CHENNAI: At the end of the 18th Century and the beginning of the 19th Century saw a creative resurgence of music. On the banks of Cauvery, the great musical trinity glorified bhakthi cult through their immortal compositions. In the same period, was born a prince in Travancore who made an everlasting contribution to the musical lore of India. This prince was the 48th sovereign in the ruling dynasty of Travancore.
Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma was born on April 16, 1813 to Maharani Laxmibai. As a child, he earned the title of Garba Sreeman from the very day of his birth and was considered the maharajah, as he was the first male child in the royal family. During this time, Iravi Varman Thampi, a scholar, poet and composer, created the well known lullaby Omana tingal kidavo for the cradle ceremony and this beautiful composition is sung by mothers in Kerala even today as they rock their babies to sleep.
Subsequent to the demise of his mother Rani Laxmibai, when Swathi Thirunal was hardly two, her sister Parvathibai, took custody of the child. Under her guidance, the prince got the best education and acquired a great love for music and surprised all with his knowledge of the classics.
From his early childhood, Swathi Thirunal developed a sense of devotion to Lord Padmanabha who was the guiding inspiration in his entire life. He ascended the throne when he was 16, and became a capable ruler with administrative skills. When he found that he had become a vassal, a servant of the British, there was a radical change in his attitude and he spent most of his time in religious observance.
The king’s devotion to Lord Padmanabha got translated into the finest gems of musical compositions. But nothing in the world would satisfy his emotional and psychological needs and gradually he withdrew more and more into himself, finally finding solace at the feet of Lord Padmanabha on December 25, 1847. He was just 34.
The soul of Swati Thirunal slipped quietly away from his mortal body and joined his maker.