Practicum on
AMMA VEEDUS OF THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
(travancore)
SUBMITTED BY:
Alphonsa Joseph
Social Science
INTRODUCTION
The Amma Veedu, extending from West Fort to Enchakkal along the
road side of the Arattu Road, in Trivandrum houses the Amma Veeu’s. The abode
of the consorts of the Maharajas of Travancore, popularly known as the Amma
Veedu’s not only depict the legacy of age old royalty, but peeps into an not so
explored history of family relations, cultural assimilation, traditional
customs, and above all untold tales of royal interactions in Travancore. They
are not mere structural remnants, but reveal an account of the life of the
consorts of Maharajas, their siblings and relatives, extending to numerous
branches; now in oblivion.
HISTORY
The earliest account of the Amma Veedu is ascribed to or dates
back to A.D.426 (found in ME 825) in the Attoor Copper Plate inscription of Veera
Udaya Marthanda Varma, which grants the privilege of Uranma of the Keralapuram temple to Keraladicha Varma of Karyathurai
or the Karyathurai Tampi. The Karyathurai (in Kanyakumari region) is regarded
as the ancestral or original Amma Veedu from which was branched off the other
existing Amma Veedus. The branched ones settled at various regions such as Kulachel
(initially) and thenceforth in Tiruvattar, Arumana, Vadasseri etc. The houses thence upon
came to be known in the name of the place where it was originally placed, once
they were shifted to Thiruvananthapuram (on the shifting of the capital of
Travancore from Padmanabhapuram to Thiruvananthapuram).
It is customary for the Maharajas
of Travancore to marry from either of the Amma Veedus. Nair ladies either from
Amma Veedus or adopted to the respective Amma Veedus become the consort of the
Maharajas. The Rajas are not permitted to marry outside the four major Amma
Veedus; if a case of marrying from other than the Amma Veedus occur or the
bride (the lady the Maharaja intend to tie the knot) is from other Nair family,
it becomes customary to adopt the lady to either of the four Amma Veedus and
only then the marriage is solicited.
However the other Princes
marry from Amma Veedus other than the major ones. Not only the bride is adopted,
her relatives including mother, brothers, sisters, uncles and aunts are also adopted
and bestowed with privileges and properties. The members of the Amma Veedu is titularly
called as ‘Tampis’(males), ‘Tankachis’ and ‘Kochammas’(females). The lady who
becomes the consort of the Maharaja is thenceforth revered with the title –‘Panapilla
Ammachi’ or ‘Kochamma’.
Once the bride from the
Amma Veedu is conferred the ‘Pattum Parivattavum’ (the marriage ceremony), she
becomes the wife of the Maharaja thenceforth known as Ammachi. She is bestowed
with palatial residences, properties and privileges. The off springs of the
couple reside at the Amma Veedus enjoying similar privileges, which were
hereditary. They received due honor amidst the society on being the wife and
children of the ruler and were often influential in policy making of the
government. (Earlier instances suggest the influence of the Ammachis and Tampis
upon the Maharaja on crucial administrative decisions)
The establishment of the
four major Amma Veedus in Thiruvanathapuram, other than its original one in
Kanyakumari is credited to Kartika Tirunal Rama Varma alias Dharma Raja, who
had four wives from each of the four Amma Veedus.
The major Amma Veedus in
Thiruvananthapuram are- Arumana, Vadasseri (Vadasseri Padinjare), Nagarcoil and
Tiruvattar Amma Veedus (Later construction include the Tanjavur Amma Veedu).These
Amma Veedus situates on the either sides of the Royal Arattu Street to
Enchakkal, on the West of the Padmanabha Swamy Temple. Since the time of the Maharajas
from Dharma Raja to Moolam Tirunal Rama Varma, married from either of the four
Amma Veedus. There are also few other Amma Veedus in Thiruvananthapuram, in
distant regions far from the capital city.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The visible remnants of a
rich past of any erstwhile princely state are its Palaces and buildings of
marvel. Here the Royal Palaces and Amma Veedus thus stand as proud monuments of
a rich era, encompassing its architectural grandeur, enriched with royal lineage
and customary tradition of a vintage episode in Travancore history.
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The prominent and
illustrious position adorned by the Travancore royal ladies could thus be
illumed through these remnants. More specifically it divulges on the reverence and
exalted position the rulers of Travancore had bestowed upon their consort/better-halfs,
thus also preserving the tradition of matrilineal system of inheritance that
Travancore pursued since antiquity.
The self imposing mansions
or Amma Veedus on the either side of the road are dazzling with its extensively
rich wooden panelings, gables, gothic styled structures, protruding Mukhappus/niche and thus is a splendid
combination of the European and Kerala style of Architecture. Initially these
were typically Kerala style residences, with its characteristic Naalukettus/Ettukettus and additional
features. It was only in the latter half of the 19th century that
the colonial and native styles were adopted.
Apart from the lineage of
a royal blood, the inmates of the Amma veedus were highly talented and their
contributions to the socio-political & cultural scenario of Travancore are
praise worthy. Commencing from the great composer poet Irayimman Tampi, the
line of achievers, both male and females from the Amma veedus excelled in
fields of sports, public welfare, transport, art, literature etc.
Thus to know about the
historical significance of the Travancore Royal Family and its Amma Veedus are
highly significant for the history of Travancore. This study aims to focus on
the origin, history and functions of the Amma Veedu and its importance in the
Travancore history. The Amma Veedus are unique in its architectural style, is a
mixture of Kerala and European styles remains as an artistic one in the history
of Travancore.
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