without any modern modifications thus maintaining the aesthetic of the magnificent royal structure. Genesis and mythology Based on Keralolpathi, the last Perumal, Ramavarma Kulasekhara Perumal, of the Second Chera Kingdom (Kulasekhara Samrajyam, 800–1102), with its capital at Mahodayapuram, divided his kingdom to his relatives and Nair chiefs. There is some evidence to support this claim. The family came into being as one of branches of this division. The earliest recorded existence of the original Valluvanad lineage extends to the 12th century even through earliest known member of the palace to locate to Tiruvalla lived in the 17th century. As a branch of the principality of Mavelikkara who came and settled there during Tipu's "pattayottam" time, the family is also directly related to Raja Ravi Varma. When the royal family of Travencore did not have an heir in the 19th century, the dynasty was restarted by adoption from Mavelikkara. Thus the family is related both by blood and marriage to the royal families of Travancore and by marriage to the royal family of Cochin. The family is matrilineal with the oldest male relative through the mother heads the household as the "Valia Raja" and the oldest female gaining the title of "Amma Raja". The fortunes of the family went into decline in the 19th century as result of the end of feudalism and through the slow decline of marumakkathayam. In the last 19th century, the Valia Raja siphoned off the funds of the palace to fund the lifestyle of his birth family. Nomenclature All the male Thampurans were named according to the following methodology. Eldest Son To A Mother Rama Varma Second Son Kerala Varma Third Son Ravi Varma Fourth Son Goda Varma All names are prefixed with their day of birth and suffixed with Varma Raja. For female Thampurattis, a rigid nomenclature was not in place. Famous members Samyuktha Varma - Actress Urmila Unni - Painter and Actress B. G. Varma - Artist See also Pathanamthitta Tiruvalla Travancore Samyuktha Varma References 1. ^ History of Travancore by Shungunny Menon, External links Tiruvalla History, Tiruvalla Website Valluvanad vamsam Palaces in Kerala Royal residences in India Buildings and structures in Pathanamthitta district Thiruvalla