Legend has it that Lord Parasurama himself crowned the first ruler of Travancore, whose lineage can be traced to the banks of the Narmada River. According to the noted historian Anees Jung, the most ancient royal families of India are the Houses of Udaipur and Travancore and the history of the Travancore royal family can be traced back to 820 A.D.

The last ruler of the princely state of Travancore before India’s Independence was Sree Chitira Thirunal Bala Rama Varma (7.11.1912 to 19.7.1991). His grandmother was the daughter of Raja Ravi Varma, a great Indian painter famous for his depictions of scenes from Indian epics like Mahabharata and Ramayana. The rulers were all great patrons of music and arts.

Princess Aswathi Tirunal Gouri Lakshmi Bayi from the existing royal family is a prolific writer with eight books to her credit. After the release of her book ‘Glimpses of Kerala Culture’, the Princess was in Chennai when Media Voice caught up with her at the Travancore Palace. Once we begin talking, she quickly turns back several years, and you can see that though she is physically present in front of you, her heart and soul are in Kerala

ON HER CHILDHOOD
I was born and brought up in the palace. Both my sister Pooyam Thirunal Gowri Parvathi Bayi and I were taught in the palace and had full time tutors. As for examinations, the palace had become a centre for the public exam and rules were strictly followed. We did enjoy a few benefits but we had a strict upbringing. Though we got our fair share of Enid Blytons, we read the unabridged works of Shakespeare well ahead of our time. I remember we had very few holidays, as there would never be any summer or winter breaks like in regular schools. Even when we did go on our holidays, our tutors would accompany us... in a way it is good as otherwise the assignments and holiday homework we would receive would be too much! There is one incident I would never forget. We had to be in class for the tutor at two minutes to 8. One day, I was late by two minutes and when I was passing by my father, he asked me for the time. I said it was 8, but it was 8:02. I received a big slap on my thigh and the mark of his palm was there for days. Since that day, I have never been late.

ON ARTS AND MUSIC
As children, we have learnt Bharatanatiyam and Thiruvathirakali. We also learnt Sanskrit. My granddaughter is learning Veena and also my sister’s son Prince Rama Varma is a performing vocalist, a very good veena player and a writer. My daughter-inlaw Gopika is a trained Mohiniyattam dancer.

ON BEING A BIG FAMILY
We have always been a big happy family, blessed by our deity Sri Padmanabhan. After my sister married, her husband came to the palace; same was the case with me. We might have a difference of opinion sometimes, but we stand united and there is no doubt in it. We have grown up, celebrated festivals and occasions in the palace together. For us, there is no I, it is and always has been ‘we’. There is nothing greater and important than the identity of staying together as devotees of Sri Padmanabhan.

ON ROYAL VISITORS
Several eminent personalities have come to visit the Maharaja. We have seen politicians like President Rajendra Prasad, K R Narayanan, Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister’s like Jawahar Lal Nehru. Apart from them religious saints like Shankaracharya, sports personalities like P T Usha have visited the palace. Even Rajiv Gandhi and Sanjay Gandhi have visited the palace.

ON SREE CHITHIRATHIRUNAL BALARAMAVARMA
The Maharaja was a great person and was open to suggestions, although he once said “In the matters of conscience, I consult nobody.” Tearfully the princess goes on to describe the fateful day when the Maharaja was taken away from them, his presence felt even today. “The day the Maharaja died, the entire city mourned. Though no one was ordered to shut their shops or close their office, people did so as a mark of respect. People cried, and he is still remembered today for the reforms he brought to Thiruvananthapuram.”

ON HER BOOKS
I have written eight books till date, the first two on poetry, followed by ‘Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple’, ‘Kerala Temple Architecture’, ‘Thulasi Garland’ and ‘The Mighty Indian Experience’. Books in Malayalam include ‘Thulasi Haaram’, ‘Malayalame Mappu’ and ‘Sree Padmanabha Sannidhiyil’. Currently I am working on my ninth book which I call the Rudraksha Mala and it will cover a set of 32 Travancore temples.

As she receives a call after another, we know she has another appointment to keep. The princess says that she is but a child of good fortune and a grandmother addicted to her grandchildren. You cannot miss the kindness in her eyes as she bids goodbye.