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MAVELIKARA ROYAL FAMILY (R. Sasidhara Varma, Mannoormadam Kottaram, Mavelikara)

The Mavelikara royal family is a branch of the erstwhile Kolaswaroopam. The Kolaswaroopam was the rulers of the North Malabar. The land which was ruled by the Kolaswroopam was known as Kolaththunad. The boundaries of the Kolaththunad were Chandragiripuzha on the north, Korappuzha on the south, Western Ghats on the east and Arabian Sea on the west.

In the early days the Kolaswaroopam was known as Mooshikavamsam. A genealogy of the Kolaswaroopam rulers had been prepared in a manuscript got by Col. Colin Makkanise. From the time of King Kerala Varma, who ruled the Kolaththunad during the 15th century the Mooshikavamsam was known as Kolaswaroopam. It has stated by Col. Colin Makkanise that Kolaswaroopam descended from the Mooshikavamsam.

The starting of the Kolaswaroopam was from the Heheya dynasty which existed on the the basin of River Yemuna. The King Mahishmathy died in a war. The queen, who was pregnant, escaped from there with the help of the family priest in a country boat towards south through the Arabian Sea and reached at the Mount Eli (Eshimala near Payyannoor). At that time the Ezhimala was a dense forest of vaka trees. She gave birth to a boy in that forest. His name was Iramakudamoovar. He was the founder of the Mooshikavamsam or the Kolaswaroopam. He was coroneted by the Rishi Bhargavarama. So the king was known as Ramaghadamooshikan. At the time of the coronation of King Iramakudamoovar Bhargavaraman gave the Nandakam as udaval and flowers of the vaka tree given as the kings’s symbol. The Mooshika dynasty practiced patriarchal line of inheritance like the namboodhiries. But the matriarchy line was adopted from the time of the King Palakan of the dynasty.

Perinchalloor (Thaliparamba) was a famous Namboothiri Gramam in North Malabar. The King Sathasoma, the Kolathiri constructed a temple at Thaliparamba and gave its administration to the Namboothiries. After some time there arose some discord between the Kolaththiri and the Namboodiries of the Thaliparamba Grama. The namboodiries claimed that when the King Sathasoman gave the ownership of the temple then he gave the ownership of the village also to them automatically. This demand was not accepted by the Kolathiri and at last it came to an end in a war between the Kolaththiri and the Namboodiries. The war ended in the defeat of nambootiries and the Kolaththiri took over the the administration of the temple also. In this war some brahmins were killed by chance bythe King Kolaththiri incuring the sin of Brahmahatya. In order to expiate that sin, he made up his mind to give danas to the Brahmins. But the Nambuthries of the Perinchellur that is the Thaliparamba and other villages declined to accept the gift and in consequence he sought other Brahmins who would accept his expiatory gift. At that time there were some Kanarese and Thulu Brahmins in Tiruvlla (in Central Travancore) who were the pujaris of god Vishnu. The idol of god Vishnu (Sreevallabha) had been brought by the Tulu Brahmins from the River Gandaki a tributary of the Ganges to Gokarna on the West Coast. Unfortunately it was slipped into the river Gokarna while the Thulu ferried it; with the help of some of the Kanarese Brahmins of Gokarna, they lifted it out of the river. Both the Thulu and Kanarese Brahmins together took it to Tiruvalla and settled down there working as the pujaris of that image. The image is Sreevallabha (VISHNU). The Tulu bramins belonged to the Srevalli grama and the Kanarese Brahmins belonged to the three grams of Idukunji, Vilakkur and Gudubante.

In the year 220 M.E. (A.D. 1044 – 45) King Udaya Varma of Kolaththunad who had been on the look-out for Brahmins who would receive his expiatory gifts, send messengers to Tiruvalla and took 237 families of Kanarese Brahmins (Known as Tiruvalla Desis) belonging to 14 houses of the three gramas of Idukunji, Vilakkur and Gudubante to his kingdom. They received the danas from the King Udaya Varma along with his sin of brahmahatya. The gift includes two new temples one at Cheruthasham and the other at Arathil besides money and lands. These Brahmins were also given precedence in his kingdom over theNamburi Brahmins already settled at his kingdom. The namburis ostracized the kanarese desis on account of receiving the gifts from the King Udaya Varma Kolathiri. This ostracism continued for a long time.

In the month of Kumbha of the year 266 M.e. (1085 a.d.) a great meeting of kings and yatis and the Brahmins of the 64 gramas of Kerala was held in the Gokarna Temple. King Udaya Varma and his Kanarese Brahmins also attended the meeting and presented their case before the assembly. As per the instructions of Madhavacharya these Kanarese Brahmins were then taught the four Vedas. Thus they were purified. King Udaya varma Kolathiri brought another batch of 240 families of orthodox Kanarese Brahmins belonging to ten houses from 3 gramas. Now King Udaya Varma had 437 families of Kanarese Brahmins in all. Al these belonged to 24 houses (14+10). All of them were yajurvedis and of the bodhayana sutra. The 240 Desis families co-operated with the new 237 families in all religious and social functions icluding inter marriage between them, remain as one united people. The 237 families were settled in four desams and the 240 in five. The nine desams are between Neeleswaram in the north and Cherkunnu in the south Perinchellr (Thalparma) in the east and Payyannur in the west. King Udayavarma Kolathiri made the language, dress and customs of these Kanarese Brahmins the same as those of the orthodox namburis of Perinchellur. After the demise of King UdayaVarma Kolathiti his Kanarese Brahmins have spread all over the whole Kerala. They got appointments as appointed pujaris in temples by the Namburis and the other people of Kerala.

The Soverign was designated as Kolathiri. There were, also, four Kooruvashchakkars or dignitaries. Thakkalamkoor, Vadakkalamkoor, Nalamkoor and Anchamkoor. The eldest of the male member ruled as sovereign, Kolathiri. The next in succession, the heir apparent, was the Thekkalamkor. The residence assigned to him was the the Vadakara fort. The third in succession was Vadakkalamkoor in charge of Vekkolat Fort. The fourth was the manager of the household, and the fifth, the personal attendant or A.D.C.of the sovereign. The eldest female member of the Kolathiri was designated as Achamma. The purohit (Othikkon) belonged to the Karumaraththu Illam (Areppan Namburi) and the chief priest of temples (Tantri) is Kattumadam Namburi.

The members of the family stayed in different places like Sreekandapuram, Thaliparamba, Pashangadi and finally the Kolathiri built a palace at Adithala and shifted all the family members to that Palace. This palace is known as Adithala Kovilakam. It had eighteen inner courtyards. and eighteen families lived one in each inner court. Out of these eighteen families only two became extinct. They are Pallykovilakam and the other is Udayamangalam Kovilakam.

The Udayamangalam Kovilakam was divided themselves into four branches. They are Methala Kovilakam, Kunjikovilakam, Naduvile Kovilakam and Cheriya Kovilakam. At the time of TippuSulthan’s invasion of Malabar the members of the Methala Kovilakam went to Travancore and settled at Kottarakkara, Mariyappally and Tiruvalla (Nedumpram). All the members of the Methala Kovilakam that settled at Kottarakkara were adopted to Karthikappally in M.E. 1029 when the family there became extinct. The Tiruvalla branch of the Methala Kovilakam became extinct during the M.E. 1068 and some members were adopted from the Mariyappally Branch of the Methala Kovilakam to Tiruvalla (Nedumpram).

The members of the Naduvile and the Cheriya Kovilakam came to Travancore and settled at Aranmula.

Kunjikovilakam became extinct in M.E. 665.

In the course of time, the Pallikovilakam was divided themselves into two Branches viz. (i) Pallikovilakam and (ii) Puthupallikovilakam. The Puthupallikovilakam were divided into five branches:

(i) Chirkkal Kovilakam (ii) Thevanankodu Kovilakam (iii) Adithala Padinjare Kovilakam (iv) Chenga ovilakam (v) Kownisser Kovilakam

