SREE CHITHIRA THIRUNAL BALA RAMA VARMA
MAHARAJA OF TRAVANCORE :
Sree Chithira Thirunal Bala Rama Varma, Maharaja of Travancore was the last in the line of Rulers of the princely State of Travancore, trace their heritage and lineage back to the Chera King Ayyan Adikal Thiruvati. Sree Chithira Thirunal was the 59th Ruler from Ayyan AdikalThiruvati. Sree Chithira Thirunal was born on the Deepavali day- the 7th November, 1912- as the eldest son of Her Highness Maharani Sethu Parvathi Bayi, popularly known as "Amma Maharani" who was adopted to the Travancore Royal Family from Mavelikara Palace and Sri. Ravi Varma Koil Thampuran of Kilimanoor Palace, the family of the renowned Artist Raja Ravi Varma.
His early education in Malayalam and Sanskrit was imparted by the eminent Scholar Sree Atoor Krishna Pisharady and in English by Mr. Dowel/I.C.S and T. Raman Nambisan. Later he had his higher education from Capt. G.T.B. Harvey, and Mr. Dutt I.C.S. His Highness had the inestimable advantage of a broad based and enlightened private education in his boyhood and adolescence. He studied diligently and extensively not only Sanskrit literature, the glory of Indian Cultural heritage, but also English literature and Indian History. He acquired knowledge in Tamil and extended his acumen to areas of Academic learning, Art and Culture. The unique blend of the ancient and modern streams of education influenced the educational policy which H.H. followed during his reign.
On the demise of H.H. Sree Moolam Thirunal, H.H. Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma became the Maharaja of Travancore at the age of 12 on the 1 st of September 1924. As he had not attained majority, the British Government appointed his Aunt H.H. Sethu Lekshmi Bayi as Regent.
WITH MAHATMAJI
Sree Chithira Thirunal lived in Bangalore till 1st July 1931 and acquired knowledge in practical administration for 15 months under the guidance of Krishna Raja Wadiyar, the Maharaja of Mysore. After Vaikom Satyagraha of 1924 Mahatmaji met Sree Chithira Thirunal with the Regent Maharani and held discussions on Temple Entry. Mahatmaji was well impressed by the behavior and the replies of the young Maharaja. When Gandniji asked him point blank whether he would throw open the Temples for the low caste Hindus on assumption of power, the young King boldly and categorically replied that he would definitely do. The reply on such an issue of vital importance was spontaneous and without consultation with anyone but on his own intention.
When Sree Chithira Thirunal attained the age of 18, the British Government terminated the Regency and entrusted the full administration to him. On 6th of November, 1931, Sree Chithira Thirunal ascended the throne as the Maharaja of Travancore. ln his moving speech on the eve of coronation as the Maharaja of Travancore, His Highness declared :
"It is my hope that I shall be enabled by God's Grace to earn the affection and esteem of all communities and classes amongst my people whose advancement in every department of life will be my perpetual pre-occupation and my sole aim".
The Maharaja went abroad, on a foreign tour commencing on 8th April 1933, with his mother H.H. Amma Maharani, Sister H.H. Karthika Thirunal Lekshmi Bayi and brother H.H. Marthanda Varma Elaya Raja. They visited England, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Italy, He had audience wtth King George V in London and Pope Pius XI at the Vatican.
TEMPLE ENTRY PROCLAMATION
During his reign, Sree Chithira Thirunal introduced sweeping social and political reforms in the ancient Kingdom. The most revolutionary among his social reforms was the historic and epoch making Temple Entry Proclamation of the 12th November, 1936. No such revolutionary step had ever been taken by a Ruler of India during the past 20 centuries of Indian History. This proclamation was widely acclaimed even by National Leaders as the first bold move in the country for the eradication of untouchability and racial discrimination. Gandhiji said, "I varily believe that when all else is forgotten, this one act of the Maharaja- the Proclamation- will be remembered by future generation with gratitude". Mahatmaji showered all his blessings and appreciation in his speeches and writings in ''Young India". He wrote an open letter to H.H. which he told him:
*" People call me as Mahatma and I don1t think I deserve it. But in my view, you have in reality become a Mahatma by your proclamation at this young age, breaking the age old custom and throwing open the doors of the Temples' to our brothers and sisters whom the hateful tradition considered as untouchables" .
