, New Delhi, 1989, p.565.

40
accomplishing his object had arrived and he began to use his influence with

redoubled vigear.’’ The people of Travancore dearly saw that there was a

power split between SubhaRao and Krishna Raoand with the support of

General Cullen for Krishna Rao,SubhaRao’s position was weakening.

Opportunists joined hads on the side of Krishna Rao and thus two groups

emerged in the offices and even among the public. SubhaRao found that he had

become just a nominal Dewan. Frustrated and angry, he sought the permission

of the Maharaja for resignation and it was granted. Those were times when

Dewan in a native state could not continue facing displeasure from the

Resident. In the vacancy, Krishna Rao was promoted not as a fall-fledged

Dewan, but as Head DewanPeischar. It was in 1842. He was not put in charge

of attain the object of his desire to a great extent.

The Maharaja was a young man of twenty nine of age. He felt that

hisauthority was challenged by the Resident and he began to feel disheartened.

And the unfavourable comments by the Madras government as his

administration and even by the court of Directors pushed him gradually into an

abyss of depression. As time progressed he saw that things were going

completety out of his control and felt much that about it. The dominance of

Krishna Rao, with the fall and absolute support of General Cullen was the

prime factor for his depression. When he felt that he could not bear it any

lunger, he called his father Raja RajaVarma, who was always a guide to him,

his aunt Rani GouriParvathiBayi; who herself was an eminent ruler of

Travancore, andUthramThirunalMarthandaVarma, the Elaya Raja (Heir

41
apparent)andabserved to them that “the Madras government is solely guided by

the partial reports of General Cullen, and were thus doing great injustice to

him.

He said that it was surprising that the Madras government should

presented to evidence more interest in the welfare and prosperity of Travancore

than the ruler of the country itself, while the Honourable East India Company

was only an Ally of himself; that the present conduct of the Madras

governmentand of their representative towards him and General Cullen’s

constant interference with the internal administration of the kingdom, would

seem to implys just the contrary that he had at present, in his court, well

informed perfom from many parts of the Company’s Indian territories, and also

from many parts of the Company’s Indian territories, and also from the native

kingdoms of Mysore, Tanjore, Hyderabad, Cochin etc.

From when he had learnt that these countries were not better ruled than

Travancore, that his rule in the earlier part of his reign had been highly

approved of, not only by the Madras government but also by the governmentof

India; that it was highly modifying to find that fault had now been found with

his rule after a career of more than twelve years, and after he had become

experienced in the court of governmentand if the destinies of Travancore were

to remain in the hands of a Telugu Brahmin, he would rather relinquish his

connection with the kingdom than be subjected to such humiliations.42

42
NagamAiya, V., The State Manual of Travancore, Vol I, New Delhi, 1906, p.482.

42
 After these observationSwathiThirunal produced a long address, which

he had prepared to be forwarded to the supreme government in culcatta. He

handed the letter to his brother. It was so strongly worded that the Elaya Raja

was shocked to read its contents. He conveyed the contents to his father and

approach of the letter. It would have reminded them of the famous

proclamation of VeluTampi against the English East India Company. The letter

was fall of allegations and criticism against the Madras governmentGeneral

Cullen and Krishna Rao.

The tone seemed even to Question the role of the company in India.

Fearing the reaction of the company and the fate of Travancore if it reached

calcatta, SwathiThirunal’s father his aunt, his brother andSubhaRao, and

several trusted senior officers waited upon him and persuaded him not to send

advance Comments about the Madras government. General Cullen and Krishna

Rao to Culcatta. They realized that the honesty the sincerity and the

uprightness of the company Maharaja will have no value in the political game

of the company. After much persuasion and pressure, finally,

SwathiThirunalyielded to the earnest solicitations of his father, aunt, brother

and wellwishes, though with much reluctance.43

Still his feelings were running so high that he declared that he could not

retain Krishna Raocome what may, He said that he was not going to yield to

the francies of the company to retain Krishna Rao. So, instead of sending the

43
Churna No. 36, V. 45, y.1018, p.25.

43
original letter, which he drafted SwathiThirunal sent another letter to the

Company, expressing that he had completely lost his faith and confidence in

Krishna Raoand under no circumstances would he confirm him in the Dewan’s

office. Along with this Communication, SwathiThirunal contemplated about

dismissing who feared an open rupture with the Madras government, forced

SwathiThirunal to allow Krishna Rao to continue in service but with lesser

powers. SwathiThirunal then appointed VencattaRao also known as Reddy Rao

to the office of the Dewan. He was the Dewan during the reign of Rani

GouriParvathiBayiand had a very good reputation as an able

administrator.44The presence of Reddy Rao in an office which he coveted so

much and for which he was striving hard all these years, naturally perturbed

and upset Krishna Rao.

