There are very interesting mails on the subject/s.
Meykeerthi is very interesting. The thought behind compiling Meykeerthi by RR is stunning. A real trend setter. Upto Uthama, there was no meykeerthi. I read that Mahendra Pallavan was an excellent Sanskrit poet and his poems might have formed basis for meykeerthis.
In Trichy Uchipillarkoil kalvettu he says : Upon seeing the beauty of Chola land and Cauvery, river Ganges - which is decorating the head of Lord Siva - tried to retain Siva with herself - so that he does not go behind Cauvery along the Chola heart land!
Re Rajendra I : Mr. Gandhi - you are right since you are quoting Sekar Padippagam's publication - which also published Esalam findings. I heard from a present day Archeologist that earlier it was construed as BRAHMADESAM of North Arcot - but after the findings of Esalam in late eighties - they are compelled to think that it is the Brahmadesam close to Esalam (which was also another Brahmadesam - town buses from Tindivanam ply in this name even now - to cover the 15 Kms distance)- which should have been taken as reference and not North Arcot - Brahmadesam. Like Nandhipuram - Thirukkandiyur - this may be another interesting subject to research. Of course I have visited Esalam - but not North Arcot Brahmadesam. I also will get this clarified through a couple of other sources and mail.
Re Olaichuvadi, Mr. Sundaram's mail is informative. Such practice exists in south of Cauvery in Tamilnadu. Such persons - capable of writing on palm leaves - are called VALLUVAR - and our Thiruvalluvar - hails from this community! They have very good astonomical and astrological knowledge.