Uthiyan Cheralathan

Uthiyan Cheralatan (Perum Chorru Udiyan Cheralathan) is the first recorded Chera dynasty king of the Sangam period in ancient South India with capital at Kuzhumur in Kuttanad (present day Idukki district). His kingdom was located in the modern state of Kerala and part of Tamil Nadu and ruled between first and third century AD according to the literary works of the Sangam Era, particularly the Pathirruppaththu. Uthiyan Cheralathan is also regarded as the founder of the dynasty, and was contemporary to Karikala Chola. During his reign, foreign trade by the famous sea port Muziris flourished, bringing great prosperity to his kingdom. Uthiyan Cheralatan assumed the title 'Vanavaramban' which could either mean "one whose kingdom reaches up to the sky" or "the one who's loved by the Gods". He is even exaggerated to have fed the armies of the Kauravas and the Pandavas in the Mahabharata war.

His royal kitchen is said to have been at Kulumur identified with Kulukur in North Travancore, present day Kerala. His queen was Nallini, the daughter of Veliyan Venman. He is said to have ruled from the east to the west coast and is praised for his elephant corps and cavalry. He went into several battles and in one of those with the ruler of Chola kingdom, his back was injured and being unable to bear the disgrace is believed to have committed suicide, a common practice at the time.

Uthiyan Cheralatan was succeeded by his son, Imayavaramban Nedun-Cheralatan.