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His Highness Maharaja Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma as the first vice chancellor of University of Kerala.

Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma GCSI, GCIE (November 7, 1912–July 19, 1991) was the last ruling Maharaja of the princely state of Travancore in India.

Balarama Varma was the eldest son of Sethu Parvati Bayi, Senior Rani of Attingal, by her consort, Ravi Varma of Kilimanoor, a grand-nephew of the celebrated painter Raja Ravi Varma.Balarama Varma's mother was distantly related, by birth, to the royal house of Travancore in the direct female line. In 1900, following the failure of heirs in the Travancore royal family, she had been adopted by her maternal grand-aunt. Thus, upon the death of his adoptive maternal uncle, Sri Moolam Thirunal Ramavarma, on August 7, 1924, Balarama Varma succeeded to the throne of Travancore under the Regency of his maternal aunt, the famous Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bayi ^[1]. As was customary, he took the regnal name 'Chithira Thirunal,' as he was born under the Chithira nakshatram or star.

Chitira Tirunal reigned under the regency of his maternal aunt, Sethu Lakshmi Bayi, who was also his mother's first cousin. On November 6, 1931, upon his attaining majority, Chitira Tirunal was invested with full ruling powers. He was instrumental in establishing the University of Travancore (now the University of Kerala) in 1937. He also had a beautiful palace built which is now a museum. He was able to secure the services of eminent statesmen such as C.P.Ramaswami Aiyar, who served as his chief minister for several years. The period of HH Chitra Thirunal Bala Rama Varma who took the reign of administration in 1931, witnessed many-sided progress. The promulgation of "Temple Entry Proclamation"(1936), was an act that underlined social emancipation.

After India became independent in 1947, Chithira Tirunal agreed to merge his state with India after some initial hesitation. Travancore was united with neighbouring Cochin state and Chitira Tirunal served as Rajpramukh of the Travancore-Cochin Union from July 1, 1949 to October 31, 1956, which was the entire duration of the existence of that political entity. On November 1, 1956, the state of Kerala was created by uniting the Malayalam-speaking areas of the Travancore-Cochin Union with those of neighbouring Madras State, and Chithira Tirunal demitted office. On December 28, 1971, Chitira Tirunal lost his titles when the Indian government derecognized the rulers of the erstwhile princely states.

Chithira Tirunal Balarama Varma died at the Royal Palace at Kowdiar, Trivandrum in 1991, aged seventy-eight. He is succeeded as head of the royal house of Travancore by his brother, Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma.

The government of India issued a stamp in 1991, commemorating the reforms that marked the rule of Chitira Tirunal in Travancore. The Sree Chitra Thirunal Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology and the Sree Chitra Thirunal College of Engineering at Trivandrum was named after him.

1. ^ The Royal family of Travancore followed the Marumakkathayam system of matrilineal succession like the Nairs of Kerala.

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