University College Thiruvananthapuram: Heritage building being destroyed?

By Rosamma Thomas* 

When Swathi Thirnal Rama Varma, ruler of the state of Travancore and a patron of the arts visited Nagercoil, he saw the school run by the London Missionary Society there; he was impressed by the quality of the education offered and invited the principal of that school to help him set up an institution on similar lines in his state – that was the beginning of the Rajah’s Free School in 1834 – the government contributed the fees for the education of 80 pupils, and no fees were charged from students or their parents, although the institution itself remained private; in less than a year, the government took over the school and its management, making it one of the first government schools in India. 

(Neet or official proclamation of the school issued by the ruler; courtesy: website of the college)

During the reign of Ayilyam Thirunal Rama Varma, it was decided that higher education too should be provided to students, and by 1866 it became a college affiliated to the University of Madras, which itself was established only a few years earlier, in 1857. The school remained attached to the college. In 1919, the school was moved to premises in Vanchiyoor, and the old building was given completely to the college. 

For some years, the arts and science courses were bifurcated, but by 1942 it became evident that the “university” must comprise diversity, and the two were amalgamated again. In 1969, as the college celebrated its centenary, then President of India Dr S Radhakrishnan inaugurated the celebrations.  

In any other country, a building of such historical importance would be carefully conserved, and the building itself would be used as an object of study for generations of students – not so in Kerala, where the building is currently undergoing repairs that are bound to leave it greatly altered – the terracotta tile roof is being dismantled, the wooden slats that held up the tiles are being removed, and a coarse tin roof is being installed, that is likely to make the students swelter in the heat. 

Funds could have been drawn from the department of education and culture to conserve this important building (Kerala Budget 2024 provided Rs170 crore for the promotion of art and culture; and over Rs1000 crore for public education). 

Tourism too would benefit from the conservation of such structures – even as the buildings are being used by students, curious tourists could be accommodated for tours of the campus, interacting with students and also allowing students to learn about the countries from which they visit. (Rs385 crore was allocated to tourism in the 2025 state budget).

Across the state, old buildings with terracotta tile roof are being pulled down – it is a wonder that beauty, proportion and modesty that once were the norm have now disappeared in Kerala’s built environment.  

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*Freelance journalist