THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Utharadom Thirunal Marthanda Varma, head of Travancore Royal family, died here Monday morning following a cardiac arrest, a palace spokesperson said.
91-year-old Marthanda Varma was admitted in a private hospital here a few days ago. He was successor of the last Maharaja of the princely state of Travancore Chithira Tirumal Balarama Varma.
Marthanda Varma was patron of several religious and cultural institutions, including the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, whose fame soared in recent times following the inventory of the priceless treasures locked up in its vaults.
A Sanskrit scholar, England educated Marthanda Varma was a photography enthusiast and his memoir has a chapter entirely dedicated to royals from different parts of the world he had photographed.
People from different walks of life turned up to pay last respects to he departed royal family head at the Levy Hall in the city where the body has been kept.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and leaders of various political parties and socio cultural organisations condoled the death of Marthanda Varma.
He was born on March 22, 1922 to Ravi Varma Kochu Koil Thampuran and Sethu Parvathi Bayi.
His wife Radha Devi Pillai, daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Krishnan Gopinath Pandala, predeceased him. He has a son, Anantha Padmanabhan and a daughter, Parvathi Devi.
The funeral will take place in the premises of Kowdiar Palace at 2.30 pm.
The state government has announced a public holiday for schools and offices in the city as a mark of respect for the former head of the royal family.
Uthradom Thirunal joined the firm of Plymouth and Company at Bangalore in 1952, working there and also studying the functioning of industries at a basic level. He was the Chief Scout of the regional Boy Scout troop, and was also a patron of local hospitals and charities.
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