KOCHI: Though the literary contributions of different royal dynasties like Travancore and Kodungalloor are well placed in the history of Malayalam literature, the contributions of Kochi royal family still remain in darkness.
“I consider it a divine mission to compile the great literary works of my ancestors,” says Chandravali Thampuran of Mangalaalayam palace who has recently collected and compiled the available literary works of erstwhile Kochi kings and other members of Kochi royal family.
The word by word Malayalam translation of Vyasa Bharatham by Kodungalloor Kunjikkuttan Thampuran and mellifluous compositions praising Lord Sree Padmanabha penned by Travancore king Swathi Thirunal have got remarkable place in literary and musical arenas.
Most of these literary works by Kochi royal family originate from the devotion of the Kochi kings towards their family deities Sree Poornathrayeesa and Pazhayannoor Bhagavathy. “Not just the younger generation but even the elders are ignorant about the rich literary heritage of our ancestors,” says Chandravali Thampuran.
Her book titled Paahi Poornathrayeesa was released in connection with the annual meeting of Kochi Royal Family Historical Society. As per the available records the first literary work from Kochi royal family is the Malayalam translation of a portion of the Valmiki Ramayana by the younger brother of the famous Kochi king, Shakthan Thampuran.
The name given to that version was Sundara Kaandam. The version was written to praise Lord Hanuman. “The female members of Kochi royal family used to read this version during their pregnancy time for a smooth and trouble-free delivery. When I searched for a copy of that book during my daughter's pregnancy time it was not available.
So I decided to collect and compile as many literary works of my ancestors for posterity,” Thampuran says.
Interestingly Mangalaalayam palace, Chandravali Thampuran’s ancestral home, had many great literary personalities.
Thampuran, the grand niece of famous Eikya Kerala Thampuran who paved the way for the integration of Kochi and Travancore, started with the copying of Sundara Kaandam.
Sundara Kaandam is believed to be written by the Kochi king to get relief from his sickness. Later many literary works, mainly poems praising Lord Poornathrayeesa and Chottanikkara Amma, were written by various kings and female members of the royal family.
Soubhadra Sthavam written by Valiya Ikku Amma Thampuran, deserves special mention. This unique work is a brief analysis of Sreemad Bhagavatham in pure Sanskrit. Thampuran, who lived in 1844-1921, had also penned Sree Poornathrayeesa Keshaadipaadam , description of Lord Poornathrayeesa from top to toe, which is in simple Malayalam.
Thampuran’s book also contains Sree Poornathrayeesa Suprabhatham by Manku Thampuran, grandmother of Chandravali Thampuran. This was recorded and broadcasted by All India Radio in the early 1970s rendered by Subhadra Thampuran of Kerala Vilasam palace.
Along with these great literary works Thampuran has also included some essential facts about the authors to help the younger generation of the Kochi royal family know more about their ancestors.
In that sense it is also a handbook for the young members of the royal family to know the basic facts about their ancestors. Chandravali Thampuran, a retired college teacher, won many laurels including the National Award for designing a text for the newly literate people titled Muthassiyude Maavu. She has also penned a few short stories and poems in Malayalam periodicals.
Thampuran says she wants her readers to come up with creative criticism to help her redesign the new edition of the book.
Chandravali Thampuran was honoured in a programme in connection with the Sreemad Bhagavatham at Tripunithura Thamaramaramkulangara Sree Dharma Sastha temple.
sivadasvarma65@gmail.com
