WikiDwarfBOT at 05:29, 22 July 2023

2023-07-22T05:29:24Z

New page

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2017}}
[[File:0507-KuthiraMalika-Dinakarr.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Kuthiramalika, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala]]
'''Kuthiramalika''' ({{Literal translation|Mansion of horses}}) is a palace built by [[Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma]] on the south-eastern side of [[Padmanabhaswamy temple]], [[Thiruvananthapuram]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.keralatourism.org/destination/kuthiramalika-palace-east-fort/58|title=Kuthiramalika Palace - the horse palace near Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram {{!}} Kerala Tourism|website=www.keralatourism.org|language=en|access-date=2018-02-17}}</ref>

==Etymology==
The palace gets its name from the 122 horses that are carved into the wooden wall brackets that support the southern roof. The official name of the palace is Puthen Malika (New Mansion). The palace forms part of a vast complex of royal buildings in the vicinity of Padmanabhaswamy Temple. The building was left unoccupied for more than a century, following the demise of Swathi Thirunal in 1846.

==Architecture==
[[File:0507-KuthiraMalika2-Dinakarr.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A view of the 'horses' at Kuthiramalika]]
Built in the 1840s, Kuthiramalika is an example of traditional [[Kerala architecture]], with its typical sloping roofs, overhanging eaves, pillared verandahs and enclosed courtyards. Intricate carvings adorn the wooden ceilings, with each room having a distinctive pattern. The construction of the palace was completed by 5000 [[Vishwabrahmin|Vishwakarma]]s in four years. The palace is made from [[teakwood]], [[rosewood]], [[marble]], and [[granite]].<ref name=Yentha /> The roof of the palace is made of wood and 42 beams support the carved patterns.<ref name=ST>{{cite web|title=Kuthiramalika Museum|url=http://www.swathithirunal.in/rel_kuthira.htm|publisher=Swathithirunal.in}}</ref> The roof is supported by granite pillars. Floral motifs dot the ceiling of the verandah.<ref name=ST/> The main 16 rooms of the palace are constructed in 16 different patterns.<ref name=ST/> In all, the palace contains 80 rooms, of which 20 were opened for visitors in 1995.<ref name=Yentha /> The floor inside the palace is made of [[egg white]]s, [[charcoal]], and [[limestone]], which make it cold and smooth even in hot weather conditions.<ref name=Yentha /> The concert venue built in the palace premises uses traditional sound reflectors comprising fifty clay pots hung upside down from the ceiling.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kuthiramalika Palace Museum at East Fort|url=https://www.keralatourism.org/destination/kuthiramalika-palace-east-fort/58/|publisher=Kerala Tourism|access-date=30 December 2013}}</ref>

==Museum==
A portion of Kuthiramalika has been converted to a Palace Museum that houses some of the assets owned by the Travancore Royal Family. Although 80 rooms are there in the palace, only 20 are open for visitors.<ref name=Yentha /> A guided tour is available inside the palace.<ref name=Yentha /> The palace collections include 14 life-size [[Kathakali]] mannequins, Belgian and Italian mirrors, crystal chandeliers, paintings, a giant Belgian [[harpoon]],<ref name=Yentha>{{cite web|title=Kuthiramalika, An Architectural Work Of Art|url=http://www.yentha.com/news/view/4/Kuthiramalika-An-Architectural-Work-Of-Art|publisher=Yentha.com|access-date=30 December 2013}}</ref> armaments, musical instruments, traditional furniture, greek statues, a musical tree which produces 8 sounds on tapping,<ref name=MB /> and other artifacts. On the right side of the mannequins are the ivory cradles of various sizes. The palace has on display two royal thrones, one made from 24 elephant tusks (''Dantasimhasana'')<ref name=MB>{{cite web|title=Kuthiramalika|url=http://www.mathrubhumi.com/travel/article/tourist_spots/museums/kuthiramalika/1084/|publisher=Mathrubhumi|access-date=30 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131025071945/http://www.mathrubhumi.com/travel/article/tourist_spots/museums/kuthiramalika/1084|archive-date=25 October 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the other of Bohemian crystal with the Tranvancore emblem 'conch' adorning the top of the backrest. The palace has a large collection of idols and sculptures made from white marble.

On the first floor are rooms that once served as the audience chamber, the library and an alcove that [[Swathi Thirunal]] used for meditating and for conceiving many of his famous musical compositions. This place offers a direct view of the Padmanabhaswamy temple ''gopuram''. The small wooden stair there contains carvings of peacock, elephant, and dragon. Ceiling of the rooms contain paintings of parrot, peacock, and elephant. One of the rooms displays an illusion portrait of [[Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma]], painted by [[Svetoslav Roerich]]. The face and the shoes of the king appear facing the onlooker from every corner of the room.

==Swathi Sangeethotsavam==
The courtyard of Kuthiramalika is the venue for Swathi Sangeethotsavam (also known as Kuthiramalika Festival),<ref>{{cite web|title=When music reigns... Swati fete|url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2009/01/03/stories/2009010354050900.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604142318/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2009/01/03/stories/2009010354050900.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 June 2011|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=2009-01-03|access-date=30 December 2013}}</ref> a yearly music festival commemorating the legacy of Swathi Thirunal. This music festival is conducted from 6 to 12 January every year. It attracts many of the leading stalwarts of [[Carnatic music|Carnatic]] and [[Hindustani classical music]]. Some of the famous performers of the past include [[Bismillah Khan]], [[Kishori Amonkar]], [[M. Balamuralikrishna]], [[D. K. Pattammal]], and [[Gangubai Hangal]].<ref name=MB />

==In films==
The Kuthiramalika palace has been visualized in many [[Malayalam films]]. It was also mentioned in the famous TV show ''[[The Big Bang Theory]]'' in S11 E03: The Relaxation Integration.

==See also==
*[[List of festivals in India]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

== External links ==

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080108141114/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/01/04/stories/2008010450030200.htm Prince Rama Varma on Swathi Sangeethotsavam 2008]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080130150322/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/01/18/stories/2008011851190300.htm Swathi Sangeethotsavam 2008]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080509201134/http://www.heartbeatguides.com/free-festival-events-podcast.html Podcast on Swathi Sangeethotsavam from Heartbeat Audio Travel Guide]
* [https://www.youtube.com/musiquebox Kuthiramalika Concert Videos]
* [http://www.sreepadmanabhaswamytemple.com/kuthiramalika-palace-museum-trivandrum-kerala.html Kuthiramalika Palace Museum or Mansion of Horses]
{{coord missing|Kerala}}

{{Tourism in Kerala|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Decorative arts museums in India]]
[[Category:Kingdom of Travancore]]
[[Category:Classical music festivals in India]]
[[Category:Carnatic music]]
[[Category:Royal residences in India]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Thiruvananthapuram]]
[[Category:Palaces in Thiruvananthapuram]]

Kuthiramalika - Revision history

WikiDwarfBOT at 05:29, 22 July 2023