According to Gandhiji, his next visit to the State was a 'Pilgrimage'. His Highness was praised as Modern Asoka and Modern Buddha.
The Universities of Andhra and Annamalai conferred D. Litts on him. A life size statue of H.H. was erected in his honour at Madras by the citizens of Madras which was unveiled by the then Governor of Madras, Lord Erstine.
SREE MOOLAM ASSEMBLY
Sree Chithira Thirunal diluted his own powers by constituting India's first State Legislature, based on universal franchise (1932-33). He was a Ruler who perceived the winds of change even as they began blowing across the world. He knew that his tiny kingdom could not and should not remain isolated from the main currents of the seitgeist. So he paved its way to move towards democracy. A bicameral legislature was established, developing Sree Moolam Assembly and forming Sree Chitra State Council. A majority of the members of the two Houses were elected from general constituencies and the others nominated from specific groups. Sree Chithira Thirunal thus strengthened the democratic infrastructure in a state where political literacy was increasing by leaps and bounds.
Sree Chithira Thirunal played a decisive role in the modernisation of Kerala in more ways than one. He set up the University of Travancore and as its first Chancellor saw to it that the lingua franca of the "New World"- English- retained the pride of place given it by his illustrious predecessor Maharaja Swathi Thirunal.
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
Perhaps the most commendable feature of the educational policy of His Highness was the recognition of the need for giving a vocational orientation to education. The tremendous pressure of his conventionally educated candidates for white colour jobs was already being felt. With characteristic foresight, His Highness decided that a new dimension should be given to education in the State, with a distinct technical bias. A committee with A.M. Statham, an eminent educationist, as its chairman was appointed to' study and report on the question of combining vocational training and the generalist type of education. His recommendations were accepted by Government with certain modifications.
School education made gigantic strides during the reign of His Highness. The following statistics comparing the positions obtained in 1931-32 and 1948-49 respectively (the beginning and end of his rule) are quite revealing. As against 31,793 students in High Schools in 1931-32 there were 1,54,113 students in 1948¬49. During the same period the number of students at the primary level went up from 3.89 lakhs to 11.64 lakhs. The number- of High Schools rose from 73 to 388. As against 16 High Schools for Girls in 1931-32, there were 80 in 1948-49. The number of girls studying in High Schools went up from 4283 to 52,386. The number of Training Schools increased from 18 to 41 and the number of students therein from 338 to 2402. If today this state stands in the vanguard of the states in India in the matter of . literacy and school education, this magnificent achievement is in no small measure due to the generous and farsighted policy followed by the Government of His Highness.
A scheme of compulsory primary education in the age group of five and eleven was inaugurated in the State on 11th February, 1946. This scheme was acclaimed throughout India as one of the most progressive steps adopted by any State Government. It aimed at abolishing illiteracy in the course of the following five to ten years. While it was made abundantly clear that education would be purely of a secular character and that religious instruction is not the duty of the State, all encouragement was provided to private agencies, particularly those belonging to minority communities, to participate in the State's effort to. eradicate illiteracy. The Government of His Highness, realising the severe handicaps of the down trodden sections of the people, unhesitatingly announced full fee concessions, mid-day meals and even free clothes to the children. Hostels were also set up for them.
