Irunkōvēl
Encyclopedia
Irunkōvēl also Irungkōvēl, Irukkuvēl, Ilangōvēlar was a title of the Irunkōvēl line of Tamil
Velir kings. The Irunkovel line of kings ruled over Kō nādu identified with the Kodumbalur and surrounding areas in ancient Tamilakkam
. They trace their lineage to the clan of Lord Krishna
; one of the inscriptions at Kodumbalur belonging to one of the Kings in the Irunkovel line, namely Tennavan Irunkōvēl, declares that he belonged to the race of Krishna.
as well as poet Kapilar
and lived during the Sangam
era. In addition, this particular Irunkōvēl also bore the title Pulikadimal, literally meaning the hero who destroyed the tiger or tiger slayer in reference to a hunting expedition when he breaks away from the party while being pursued by a tiger but in the end kills it. He proudly traces his lineage back by 49 preceding generations without a break to one of the kings of ancient Dvārakā. He is later defeated by Karikala and becomes a subordinate to the Chola sovereign.
It has been recorded that one Irunkōvēl was present at the coronation of a Karikala Chola after gifting him some earth for the ceremony.
, another Velir King, Kapilar
, a Sangam
Tamil poet and the former's friend would approach Irunkovel and plead with him requesting him to marry the two daughters of his friend and patron (excerpt from Purananuru
; Tinai:pattantinai, Turai:paricirrurai);
But Irunkovel does not pay heed to the poet's words and instead sides with the 3 crowned kings and rather throws an insult back at him alluding to the sorry state of his friend's family. The enraged poet flares up and fires back a curse that his kingdom would fall just like his ancestor's;
district:
Tamil people
Tamil people , also called Tamils or Tamilians, are an ethnic group native to Tamil Nadu, India and the north-eastern region of Sri Lanka. Historic and post 15th century emigrant communities are also found across the world, notably Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, South Africa, Australia, Canada,...
Velir kings. The Irunkovel line of kings ruled over Kō nādu identified with the Kodumbalur and surrounding areas in ancient Tamilakkam
Ancient Tamil country
The Sangam period is the classical period in the history of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and other parts of South India, spanning about the 3rd century BCE to the 3rd century CE...
. They trace their lineage to the clan of Lord Krishna
Krishna
Krishna is a central figure of Hinduism and is traditionally attributed the authorship of the Bhagavad Gita. He is the supreme Being and considered in some monotheistic traditions as an Avatar of Vishnu...
; one of the inscriptions at Kodumbalur belonging to one of the Kings in the Irunkovel line, namely Tennavan Irunkōvēl, declares that he belonged to the race of Krishna.
The contemporary of Karikala
The most famous among them was a contemporary of Karikala CholaKarikala Chola
Karikala Chola or Karikala Chozhan was one of the great Tamil kings of Early Chola during the Sangam period. He was the son of Ilamcetcenni and ruled around 270 BC....
as well as poet Kapilar
Kapilar
Kapilar was a Sangam poet. He was a contemporary of Karikala Chola, Irunkōvēl and Vēl Pāri. He was the close friend and confidant of Vēl Pāri, one of the Vēlir kings.-Life:He was born into a Brahmin family in Tiruvadavur in the Pandyan Kingdom...
and lived during the Sangam
Sangam
The Tamil Sangams were assemblies of Tamil scholars and poets that, according to traditional Tamil accounts, occurred in the remote past. Three assemblies are described...
era. In addition, this particular Irunkōvēl also bore the title Pulikadimal, literally meaning the hero who destroyed the tiger or tiger slayer in reference to a hunting expedition when he breaks away from the party while being pursued by a tiger but in the end kills it. He proudly traces his lineage back by 49 preceding generations without a break to one of the kings of ancient Dvārakā. He is later defeated by Karikala and becomes a subordinate to the Chola sovereign.
It has been recorded that one Irunkōvēl was present at the coronation of a Karikala Chola after gifting him some earth for the ceremony.
Encounter with Kapilar
After death of Vēl PāriVēl Pāri
Vēl Pāri was the title of the line of Tamil Vēlir Kings who ruled Parambu nādu and surrounding regions in ancient Tamilakkam. The most famous among them lived towards the end of the Sangam era and was the patron and friend of poet Kapilar. He is extolled for his benevolence and for his patronage of...
, another Velir King, Kapilar
Kapilar
Kapilar was a Sangam poet. He was a contemporary of Karikala Chola, Irunkōvēl and Vēl Pāri. He was the close friend and confidant of Vēl Pāri, one of the Vēlir kings.-Life:He was born into a Brahmin family in Tiruvadavur in the Pandyan Kingdom...
, a Sangam
Sangam
The Tamil Sangams were assemblies of Tamil scholars and poets that, according to traditional Tamil accounts, occurred in the remote past. Three assemblies are described...
Tamil poet and the former's friend would approach Irunkovel and plead with him requesting him to marry the two daughters of his friend and patron (excerpt from Purananuru
Purananuru
Purananuru is a Tamil poetic work in the Pathinenmaelkanakku anthology of Tamil literature, belonging to the Sangam period corresponding to between 200 BCE – 100 CE. Purananuru is part of the Ettuthokai anthology which is the oldest available collection of poems of Sangam literature in Tamil....
; Tinai:pattantinai, Turai:paricirrurai);
But Irunkovel does not pay heed to the poet's words and instead sides with the 3 crowned kings and rather throws an insult back at him alluding to the sorry state of his friend's family. The enraged poet flares up and fires back a curse that his kingdom would fall just like his ancestor's;
Related Inscription
Here is an inscription belonging to one of the kings of the Irunkōvēl line from the Adhipuriswara temple in TiruvorriyurTiruvottiyur
Tiruvottiyur is located within the city premises of Chennai. It is located to the north of Chennai. Due to its proximity to Parrys and Chennai Central, it is fast becoming a sought after residential destination...
district: