Vallavaraiyan Vandiyadevan

Vallavarayan Vandiyadevan was a feudatory of the Chola kings Raja Raja Chola I and Rajendra Chola I and chief of the Samanthas of North Arcot. He was married to Kundavai, the elder sister of Raja Raja I.[1] The territory under his authority was known as Vallavaraiyarnadu.[2] Vandiyadevan is idealized in Kalki's romantic novel Ponniyin Selvan.

Contents

Origins

His origins and clan are subjects of great debate. Kalki Krishnamurthy strongly believed his clan is Vaanar Kulam (Bana Kingdom / Magadai Mandalam) and depicted the same in his famous novel Ponniyin Selvan.

Evidences

His name is referred in Thanjavur Big Temple inscription in which he is referred to as the husband of Kundavai Pirattiyar.[3]]] A life sized statue depicting Vanthiyathevan controlling a horse is erected in Chennai near Anna Flyover in Mount Road as an honour to this great personality during the first tenure of Mr. Karunanidhi as Chief Minister (This was to capture the banning of horse race by the government of Tamil Nadu is a different background altogether)

Notes

  1. ^ K. A. Nilakanta Sastri (2000) [1935]. The CōĻas. Madras: University of Madras. pp. 186. 
  2. ^ K. A. Nilakanta Sastri (2000) [1935]. The CōĻas. Madras: University of Madras. pp. 226. 
  3. ^ South Indian Inscriptions (Inscriptions of The Great Chola Temple at Tanjore) -Vol-II

External links

  1. Ponniyin Selvan - Complete Novel in Tamil Wikisource (Unicode)
  2. Rajakesari, a new novel written by Gokul Seshadri, happens during the later part of Rajaraja Chola's life. It is a historic thriller that can be read in full from Varalaaru monthly e-magazine's website.To read the novel, Click here
  3. Cherar Kottai (Part-II of Rajakesari), another novel also by Gokul Seshadri happens during the early part of Rajaraja Chola's life. It fully explains the circumstances under which Rajaraja makes his first and memorable victory over Kanthaloor Chalai - a chera martial arts academy. It is a historic fiction that can be read from Varalaaru monthly e-magazine's website.To read the novel, Click here
  4. Kalvettu Sonna Kadaigal Series in Varalaaru.com Magazine

Notes

References