Kuthira Malika Palace Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

Kuthiramalika Palace Museum, built in the 1840s, derived its name after the 122 delicately carved horses into the wooden wall brackets which support the southern roof of the palace. The palace museum displays paintings, ornaments and artifacts of the royal family. Besides, Swathi Thirunal’s ivory throne, marble idols, Chinese artifacts and rare musical instruments are kept in the museum. One of the major attractions of Puthen Malika Palace museum is an illusion painting of Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, painted by Svetoslav Roerich – the face and the shoes of Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma appears as if facing the onlooker from each and every corner of the room.

A portion of Kuthira Malika has been converted to a Palace Museum that houses some of the assets owned by the Travancore Royal Family. The collection includes Kathakali mannequins, Belgian mirrors, crystal chandeliers, paintings, armaments, musical instruments, traditional furniture and other artifacts. On the right side of the mannequins are the ivory cradles of various sizes. The palace has on display two royal thrones, one made of ivory and the other of Bohemian crystal with the Tranvancore emblem ‘conch’ adorning the top of the backrest. The palace has a large collection of idols and sculptures made from white marble.

On the first floor are rooms that once served as the audience chamber, the library and an alcove that Swathi Thirunal used for meditating and for conceiving many of his famous musical compositions. This place offers a direct view of the Padmanabhaswamy temple gopuram. One of the rooms displays an illusion portraint of Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, painted by Svetoslav Roerich. The face and the shoes of the king appear facing the onlooker from every corner of the room.

Kuthira Malika Palace is the venue of Swathi Music Festival or Swathi Sangeethotsavam held in Thiruvananthapuram every year. Swathi Music Festival is an annual music festival held in Trivandrum from 6th January to 12 January annually. Famous Carnatic and Hindustani classical musicians perform concerts during the festival