# Sree Kerala Varma College

Sree Kerala Varma College is a government-aided higher education institution located in Kanattukara, Thrissur, Kerala, India. Established in 1947, the college was founded by Aikya Keralam Thampuran, the Maharaja of the former Kingdom of Cochin. The institution is managed by the Cochin Devaswom Board and operates under the affiliation of the University of Calicut.
The college is semi-residential and offers a variety of academic programs.

## History

The idea of starting a new college in Thrissur originated from a committee of prominent citizens, including Cheloor Mana Itti Ravi Namboodiri, who was a member of the first Legislative Assembly of the Kingdom of Cochin in 1925, in response to strong public demand. The committee members approached His Highness Aikya Keralam Thampuran, then Maharaja of Cochin, who allowed the free use of the Merry Lodge Palace and consented to naming the college after himself as Sree Kerala Varma College.
The Maharaja provided substantial financial support, including a grant of one lakh rupees and a loan of four lakhs for capital expenditure. Additionally, 250 candies of timber were sanctioned for construction purposes. The college was inaugurated on August 11, 1947, with the admission of its first student, Miss V.K. Malathy, who later became a faculty member in the English Department. Kavithilakan Prof. P. Sankaran Nambiar served as the first principal.
Initially, the college offered Intermediate and B.A. Junior courses. In 1948, B.Com. and B.A. (Music) programs were introduced, with the music course being the first of its kind in Kerala; however, it was discontinued in 1952-53. Science courses began in 1953-54, followed by the introduction of postgraduate programs—M.A. in English and M.A. in Economics—in 1965.
Sree Kerala Varma College is currently affiliated with the University of Calicut and is managed by the Cochin Devaswom Board. The college is located approximately 3 kilometers from the center of Thrissur, Kerala.

## Academics
### Departments

Sree Kerala Varma College offers a diverse range of undergraduate (UG), postgraduate (PG), and research programs across various disciplines.
The departments include: Botany (UG), Chemistry (UG, PG), Computer Applications (UG), Commerce (UG, PG), Economics (UG, PG), English (UG, PG, Research), Hindi (UG), History (UG), Malayalam (UG, PG, Research), Mathematics (UG, PG), Philosophy (UG), Physical Education, Physics (UG, PG, Research), Political Science (UG, PG, Research), Sanskrit (UG, PG), Statistics (UG), Zoology (UG, PG).
Each department provides specialized courses with experienced faculty, and some departments offer research opportunities. The college is affiliated with the University of Calicut and follows its curriculum guidelines.

## Facilities
### Library

The College Library is a spacious two-story building located adjacent to the Administrative Block. It houses over 70,000 books and subscribes to various online and print periodicals and magazines. The library provides access to back volumes and is connected to INFLIBNET and NLIST, facilitating extensive academic research. An Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) system is available for efficient search and retrieval of resources. Reprography services are offered through the Cooperative store situated next to the library building.

### Hostel

The college offers hostel accommodations for both male and female students, subject to availability. The women's hostel, located within the college campus, can accommodate approximately 220 students. The men's hostel, situated near the N.D. Subramaniam Stadium complex, provides lodging for about 120 students. Both hostels are equipped with essential amenities to ensure a comfortable living environment. Additionally, a gym facility is available for both male and female residents, promoting physical fitness among students.

### Sports

The Prof. N.D. Subramaniam Stadium on campus offers facilities for various sports, including cricket, basketball, and football. This stadium has been instrumental in nurturing the college's sporting achievements by providing essential training infrastructure. The college also hosts four sports hostels, sanctioned by the Kerala Sports Council, accommodating around fifty athletes specializing in basketball, weightlifting, judo, and swimming.
* Gymnasium: Located in the Main Block, the college gymnasium is equipped with a wide range of fitness equipment suitable for training, exercise, and bodybuilding activities.

## Student life

Students at Sree Kerala Varma College can take part in a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports and cultural events.

### Extracurricular Activities

* National Cadet Corps (NCC): The college hosts an active NCC unit, providing students with opportunities for leadership development, discipline, and community service.
* National Service Scheme (NSS): Through NSS, students engage in social service initiatives, fostering a sense of responsibility and community involvement.
* Clubs and Associations: The college supports various clubs, including the Nature Club and Film Club, encouraging students to pursue diverse interests and talents.

### Sports

Students participate in a variety of sports, such as football, cricket, basketball, handball, kabaddi, swimming, and boxing. The college provides facilities and coaching to support athletic development.

### Festivals and Events

* College Day: College Day is typically celebrated during the final days of the academic year, with cultural performances, award ceremonies, and community gatherings.
* Chemistry Festival "Oxia 2025": Scheduled for January 2025, this festival showcases the college's commitment to academic excellence and student engagement in scientific pursuits.
* "Leyenda" Political Carnival: Organized by the Department of Political Science, "Leyenda" is an annual event that fosters political awareness and discourse among students.
* "ASPERA": An inter-collegiate IT festival, "ASPERA" offers a platform for students to showcase their technological skills and innovations.
* "Saptati Celebrations": In August 2017, the college commemorated its 70th anniversary with a three-day event featuring cultural and academic activities.

## Notable Alumni

* Maya S

## Notable Faculties

* C. R. Rajagopalan, folklore researcher and writer.

## Controversies

Sree Kerala Varma College has been involved in several controversies over the years, primarily related to student politics and campus activities.

### Student Union Election Disputes

In November 2023, the college experienced significant turmoil during the student union elections. Initially, KSU candidate Sreekuttan Sivadasan was declared the winner by a narrow margin. However, following a request for a recount by the SFI candidate, the results were reversed, leading to the SFI candidate's victory. This reversal prompted allegations of electoral malpractice from the KSU, leading to legal intervention. The Kerala High Court observed discrepancies, noting that four votes deemed valid in the original count were marked invalid during the recount. The court expressed concerns over the procedures adopted and ordered a fresh recount to ensure fairness.
The situation escalated when the principal halted the recounting process without a formal written request, leading to confusion and protests among students. The intervention of the Cochin Devaswom Board's president further complicated matters, as students demanded transparency and adherence to university regulations.

### Controversial Posters and Campus Activities

The college has also witnessed incidents involving provocative posters and campus activities. In June 2019, a poster depicting Lord Ayyappa in a distorted manner appeared on campus, leading to protests from various political groups. The SFI leadership, under whose name the poster was displayed, claimed it was an attempt by rivals to malign their organization and promptly removed the poster upon discovery.
In October 2021, the campus saw the emergence of posters with obscene paintings and provocative captions, including one that read, "F**k your nationalism." These posters, attributed to the SFI, sparked widespread condemnation for promoting sexual anarchy and anti-national sentiments. The incident highlighted ongoing concerns about the nature of student activism and the content promoted within the campus.