I am not ashamed to confess that I am an unabashed monarchist at heart. Kings, queens, titles, palaces, genealogies, and spectacular royal events fascinate me. Having said this however, I wonder if I would be really happy to be ruled over by a king or queen in this modern, 21st century.
Recent events in Nepal have saddened me. It’s not as if I have much sympathy for King Gyanendra. He behaved very foolishly, asking for trouble. And he got it. “Like the chewed end of a fag we spat that dynasty out,” said a revolutionary during the tumultuous days of the Russian Revolution. This is precisely what has happened in Nepal too. If only the King was more circumspect! He could have easily kept his throne and continued at least as a constitutional ruler. But that was not to be, and he has paid a heavy price, bringing his 240-year dynasty to an ignominious end.
My own experiences with royalty, though limited, have been very pleasant. I had a particularly emotional attachment to the last Maharaja of Travancore, His Highness Sri Chithira Thirunal Bala Rama Varma.
I can never forget this simple, humble man who was exceedingly kind to me, and often called me to Kaudiar Palace. In fact I once even wrote a small article about him in the Indian Express. If you are interested in reading it, please go to: http://www.expressindia.com/ie/daily/19980507/12750444.html
There have been other interesting brushes with royalty too. But of that, perhaps I will write another day…
Recent events in Nepal have saddened me. It’s not as if I have much sympathy for King Gyanendra. He behaved very foolishly, asking for trouble. And he got it. “Like the chewed end of a fag we spat that dynasty out,” said a revolutionary during the tumultuous days of the Russian Revolution. This is precisely what has happened in Nepal too. If only the King was more circumspect! He could have easily kept his throne and continued at least as a constitutional ruler. But that was not to be, and he has paid a heavy price, bringing his 240-year dynasty to an ignominious end.
My own experiences with royalty, though limited, have been very pleasant. I had a particularly emotional attachment to the last Maharaja of Travancore, His Highness Sri Chithira Thirunal Bala Rama Varma.
|
|
|
|
| Two photographs of : Major-General His Highness, Sri Padmanabha Dasa, Vanchi Pala, Sir Bala Rama Varma, Kulasekhara Kiritapathi, Manney Sultan, Maharajaraja Rama Raja Bahadur, Shamsher Jung, GCSI, GCIE, Maharaja of Travancore |
I can never forget this simple, humble man who was exceedingly kind to me, and often called me to Kaudiar Palace. In fact I once even wrote a small article about him in the Indian Express. If you are interested in reading it, please go to: http://www.expressindia.com/ie/daily/19980507/12750444.html
There have been other interesting brushes with royalty too. But of that, perhaps I will write another day…
