DHARMA RAJA

'Dharma Raja' Karthika Thirunal ^[1] Rama Varma was a king of Travancore(1733-1798) (ME 899-973) from 1758 -1798.He succeeded his uncle Marthanda Varma, who is credited with the title maker of the Kingdom of modern Travancore. During his reign Dharma Raja not only retained all the territories his predecessor had gained but administered the kingdom with success. He was addressed as Dharma Raja on account of his strict adherence to ''Dharma Sastra'',the principles of justice.

Contents

Administrator

Patron of Arts and Language

Kathakali Playwright and Composer

See also

References

Notes

Administrator

It was during his time ( in 1795) the capital was shifted from Padmanabhapuram to Thiruvananthapuram. He was assisted his Diwan of TravancoreRaja Kesavadas, an able administrator .He adhered to strict rules and laws in administration. He had a high ambition to build a prosperous and model state by all possible just methods. But the repeated setbacks on account of continuous confrontation with the British and invasions impeded progress of the State. In spite of lot impedances his rule witnessed a socio-cultural revival in Travancore. It was during his reign, Tipu Sultan, the ruler of Mysore attacked Travancore in A.D.1790. The Travancore forces withstood the Sultan for 6 months, and the Maharajah appealed to the British East India Company for aid, starting a precedent which led to the installation of a British resident in the country. The British resident, Colonel Macaulay, managed to engage the ruler in treaties which effectively made the state a protectorate of the East India Company and ended its autonomy. Tipu Sultan was defeated and he did not trouble Travancore anymore till his death in 1799 during the Fourth Mysore War at Srirangapatna. The Dharma Raja also improved trade in the country with setting up of ports, especially Alapuzha overseen by Raja Kesavadas and inviting merchants for trade.

Patron of Arts and Language

He was also patron of arts and encouraged their growth. He attained proficiency in Sanskrit, Persian, Tamil, Portuguese and Hindustani at an early age. He issued orders that high officials in his court must learn Dutch language also. He also patronized eminent poets and artists by appointing them as scholars in his court. Kunjan Nambiar, Unnayi Warrier,Kilimanoor Thampuran, Puthiyikkal Thampan, Ittirarisa Menon, Sadasiva Dikshitar, Kalyana Subramoniakavi, Idavathikkaatu Nambuthiri and Neelakanta Dikshitar were some of the prominent figures in the court of Karthika Thirunal Ramavarma.
He wrote ''Balarama Bharatha'', a commentary on Natyasastra and AbhinayaDarpana. These works are enough to reveal his proficiency in the art of dancing and music. He describes in detail the hasta mudras ^[2], with its variations.

Kathakali Playwright and Composer

As the composer of Kathakali Plays (''attakadha''). He set a systematic curriculum for teaching Kathakali. Being a good vocalist and scholar in music and dance, he composed excellent Kritis^[3] which have enriched Carnatic music. He was perhaps the first violinist from the royal family. He has to his credit nearly 150 compositions. It was with the advent of the Kathakali plays of Karthika Thirunal that many reforms were brought in Kathakali. Changes were implemented in the structure of plays and in their technique to be adopted during presentation. Priority was given for sringara padas.^[4]. The rule that each character should enter the stage with sringara padas was introduced by him. Katthi characters must enter by presenting pada in Padi raga. All his kathakali plays attained much popularity and fame on account of its technical superiority in stage presentation, variety and vividness of characters and the story. He has to his credit seven plays:

★ ''Rajasooyam'',

★ ''Subhadrapaharanam'',

★ ''Gandharvavijayam'',

★ ''Panchali Svayamvaram'',

★ ''Bakavadham'',

★ ''Kalayanasougandhikam'' (Thekkan or southern style)

★ ''Narakasuravadham''^[5].

See also

Padmanabhapuram Palace

References

★ Swathithirunnal Website Accessed on August 7,2006

★ Kerala Government website accessed on August 7, 2006.

★ Dept of Archaeology, Kerala Government website accessed on August 7, 2006.

Notes

1. The names of members of Royal houses of Kerala usually succeeded their birth star(nal or nakshatra). Thiru added for respect. As most of the royal names were rama varma, kerala Varma, Raja Raja Varma, this was also a method to distinguish from each other
2. gestures using hands
3. Compositions
4. ''padas'' or verses in which amour is the predominant mood
5. It is believed that the last portion of Narakasura Vadham was completed by his nephew AswathiThirunal