1) The document discusses famous Malayalam poet and composer Sri Irayimman Thampi who lived in Thiruvananthapuram in the late 18th/early 19th century and was famous for composing beloved lullabies and songs, including one that has been passed down through generations. 2) The author visits the home where Sri Irayimman Thampi lived and sees preserved artifacts from his life including his writing pen, enlarged portrait, and wooden writing couch, seeing objects that offer a connection to the famous poet from centuries ago. 3) The author argues it would be a loss if Sri Irayimman Thampi's works and legacy are not preserved for

1. My City My History
Let us bring back the music of our city!
[About the famous Carnatic musician and music composer Sri Irayimman
Thampi (Ravi Varman Thampi, 1782–1856) who was also a vocalist in the court of
Maharaja Swathi Thirunal. He lived and died in Thiruvananthapuram, leaving behind
only his famous compositions in the hearts of the people.]
Omana thingal kidavo…..Nalla
Komala thamara poovo…..
My mother used to whisper these lines into my ears when I was
much a baby. After my sister was born I heard her singing the same to
her. When we asked her years later where she learnt this song, she told
us that her mother used to sing the same to her and her brothers. There
must be nobody, especially in the South India, who has not heard this
wonderful lullaby. Even today, this remains a favourite lullaby for all
mothers. Everyone feels nostalgic when they hear this song and tears
swell up in their eyes. Centuries have passed, but this song still remains
in every heart. But sad to say, all seem to have forgotten the famous
Malayalam poet, Irayimman Thampi, who wrote this and many other all
time favourite songs. Is it because he lived about two centuries ago?
Two centuries ago is not a very long time away! But why didn’t
anybody think of him all this while? When I enquired about him, none of
my friends or even elders knew much about him! I was surprised! The
music was ringing in my ears. I wanted to find out!
My father’s friend who is a very knowledgeable person, offered to
help me. Irayimman Thampi belonged to the family of the rulers of
Travancore. His contribution to literature was immense. He told me that
he had written this famous lullaby for Maharajah Swathi Thirunal Rama
Varma, who was the Maharaja of the state of Travancore and also Sri
Irayimman Thampi’s nephew. We decided to find out more.
The house where Sri Irayimman Thampi was born is near the Fort
area in Thiruvananthapuram. His grandchildren are taking care of the
house and trying to preserve whatever they can and have of Sri

2. Irayimman Thampi. They were happy to show us the belongings of the
famous poet that they could preserve.
There are two buildings in the same plot. One was where Sri Irayimman
Thampi used to stay and the other one was a ‘Sadasu’ where the poets of
his time used to meet to discuss and write their poems.
As we enter his house we enter a small room, with steps up to the attic
on one side. Once in the attic we cannot stand straight. We can only walk
in there bent down. When we move further inside, there is a small door
where we have to bend our heads to get inside. There are a series of
three steps that lead us to a very small courtyard. It was like a courtyard
in the middle of the house like a ‘Nadumuttam’ (Kerala architecture
style).
The other house was his poetic world. There is a sit out where there are
two doors –a side door and another one right opposite to the front door.
The door on the side leads us to a room. In this room I saw Sri
Irayimman Thampi’s writing on palm leaves (‘Ezhuthola’ in Malayalam).
Sri Irayimman Thampi’s work
on palm leaves, preserved by
his great grand children.

3. I was lucky enough to touch the pen he used to write his poems with. It
was much different from what I knew. I was told that it was held in a
different way to write. Not like how we use our fingers to hold our pen!
When we write, our fingers have to encircle the cylindrical pen,
‘Narayam’.
There was also his enlarged portrait which his family successors have
preserved. Many of his writings are still there. The couch in which he
used to sit and write his famous mind blowing poems is still there. It is a
wooden couch with intricate carvings on it.
Sri Irayimman Thampi
used this pen to write
all his poems.
His couch and some of
his work on palm
leaves.

4. Besides these, there was also a calendar with his picture that the
Maharaja had asked to be made for him. Many more were there or would
have been there if …….
It would be a great loss to my city if it cannot preserve his work and
pass on to the next generations. It would be a great loss if I wouldn’t be
able to sing his songs to my children. It would be a great loss for the
future! Let this be a small effort from my side to bring back the music of
my city!
Written by,
Nikhitha Josh,
Grade VIII
Paithrikam Heritage Club,
L’ecole Chempaka,
Edavacode,
Sreekariyam,
Thiruvananthapuram,
Kerala.
The ‘Valkannadi’ which was gifted to
one of his daughters by the
Maharaja.