The first prominent and probably the most dominant Kundavai in the entire chola reign was certainly Rajaraja's sister who was immortalized in tamil literature by Amarar Kalki(PS). But she was not the first Kundavai.
If my memory is not failing, it was Arinjaya chola's wife who was the first kundavai. Out of his respect for her, parantaka sundara chola named his daughter as Kundavai and this was followed by Rajaraja who named his daughter, in turn, as Kundavai out of his extreme regards for his sister.
The first kundavai was a princes of different clan she came from Rashtrakutas (or Chalukya line, I don't remember).
In one of his postings in Agathiyam, Dr.JB explains the significance of the word "Kundavai" he says it should have come from one of Devi's weapons called "kundam". Since Cholas were saktha upasakas (those who worship shakthi), they naturally preferred this name to their female heirs.
So, the Kundavai list is : 1.Mudhal Kundavai Arinjaya's wife 2.Irandam Kundavai Rajaraja's sister and the most prominent 3.Mundram Kundavai One who married Chalukyan prince vimaladitya
The rest of this mail will focus on second kundavai.
There is one very significant point about Kundavai Piratti and Rajaraja relationship, which has always puzzled me. Let me give the background before I share this puzzle.
It is a point beyond doubts that Rajaraja had great respect for his sister and that their love was not one sided. There are numerous inscriptions to prove this I'll just give one. Kundavai specifically donated many things to Dakshina Meru Vitankar of Raajarajeswaram (Periya Koil) and her contributions are ONLY NEXT TO THAT OF RAJARAJA. NONE OF HIS QUEENS COME NEXT BUT KUNDAVAI.
Even in the famous "Naam kuduthanavum" inscription of Tanjore big temple, it is HIS SISTER who comes first not his queens or anybody else.
"Naam kuduthanavum nam akkaan kuduthanavum nam pendugal koduthanavum koduthar koduthanavum ."
So there can be no doubt that the sister brother relationship was very special and what has been portrayed in PS in this respect is all but truth.
My question is: Why was Rajaraja so attached to his sister, more than his mother?
We often hear that it was kundavi who brought up arumozhi. If his mother was available, then why Kundavai had to take the responsibility of bringing him up at all? After all, if both of them were kids or one with small age difference, then it does not satisfactorily explain why arumozhi should be brought up by his sister instead of his parents.
My puzzle was compounded, when I read a line from Thiruvalangadu copper plates.