Thiruvananthapuram lost yet another landmark when C.P. Satrom was pulled down. However, many young residents of the city were not even aware of its existence. For long the Satrom was hidden behind the hoardings and the dense canopy of the trees in its vicinity. Named after Sir. C.P. Ramaswami Iyer, Dewan of the erstwhile princely state of Travancore, the Satrom was a refuge to travellers visiting Thiruvananthapuram.
Senior residents of the city recall the glorious days of the ‘Sachivottama Sir C.P. Shashtiabdapoorthy Memorial Satrom’ established in connection with the 60th birthday celebrations of the Dewan. In front of the building stood a pavilion that housed a bust of the Dewan. When the nationalist struggle gained momentum in Travancore, the bust became an easy target of attack.
Some of the infamous decisions of the Dewan such as the proposal for an ‘Independent Travancore’ and an ‘American Model Government’ had led to widespread discontent among the populace. In 1946, the police charged at a gathering organised by the Congress party at Pettah and three people were killed in the firing. The prolonged political discord culminated in an attempt on the life of Sir. C.P. Ramaswami Iyer. On July 25, 1947, the Dewan had a narrow escape but suffered injuries on his cheek and fingers. The same night the bust of the Dewan, kept in front of the Satrom, was defaced by an anonymous group, who managed to knock off the nose of the bust. The office of the Public Works Department gave directions to repair the bust at once.
The search for a master craftsman led the officials to the School of Arts (Fine Arts College), where they were directed to meet N. Padmanabhan Achari (b.1881-d.1960) of Pinarammoodu family, Pettah. Padmanabhan, who came from a long line of illustrious artists and craftsmen, was employed at the School of Arts as chief ivory carver. He was known for his fine ivory carvings of the visage of Sree Chithira Tirunal and the Dewan.
The elderly master craftsman was leading a peaceful retired life in his house at Pettah. When the police officers knocked at his door, the family panicked, for they were still shocked by the unusual turn of events. However, they were relieved when the police officers explained the reason behind their visit. They wanted Padmanabhan’s service to mend the bust as soon as possible. Padmanabhan Achari had only one demand, as it was not possible to take the bust to his house, he wanted them to cover the area around it so that nobody could see him working. Soon, a temporary enclosure was made around the bust using thatched coconut leaves, and the area was secured by Travancore police. Padmanabhan Achari made the missing parts using Plaster of Paris, finishing the work in a few days. The repaired bust, with its 'new nose' was reinstalled in the mandapam; Padmanabhan Achari's role in the affair was kept a secret.
After 1947 , the bust was removed from its pedestal. Years passed by and the Satrom stood as a silent witness to the changing face of Thiruvananthapuram. And now that the building has been razed, we have lost another tangible link to our past.
(This is an excerpt from the author's blog ‘Tales from Travancore’)
[The author is a conservation architect and history buff]
