THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a major setback to the art connoisseurs in Kerala, the state government has decided to return the historic sword belonging to Velu Thampi Dalawa to the National Museum in New Delhi. Dalawa was the Prime Minister of Travancore region between 1802 and 1809 during the reign of Maharaja Bala Rama Varma Kulasekhara Perumal. Culture Minister K. C. Joseph told Deccan Chronicle that since the state government doesn’t have ownership of the legendary sword, it had to be returned.
Currently, the sword is exhibited at the Napier Museum here. According to historian M. G. Shashibhooshan, the Kilimanoor royal family had gifted the silver sword to the then President Rajendra Prasad in 1957 when he came here for a visit.
After some years, it was taken by the National Museum. But Shashibhooshan, who was the advisory council member under the National Museum for six years, recalled that for years the sword was confined to the store room.
“For so long, the historical sword was shunted to the store room at the National Museum and was treated ‘disrespectfully.’ After much hue and cry, it was given to the Napier Museum on lease in 2010 which was collected by the then culture minister M. A. Baby. I wonder how many people would be able to see the sword if it is kept at the Rashtrapati Bhavan museum,” he said.
He also urged the culture minister to preserve the sword at the Napier Museum. But Mr. Joseph said that since the presidential estate officials themselves had demanded the sword, nothing could be done.
“We have not yet decided when to return the sword. We are extending its lease annually and so far we have kept it for four years. When the state archaeology department tried to extend its lease by one more year, the National Museum authorities replied in the negative,” he said.
