Karikaalan

One of the firsts to bring pride to the Chozha Dynasty was Karikaalan.

There is a very famous song in The Tamizh Film Industry which contains the line

“Karikaalan kattivaithaan kallanai”

Such is the greatness of Karikaalan.

Very few know what his real name was.

Few sources suggest that it could be “Thirumaavalavan”.

It actually happened that his father, Ilanjetchenni was burnt in his own palace by his relatives and his son was taken to a different palace where he was also set fire. But, Thirumaavalavan managed to escape from the burning palace, but got his leg burnt. That why he got is name.

He had to run into the forests for life. His Chozha Kingdom was taken away by his father’s relatives, who now were his enemies. With the help of his uncle, he secured his kingdom back and ruled.

Even centuries later, when the Chozha dynasties reached unbelievable heights under the reign of Rajaraajan and Rajendran, Karikaalan were considered to be their godfathers.

Only the later Chozhas had “Thanjaavur” and “Pazhaiyaarai” as their capital. Karikaalan’s capital was Poompuhar. Poompuhar was one of the then most important ports of Tamilnadu.

The famous Silappadhigaaram, one of the “Aimperum Kaappiyangal” has one of its parts in Poompuhar. Every year, there used to be a chariot race in the days of Ilanjetchenni whose chariot is well known and Ilanjetchenni himself was a great charioteer who would drive his horses at a very high speed with amazing control.

During the reign of Karikaalan, there were invasions from the west, especially from Greece, and they were driven out of the country by the king.

About a century after the rule of Karikaalan, the Chozhas lost complete control of Tamilnadu to the Pallavas, whose origin is till date debatable.

The Pallavas took Tamilnadu to the next stages of development till Aparaajidhavarman finally lost to Vijayaalaya Chozhan and his son.

The great novelist, Chandilyan, in his “Yavana Raani” creates a fictional story out of available historical details in which he describes the way how, Karikaalan got back his kingdom.