Cenkuttuvan
Cheran Chenkuttuvan ()(), literally the Alluring Kuttuvan Chera, identified with Katal Pirakottiya Vel Kezhu Kuttuvan, ("c." 2nd century CE) was the most celebrated ruler of the Chera dynasty in early historic South India and early land of Kerala. The kuttuvan is eulogized by Paranar in the fifth decad of "Patitrupattu" of the "Ettutokai" anthology (early Tamil texts). The kuttuvan successfully intervened in a succession dispute in the Chola country and established his relative on the Chola throne. The Kadambas ― helped by the Yavanas (perhaps Greek or Roman mariners) ―attacked the kuttuvan by sea, but the Cera ruler destroyed their fleet . He is said to have defeated the Kongu people and a warrior called Mokur Mannan. Under his reign, the Cera territory included Kollimalai near Karur Vanci in the east and Tondi and Mantai on the western coast (Kerala). Kuttanadu in Kerala is after his name. Military achievements of Senguttavan are described, albeit in an exaggerated manner, in the medieval Tamil epic poem "Cilappatikaram." A method, known as Gajabahu Synchronism/Triple Synchronism, based on text proper, canto 30:160 of the epic, is used by scholars to date Chenkuttavan Chera to "c." 2nd century CE. Life and career. Early Tamil texts. The  kuttuvan is eulogized by Paranar in the fifth decad of "Patitrupattu" of the "Ettutokai" anthology. "Purananuru" 343 refers to the hill products and sea products, mainly pearls, of Cenkuttuvan and to the Yavana gold that reached ashore by boats, in exchange. The kuttuvan's mastery over the sea might have led to the often used title "Katal Pirakottiya", which translates as "One who Lagged the Sea Behind". Paranar praised the kuttuvan for his naval powers - Paranar also praised kuttuvan's military prowess - Senguttavan Chera in "Silappatikaram". Authorship of "Silappatikaram" is traditionally ascribed to prince Ilanko Atikal (literally the Junior Prince ), who appears in the work as the younger brother of Cenkuttuvan Cera. The third part of "Silappatikaram" (the Vanci Kantham) deals with Cenkuttuvan's expedition to bring the "virakkallu" from the Himalayas for an idol of Kannaki/Pattini. According to the patikam of "Silappatikaram", the royal astrologer at the court of Cera king predicted that (the younger prince) Ilanko would succeed the king, which angered the elder prince Senguttavan. Ilanko at once chose to renounce his claims to the throne and live a life of an Jain ascetic. He shifted to a monastery on the outskirts of Vanci, where he  composed epic "Silappatikaram". The Bhagavati Temple, in Kotungallur, Kerala, is claimed to be the Kannaki temple thus consecrated. Dating Senguttavan Chera. A method known as Gajabahu synchronism/Triple Synchronism is used by some scholars to date Cenkuttuvan Cera to 2nd century CE.