The result was a conflict between the Dewan and the DewanPeshicar

and a split in the Huzzoor office. Reddy Rao heed the support of the Maharaja,

Krishna Rao had the support of the Resident. When the situation aggravated,

the Maharaja appointed two experienced officers in to the government service.

One was to a nearly created post in the palace itself. The appointment of an

officer in the palace, by creating a post to accommodate him, was where

entirlly objected to by General Cullen. The Resident had conveniently

forgotten that Swathithirunal had created a post to accommodate his protégé

Krishna Rao, When they came to Thiruvananthapuram for the first time, and

that too when there was neither a post nor the necessity for such a post.
44
Sharma, V.S., SreeSwathiThirunalJeevithavumKrithikalum, Kottayam, 1985, p.39.

44
 But Swathithirunal firmly informed the Resident that the Resident need

not interfere in his ‘domestic’ (Matters relating to palace administration)

[Link] acts of a Krishna Rao became intolerable to DewanVenkittaRaoand

to the Mahrajaand the Maharaja decided to remove him from service. A lot of

correspondence passed between Travancore court and the Madras

governmentand ultimately SwathiThirunal’s decision prevailed and thus

Krishna Rao was removed from service. And the Maharaja, feeling that even

the presence of Krishna Rao could brew futher trouble, banished him from the

capital, Krishna Rao moved to Quilon (Kollam).

Naturally, General Cullen, the representative of the ‘Imperial paramount

power’ took it as a personal slight, and decided to wreak vengeance. He began

to take measures to expel ex- DewanSubhaRao from Travancore. Just as

madras government conceded to the decision of SwathiThirunal to expel

Krishna Rao, after much correspondence, the Madras government, this time

conceded to the request of General Cullen andSubhaRao was expelled from

Travancore. SubhaRao retired to his native Tanjore. After sometime,

SwathiThirunal was able to bring him back to Thiruvananthapuram.45

But the original decision of the Madras government which compelled

SwathiThirunal to expect his own teacher and Dewan, who had been

exonerated of all corruption charges by a commission of inquiry, affected the

Maharaja very much. It acted as a last straw on the camel’s back’,

45
ShungoonyMenon, Travancore State Manual, VIIthChapter, New Delhi, p.525.

45
SwathiThirunal began to feel that he was nobody in his own state. He thought

of abdicating the throne, but his father, brother and court never allowed [Link]

relised that suchan action would create other problems for the state and the

royal Family in its wake. SwathiThirunal’s mind was in a torment between two

powerful emotional forces. One was his own natural impulse to abdicate the

throne infavour ofhis brother, and the other was the constant persuasion of his

beloved ones to continue the rulership.

The pressure from the Resident on one side and the emotional turmoil

on the other began to distract SwathiThirunal from administration. He felt

disheartedand dispirited. He suspected that his authority and power in his

health deteriorated and a health problem which added to the uneasiness of his

mind, Started to play upon his delicate constitution.46

ShungoonyMenon, P., South Indian Inscriptions of Travancore State Manual, New Delhi, 1906,
46

p.564.

46
RELIGIOUS REFORMS

The sacred band between the king of Travancore

andSreepadmananbhaswamy at Thiruvananthapuram rolls back to many

centuries. the culminating point came when

AnizhamThirunalMarthandaVarmawho ruled Travancore from 1729 to 1758

surrendered the kingdom of Travancore along with all his personal possession

andtitles to SreePadmanabhaSwamyon the 17th of January 1750. He wrote a

‘Gift Deed’ on a sanctum sanctarum along with his sword, water and flowers,

the true king of Travancore was SreePadmanabha’skingdom on behalf of the

deity. Thus they became revered as SreePadmanabhaDasas by the people. Here

it may be remembered that the sword which is seen on some portraits of

SwathiThirunaldose not signify temporal power or a king’s sign. After the

TrippadiDanam on 17th January 1750, the sword of MarthandaVarmabecame

the ‘udaval’ of SreePadmanabhaand the one who carries that sword is a

SreePadmanabhaDasa.47

The deep devotion and surrender which the Royal family of Travancore

felt towards SreePadmanabhafrom ancient times have not words a wee bit and

its present expression is found in the words of princess AswathiThirumalGouri

Lakshmi Bayi, This invitable and inallienable bondage has been of such

magnitude that the ancient ‘Dasa’ family of Travancore Royalty prossesses no

identily independent of SreePadmanabha.

