Vallavaraiyan Vandiyadevan was a commander of the
Chola Army
The Chola military () was the combined armed forces of the Chola Empire organized during two separate Tamil golden ages, the Sangam Period and the Medieval Era. The Chola military fought dozens of wars, it also underwent numerous changes in str ...
. He was one among the famous chieftains of the Chola emperors
Rajaraja I
Rajaraja I (947 CE – 1014 CE), born Arunmozhi Varman or Arulmozhi Varman and often described as Raja Raja the Great or Raja Raja Chozhan was a Chola emperor who reigned from 985 CE to 1014 CE. He was the most powerful Tamil king in South ...
and
Rajendra I and chief of the Samanthas of
North Arcot and also the husband of Rajaraja's elder sister
Kunthavai Pirattiyar.
He was also the chieftain of the Sri Lanka Front Army of
Rajaraja l and
Rajendra I. Territory under his authority was known as Vallavaraiyanadu. He ruled
Brahmadesam.
Vandiyathevan is idealized in
Kalki Krishnamurthy's (Kalki) famous novel ''
Ponniyin Selvan'' and also in many other novels like Vandiyadevan Vaal,
Vandiyadevan Senai Thalaivan.
Actor
Karthi is depicted as Vandiyathevan in 2022 tamil film
Ponniyin Selvan, an adaptation of the
novel of the same name.
Origins
His origins and clan are subjects of great debate.
Kalki Krishnamurthy strongly believed his clan is Vaanar Kulam (
Vana Kingdom
Vana (or with diacrits, e.g. Váňa) may refer to:
* Vana, Gujarat, a village on Saraushtra peninsula, western India
* Vana State, a former princely state whose seat was in Vana, Gujarat
* Vana, Iran, a village in Mazandaran Province, Iran
* V ...
/
Magadai Mandalam) and depicted the same in his famous novel
Ponniyin Selvan.
Evidences
He is referred to in the
Rajarajeshwaram Temple inscription in which he is referred to as the husband of
Kundavai Piratiyar.
[South Indian Inscriptions (Inscriptions of The Great Chola Temple at Tanjore) -Vol-II]
In popular culture
Vandhiyadevan is one of the key characters of the novel
Ponniyin Selvan. The author
Kalki Krishnamurthy depicts him as a brave, adventurous and sarcastic warrior/prince, who later becomes the Commander for Southern Troops under the reign of
Uttama Chola. Although the second protagonist of the story other than
Ponniyin Selvan himself, Vandiyadevan's exploits make the readers to think him as the main hero at multiple points in the novel. He was a bodyguard and close friend of
Aditha Karikalan in Kanchi who sends him as a messenger to
Parantaka II in
Thanjavur to invite him to the newly built golden palace in Kanchi and also as a trustful guard for
Kundavai in Pazhayarai. His unplanned and hasteful acts put himself and others in danger but comes out of them by trickery and luck. He is the lover of Princess Kundavai. He is loved one-sidedly by Manimekalai, the sister of Kandamaran. The author introduces most of the characters to the audience through him. Many of the readers of this book admired his character and attitude more than the main protagonist
Ponniyin Selvan.
A life sized statue depicting Vallavaraiyan controlling a horse was erected in Chennai during the first tenure of
Mr. Karunanidhi as Chief Minister, near Gemini Flyover in Mount Road as an honour to Vallavaraiyan. Interestingly, this also coincided with the banning of horse races by the government of Tamil Nadu.
See also
*
Ponniyin Selvan
*
Ponniyin Selvan: I
Notes
Further reading
''Ponniyin Selvan''- Complete Novel in Tamil Wikisource (Unicode)
* ''Rajakesari'', a new novel written by Gokul Seshadri, happens during the later part of Rajaraja Chola's life. It is a historic thriller that can be read in full fro
Varalaarumonthly e-magazine's website
To read the novel, click here* ''Cherar Kottai'' (Part-II of Rajakesari), another novel also by Gokul Seshadri happens during the early part of Rajaraja Chola's life. It fully explains the circumstances under which Rajaraja makes his first and memorable victory over Kanthaloor Chalai - a chera martial arts academy. It is a historic fiction that can be read fro
Varalaarumonthly e-magazine's websit
To read the novel, Click here“Kalvettu Sonna Kadaigal Series”in
Varalaaru.com Magazine (in tamil)
* Sadasiva Pandarathar: ''Pirkala Chozar Varalaaru'', Annamalai University Publication.
External links
Gokul Seshadri's Ponniyinselvan Facts and Fiction* Sadasiva Pandarathar's Pirkala Chozar Varalaaru (Annamalai University Publication)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vallavaraiyan Vandiyathevan
Chola dynasty
Chola Empire
Chola kings