TRAVANCORE UNIVERSITY
Perhaps the most memorable achievement of His Highness was the founding of the University of Travancore, the fulfillment of a long-cherished dream of the people of his kingdom. The need for a separate Travancore University had been felt for long, so that, Travancore could have complete freedom in shaping its educational policy and priorities. Two Committees were appointed to enquire into the question of establishing a separate University, in 1919 & 1924. After considering their recommendations, on 1’st November 1937, the Government of His Highness issued the University Act. The goal in founding the new University was to give its alumni the very best in Indian thought and culture as well as Western Science and Civilization. Many States had their own Universities but the academic recognition gained by the graduates was not of a wide based nature. Maharaja was particular that the students passing out of the Travancore University should not meet with the same fate and he was able to set such a high standard that he could invite with confidence Vice Chancellors of many other Universities including Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, Dr. Amarnath Jhah, Dr. Mohamed Us man and Sri Ramalinga Reddy, who placed the stamp of excellence on this University giving all India recognition to its graduates, from the very inception. Special emphasis was given to vocational education to meet the requirements of modern conditions. The administration of the Government Colleges and the control of all the Private Colleges in the State were transferred to the University.
Institutions like the Observatory, the Public Library and the School of Arts were also placed under the University. The Institute of Textile Technology, an Engineering College and a Central Research Institute to carry on research in Pure and Applied Sciences, especially in subjects which have a direct bearing on the agricultural and industrial needs of the State were also started. A Department of Marine Biology was another significant addition. The inauguration of the Faculty of Oriental Studies and Fine Arts and the establishment of an Oriental Manuscript Library bore eloquent testimony to the deep and abiding interest taken by His Highness in the encouragement of studies relating to our ancient cultural heritage. He patronised musicians, artists, dancers and Vedic scholars. The Government of His Highness appointed for the first time an Art Advisor to Government, Dr. Jayaram H.Cousins. His Imagination of a future generation of youth could well be grasped in the formation of a new form of University Training Corps, viz. Labour Corps, preceding the N.C.C in the educational institutions. The expenses of the University were to be met fully by the Government.
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT ABOLISHED
While some of the other Maharajas of the country were given to varieties of hedonism, the Maharaja of Travancore took many progressive and revolutionary steps for administrative reforms and development. Capital punishment was abolished in the State during his benign rule for the first time in Asia. The Maharaja also knew the importance of industrialisation and probably, the role of the public sector. He introduced heavy industry in the State and established giant public' sector undertakings. As many as twenty industries were established in the State mostly for utilising the local raw materials such as rubber, ceramics and minerals. A majority of the premier industrial concerns the State boasts of today, were established by Sree Chithira Thirunal.
The vision of Sree Chithira Thirunal covered every walk of life. The poor farmers too captured his attention. The setting up of a Land Mortgage Bank and the appointment of a Debt Relief Committee were for their relief, as he was well aware of their plight in a State of Feudal domination.
During his rule the revenues of the State nearly quadrupled from a little over Rs. 2.5 crores to over Rs. 9.5 crores ("The story of the Integration of the Indian States by V.P. Menon" -, chapter Travancore-Cochin, page 275).
Consequent to the integration of States, the position of the Maharaja ceased to exist in June 1949 and Sree Chithira Thirunal became the Raj Pramukh of the State of Travancore- Cochin. Later, with the Re-organisation of States on 1’st November 1956, he ceased to be the Raj Pramukh too. He declined the offer of Governorship of Kerala and retired from this life of a public administration. Despite the opportunities offered to him, he was firm in declining all invitations to enter politics also.
H.H. spent the rest of his life as "Sree Padmanabha Dasa" and led an ordinary life. When he lost the Privy Purse and the special privileges in 1972, he lived like any other ordinary citizen.
Sree Chithira Thirunal was not over- ridden with joy when he ascended the throne nor did he feel sad when he lost power. He was serene even from childhood. When he joined the array of the common man after abdicating power and authority, his humility personified, still continuing to overwhelmed hearts of the people who admired him for 35 years, and for whom he continued as their King.
