Noted Kerala novelist and scion of the erstwhile royal family of Travancore Shreekumar Varma, who was kidnapped in Senegal, has been rescued and the Indian mission in Dakar is in the process of sending him back home.
Official sources said the Indian mission worked very hard to secure release of Verma, who is great grandson of the famous 19th century painter Raja Ravi Varma.
"The mission in Senegal is in the process of sending Varma back to India," a source said.
60-year-old Varma was understood to have been lured to Senegal to negotiate the sale of one of the paintings of Raja Ravi Varma. He was taken hostage last week by a suspected terror group.
Varma who is also playwright, is known for his novels "Lament of Mohini", "Maria's Room", "Devil's Garden: Tales Of Pappudom", "The Magic Store of Nu-Cham-Vu" and the historical book for children "Pazhassi Raja: The Royal Rebel".
He has been conferred with many awards including the Man Asia Literary prize.
