Kundavai Pirattiyar

The earliest Kundavai appearing in the history of South India is Veeman Kundavai [Sadasiva Pandarathar, Pirkaala Chozhar Varalaaru-Vol-I(Annamalai University Publication)] , wife of Arinjaya Chola. But the most prominent Kundavai in the entire chola reign was Parantakan Kundavai or Kundavai Pirattiyar, the elder sister of Raja Raja Chola I the great, who was immortalized in tamil literature by Amarar Kalki Krishnamurthy in his magnum opus Ponniyin Selvan. Kundavai was the daughter of Parantaka Chola II and her brothers were Aditya-II and Arulmozhivarman, who later on became Raja Raja Chola I [The Colas, K.A.Nilakanda Sastri(Madras University Publication)] .

In the annals of Chola History, we meet three Kundavais:
* First Kundavai Arinjaya's wife (Veeman Kundavai)
* Second Kundavai Rajaraja's sister and the most prominent (Parantakan Kundavai)
* Third Kundavai One who married Chalukyan prince Vimaladitya

'Vallavaraiyar Vandhiyathevar Pirattiyar Aazhvar Parantakan Kundavai Pirattiyar' - This is how one of the most powerful ladies of the ancient chola kingdom gets her introduction in the famous Thanjavur temple inscriptions [South Indian Inscriptions - Vol II-Part 1(Tanjore temple Inscriptions)] . Pirattiyar, Most of the royal ladies are referred to as the wives of so and so. Example:Udaiyar Raajaraja devarin nampiraatiyar Dandhi Sakthi Vitankiyar [R.Kalaikkovan, Valanchuzhi Vaanar(Ma.Raasamanickanar Varalatru Maiyam Publication)]

Aazhvar, this term only used to signify vaishnavaite saints who lived 2 to 3 centuries before cholas. Why this lady was given such a title ? No other royal lady or male, either before or after kundavai was ever awarded such a title. So what does this title really mean? Is it a title given with a religious sense ? May not be, because she was a truly royal lady with no specific attachment to a given religion. She built only 4 temples : One saivaite, One vaishnavite (Sundarach chozha vinnagarm) one buddhist (Sundarach chozhap perumpalli) and one jain (Kundavai Devi Jinalaya) [South Indian Inscriptions-Vol I (Inscriptions of Thirumalai)] .

There was one more kundavai in the chola clan before this current kundavai, she was called veeman kundavai. She was from east chalukiyas. In order to distinguish herself from her senior, our kundavai called herself "Paraantakan Kundavai", tagging her most beloved father's name with her name. The love between daughter and king as portrayed in Ponniyin selvan is no fiction, she builds sundarach chozha vinnagaram, sundarach chozha vinnagara aadhura saalai (hospital) and even donates idols of her parents to Brihadeshwara temple.

There is one very significant point about Kundavai Piratti and Rajaraja relationship, Rajaraja had great respect for his sister and that their love was not one sided. There are numerous inscriptions to prove this. Kundavai specifically donated many things to Dakshina Meru Vitankar of Raajarajeswaram 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 anyboday 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 Ponniyin Selvan,in this respect is all but truth. That tells the power this lady enjoyed in the kingdom, she gives enormous offerings in gold to Raajarajeswaram, establishing her financial strength. The major contributions of Raajarajeswaram were carefully monitored. Not all could give anything even though the could afford. When it was Rajaraja who presents the main utsava idol Dakshinameeru vitankarana aadavallar it is kundavai who is permitted to present a Umadevi to this vigraha. Just by analyzing who has made which contribution, one is able to realize the order of power in Rajaraja's time.

Inscription in thirukovillur temple wrote:...raajarajan ennum puliyai payandha pon maan..surandha mulaip paal magavodu piriyath thaiyal....Based on the assumption that the child is Arumozhi, probably Kundavai could have raised Rajaraja and that could be one of the reasons for their love and affections. With respect to Vallavaraiyan Vandiyadevan, except the big temple inscription, there is no reference to both of them together in any other inscriptions.

External links

# [http://ta.wikisource.org/wiki/பொன்னியின்_செல்வன் 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 from [http://www.varalaaru.com Varalaaru] monthly e-magazine's website. [http://www.varalaaru.com/Default.asp?articleid=294 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 from [http://www.varalaaru.com Varalaaru] monthly e-magazine's website. [http://www.varalaaru.com/Default.asp?articleid=697 To read the novel, Click here]
# [http://www.varalaaru.com/Default.asp?articleid=620 Kalvettu Sonna Kadaigal Series] in Varalaaru.com Magazine

Notes

References

*Ponniyin Selvan
* [http://www.ponniyinselvan.in/novel-characters-f7/ Gokul Seshadri's Ponniyinselvan Facts and Fiction]
* Sadasiva Pandarathar's Pirkala Chozar Varalaaru (Annamalai University Publication)