Even after laying down office, Sree Chithira Thirunal continued to retain his traditional patronage of the poor and needy by creating several Trusts for helping them financially in medical, educational and cultur~1 fields. The benefits run to lakhs every year which blesses the people without barriers of caste, creed or nativity. The Sree Chithira Thirunallnstitute for Medical Science and Technology was. established as h:s 60th Birthday gift to the people of Kerala. The Sree Avittom Thiruval Hospital established earlier in 1951 by him was the nucleus of the Medical Complex in Thiruvananthapuram consisting of the Medical College, Medical College Hospital, Dental College and Dental College Hospital.
MAN OF SIMPLICITY
Simplicity was the hall mark of Sree Chithira Thirunal's personality. He was a Bachelor and led an auster's and unostentatious life. He moved about in the Palace, in simple Kerala attire, without any touch of gold or even a watch. At meal times, he sat down in the same attire, cross-legged on the floor in typical Kerala style of yore and ate simple and frugal meal' on plantain leaf. In a land where monarch had always been on the move Sree Chithira Thirunal represented a family of Rulers with over a thousand years of history. To modern India the man who showed the human heart of a King was a symbol, a tradition perpetuated and yet transformed. His humility and unpretentiousness never failed to remind his people that it was monarchy reverting to the rank of a commoner. The Maharaja himself was the most uncommon man. Some of his outstanding characteristics were his tremendous sense of honour, his aptitude for painting and sketching, his fond of knowledge about puranas and religion and politics and history. Though frail in frame, his capacity to bear pain including physical was astounding. Extreme courtesy, well known humility, great consideration, foresightedness, clear judgment and great love for humanity all contributed to the greatness that enveloped him.
The all absorbing devotion and dedication to Sree Padmanabha Swamy is a famed aspect of the Maharaja's personality. During the prolonged discussions on the issue of the integration of Travancore with the Indian Union, which the Maharaja had with national leaders, the Maharaja who held the view that he ruled the State on behalf and as the servant of Sree Padmanabha and who attached great importance to this position, conveyed his Willingness to abdicate rather than act against his convictions. Sri. C. Rajagopalachari, the then Governor- General, after consultation with the deciding powers conveyed to Sri. V.P. Menon, the following directions : "C. Rajagopalachari, Governor General, told me that if the proposed union, involved the abdication of the Maharaja, he would advice dropping the proposal" ("The story of the integration of the Indian States"- by V.P. Menon). They felt that it was essential that the Maharaja's position should be safeguarded, otherwise the task of administration would be rendered difficult.
A true Padmanabha Dasa, he continued to strictly observe the code of conduct he had imposed on himself despite the changes in the constitutional status. Sree Chithira Thirunal Bala Rama Varma lives as Maharaja in the hearts of the tens of thousands of people. He was indeed a "Rajarshee" among “Rajas” and “Raja” among “Rajarshees”. Kavimony Desika Vinayakam Pillai observed Sree Padmanabha Dasa in his Tainil Poetical Collection:
"The plant with its flowers, the
infant with it’s smile and the
parrot with its tongue extol the
glories and achievements of the
reign of the King who is the
devotee' and deputy of Lord Padmanabha"
REFORMS / CONTRIBUTIONS OF H.H. SREE CHITHIRA THIRUNAL MAHARAJA AS THE KING OF TRAVANCORE , DURING 1931 TO 1949
INDUSTRIES FOUNDED BY THE MAHARAJA
1. Fertilizers & Chemicals Travancore Ltd. (FACT) Udyogamandal.
2. Travancore Titanium Products Ltd, Trivandrum (1945)
3. Trivandrum Rubber Works Limited, Trivandrum
4. Perumbavoor Rayons, Perumbavoor
5. Travancore-Cochin Chemicals, Aluva
6. Sree Chithira Mill~, Aluva
7. Kundara Ceramics, Kundara
8. Sugar Mills, Thuckalay
9. Vijayamohini Mills, Trivandrum 10. Punalur Paper Mills, Punalur etc.
