Six hundred years before the time in which this story takes place, apart from the three crowned kings of Tamilakam, there were seven minor chieftains who shone with fame. They were known by the title of “Vallals”—the Generous Ones. Among these seven was Ori, the lord of Kolli Hills. He was renowned as a matchless hero in the art of archery. It was said that when he bent his mighty bow, strung it, and let fly an arrow, just as Rama’s arrow pierced through seven trees, Ori’s arrow would first strike down a tiger, then a deer, then a wild boar, and finally a hare, all in one shot. Thus, poets sang of his skill in archery, and from this he came to be known as “Valvil Ori”—Ori of the Strong Bow.

In those days, the Chera king, who had grown powerful, bore enmity towards Valvil Ori of Kolli Hills. To attack him, the lord of Thirukovalur, Malayaman Thirumudikkari, sought the Chera’s alliance. Kari’s valor was in no way less than Ori’s, and in addition, Malayaman Kari commanded a larger army. Malayaman marched his forces upon Kolli Hills, slew Valvil Ori, and utterly destroyed his hill fortress.

At that same time, in the region adjoining Kolli Hills, there ruled a minor king named Athikaman Neduman Anji. He was a friend and ally of Valvil Ori. When Malayaman Kari slew Ori, Athikaman longed to avenge his friend’s death. Realizing he could not do so alone, he sought the aid of the Chola king, Killi Valavan. Killi Valavan too was angered by the growing might of Malayaman and his alliance with the Chera. Thus, Killi Valavan of the Cholas and Athikaman of Thagadoor joined forces and attacked Malayaman of Thirukovalur. Malayaman attained the hero’s heaven on the battlefield. The Chola warriors captured Malayaman’s two young sons and brought them back as prisoners.

Athikaman and Killi Valavan, determined to destroy Malayaman’s lineage entirely, ordered that the children be buried up to their necks in the earth and trampled to death beneath the feet of elephants. At that moment, a poet who had known Malayaman’s generosity and benefited from it arrived there. He pleaded with the Chola king for the lives of Malayaman’s children. “O King! Look there! Look at the faces of those children buried up to their necks! See the smiles that play upon those faces! Even as they watch the elephant approaching to trample them underfoot, even as they see its trunk swinging, those children think it is some kind of game and laugh. Are you truly going to kill such innocent children? What sin have those children committed? Is it just to punish children for the crimes of their father?” said the poet.

Hearing this, the Chola king’s heart changed. He immediately revoked his order. He had the children lifted from the ground. When the eldest among them came of age, he restored to him the kingdom of Thirukovalur.

From that time onwards, for centuries, the Malaiyaman clan of Thirukovalur maintained a grateful and friendly relationship with the Chola kings. That bond endured all the way to the time of Sundara Chola. Sundara Chola himself had married Vanamadevi, the daughter of Malaiyaman, and made her his chief queen.

The lines of Kolli Malai’s Valvil Ori and Thagadur’s Athigaman had perished and faded into history. Yet, the lords of Kadambur, the Sambuvarayars, claimed descent from their branches. The Sambuvarayars never forgot the enmity their ancestors bore towards the Malaiyaman clan of Thirukovalur. Thus, was it any wonder that they did not wish to see Malaiyaman’s grandson crowned as emperor of the Chola Empire? The arrogance of Aditya Karikalan, his utter disregard for the lesser kings, and his conduct only served to deepen the Sambuvarayars’ resentment. Therefore, the Sambuvarayars enthusiastically joined the effort to seat Kandaraditya’s son, Madurantaka, upon the throne of Tanjore.

But from the day Karikalan arrived in Kadambur, a subtle change began to take place in the heart of Periya Sambuvarayar. His beloved daughter, Manimekalai, was the reason for this change. There were many signs that Manimekalai had captivated the heart of Aditya Karikalan. Until then, it was said that Karikalan never so much as glanced at women, that he intended to remain a celibate all his life. But ever since he came to Kadambur palace, he was often seen visiting the women’s quarters and conversing with them cheerfully. Most notably, he frequently praised Manimekalai’s “chudikai” (hair ornament). From the time of Karikalan’s arrival, Manimekalai too was filled with joy and excitement. Periya Sambuvarayar believed this was because she too had developed an affection for Karikalan. Observing the happiness of both, Sambuvarayar himself was filled with hope. If Karikalan married Manimekalai, his beloved daughter would become empress of the Chola Empire! For her, the prospect was— The child to be born would also have a rightful claim to the throne of Thanjai! The pride that now fills Malayaman of Thirukovalur could then be theirs as well. Why should he himself stand as an obstacle to all this? Why should he hinder the elevation of his beloved daughter?

It was true that Sambuvaryar had once entertained the thought of marrying his daughter to Madurantakan. But Madurantakan already had two wives. He had married the daughter of the younger Pazhuvettaraiyar, and she had borne him a son. Therefore, if Madurantakan ascended the throne, it would be the descendants of the Pazhuvettaraiyars who would inherit the crown. Manimekalai would have to live as just one among the many handmaidens in the Thanjai palace.

But if Manimekalai married Aditya Karikalan, she would become the chief queen. The child born to her would be the rightful heir to the throne.

Crowning Madurantakan would be an arduous and perilous task. The people would oppose it. It would require waging a struggle against both Malayaman and the Velar of Kodumbalur. Even Madurantakan’s own mother stood as an obstacle to it. Why should he undertake such a troublesome endeavor?

Crowning Aditya Karikalan, on the other hand, was