Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, also known as Chithira Thirunal Maharaja was the last ruling maharaja of the princely state of Travancore, in southern India. The princely state had its capital at Trivandrum or Padmanabhapuram. The official name of the renowned ruler was His Highness Padmanabha Dasa Sri Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma Maharaja. He was born on 7th November 1912 and belonged to the Kulasekhara dynasty. Chithira Thirunal Maharaja is most renowned for making the Temple Entry Proclamation in the year 1936 which abolished the prohibition on low-caste people from entering Hindu Temples. But during his rule, several people were slaughtered in the Punnapra- Vayalar revolt.

Early Life of Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma
Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma was born on 7th November 1912 to M.R. Ry Ravi Varma Kochu Koil Thampuran of Kilimanoor and Her Highness Sethu Parvathi Bayi, the Junior Rani of Attingal. His father was a great-nephew of the distinguished painter Raja Ravi Varma and his mother was distantly related to the Royal House of Travancore by the direct female line. In the year 1900, Sethu Parvathi Bayi was adopted by her maternal great-aunt as there was an absence of successors in the Travancore Royal Family. After the death of Sri Moolam Thirunal Ramavarma, his adoptive maternal, on 7th August 1924, Balarama Varma succeeded him and ascended to Balarama Varma succeeded to the throne of the princely state of Travancore.

As he was still a minor at the time of succession, Chithira Thirunal Maharaja reigned over the region under regency of Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bayi, his maternal aunt. As per customs, he took the designated sovereign name Sree Chithira Thirunal, as Balarama Varma as he was born under the Chithira nakshatram. Sree Chithira Thirunal Maharaja was invested with full ruling powers on 6th November 1930 after he attained the age of majority. He took the charge of administration in the year 1931.

Rule of Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma
Maharaja Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma was influential in establishing the University of Travancore, which is now known as the University of Kerala in the year 1937. He constructed a stunning palace as well which has now been turned into a museum. The ruler of the princely state of Travancore also secured the services of distinguished statesmen like C.P. Ramaswami Aiyar. He primarily served as the chief minister of the state for many years. During the reign of His Highness Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, multyi-faceted development took around the state. In the year 1936, the promulgation of Temple Entry Proclamation was made by the Maharaja. This act emphasized on the social liberation. The lowest phase in his rule was the Punnapra- Vayalar massacre where almost a thousand people were killed.

After India achieved independence from the British East India Company in the year 1947, Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma gave his consent to merge the princely state of Travancore with the new Dominion of India. Travancore was combined with the state of Cochin. From 1st July 1949, Chitira Tirunal was appointed as the as Rajpramukh of the Travancore-Cochin Union and he served the position till 31st October 1956. Later on 1st November 1956, the Travancore- Cochin Union was merged with the Malabar district of the Madras State (now Tamil Nadu) to form the Indian state of Kerala.

Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma Maharaja was stripped of his title and other privileges on 28th December 1971 due to mass de-recognization of rulers by the Government of India.

Personal Life of Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma
Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma died at the age of 78 in the year 1991 at the Kowdiar Palace, after reigning for a period of 67 years. He was the last surviving Knight Grand Commander of both the Order of the Indian Empire and of the Order of the Star of India.

Titles of Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma
Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, Maharaja of the princely state of Travancore held numerous titles and styles through out his reign. These are discussed below-

* Maharajkumar Bala Rama Varma III, Elaya Raja of Travancore (1924)
* His Highness Sri Patmanabha Dasa Vanchipala Bala Rama Varma III, Kulasekhara Kiritapati Manney Sultan Maharaja Raja Ramaraja Bahadur, Shamsher Jang, Maharaja of Travancore (1924- 1935)
* His Highness Sri Patmanabha Dasa Vanchipala Sir Bala Rama Varma III, Kulasekhara Kiritapati Manney Sultan Maharaja Raja Ramaraja Bahadur, Shamsher Jang, Maharaja of Travancore, GCIE (1935- 1943)
* Major His Highness Sri Patmanabha Dasa Vanchipala Sir Bala Rama Varma III, Kulasekhara Kiritapati Manney Sultan Maharaja Raja Ramaraja Bahadur, Shamsher Jang, Maharaja of Travancore, GCIE (1943- 1944)
* Lieutenant-Colonel His Highness Sri Patmanabha Dasa Vanchipala Sir Bala Rama Varma III, Kulasekhara Kiritapati Manney Sultan Maharaja Raja Ramaraja Bahadur, Shamsher Jang, Maharaja of Travancore, GCIE (1944- 1945)
* Colonel His Highness Sri Patmanabha Dasa Vanchipala Sir Bala Rama Varma III, Kulasekhara Kiritapati Manney Sultan Maharaja Raja Ramaraja Bahadur, Shamsher Jang, Maharaja of Travancore, GCIE (1945- 1946)
* Major-General His Highness Sri Patmanabha Dasa Vanchipala Sir Bala Rama Varma III, Kulasekhara Kiritapati Manney Sultan Maharaja Raja Ramaraja Bahadur, Shamsher Jang, Maharaja of Travancore, GCSI, GCIE (1946- 1991)

Honours of Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma
Maharaja Sree Tej Singh Prabhakar was honoured several times, which are mentioned below-

* King George V Silver Jubilee Medal (1935)
* Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire- GCIE (1935)
* King George VI Coronation Medal (1937)
* Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India- GCSI (1946)
* Indian Independence Medal (1947)