The ivory screen

The book begins with an introduction of Kerala – entry of Vasco Da Gama to the shores of Kerala and what follows it. As we read Manu S. Pillai’s The Ivory Throne: Chronicles of the House of Travancore further, gates of the history of Travancore open before us. We learn about Ravi Varma, the painter prince, and gradually Sethu Lakshmi Bayi, the protagonist, and other members of the royal family. The book tells us how the family members, especially women, felt about the royal life and customs. Interestingly, the book, written in a gripping format, is told from a female perspective.

Debut work of Manu, it was a best seller during its release in 2015. It even won multiple awards viz. the Tata Literature Live! Best Debut (Non-fiction) and the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar, and was shortlisted for the Shakti Bhatt Prize.

Now, the book has got a new recognition. It is all set for a screen adaptation. Rights of the book have been optioned to Arka Mediaworks, the studio behind the popular Baahubali franchise. “Yes, we've signed option rights with Arka who made Baahubali,” says an elated Manu.

He is quite excited about the new development as he believes the central character deserves attention. “Sethu Lakshmi Bayi deserves a biopic and that entire period in colonial history could translate phenomenally on screen.

Book cover

The hairstyles, court customs, the way the matrilineal system operated, which even many Malayalis today no longer know, and so much more.

The Maharani's story is a remarkable one and I always hoped she would one day come alive on screen,” he says.

It was a meeting between Manu and Shobu Yarlagadda, producer of Baahubali, in London that cemented the idea. “I met Shobu Yarlagadda last summer in London (at a random Starbucks outlet of all places!). We had spoken over the phone earlier and he had been reading the book, after writer Anand Neelakantan recommended it to him. And we got to talking seriously over the next few months, and this is the result,” smiles Manu.

Meanwhile, Shobu Yarlagadda, co-founder of Arka Mediaworks, adds that they are thrilled to bring the stories and research that Manu Pillai put into his book to screens. “He (Manu) tells a compelling and unique narrative of an Indian princely state that has rarely been explored or seen on screen before. The stories, culture and traditions from a bygone era can be captivating and engaging to audiences, both in India and abroad. We hope to bring this story to life, and showcase it in all of its glory,” he adds.

The Ivory Throne was published by Harper Collins. According to Ananth Padmanabhan, CEO, Harper Collins, The Ivory Throne is one of the most awaited books from India to be adapted to screen.

“We’re thrilled that Manu’s magnificent book is now one step closer to finding a new life on screen. Manu’s page-turning narration, coupled with the incredible cast of characters, makes The Ivory Throne one of the most awaited book-to-screen
adaptations from India.

We’re also delighted that the book is in the capable hands of the team at Arka Mediaworks, who rewrote cinematic grandeur with the Baahubali films, and I’m confident we’re going to see an adaptation that’ll be appreciated by viewers all over the world,” he says in the press note.

Rest of the details such as who will write the screenplay and format of the film are yet to be revealed.