Swathi Thirunal: A Composer Born to a Mother

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Dr Achuthsankar S Nair is a Professor of Computer Science in University of Kerala, heading Dept. of Computational Biology & Bio-informatics. He holds MTech from IIT Bombay, MPhil from University of Cambridge and two PhDs from University of Kerala (one in Engineering and one in Music). He has been a Teacher and Visiting professor in various Institutions both within India and abroad. He has successfully guided over 25 scholars for PhD. He led various IT development projects as the Director of C-DIT, Govt of Kerala during 2001-2004, which included a massive web site on Swathi Thirunal. He has authored many research publications and over 15 books in English and Malayalam, including a novel and two children's books. He was a member of Kerala State Higher Education Council, Cochin University Syndicate, Kerala University Senate etc. Has given invited talks in Madras Music Academy, Kalakshethra (both in Chennai) and Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, Bangalore. Among awards received by him are National Teachers Award by Indian National Science Academy (INSA) (2013), Vakkom Maulavi Foundation's Award for Excellence in Social Service (2014) and PT Bhaskara Panicker Award (2019). He is a culture/heritage activist and practitioner of green living & barefoot walking. He is also an amateur carnatic musician who gives occasional concerts.

A prince among musicians and a musician among princes AMaha Maharaja Swathi Thirunal achieved international reputation in the world of music. Anointed as the ruler of Travancore at the young age of 16 he immediately became known for his extensive patronage of the arts. He was well versed in several languages including Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam and English. He wrote poetry in almost all these languages and had composed music for them.
Equally brilliant in Carnatic and Hindustani traditions of music, he contributed 'padams' for Carnatic Music and 'dhrupads' and 'Khayals' for Hindustani music. He explored all regions of Carnatic music and could be regarded as a composer who excelled in the entire range of the forms of composition in the Carnatic Music.
Swathi Thirunal was proficient in painting, sculpture and other arts too. He laid the foundation of Modern Travancore by establishing the Government Press, the Public Library, the Astronomical Observatory, the free school (later became University Collegte) etc. He promoted modern medicine and reformed civil and judicial administration.
Swathi Thirunal's reputation as a patron of the cultural activities attracted several musicians, dancers and writers from all parts of India to his court.
The book named 'Swathi Thirunal A composer born to a Mother' written by Prof Achuthsankar S. Nair presents all these historical facts and unveils the rare musical talent of Swathi Thirunal. The book is a historical, sojourn into the life, career and achievement of the king.
**Contents and Sample Pages**