47
Raja, R.P., New Lights on SwathiThirunal, Thiruvananthapuram, 2007, p. 128.

47
 Now let as examine the relationships which SwathiThirunal had with his

totelary deity SreePadmanabhaSwamyand his temple. If SwathiThirunal had

applied his mind with all care and devotion to the administration of

Travancore, the same scale of application was bestowed on the administration

and management of SreePadmananbhaSwamyTemple also

SreePadmananbhabeing the sovereign of Travancore all the rituals and

ceremonies in the temple were conducted in an elaborate, pompous and

splendorous style even from the time of AnizhamThirunalMarthandaVarma.

SwathiThirunalthroughly systematized the rituals and management of the

temple and established a code of conduct for carrying them out. He also

composed song and verses to be used in the Temple on various and he

composed the Navarathri musical compositions to in the exclusive purpose of

renduring them during the festival.48

The prince was born under very peculiar circumstances with the death of

Bala Rama varma all prospects of having a king in the near future were cut off

and it was even feared that the country would be annexed by the British

government. Daily prayers were offered to SreePadmananbhaSwamythe

tutelurydiety of the Royal House, and various other religious rites were

performed to invoke divine blessings on the Maha Rani Lakshmi Bai. The Rani

herself observed all kinds of fasts and devoted a good partion of her time to

religious and devotional purposes offering were made to every big temple in

the state and costly Danums (gifts) were given to holy and learned Brahmins.

48
Velupillai, Travancore State Manual, Vol. III, Trivandrum, 1996, p. 528.

48
As the result of all these meritorious acts, so the orthodox firmly believe a

prince was born to Lakshmi Bayi in 988 ME (1813A.D) under the star of

Swathi.49

The people of Travancore believed that the Rani conceived a made child

because of the blessing of SreePadmananbhaswamy. Thus the relationship

between SwathiThirunalandSreePadmanabhabegins with his time of conception

in his [Link] the great demand madeby Throne andindepth

attention he bestowed on the administrative machinery the Maharaja’s first love

was always SreePadmanabhaSwamyand His Temple, a love which developed

to overwhelming propartions with the passage of time and turn of events.

SwathiThirunal was a DwijaKshathriyabelonging to the

BhargavaGothra. He was a Yajiur Vedic following the Baudhayana sutra.

Being a Daija he had undergone the shodassamskara karmas. But being a

Kshathriya, some of the rites are not performed like learning the recital of the

vedas with its correct intonation etc. Both by naturand family tradition

augmented by the orthodoxy which prevailed in those days, SwathiThirunal

was very meticulous and punctual in performing his prescribed

nithyanushtanakarmangal[daily religiouspractices]like the sandhyavandana. He

alsoperformed the prescribedupavasaandvrathas (Fasts and austerities) over and

above these prescribed religious practies, he had his own Thevaram. That is he

had a PoojaRoom in the Royal palace itself where he performed pooja to

Vigrahas(idols) Salagrama(a kind of stone sacred to Lord vishnu) as per

49
ShungoonnyMenon, P., Travancore State Manual, Vol. I, 1878, New Delhi, p. 198.

49
prescrbed rites. He was a great devotee of SreePadmananbhalike the Alwarsand

there was no activity which was not linked with SreePadmanaba in his life.

From a purely religious, spirtsand orthodox point of view, the most

important day in the life of a prince of Travancore is the day on which he was

made a SreePadmanabhaDasa. It was performed on the day when he completed

one year age. This ceremony is performed on the ottakkalMandapam.50

“The Maharajas Upanayana ceremony was conducted on 7 thMakarom

1003 ME. (1828) show that the ceremony was conducted in the

karuppuKoikkalinside the front at Thiruvananthapuram. (Karuppukoikkal is the

present SivasakthiKalyanaMandapam) Upanayana ceremony is the nature and

family tradition,augmented by the orthodoxy which prevailed in those days.

