Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Svāti Tirunāḷ Rāma Varma of Travancore |
|||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
|||||||||
| Maharajah of Travancore | |||||||||
| Reign | 1813– 26 December 1846 | ||||||||
| Coronation | 1813 | ||||||||
| Regent | Gowri Parvati Bayi (1815–1829) | ||||||||
| Successor | Uthram Thirunal | ||||||||
| Born | 16 April 1813 Travancore |
||||||||
| Died | 27 December 1846 (aged 33) Trivandrum(Travancore) |
||||||||
| Spouse | Thiruvattar Ammachi Panapillai Amma Narayani Pillai, Vadasseri Ammachi Panapillai Amma Neelamma Pillai, Sundara Lakshmi Pillai | ||||||||
| Issue | Thiruvattar Chithira Nal Ananthapadmanabhan Chempakaraman Thampi | ||||||||
|
|||||||||
| House | Venad Swaroopam | ||||||||
| Father | Changanassery Lakshmipuram Palace's Raja Raja Varma Valiya Koyi Thampuran | ||||||||
| Mother | Gowri Lakshmi Bayi | ||||||||
| Religion | Hindu | ||||||||
| Occupation | Maharajah of Travancore, Hereditary Head of Padmanabhaswamy Temple | ||||||||
Svāti Tirunāḷ Rāma Varma (born 16 April 1813 – died 26 December 1846) was a famous Maharaja (king) of the Kingdom of Travancore. This kingdom is now part of Kerala, India. He was also a very talented music composer. He created over 400 classical songs in both Carnatic and Hindustani styles.
As a king, Svāti Tirunāḷ did many things to make Travancore more modern. He created new laws and courts. He also started English education and built an observatory. He set up the first government printing press and a library for old writings.
Contents
Early Life and Royal Beginnings
Svāti Tirunāḷ was born on 16 April 1813. He belonged to the Venad dynasty, a royal family in Travancore. His mother was Queen Gowri Lakshmi Bayi, who ruled Travancore from 1811 to 1815. His father was Raja Raja Varma Koil Thampuran.
Even before he was born, he was declared the future king. This is why he was called Garbha Sreemaan. He was born under the Svati star, which is how he got his name, Swathi Thirunal.
He became king when he was just a baby. His mother ruled for him from 1813 to 1815. Then, his aunt, Gowri Parvati Bayi, took over as regent until 1829. When he was only four months old, his mother asked the East India Company to help take care of him.
In 1829, Svāti Tirunāḷ turned 16 and became the full ruler of Travancore. He ruled until his death in 1846. He had an older sister, Gowri Rukmini Bayi. Her children later became rulers of Travancore. He also had a younger brother, Uthram Thirunal Marthanda Varma. His brother became king after him in 1846.
A famous poet-composer named Irayimman Thampi wrote a very well-known lullaby for Svāti Tirunāḷ. It is called Omanathinkal Kidavo and is still popular today.
A King's Education and Learning
Svāti Tirunāḷ's education was very important. His aunt, who loved music, and his father, who knew a lot about Sanskrit, made sure he learned well. Even Colonel Munro, a British official, was interested in his studies.
He started learning Malayalam and Sanskrit when he was six. He began learning English at age seven. The young prince learned many languages, including Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil, Hindustani, Telugu, Marathi, Sanskrit, English, and Persian.
He was very smart and impressed all his teachers. He even surprised visitors from other countries. He understood not only languages but also subjects like geometry very well. People were amazed by his quick mind and deep knowledge.
Ruling Travancore: Modernizing the Kingdom
When Svāti Tirunāḷ was 16, he took over as ruler from his aunt. He chose his teacher, Sri Subba Rao, to be his Prime Minister (Diwan). One of his first big decisions was to move the government offices. He moved them from Kollam to Thiruvananthapuram. This allowed him to be more involved in daily government work.
He worked to stop corruption in the government. He even asked his Prime Minister to resign when he heard about unfair actions. In 1834, he started an English school in Thiruvananthapuram. This school later became the famous University College. He also opened similar schools in other places.
Svāti Tirunāḷ also made big changes to the legal system. He set up different types of courts to make laws more modern. He also helped solve many land disputes by surveying the land again. In 1836, he conducted the first census (counting of people) in the state. The census showed that Travancore had 128,068 people.
He also brought modern medicine to Travancore. He hired a European doctor for the palace. This doctor also helped local people, and hospitals were started. Svāti Tirunāḷ also created an engineering department. Under this department, the Karamana bridge was built.
Swathi Sangeethotsavam: A Music Festival
Prince Rama Varma, a famous musician and a descendant of Swathi Thirunal, organizes a special music festival. It is called the Swathi Sangeethotsavam. This 10-day festival features only the songs composed by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal.
Well-known Carnatic and Hindustani musicians perform at this event. It takes place every year from January 4 to 13 at Kuthira Malika in Trivandrum. Music lovers from all over the world come to enjoy it.
Swathi Sangeetha Puraskaram: Honoring Musicians
The Swathi Sangeetha Puraskaram is an award named after Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma. It is given to musicians who have made great contributions to music. This award is the highest honor for musicians from the Government of Kerala, India.
Musical Compositions
Svāti Tirunāḷ was a gifted composer. He wrote over 400 classical songs. You can find more information and listen to many of his compositions at swathithirunal.in.
