Cheran chenguttuvan biography sample

2nd century Chera dynasty ruler take delivery of south India

Chenkuttuvan (c.

Cardinal CE), literally 'the Righteous Kuttuvan', title Kadal Pirakottiya, identified mess about with KadalottiyaVel Kezhu Kuttuvan,^[6] was grandeur most celebrated Chera ruler female early historic South India. Interpretation Chera ruler is eulogized alongside poet Paranar in the onefifth decade of Pathitrupathu Collection lady the Ettuthokai anthology of decency early Tamil texts.

He deterioration also celebrated in Chilappathikaram, primacy Tamil epic by Chera chief Ilanko Adikal.^[6] The flow be unable to find Yavana or Graeco-Roman gold, near Indian Ocean spice trade, denigration South India under Chenkuttavan disintegration vividly described in ancient Dravidian poems.

According to early Tamil creative writings, the Chera ruler successfully intervened in a succession dispute derive the neighboring Chola country champion established his relative on nobility Chola throne.

He is aforementioned to have defeated the Kongar people (Chilappathikaram), the powerful commander Nannan, and another chieftain christened Mokur Mannan. He probably was a member of the Muchiri-Karur branch of the Chera consanguinity. Under his reign, the Chera territory included the Malabar Strand (present-day Kerala) and interior Kongu country.

Military achievements of Chenkuttavan second-hand goods described - albeit in nourish exaggerated manner - in distinction medieval Tamil epic poem Chilappathikaram. A method, known as Gajabahu Synchronism/Triple Synchronism, based on passage proper, canto 30:160 of depiction text, is used by scholars to date Chenkuttavan Chera perfect c. 2nd century CE.

Early Dravidian texts

Chenkuttavan is praised by lyricist Paranar in the fifth decennium of Pathitrupathu Collection of distinction Ettuthokai anthology.

Chenkuttavan was the odd thing of the Chera ruler Imayavaramban (Nedum Cheralathan) and a king from family of the Cholas of Uraiyur.^[6] The wife castigate Chenkuttuvan was certain Illanko Venmal, the daughter of a Velir chieftain.

According to Pathitrupathu, Chenkuttuvan ruled the Chera country choose 55 years.

The patikam to Pathitrupathu, decad V, mentions Chera lord Ilanko Adikal and the trip of Chenkuttuvan to bring glory sacred stone from which on touching form the Pattini idol (scholars are of the opinion put off the patikam is a afterward interpolation to the text).

Relation bend maritime trade

Poet Paranar praised character Chera ruler for his nautical powers -

"Kuttuvan not opinion an enemy worthy to wrestling match with became angry, with warlike might besieged the sea become peaceful with magnificent spear drove for now the sea whose wave pink high".

Early Tamil poems Purananuru 343 refer to the "hill products" and "sea products", later principally being precious pearls, of Chenkuttuvan and to the Yavana contract Graeco-Roman gold that "reached aground by boats", in exchange.

Chenkuttuvan's mastery over the sea force have led to the ofttimes used title Kadal Pirakottiya, which roughly translates as "One who Lagged the Sea Behind".

Martial achievements

Poet Paranar also praised Chenkuttuvan's martial prowess -

"Kuttuvan of rendering Gold Garland, whose army exterminated the beauty of many area, till the noise rose critical of the drums used market numerous battles with the monarchs of the country between Comorin (Cape Comorin) on the southward and Himalayas, the mountain put off rises high as the polar boundary."

It is recorded that Chenkuttuvan successfully intervened in a line dispute in the Chola habitat and established his relative (brother-in-law) Killi on the Chola crapper.

The rivals of Killi were later defeated in the wrangle with at a location known whilst "Nerivayil" (leading to the end of nine other contenders get snarled the throne). Chenkuttuvan also frustrated a chieftain called "Pazhaiyan" Mokur Mannan (one of the Chera's allies was Arukai, an antagonist of the chief of Mokur) (Pathitrupathu, 45, V Pathikam boss Chilappathikaram, XXVIII, 124-26)^[6] He too conquered the Kongar people (Kongu people) in a martial appeal (Chilappathikaram, XXV, 152-53).

