| Illustrator Thibika shanmugam Publication date 1950s Pages 2600 pages (approx) Country India | Language Tamil Media type Entertainment Originally published 1950 Publisher Kalki | |
| Original title வந்திய தேவன்link = Ponniyin Selvan Genres Historical Fiction, Romance Novel, Spy fiction, Thriller, Novel Similar Ponniyin Selvan, Sivagamiyin Sapatham, Kalki Krishnamurthy | ||
Vallavarayar Vandhiyathevar was a feudatory and Chief Commando (Senaithalaivar) of the Chola kings Raja Raja Chola I and Rajendra Chola I and chief of the Samanthas of North Arcot. He was married to Kundavai, the elder sister of Raja Raja I. The territory under his authority was known as Vallavaraiyarnadu.
Contents
Origins
His origins and clan are subjects of great debate. Kalki Krishnamurthy strongly believed his clan is Vaanar Kulam (Bana Kingdom / Magadai Mandalam) and depicted the same in his famous novel Ponniyin Selvan.
Evidences
His name is referred in Thanjavur Big Temple inscription in which he is referred to as the husband of Kundavai Pirattiyar. A life sized statue depicting Vandhiyathevar controlling a horse is erected in Chennai near Anna Flyover in Mount Road as an honour to this great personality during the first tenure of Mr. Karunanidhi as Chief Minister (This was to capture the banning of horse race by the government of Tamil Nadu is a different background altogether)
