TRIPUNITHURA: The corridors of the Hill Palace are once again readying to recall the glorious royal past as the Centre for Heritage Studies is busy with the preparations to observe at the Palace Complex on November 12 the 46th death anniversary of Rama Varma Pareekshith Thampuran, the last king of Kochi.
The merger of Travancore and Kochi states became a reality during the period of Pareekshith Thampuran. His predecessor Aikya Kerala Thampuran had taken the initiative for the merger. The merger treaty, signed jointly by Rama Varma Pareekshith and Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma of Travancore, later became the golden chapter in the history of integrated India. .
"This last Kochi King was so generous that he demanded only a Panchangam (traditional Malayalam calender) in return to hand over the Kingship during the integration of Travancore and Kochi,'' said K.K.N.Kurup,
DirectorGeneral of the Centre for Heritage Studies. Moreover, the King was very keen to redesign the beautiful garden and the Naalukettu, which were the main attractions of the visitors to the Palace complex.
Keeping in mind the King's contribution in nourishing Sanskrit literature, the Centre for Heritage Studies also instituted an award for two eminent Sanskrit scholars from the country in the name of the King. The annual Sasthra Sadassu being conducted at the Government Sanskrit College now was a continuation of the Sasthra Sadassu at the Hill Palace. This scholars' meet used to discuss many novel trends in Sanskrit literature.
The Centre for Heritage Studies recently republished some Sanskrit works of Pareekshith. "Some rare works including Sree Nigamalayesahanusapthathi and Prarthavi shathi were republished along with other invaluable literary works penned by the other members of Kochi royal, said Kurup, general Editor of the book. As the King was also a Sanskrit scholar, the Centre for Heritage Studies is also planning to honour two Sanskrit scholars during the remembrance meet. The two Sanskrit scholars selected for this year's Pareekshith Puraskar are N.V.P. Unithiri and V.Ramakrishna Bhatt.