freinds, from my observations and interactions with keralits-it was possible there was a cheran regime from 1000BC to 800 AD. the cheras collapsed then after and every district in kerala had smaller local regimes calling themselves as cheras.
there were some power full dynasties like samudries,kolathiris and the kollam varmas of 14th century. they all called themselves as cherans.
during the cholan rule in kerala the central government completely destroyed. subsequently the vellalahs of tanjore were appointed as revenue officials for kerala. they subsequently formed an alliance with nairs and formed the ettu veetil pillaimar system of government in 14 to 18th century. this system was most corrupt.
the matrilineal system of kerala became corrupt (due to lack of central government)leading to extensive mixing with europeans and arabs from 10th century to 18th century.this resulting in a plethora of racial features in kerala. the colour keralites had acquired was not from climate or coconut oil but from this phenomenon.
anjai kalam and kodunkouloor were as important places as poompuhar ,madurai or kanchi. but the recent interest in these towns follows latest findings and excavations around these regions
Some of the Keralites seem to have the opinion that the migration from North happened through Kerala; and that the Vedic philosophies were established in Tamil Nadu from Kerala.
Some tamilians have a habit of reminding Keralites that Malayalam originated from Tamil. This irks them.
> Some tamilians have a habit of reminding Keralites that Malayalam originated from Tamil. This irks them. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> That can irk anyone, passions around language are very strong in our country and one has to be sensitive to that. Most mallus take huge pride in the correlation of their language to sanskrit - for whatever reason. I belive the anti hindi stance (combined with casteism) in some ways has created a huge gap between sanskritised languages and tamil - and completely oblitered the truth of tamil being the oldest language and mother of several other languages.
Yes language is a sensitive issue. There are tamilian who will be irked when someone tells them tamil has a degree of sanskritzation. In fact the South has imbibed several things from the North, vice versa. Discounting the fringe theories, it can be said to a limited safety that tamil is sanskritized to an extent too.