The Kolaththiri dynasty has a close relationship with the Travancore (Venad) from the year A.D. 1305. Two princes from the Kolaswaroopam were adopted to the Venad royal family by Sangramadheera Ravi Varma Kulasekhara Perumal, the then ruler of Venad. The necessity of adoption occurred during that time there were only three members in the Venad royal family. As there was no female member in the royal family for the continuance of the royal Family. Ravi Varma decided to adopt two female members from the Kolaswaroopam. So he sent the Prince Adithya Varma to Kolaththunad. He approached Kolaththiri and requested him permission for the adopton of two unmarried female members from his family to the Venad royal Family. The Kolathiri refused the request for the adoption. So Adithya varma approached the Koil thmpuran of theThattari Kovilakam, Beypore, who had married a lady of the Puthuppally Kovilakam, a branch of the KolaththiryDynasty. He informed this proposal to his spouse. First he brought his family to Travancore saying that they are going to Travancore on a pilgrimage. After that he brought all the members of the Puthuppaly Kovilakam to Travancore. At first, the Puthuppally Kovilakam stayed at Koickal Kottaram at Nedumangad. From there Samgramadheera Ravi Varma Kulasekhara adopted two female members to the Venad Royal Famiy and sent all other members of the Puthupally Kovilakam to the Karthikppally Koickal Palace and made all arrangements there for their settlement. This family became extinct during M.E.1029. So all the members of the Methala Kovilakam settled at Kottarakkara were adopted to Karthikappally. This adoption made by Kulasekhara was known as the first adoption to the Venad royal Family from the Kolawaroopam. After this we can see that whenever there is no female members in the royal Family of Venad, an adoption took place from the Kolaswaroopam.

During the invasion of Malabar by Hyderali of Mysore (A.d. 1766 and his son Tippu Sulthan) Malabar became disturbed. So most of the members of the royal families in Malabar took asylum in Travancore. At that time the Travancore was ruled by Karthikathirunal Rama Varma Maharaja alias Dharmaraja. He received the royal families with full honor and made all arrangements for their stay in Travancore.

An agreement was executed by Ravi Varma Kolathiri of the Chirakkal Kovilakam with the British Government. As per the agreement he ruled the Kolaththunad till 1839 A.D. after that he handed over the land to the British government. He took over the administration of the temples of the Kolaththunad and became the first Chirakkal Valiyaraja.

After the defeat of Tippu Sulthan, all the royal families who took asylum in Travancore returned to Malabar except the Chenga Kovilakam, a branch of the Kolaswaroopam. The Thevanamkode Kovilakam became extinct in M.E. 1010 (A.D. 18934 – 35).

The Chengakovilakam settled in Travancore divided into three families one family at Mavelikara other at Ennakkad and the third one at Prayikkara.

The female chief of the Chenga Kovilakam had one son and three daughters. Mahaprabha Ammathampuran who settled at Prayikkara was the great granddaughter of the female chief of the Chengakovilakam.

The second daughter had three daughters and one son. Rohininal Amma Thampuran who died in M.E. 1010 is the granddaughter who lived at the Kochchukottaram at Ennakkad .

The third daughter ghad two sons and two daughters. They are

(i) Athamnal Thampuran – Born in M.E. 919 and went to Kasi(Banaras) in M.E. 949 and did not return.

(ii) Chathayamthirunal Mahaprabha Ammathampuran - Born in M.E.930 and died in M.E.1007. She came to Travancore at the time of Tippu Sulthan’s Malabar aggression and resided at Mavelikara.

(iii) Keralavarma valiya vishavaidyan thampuran - Born in M.E. 933 and died in M.E. 983.

(iv) Chamund Amma thampuran who lived at Ennakkad Valiyakottaram.

Chathayamthirunal Mahaprabha Ammathampuran had five children. They were (1) Aththamthirunal Bhagheerathi Ammathampuran, (2) Bharani Thirunal Rani Parvathi Bai, (3) Uthram Thirunal Rani Uama (4) Uthruttathi Thirunal Mahaprabha alias Vattaparambil achchamma (5) Revathithirunal Ariya alias Kayyalakettil Achchamma Amma Thampuran. Chathayamthirunal Mahaprabha Amma Thampuran and her daughters who escaped from Malabar at the time of Tippu Sulthan’s Malabar aggression took shelter in Travancore. The then Maharaja of Travancore Karththika Thirunal Rama Varma alias Dharmaraja gave shelter to them and made all arrangements for the stay at Mavelikara. They stayed in Mavelikara first at Koickckal Palace near Arattukadavu and afterwards shfted to the newly constructed Palace at the south of Mavelikara Sreekrishna Swamy temple. The palace is knows as Vadakke kottaram or Valiya Kottaram.

