Arakkal Beevi dies in Kerala

Adiraja Sultana Fathima Muthu Beevi, the head of erstwhile Arakkal royal family, died at her residence in Thalassery here Saturday owing to age-related ailments.

She was 86.

Wife of late C P Kunjahammed Ilaya, Muthu Beevi is survived by daughter Adiraja Khadeeja Sophia, family sources said, adding that the funeral would be held later in the day.

Arakkal was the lone Muslim royal family in Kerala that had once ruled the Cannanore (present Kannur) and southern Lakshadweep.

As per the tradition, the female heads of the Arakkal royals are known as 'Arakkal Beevis'.

Fathima Muthu Beevi became the 39th head of the dynasty, following the death of her sister Sultana Arakkal Adiraja Zainaba Aysha Beevi last year.

As the royal head, Beevi had acted as the patron of several heritage institutions including the famed Arakkal Museum here.