The Maharaja’s of Travancore were SreePadmananbh‘Dasa’ not in title

alonemore they more worshippers in the temple. They formed and still form an

integral part of the temple like the priests and other functionaries. Their

presence is imperative for conducting some important functioneris in the

SreePadmananbhaswamy Temple. Eg;The flag can be hoisted for the utsava

Festival or the BhadraDeepam lighted only with their participation. The

physical ritualistic involvement with its consequent psychological sympathetic

responses on one side, and the deep devotion instilled in them from their

infancy, on the other, created a very unique relationship between

SreePadmanabhaand the Maharajas of Travancore. Even though all the

Maharaja’s are great devotes of SreePadmanabhaif was from SwathiThirunal,

50
Churna.5, Ola No. 185 to 199, Vol. 17.

50
that the ocean of devotion cascuded out as glorious out pourings of his heart.

SwathiThirunal effected several innovations in the PadmanabhaSwamyTemple

as a humple duty to his tutelary Diety, to put the routine on a systematic basis

and to add to the splendour of processions and festivals.51

Navarathri festivals:-

SwathiThirunal goes the credit of regulating the biannual

[Link] of the month of October / November) and

(March April) as well as the nine day Navarathri festivals. One feels that it will

not be out of place here to sag some more about SwathiThirunal with special

reference to the Navarathri festival in Thiruvananthapuram.

The uniqueness of the Navarathri Festivals in Thiruvananthapuram is

that it is exclustively a festival of the Royal House of Travancore in which

course other devotes also can participate. The Navarathrifestivals are held from

to the ninth day in the bright half of Aswina which corresponds to September –

October or kanni of the Malabur Era.52

KambarRamayanam is famous throughtout Tamil Nadu. The famous

poet Kambar had a vigraha (idol) of Goddess Saraswathy which, he gave the

idol to the then Kulasekharaperumal, the king of Venad (Travancore) for safe

custody and worship. This was in the ninth century A.D. The

SaruswathyVigraha was installed in a temple attached to the

Padmanabhapurampalace itself in the first instance. Padmanabhapuram was the

51
Churna.4, Ola No. 1 to 9, Bund No. 16.
52
Cover File. 13338, y. 1990, [Link].988, Bu. 259, Sl.12.

51
capital of [Link] some years the idol was shiftedto a seperate temple. The

Maharaja’s of Travancore used to go to Padmanabhapuramfrom

Thiruvananthapuram for the Navarathri festival. The capital was shifted to

Thiruvananthapuram during the time of KarthikaThirunal Dharma Raja in

(1771 A.D) The last Navarathri festival which was conducted at

Padmanabhapuramwas in the year 1014 M.E Correspondiny (1838). The idol

SaraswathyAmman is brought from Padmanabhapuramfor that specific purpose

year after year. SaraswathiAmman and accompanying deties were taken to the

place where the Maharaja happened to be at the expentiure incurred for the

elephant which carried the idol of SaraswathiAmman to Mavelikkara from

Padmanabhapuram.

He decided on the types of vahanas to be taken out on each of the

directing when, where and what should be played at each instance. Only the

Maharaja’s compositions come to be played andmaby of them were composed

by him for this very purpose. The MangalaVadyamconsisting a special group

of instrumentalists with clear to play outside the Temple.53

The Mandapa where the music and dance performance are conducted is

called the pakatasalaMandapam. The Mandapam is an architectural beauty in

itself. In the part during the Navarathri festival time, it was decorated in a very

special way. The pillers were fully covered with ripe arecunuts, afternatingwith

ripe lime fruits. They were also decorated with kozhunthu (Trichiliaspinosa) a

story sweet smelling plant other flowers like jasmine were also used in plenty
53
Churna No. 39, Ola No. 19, Y. 1007.