The Varanasi potty and his family, some Pandala families and also the families of Thampi’s who came with Chathayam Thirunal Mahaprabhaamma and her children stayed near the palace.

Kolaswaroopam had got a long lasting relationship with the Venad Royal Family. After the death of Poruruttathi Thirunal Attingal Mooththa Thampuran on 21st Edavam 963 M.E. the Venad Royal Family got only three members viz. of the Maharaja Karththika Thirunal Rama Varma, the heir prince Avittam Thirunal Balarama Varma and his mother Karththika Thirunal Attingal Elayathampuran. The family was in danger of the extinction. So the Maharaja decided to adopt two unmarried girls from the Chengakovilakam, which was residing at Mavelikara. He adopted Bharani Thirunal Rani Parvathi Bai and Uthram Thirunal Rani Uma, the second and third daughters of Chayathayam Thirunal Mahaprabha Amma Thampuran. The adoption took place on 26th of October, 1788 (M.E. 13th Thulam 964). Ayiliyam Thirunal Rani Gowri Lakshmi, who ruled Travancore from A.D. 1811 to A.D. 1815 (M.E. 986 to 990) and Uthruttathi Thirunal Rani Gowri Parvathi Bai who ruled Travancore from A.D. 1815 to 1829 (M.E. 990 to 1004) were the daughters of Bharani Thirunal Rani Parvathi Bai. The rulers of Travancore from A.D.1829 to1924 (M.E. 1004 to 1099) were the decendants of Bharani Thirunal Rani Parvathi Bai.. They are Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma Maharaja alias “Garbhasreeman” (A.D. 1829 to 1846), Uthram thirunal Marthanda Varma Maharaja (A.D. 1847 to 1860), Ayilyam Thirunal Rama Varma Maharaja (A.D. 1860 to 1880) Vishaghom Thirunal Rama Varma Maharaja (A.D. 1880 to 1885) and Sree Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma Maharaja (A.D. 1885 to 1924). Ayilyam Thirunal Gowri Rugmini Bai (M.E. 984 to 1012), Uthram Thirunal Kerala Varma (M.E. 1002 to 1058), Chathayam Thirunal Lakshmi Bai (M.E. 1004 to 1004), Pooradm Thirunal Lakshmi Bai (M.E. 1005 to 1033) Pooradm Thirunal Marthanda Varma (M.E. 1009 to 1012), Uthram Thirunal Ravi Varma (m.E. 1011 to 1065) and Atham Thirnal Marthanda Varma (M.E. 1030 to 1052) were also the decendants of the Bharani Thirunal Rani Gowri Parvathi Bai.

After the demise of Pooradam Thirunal Lakshmi Bai on 5th November,1857 (M.E. 22nd Kanni1033) there was no female members in the family to give birth to successors. So Uthram Thirunal Marthandavarma Maharaja adopted Bharani Thirunal Lakshmi Rani and Bharani Thirunal Parvathi Rani from the Mavelikara Royal Family on 27th November 1857 (M.E. 24th Thulam 1033). Pooramnal Mahaprabha Amma Thampuran of Mannoormadam Palace, who shifted her residence on 1857 to Mannoor Madam Palace, was also took to Trivandrum for the adoption. But she was not selected and returned to Mavelikara. The Maharaja gave an amount of Rs. 300/- per month to her from that day till her death and after her death the amount was received by her daughter Chothinal Bhagheerathi Amma Thampuran till her death. The spouse of Bharani Thirunal Rani Lakshm Bai was the famous Kerala Kalidasa Kerala Varma Valiya Koil Thampuran of Ananthapuram Palace, Haripad. She had no issues. Bharani thirunal Parvathi Rani has gave birth to five children. They were Ravathi Thirunal Kerala Varma (M.E.1040 – 1071), Makayiram Thirunal Adhithya Varma (1041 - 1050), Chathayam Thirnal Rama Varma ( 1043 – 1076), Moolam Thirunal Rugmini Rani ( M.E. 1044 – 1045) and aswathi Thirunal Marthanda Varma (M.E. 1047 – 1076). But no one became the rulers of Travancore

