Watch: How Maharani Sethu Parvathi Bayi Challenged Restrictions On Menstruating Women

In an era bound by the patriarchal chains of gender discrimination, casteism, and rigid societal norms, Sethu Parvathi Bayi emerged as a rulebreaker. The Maharani of Travancore challenged the deeply entrenched traditions that marginalised women and excluded them from public spheres. Parvathi Bayi's courageous efforts to reform religious spheres made her a pioneer in normalising the conversation around menstruation and women's rights in the early 1900s.

Who Was Sethu Parvathi Bayi?

Sethu Parvathi Bayi (1896-1983), also known as Amma Maharani, was the granddaughter of the famous painter Raja Ravi Varma. In 1900, she and her cousin were adopted by the royal family as they did not have any heirs. She became the Junior Maharani of the kingdom at the age of five.

She was known for her musical talents, as an established veena player and a respected advocate of Carnatic music and other arts. She is known to have played an important role in promoting the compositions of her ancestor, Travancore Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma.

In 1907, Parvathi Bayi chose to marry a scholar, Sri Pooram Nal Ravi Varma Thampuran. However, by 1911, their marriage was consummated. In 1912, on her 16th birthday, she gave birth to her first of three children, Sree Chithira Thirunal, and became the Queen Mother of Travancore.

Why We Must Remember Parvathi Bayi

A trailblazer in her time, Maharani Sethu Parvathi Bayi actively resisted patriarchal customs. Despite the restrictions on menstruating women entering religious spaces, she is said to have set foot in the Sabarimala Temple in 1940, making a bold statement against norms.

While this move faced opposition from conservative elements of society, Parvathi Bayi's actions set the stage for a gradual transformation of cultural and religious norms. Her fight for the inclusion of marginalised women and normalising menstruation continues even today. 

Parvathi Bayi was known for her pioneering efforts in facilitating gender rights. She served as the President of the All-India Women's Social Conference in Calcutta (1929) and Trivandrum (1937) and was also the President and Patron of the National Council of Women in India in 1940. 

While travelling was considered socially unacceptable for women, Parvathi Bayi pursued her dream and travelled to London at the age of 16. She defied gendered societal expectations by living on her terms. She wouldn’t tolerate unsolicited advice, rebuffing a Vatican official’s makeup tips.

After her separation from her husband, Parvathi Bayi was subjected to severe ridicule. Her steadfastness was often misrepresented as "villainous". Despite facing personal and political struggles, she maintained a vibrant social life and continued to advocate for social reform.

Although Maharani Sethu Parvathi Bayi was vilified for defying traditional norms -- both in society and her family -- she became a symbol of strength for future generations. Her contributions to art, music, and social causes left an indelible mark on the cultural and political fabric of India.