The Forgotten Atelier - Book Launch Ceremony at Levee Hall
27 June 2026 will forever remain one of the most cherished days of my life—a day when I truly felt that the heavens had showered all their blessings upon me.
It was on this day that The Forgotten Atelier, my second book, was formally launched at the historic Levee Hall in the Valiyakottaram complex within the Fort, Thiruvananthapuram. A hall that once echoed with the splendour of the Travancore court came alive once again with history, art, and celebration.The occasion was made all the more memorable by the gracious presence of HH Pooyam Tirunal Gowri Parvathi Bayi and HH Aswati Tirunal Gowri Lakshmi Bayi, two of the most respected members of the Travancore royal family. Joining them was Rama Varma Thampuran Ramavarma Kilimanoor Palace of the Kilimanoor royal house—a dear friend, mentor, and constant source of encouragement—who had followed this project with keen interest from its very inception.
As the morning unfolded, the spacious hall gradually filled with the warm conversations of family, friends, scholars, artists, and lovers of history and culture.
The programme commenced with a warm welcome by the distinguished historian Smt. Uma Maheswari, who shared fond memories of our friendship spanning more than two decades. Her words beautifully set the tone for the proceedings.
The addresses by the chief guests were both enlightening and deeply personal. The senior princess fondly recalled her family's association with the Roerichs and shared treasured stories of Raja Ravi Varma that she had heard as a child from the revered Amma Maharani, the artist's granddaughter. The junior princess, a gracious ambassador of Owl's Awl, spoke warmly about the years of painstaking research that culminated in The Forgotten Atelier.
One of the most touching moments of the programme came during Rama Varma Thampuran's address. While speaking about my family's long association with the Travancore royal house, he surprised me by mentioning my great-grandfather, who had himself been an artist associated with the royal atelier. It was an unexpected and profoundly emotional moment—one that beautifully connected my own journey with the artistic legacy I had sought to document in this book.
In my own address, I spoke about the concept of the royal atelier in Travancore and the remarkable artists who shaped its legacy. While Raja Ravi Varma naturally occupies a central place in that narrative, I also highlighted several extraordinary yet lesser-known contemporaries whose contributions deserve equal recognition, including Kilimanoor Sekhara Warrier, Kizhakkemadom Padmanabhan Tampi, N. Sivarama Pillai, P. Mukundan Tampi, and C. Nilakanta Pillai. The Forgotten Atelier is, in many ways, an attempt to restore these forgotten masters to their rightful place in the history of Indian art.
The formal launch of the book was followed by the presentation of mementoes to the distinguished guests. With the gracious permission of the chief guests, I also had the privilege of presenting special mementoes to Smt. Uma S. Maheswari and Sainath Menon. Sainath Valluvanadan has been far more than a friend throughout this journey; his generosity in helping me gather invaluable information on early artists from central and northern Kerala made a significant contribution to the research behind this book.
The programme concluded with the Vote of Thanks delivered by Sruthi Satheesan, who also served as the compère with remarkable poise, warmth, and professionalism. My heartfelt thanks to her for ensuring that every part of the programme flowed so seamlessly.
Research often begins as a solitary pursuit, but moments like these remind us that every book is ultimately the result of countless acts of kindness, encouragement, and faith. The Forgotten Atelier is more than a book to me. It is a tribute to the forgotten artists of Travancore, to the patrons who nurtured them, and to an artistic tradition that deserves to be remembered, celebrated, and studied anew.
To everyone who joined us on this unforgettable day, and to all those who supported this journey in ways both great and small, I offer my heartfelt gratitude. Your presence, encouragement, and goodwill transformed a book launch into a memory I shall cherish forever.