52
for decorating the Mandapam. Thus during the festive occasions, the attractive

and beautiful appearance is completed by a blend of heavenly fragrance

making the Mandapam.54

This Mandapam has a very unique feature, which one wonders is present

anywhere in India or for that matter in the world. It is the indigenous sound

reflectors, They are just earthenwere post made of clay. They are kept in a large

wooden [Link] are kept intheir appropriate places by means of coir ropes

fied around their necks and connected of each other. The mouth of these pots

opens downwards. The pots are of different sizes. The thickness and the width

of the mouths are different. The pots are not uniformly arranged, but in

different angles. It is under these rectangular frames of pots that the musicians

render their musical compositions. At a time when there was no audio

equipment or other forms of technical know how for reflectiny sound, one

cannot but admineand appreciate these simple, very cheap, but clean and

effective sound reflectorsinvented and used by our ancestors.

In olden days the NavarathriMandapam was alive from morning to late

night with humerous scholarly and artistic activities while regular puja of

SaraswathyAmman takes place at the prescribed hours various other activities

took place in the Mandapam. In the evening, there will be music concerts. It

begins with ThodayaMangalamandGanapathysthuthi. Then being sung by the

MullamooduBhagavathars. Only the dance compositions of the Maharaja

SwathiThirunalwere used.55
54
Poovattoor Ramakrishna Pillai, Bhakti Manjari of SwathiThirunal a critical study, 1993, p.56, 57.
55
NagamAiya, V., Travancore state Manual, IIthVol, New Delhi, y., p. 547.

53
 It is well known even now, those in olden days when the temple enjoyed

the sovereignty of Travncore state. The Temple rituals were condected in royal

splendourand the various items of worship in the prescribed retuals were

embellished with music. One special future which one was able to gather was

that the instrumentalists could render the raga of compositions or to put it more

precisely, the canrender composition in its raga form only. The main

instrument that is used is commonly called Kuramkuzhalits real name is

ThimiriNagaswaram is used now in the SreePadmanabhaswamyTemple only.

The Ten days utsava Festival

Annually there are two major temple festivals which are known as

utsava one is he Alpasiutsava in the month of October/ November and other

Pankuniutsava in the month of March / April. SwathiThirunalwere special

attention given by the utsava.

Flag Hoisting (kotiyett)

The beginning of the utsava festival proper is marked by the kotiyett.

They are red stain and in two sizes, the bigger one with astandind Garuda

hands folded as usual and the smaller one with Garuda in the kneeling position.

The figures are dream in white paint and are for PadmanabhaswamyandSri

Krishnaswamyrespectively.

Sivelis:-

54
 During the Utsavafestivals there are sivelis as they done during special

days. Sivelis are processions of the Lord in decorated Vehicles through the

corridors of the temple to accompaniment of music and other religious rites.

It may be noted that the UtsavaVarnanaPrabandhamcomposed by

SwathiThirunalalso plays an important role in these festival occasions. They

sing the songs and verses in the Prabanadhamas systematisedand planned by

SwathiThirunal.

Pallivetta day:-

On the ninth day of the festival, namely the pallivetta day, after the

pallivetta (devinehent) a composition known as vettapattu in Bhairavi Raga is

rendered from the site of the hunt to North entrance of the temple.

Arat day:-

On the tenth day of the utsava, namely the Arat day from the west

entrance to the western Gate of the Fort the varna, PaalayaAnavarathamin

Jhingala Raja is rendered. The varnas composed by SwathiThirunal.

KodiIrakkal:-

When the instrmentalists stop playing, the SwathiThirunalrender some

krithis vocally. This forms the final ritual of the utsava festival.

The greatness of a Hindu temple depends upon its antiquity the correct

and meticulous gatherence to the prescribed ritesand ritual as laid down in the

Sasthrasandglorityingandtraditionscustors in the form of rich festivals.

55
 In the short span of his life, when he reigned for seventeen years,

SwathiThirunal among various other things, applied his mind to the very

minute details pertaining to his beloved deity, SreePadmanabhaswamyand tried

to enhance the glory of the temple in what all whys he could. Thus the music in

SreePadmanabhaswamyTemple remains a very rich and devoted contribution

of Maharaja SwathiThirunal. And these musical compositions had become a

rich Tradition and Heritage of SreePadmanabhaswamyTemple. They have

reached a level where they are to be preserved transcending individual

considerations and adorations.56

Poovattoor Ramakrishna Pillai, BhakthiManjari of SwathiThirunal a critical study, Trivandrum, 1993,

56

p. 75 to 80.

56