I had written earlier about Vandihyathevan but in the light of newer knowledge acquired in the past years I thought I could revisit this lovable hero of Ponniyin selvan (PS).
Let us spend some time on who this vallavariyan was. It is highly unlikely that the actual marriage between kundavai and vandiyathevan (VD henceforth) was such a romantic affair as portrayed in PS. Almost every single marriage in chola family was a political affair and not a love affair. Even today most marriages in political families are calculated arrangements - we all see that.
In chola days marriages were meant to strengthen the relationship between feudatories and the king so that they gained more attachment towards the central power of authority. This arrangement worked very well in the times of cholas. And it is absolutely surprising that even the chera - chola - pandiya kings - the so called sworn enemies - had the habit of marrying from each other's family. Aditya's marriage of a kerala princess (Chera Stanu ravi and Aditya I were close friends) - Parantaka I's Devi Malliswarathu nampirattiyar TENNAVAN mahadeviyar (pandiyan princess) (ref ARE 44 of 1895) are all examples of this practice.
Being the daughter of a powerful king, kundavai was given in marriage to a RASHTRAKUTA PRINCE or someone belonging to that family and this fellow was vandhiyathevan !! ARE 14 of 1920 bears solid testimony to this fact. It talks about a lamp stand donation of a queen called Ilango Pichchi, daughter of VALLAVARAIYAR and a senior queen of solap perumanadigal. In Epigraphica india Vol XXVI page 233, this vallavaraiyar has been identified with Rashtrakuta king Krishna II.
Thus there was a close political nexus and the practice of marrying rashtrakuta family members within the chola family. Though rashtrakutas were not that powerful during rajaraja's times it should have been with a purpose that kundavai married VD.
Nice 2 read good subject , i was thinking , if "Panchavan Madevi has been honoured by Pallipadi means why not Kundavi, Kundavi's working towards cholas is sure much more better than what panchavanamadevi has did.
In fact Panchavanmadevi was came to picture while RR in power or atmost he about to take the power, but the real support was given by kundavai to RR , while he lives in his hard 15 yrs.
paandyan oruththanukke idam illai during the era we are talking about. the pandians ruled as a group of 5 kings much later second half of 13th century. by that time cholas were kuru nila mannarkal. one of them vira pandian had two capitals in the heart of chola land uyyakondan in trichy and kannanur in samayapuram( this was just before malik kafurs invasion) whenever I think of the pandyas and cholas I think " ore uraiyil irandu vaalkaL irukka mudiyathu" these two incompatible tribes had the misfortune of sharing the same stage and era in history. if not, perhaps history books might have been written differently.
Nope, we can find references to this, Aivar, even the times of Purananooru. I can come back to you with exact song.
Pandyas, have marital relationship with Pandavas. Chitrangadhai is belived to be Daugther of Malayadhwija Panyan. This Pandian also participated in Kuruksjetra war and was killed by Karna, after a Valiant battle. Where Karna mentions, this Pandya is capable of destroying entire Kauravas, and hence he should be killed first.
Ganapereyil Kadantha Ukkiraperuvazhuthi, is belived not to have ruled out of Madurai, when he waged a victorious war against Vengai MArban of Ganapereyil (Kaalayaarkoil).
Hi rajendra solan thanks for the info. but pandyas were the weakest during chola pinnacles. 5 raja rule panrathukku decentaa idam vendamaa? but I think all the proof points to pazhuvur as the origin of panchavanmathevi. and they were of chera origin. thers another contreversy whether she was a temple dancer or a princess too I guess
whats this thing about kalayar koil? let me know. I am very interested in that temple.
The old name of Kalyar Koil, is Gaanapereyil. It was Ruled by or Captured by a mighty warrior, Vengai Marban, Lion Heart?. The then Pandya king Ukkira Peruvazhuthi, waged a war against him and won it for himself.
This Pandya King,Cholan Rajasooyam vEtta Perunar killi and Marivenko,a Chera king, were close friends.
kalayar koil's thevaram name is kaanapper that matches the name you give a pandya king also built the original temple. very tall gopuram where legend says atop which you can see madurai temple tower. a very large temple pond too. amaiya mandapam like madurai mariyamman style.. ranganathar statue from srirangam stayed in this shiva temple during muslim invasion temple is also famous for its charriot and maruthu pandyar history