Owing to the demise of Bharani Thirunal Parvathi Rani on 15th October, 1893 and also ultimately the demises of other princes of the Travancore Royal Family, Sree Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma Maharaja decided to adopt Pooradam Thirunal Sethu Lakshmi Bai and Moolam Thirunal Parvathi Bai from Ulsavamadam Palace, Mavelikara, a branch of Vadakkekottaram. The adoption took place on 30th August, 1900 (M.E. 15th Chingam, 1076). They were the daughters of Ayilyamnal Mahaprabha Ammathampuran and the Thiruvathiranal Bhageerathi Ammathampuran respectively. The last Maharaja of Travancore Sree Chitra Thirunal Balarama Varma Maharaja is the son of Moolam Thirunal Sethu Parvathi Bai.

Chayatham Thirunal Mahaprabha Amma Thampuran and her three daughters lived together at Vadakkekottaram (Valiyakottaram) in Mavelikara till A.D. 1837 April, 10 (M.E. 1012 Meenam 30). On 15th April, 1837 (M.E. 1012 Medam 4th) as per the decision taken by Aththam Thirunal Bhageerthi Amma Thampuran the eldest daughter of Chathayam Thirunal Mahaprabha Amma Thampuran, the family was divided into three branches. Aththam Thirunal Bhageerathi Amma Thampuran and her children were shfted to the Thekke Kottarm, the oldest Palace at Mavelikara, Pooradam Thirunal Mahaprabha Amma Thampuran startd to live at Vattaparambu Kottaram and Revathi Thirunl Arya alias the Kayyalkettil Achchamma and her children lived at Vadakke Kottaram itself. From that day the family pension which was drawn for the whole family by the Valiyathampuran were also divided into three. The pensions were continued to draw in separate receipts by the eldest male member of the family.

The Mavelikara Royal Family was again divided into three sakhas on M.E. 1046. They are (i) Bharaninal Chamunda Amma Thampuran (Valiya Kottaram), (ii) Thiruvathiranal Aryakavamma (Mannoormadam Kottaram ) and (iii) Thrikettanal Uma Ammathampuran (Puthenkottaram). From that day the aduththoon and the paddy (family pension) given by the Maharaja of Travancore, was also divided into three and pensions were drawn by the eldest male memberof the shakahs.

Aththam Thirunal Bhageerathi Amma Thampuran had 4 sons and three daughters. The youngest daughter Chathayamnal Uma Ammathampuran had a daughter Visakhamnal Mahaprabha (1009-1027) and a son Thiruvonamnal Rama Varma Thampuran (1016-1068). After the death of Visakhamnal Mahaprabha Amma Thampuran there was no female member in this family. After the death of Thiruvonamnal RamavarmaThampuran the family became extinct. Before his death he wrote a deed of adoption in favour of Uthramnal Udaya Varma Thampuran of Vadakke Kottaram, the youngest son of Bharninal Chamunda Amma Thampuran on 5th October, 1891 (M.E. 1067 Kanni, 20th). Urthramnal Udaya Varma Thampuran passed away on A.D. 1891 (M.E. 1067 Dhanu) that is before the death of Thiruvonamnal Rama Varma Thampuran.

At that time Moolamnal Raja Raja Varma (Kunjaru Thampuran) was the senior male member (Valiya Thampuran) of the Mavelikara Royal Family. Makamnal Udaya Varma Thampuran of Puththenkottaram branch was the next senior most male member of the family. There was a case between Moolamnal Raja Raja Varma, the eldest brother of Uthramnal Udaya Varma, and the next senior Makamnal Udaya Varma of Puthenkottaram branch of Mavelikara Royal Family for the ownership of the movable and immovable properties of the Thekkekottaram at the Quilon (Kollam) District Court. As per the judgment all the movable and immovable properties went to Sri. Moolamnal Raja Raja Varma. Makamnal Udaya Varma did not prefer any appeal to the higher court. So the properties were gone to the branch of Bharaninal Chamunda Amma thampuran’s family.

