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PRESTOR JOHN, THE KALABHRAS AND MAHABALI ; WHAT IS ONAM ALL ABOUT? M. M. NINAN ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Origin There is no clear evidence about the origin of the Kalabhras. The popular belief was that the Kalabhras remained sunordinates to the Gangas and Kadambas of the Kannada region. Later,they might have migrated into the Tamil country Kalabhra rule: We have little information about the Kalabhra rule in theTamil country. The Tamil grammar Yapperunkalam refers to a Kalabhra king, namely Achutha Kalappalan. It appeared that heruled the Tamil country from Uraiyur . He had also patronised theTamil poets. A Buddhist scholar namely Buddhadatta lived in his kingdom. According to traditions, he imprisoned the Chera, Chola and Pandyan rulers. He had extended patronage to Buddhism and Buddhist monasteries. By the end of the Sixth century A.D. the Pandyan ruler Kadungon had liberated the southern part of the Tamil countryfrom the Kalabhras. By the same period, the Pallava king, Simhavishnu had captured Tondaimandalam and Cholamandalam from the Kalabhras. Thus, the Kalabhra rule inTamil country came to an end due to the ascendancy of the Pandyasand Pallavas. Society under the Kalabhras: We can find a lot of difference between the society and cultureof the Sangam Age and those of the Kalabhra rule. There was apolitical chaos during the Kalabhra rule. The secular outlook of the Sangam period gave way to the religious outlook of the Kalabhras. Both Buddhism and Jainism became dominant religions during the Kalabhra period. Particularly, the Jain monks had preached Jainism in the Tamil country. They were patronized by the Kalabhra rulers. At the same time, efforts were made to remove the evils from the society. The Tamil Siddhars like Thirumoolar had preached their philosophical ideas. Morals and ethics had beenpreached through education and literature. Education and Literature: 134
PRESTOR JOHN, THE KALABHRAS AND MAHABALI ; WHAT IS ONAM ALL ABOUT? M. M. NINAN ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Kalabhra rule in the Tamil country had witnessed thegrowth of education and literature. Sanskrit and Prakrit languageshad been introduced in the Tamil region. This had resulted in thedevelopment of a new script called Vattezhththu . The Tamilliterature had also taken new forms and the Tamil grammar hadalso undergone a few changes during this period. Many worksunder Pathinen Kilkanakku were composed during this period.Epics like Sivaka Chinthamani and Kundalakesi were written. Nigandus were also composed during the Kalabhra period.The Buddhist and Jain monks had contributed much to thegrowth of education. The Buddhist educational institutions were called Ghatikas. Scholars like Buddhadatta, Buddhaghosha and Bodhidharma lived during this period. The Jain Pallis had remained important educational centres during the Kalabhra rule.The Jain Palli (School) at Thirupathirippuliyur remained animportant educational centre during this period. Sarva Nandi and Vajra Nandi were the two great Jain scholars, who lived in thisperiod.During the end of the Kalabhra rule, the religion Saivism began to emerge as a great religion. Some of the Kalabhra rulershad embraced Saivism. However, it was only after the end of theKalabhra rule, the Bakthi-cult flourished in the Tamil countrythrough which both Saivism and Vaishnavism began to flourish So a very casual reading of history from whatever meager sources we have with us indicates that Kalabhra period was a glorious age with emphasis on moral standards and education. Whatever their religious affiliation was, they were very tolerant to other religions. But they were heavily opposed to caste system and Brahminic domination and exploitation. Does it not indicate the rule of Maha Bali dynasties if we are to accept what the Onam festival declares? 135
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Prof. Madathilparampil Mammen Ninan
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Life, Legacy and the Theology of Dr
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mahabali

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