Asian Art Museum celebrates the Royal Family of Travancore
Saturday February 25, 2012, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m., Samsung Hall

Free after museum admission

Her Highness Princess Gouri Parvathi Bayi of the Travancore Royal Family will introduce the history of her family–an illustrious dynasty that governed, using a sacred concept of trusteeship, one of the most progressive princely states of pre-Independence India. She will give a first-hand account of the impact of this thoughtful royal family and how they address the continuity of tradition with the changing role of royals in present-day India.

Her Highness is the niece of the late Maharaja Chithira Thirunal Bala Rama Varma and the current Maharaja, 90-year old Sri Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma. The Travancore family descends through the female line. Her Highness will share the history of the Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Hindu Temple with close associations to the royal family and recently much in the news as India’s “wealthiest temple.” She will also talk about the Padmanabhapuram Palace, a beautiful 450 year monument that was renovated by Maharaja Marthanda Varma in the 1750s, and other palaces associated with her family.

Arun Kumar, a Travancorean and Bay Area resident of thirty years, will serve as moderator. Kumar, a senior partner with KPMG LLP, is the author of Plain Truths, a book of poetry.