Revathinal Arya Ammathampuran had got five sons and five daughters. The family lived together till A.D. 1870 (M.E. 1046 Meenam). At that time the eldest male member (Karanavar) was Thrikkettanal Kerla Varma. The eldest daughters of Revathinal Arya Ammathampuran,was Thiruvathiranal Aryakavamma Ammathampuran. A petition was submitted by Bharaninal Chamunda Ammathampuran, Pooramnal Mahaprabha Amma Thampuran and Thrikkettanal Uma) Amma Thampuran to the Maharaja of Travancore Sri Aiyilam Thirunal Rama Varma Maharaja stating that the aduththoon and the paddy which was given by the government to the family for their expenditure were being misused by the Karanavar Sri. Thrikkettanal Kerala Varma Thampuran. The Maharaja gave the order to divide and pay the paddy and the aduththoon to each person. During the year A.D. 1900 ( M.E. 103) Pooramnal Mahaprabha Ammathampuran and her three children shifted from the Vadakekottaram and started to live at a small house at the wast of Vadakkekottaram. Now it is known as Mannoormadam Kottaram. The present Mannoormadm Kottaram was constructed by the help of the Maharaja of Travancore Aayilyam Thirunal Rama Varma Maharaja and the house warming was celebrated on 10th May, 1903 (M.E. 1078 Medam 27th) and the members shifted to the newly constructed home. The poet, historian and the first Devaswam commissioner Moolam nal M.Raja Rja Varma was the eldest son of Pooram nal Mahaprabha Ammathampuran.

After the partition in the year 1950 The Vadakkekotaram (Valiyakottaram) family was divided into five main branches. They are (1) Ulsavamadam Palace, (2) Saradamandirm (3) Vadakkepura and (4) Uthruttathippura. The illustrious male members of other palaces like Ananthapuram Palace (Haripad), Lakshmipuram Palace (Changanachery) and Kilimanoor Palace married the female members of Mavelikara royal family. Some of them are the famous Artist Raja Ravi Varma, Keralapanini A.R. Raja Raja varma, Dr. K.R. Bhaskara Varma, K.R. Raja Raja Varma, and Dr. Marthanda Varma. C.K. KERALA VARAM I/A.S (GOVT. SECRETARY)

The family members of the Mavelikara Royal Family are famous in one or another filed of life. M. Raja Raja Varma Kunjaru Ammavan (Kochchukottaram)( Founder of special School and Boarding at Mavelikra), Artist Rama Varma, Padmashree Dr. R. Marthanda Varma, Bri. Ravi Varma, Wing. Comdr. Balachandra Varma, Dr. R.P. Raja (Kunjannan) (Historian and theAuthor of New Light on Swathi Thirunal), Brig. Nandakumara Varma, Dr. Raja Raja Varma, Raja Ravi Varma, Dr. B.R.R. Varma (Bhaskaran), SujathaSankranthi(Commonwealth award winner for short story), Surendra Varma (Journalist),Noted Karnatic musician Professor Mavelikara R.Prabhakara Varma , M. Udaya Varma, Dr. M.G.R. Varma (Kochchukuttan) (Entomologist), Dr. Narendra Varma, Harisena Varma I.P.S., Vaineekavidwan M. Udaya Varma (Unni), Dr. M. Rama Varma (Rohini), Vaineekavidwan M. Udaya Varma (Kunjappa), Bhageeradhi Amma Thampurn, Professor Raghava Varma (Professor of English), Rama Varma (Telephone Director), RaviVarma (Collectorammavan), G. Raveendra Varma (Cabinet Minister in the Janatha Government,Chairman of Gandhi Peace Foundation, Wardha), Dr.Radha Ramanujan, Professor A.Kerala Varma, Professor Dr.A.Sukumara Varma, Dr. Suseela Varma (Neurologist, Specialist in Paraplegia),Professor G.Kumara Varma (Director School of Drama, Calicut University), noted Malayalam short Story writer Smt.Sumitra Varma,

The Sarada Mandiram section has constituted the "Sarada Mandiram Trust". It distributes the "Kerala Panini A.R.Raja Raja Varma Endowment Award" worth of Rupees 10,001 to the student who scores the highest percentage marks for M.A Malayalam degree from the universities and colleges of Kerala every year.The first award was distributed by noted Malayalam poet Professor O.N.V Kurup to Kumari Dhanya P.D of Maharaja's College, Ernakulam in a function held at "Kerala Panini Smarakam" in Mavelikara on Sunday,4th April, 2010.