Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma Biography 
Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma was the last king of ruling maharaja of the princely state of Travancore, known as Thiruvithankoor in Malayalam (Thiruvananthapuram), in southern India. Shree Chithira Thirunal Maharaja is famous for his Temple Entry Proclamation in 1936. It was the first movement in India when low caste Hindus were allowed to enter temple for worship.
Balarama Varma was the eldest son of His Highness Sethu Parvathi Bai, Junior Rani of Attingal. His father was Ravi Varma Kochu Koil Thampuran of Kilimanoor. He was the great-nephew of the celebrated Indian painter Raja Ravi Varma. He was born on Deepavali day in (November 7) 1912. He was born on Chithira Star day. As per tradition of the royal family, he was named as per his star name as Chithira Thirunal (Chithira star of person belonging to royal family). Balarama Varma's mother was related to the royal house of Travancore in the direct female line. She had been adapted to the royal family by her maternal great-aunt.
When his adoptive maternal uncle, Sri Moolam Thirunal Ramavarma died on August 7, 1924, Chithira Thirunal succeeded to the throne of Travancore under the Regency of his maternal aunt, Sethu Lakshmi Bayi. Sethu Lakshmi was his mother's first cousin. On November 6, 1930, upon his attaining majority, Sree Chithira Thirunal was invested with full ruling powers. In the following year, who took the reign of administration. C.P.Ramaswami Aiyar was his chief minister. He constructed University of Travancore (now the University of Kerala) in 1937 and also built a beautiful museum near Kanakakunnu Palace.
Temple Entry proclamation is the highlight of the reign of Chithira Thirunal while Punnapra-Vayalar massacre and government involvement at the time are the negative sides too. The suppression was done soon after the killing of the police inspector, Velayuthan Nadar in the riot at a younger age of 32. After Indian Independence, though Chithira Thirunal was a little hesitated to agree to democratic rule, at last he agreed. Travancore was united with Kochi and Sree Chithira Tirunal served as Rajpramukh of the Travancore-Cochin Union from July 1, 1949 to October 31, 1956. Kerala state was formed on November 1st. He was a great devotee of Lord Padmanabha and till his death in 1991, he participated in all religious processions of the temple and Thiruvananthapuram city.
Published: N/A
Updated: July 19, 2018
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