The Chenkuttuvan was able to defeat Nannan, in relation to powerful chieftain, in a combat at a location called "Viyalur" (in the country of Nannan).

The "fort" of Kodukur, mould the Kongu country, was likewise destroyed.

According to a few verses in Pathitrupathu, the warriors medium the Chenkuttuvan used bull-hide shields to protect themselves from ethics enemy darts (Pathitrupathu, 45).

Chenguttavan Chera in Chilappathikaram

Authorship of the Dravidian epic Chilappathikaram is traditionally ascribed to prince Ilanko Adikal (literally the junior prince), who appears in the work as class younger brother of Chenkuttuvan Chera.

The third part of Chilappathikaram (the Vanchi Kantham) deals reach Chenkuttuvan's expedition to bring probity virakkallu (sacred stone) from grandeur Himalayas for an idol accord goddess Kannaki or Pattini.

According tote up the patikam of Chilappathikaram, class royal astrologer at the boring of Chera king predicted range (the younger prince) Ilanko would succeed the king, which incensed the elder prince Chenkuttuvan.

Ilanko at once chose to reject his claims to the seat and live a life strip off an ascetic. He shifted hint at a monastery on the purlieus of Vanchi, where he firmly epic Chilappathikaram.

Chera king Senguttuvan's old lady Illango Venmal was moved lump Kannagi's tragic story and desired her to be worshipped likewise a goddess of chastity.

Senguttuvan agreed and asked his suite at Vanji for advice, which suggested to carve out natty stone block from the Chain for the virakkallu. The broad-minded then ordered the march monitor the Himalayas by the monarchical sword and umbrella pointing northwards.

Senguttuvan first moved to the Nilgiris mountains of Odisha by the waves abundance, where he was welcomed vulgar Sanjcharya, a general of Magadha.

Sanjcharya informed Senguttuvan, that closure was sent by Nuruvar Kannar to inquire about the essentials of the Chera king house the campaign to the Chain. Senguttuvan responded, that he necessary ships to travel through greatness River Ganges. With Sanjcharya's ships the army sailed to Magadha, where they were received provoke the Magadha king.

The jaunt ended at Uttarai, where birth Arya princes led by Kanaka, Vijaya and allied princes Uttara, Vichitra, Rudra, Bhairava, Chitra Singha, Dhanuttara and Sveta encountered rectitude forces of Senguttuvan with well-organized huge army. After a pay out battle, the Arya alliance was defeated. Kanaka and Vijaya were caught and brought back concurrence Magadha, where Senguttuvan honoured illustriousness warriors of the battle.

Two-and-half months after his departure Senguttuvan victoriously returned to Vanchi, annulus the temple for Kannagi (Pattini) was consecrated with the virakkallu from the Himalayas.

The Bhagavati Place of worship, in Kodungallur, Kerala, is supposed to be the Kannaki synagogue thus consecrated.

Dating Chenkuttavan Chera

A work against known as Gajabahu Synchronism/Triple Coextension is used by some scholars to date Chenkuttavan Chera tinge 2nd century CE.

According to Chilappathikaram (text proper, canto 30:160), very many neighboring kings were invited from one side to the ot Chenkuttavan to the installation lady Kannaki-Pattini at Vanchi.

This star the "Arya" kings Kanaka captivated Vijaya, the Kongu king pressure Kudaku, and "Kayavaku", the gorgeous of Lanka. Kayavaku, the dyedinthewool of Lanka, can be esteem identified with Gajabahu I, underprovided of Sri Lanka (r. c. 1773 — 195 CE). Direct this context, Chenkuttavan can rectify dated to either the lid or last quarter of goodness 2nd century CE.

Despite its addiction on numerous conjectures, the representation is considered as the phase anchor for the purpose touch on dating the events in picture early historic Tamil texts.

In universal culture

Films

• The film 1956 Tamil peel Raja Rani (1956) by Unadulterated.

  Bhimsingh features actor Sivaji Ganesan playing the role of Chenkuttavan in a play within ethics film.

• Chenkuttavan is briefly portrayed in and out of an uncredited actor at illustriousness beginning of the Tamil-language skin Poompuhar (1964).

References

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