After watching the movie Dasavatharam, my mind was haunting on the first 2 reels about Kulothunga Cholan, as I am passionate on history. I was bought up in Thanjavur and whenever, i have time, i read about cholas and other kings in TamilNadu.
Personally, i think Kamalhassan is the only person in the movie industry has some good overall knowledge on history and any other topic. I cannot watch Kamal movie, just for fun. I expect him a lot, and most of time, he delivers the quality. This movie came to me bit surprise, as i always think Kamal takes the history after referring to many books and make sure it is correct and make sense. However, i am not able to find the reference where he found the story of throwing “Lord Govindarajar” in sea with a human being!.
Here is what i got on the instance so far,
Kulothunga was a great devotee of the Sivashrine of Chidambaram. He celebrated his coronation in that city. Chidambaram is one of those five places where chola princes were invested with crown. He also financed the elaborate renovation of the Siva temple in Chidambaram. The poem Kulothunga Cholan Uladescribes in detail the work carried out in Chidambaram. It is possible that this renovation work is the continuation of the work started by Vikrama Chola. He commissioned the work called “thiru thondar puranam“, by his Noble Sekkilar, who composed it from Thillai(Chidambaram).
Religious intolerance
Kulothunga II had a comparatively peaceful reign. His intolerance or persecution of “Vaishnavas” is disputed. As explained in the ‘Kulothunga Cholan Ula’, during his time major development work at the Natarajar Temple at Thillai (Chidambaram) was carried out. Incidentally, this major Shaiva shrine also houses the (separate) temple of Lord Vishnu as Govindarajar, which is among the 108 Divya Desams (sacred temples of Lord Vishnu). Under Kulothunga II’s orders, an attempt to persuade the patrons of the Vishnu shrine was made for temporarily removing the idol of Vishnu, ostensibly with the purpose of repairing and renovation, which was initially opposed by the Vaishnava community. Kulothunga-II probably got the idol forcibly shifted mainly so that the repair work is carried on smoothly and also with the intention of not causing any damage to the Vishnu shrine. This opposition of Vaishnavas to the (intended but not deliberate) removal and closure of Lord Vishnu’s temple was interpreted in some quarters as persecution of Vaishnavites, because in Hinduism closure of a temple is opposed and at least a small lamp has to be lit in the temple, without which that temple is not considered fit for worship. Otherwise, Kulothunga-II is known to have been popular as evidenced by Sekkilar’s work Periyapuranam.
Personal life and family
Kulothunga II preferred to live in Chidambaram rather than the royal capital at Gangaikonda Cholapuram.
We know of the names of two of the queens of Kulothunga II. The chief queen was Tyagavalli, also known as Buvanamulududaiyal. Mukkokilan, a princes of the family of Malaiyamans was the other queen.
Of the various titles Kulothunga had, Anapayawas perhaps his most favourite. It is found in his inscriptions as well in the poeting tribute Kulothunga Cholan Ula. He was also called Tirunirruchola.
Rajaraja Chola II succeeded him in 1150 C.E.
References
- Nilakanta Sastri, K.A. (1935). The CōĻas, University of Madras, Madras (Reprinted 1984).
- Nilakanta Sastri, K.A. (1955). A History of South India, OUP, New Delhi (Reprinted 2002).
- South Indian Inscriptions – http://www.whatisindia.com/inscriptions/
Retrieved from “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kulothunga_Chola_II“
However, according to vaishnavaites, it was told (no proof or reference) ” Kulothunga Chola II, ordered his men to remove Govindaraja’s idol and throw it into the sea. Later the great social reformer Aacharya Ramanuja took great effort in finding Govindaraja under the sea and found him and replaced him in his original place.” Ref:http://www.divyadesamonline.com/hindu/temples/chidambaram/chitrakoodam-temple.asp
In either case, i don’t see Ranagarajan Nambi drown with Govindarajar, as shown in the movie. If that is not real, i don’t understand, why Kamal has to come up with such an unnecessary non-sense to create “Choas” among hindu? Is he following his leader’s (EVR’s Aryan-Dravidian myth?) trick to divide Hindus and make money of it ? Sorry Kamal.
Note : If i found that the story narrated in the movie is true and find any reference, I am ready to apologize to Kamal or to this post, as I don’t have anything against him
Reference:-
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nambiyandar_Nambi&hl=en-IN
AnayMalpani 