Hampi – Evolve Back Kamalapura Palace, a luxury resort inspired by the grandeur of the Vijayanagara Empire, is proud to host a reading and discussion of ‘In the Empire of the God King’, the debut novel by Shri Tirumala Venkata Devaraya, 20th descendant of Shri Krishnadevaraya and heir apparent to the Vijayanagara rulers of Anegundi Samsthana. The event is scheduled this evening, 5 PM at The Sabha – Evolve Back Kamalpura Palace, Hampi, Karnataka.
Blending historical depth with immersive storytelling, the novel is Book I of the Vijayanagara Chronicles. Set in the year 1490, the novel follows the gripping journey of Veera, a young boy whose peaceful life is disrupted by a tragic act of violence. His quest for justice takes him across the Deccan Plateau, through towns like Bijapur and the fabled city of Vijayanagar, in a vivid reimagining of pre-modern India.
Tirumala, a historian by training with a degree from Durham University, England, draws from both scholarly insight and inherited legacy. Deeply connected to the region’s past, he is currently advising IITM Pravartak on the development of a digital museum for Hampi, and will soon pursue a Master’s degree in Politics and International Relations at SOAS, University of London. His passion for heritage, literature, and storytelling converges in this compelling first work.
“We are honoured to celebrate this literary milestone at Evolve Back Hampi,” said Mr. Jose Ramapuram, Director Marketing, Evolve Back. “Our space is a modern homage to the same empire that Shri Tirumala belongs to and brings alive in his novel. It feels like a truly correct setting for a story born from legacy and love for the land.”
Located just 4 km from the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hampi, Evolve Back Kamalapura Palace blends fort-like entrances, arched hallways, and regal interiors to evoke the majesty of the Vijayanagara Empire. It provides a rare cultural experience rooted in historical elegance, making it the ideal venue for this book’s unveiling.
