Historical narratives on Kerala …..

Kerala is known as God’s Own Country for a reason.  It’s not just the most literate state in the country but is also infamous for the highest per capita consumption of liquor. A known factor is that toddy and rum form a large part of this consumption. Someone once told me that the general health of a Keralite is not affected badly by this large consumption because of the high seafood intake.

But I am digressing from the subject of this article which is on history.

Foreign influences played a huge role in crafting the topographic history of this sliver of land on the west coast of India. Cheek by bowl, different types of plantations…: coconut, tea, rubber, spices, and paddy (once long ago).

Sunitha Srinivasan grew up on a tea estate in the Idukki district of Kerala, and her halcyon days of childhood have left her with a deep and abiding love for the state and its people.

She has written two very interesting books replete with quaint anecdotes of people. Places and events, predominantly from the erstwhile ‘Travancore’ region of the State. Her books are written with gentle humour from a perspective of deep affection and delight in the land and its people. They also serve as well-researched historical narratives.

Trailblazers of the Travancore Plantations and Echoes of History: Travancore’s Legacy are both historical narratives written by Sunitha Srinivasan on the living history of Kerala. They feature events and people that have shaped the ethos of the region. These largely forgotten portions of our collective history breathe life into the books, and add layers of authenticity and depth, bridging the gap between text and reality, and allowing readers to enjoy the emotional and practical aspects of times gone by.

Trailblazers of the Travancore Plantations is the story of the transformation of the hills of Central Travancore from an impenetrable jungle to a bustling plantation district and then to a hub of education and a tourist destination within about 100 years. It is replete with accounts of ingenuity, skill, and sheer grit. The book captures a bygone era that the world will never see again. The colourful characters depicted were not famous people, and yet their achievements were phenomenal.  Each chapter features a person, family, or event that impacted the region’s economic development and ethos. They range from planters to monks, maharajas, servants, and dogs. This is a part of Indian history that will resonate with people who are connected to the region and would also interest the general reader. The book is supported by maps and photographs dating back to the 1920s

Echoes of History: Travancore’s Legacy, is a historical narrative that brings to life the former princely states of Travancore and Cochin. The chapters of the book feature lesser-known facets of Kerala’s history – for instance, how one man made Kerala a global tourist destination, or the humble beginnings of India’s space research programme. The story of how the Jains came to Kerala and contributed to its high literacy rate makes for fascinating reading, as do the legends surrounding the famous boat races. The book covers diverse topics ranging from banking to a wonderful football academy and even a delightful sailing club that is now housed on what is possibly India’s most expensive piece of real estate! The book features some rare old pictures including the first meeting of the Bank of Travancore in 1946 when Sir CP Ramaswamy Aiyer was the Chairman.

Says Sunitha, “I grew up on a tea estate in the Idukki district of Kerala, and my earliest memories are of running wild in the vast garden and playing with the various animals that we owned – goats, cows, dogs, poultry, and cats. This delightful childhood left me with an enduring love for the state and its populace. As I grew into adulthood I began recognizing more of their remarkable qualities – these are strong, ambitious people, tolerant, welcoming, and above all great fun to be around!”