six months ago on the trichy madurai road very close to madurai i happened to walk into the fields say some 200 feet from the busy high way. the man who took me pointed out to many ancient stone lined wells all in one line and well spaced and said this was the ancient route. he also added that this was the route kannagi and kovalan took from puhar. also thirukadaiyur is the hometown of madhavi. next to the famous hotel sadabishekam is a large pond called madhavi kuttai.
I guess people have very long memories for silapadikaram preceded the history on which this group is concentrating by many centuries.
but personally I have a very radical view on kannagi which many cannot subscribe to. she could not correct her wayward husband but takes it upon to burn a city just because it is ruled by an inefficient ruler.
The ruler was one of the best of rulers, and he was called 'Aariyapadai Kadantha Nedunchezian'. He drove the Arya's and inflicted crushing defeat on them.
Moreover, the way he and his wife repenats for commiting this blunder is also stunning. 'Yano arasan? yaane Kalvan'
So, personally, I feel, this was his bad time to have taken this deceisions. But, Tamil kings stood majestic even in accepting a mistake.
At this time of typing, I'm at Madurai ( my native place ) Surprised with this finding.. Do you recollect his place? I can go there and see it tomorrow..