The Seen and the Unseen - hosted by Amit Varma Ep 156: Kerala and the Ivory Throne
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Jan 20, 2020 Historian Manu Pillai joins Amit Varma to discuss Kerala's history, including its matrilineal system empowering women, extreme casteism, and badass queens. They explore the assimilative nature of Kerala, the brutal tactics of Martin Varma, effects of British influence on Indian culture, and the complex life of painter Raja Ravi Varma. The podcast also covers the fearless leadership of a Maharaja, the downfall of a queen, and the striking down of the matrilineal system.
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Matrilineal System Introduction
- Manu Pillai learned about the matrilineal system through family stories.
- These stories challenged his textbook knowledge of Indian history, where women were often depicted as secondary.
Blog Post Backlash
- Manu Pillai's blog post about Sethu Lakshmi Bayi garnered unexpected hate and trolling.
- This negativity fueled his desire to uncover and share her story.
Extensive Research
- Manu Pillai's research for "The Ivory Throne" spanned years and involved diverse sources.
- He aimed to fill a gap in Kerala's historical literature and bring Sethu Lakshmi Bayi's story to light.