Virarajendra
Under Construction
Kerala (Chera Nadu) Music Dance & Drametical forms reflects Sangam Period Tamil Fine Art Traditions
(1)The two eras of Kerala History
The history of the present Kerala State - South India could be divided into two eras, one ranging from ancient times to the end of the twelveth century (A.D.1200) and classified as the Tamil Period of it's History, and the other ranging from the beginning of the thirteenth century (A.D.1201) to this date and classified as the Malayalam Period of it's History.
The above are confirmed by the following Reference:
http://www.malayalamresourcecentre.o...e/history.html
http://www.esamskriti.com/essay-chap...layalam-1.aspx
(2) The traditional geographical boundries of Kerala
Kerala is the Sanskritised version of the Tamil "Chera", and the region of the Chera country had as it's boundries the "Kolikkodu" in the west, "Palani" in the north, "South Kaasi"(Ten Kasi) in the east, and the seafront in the south covering eighty Kavatham of land (Kavatham - a land measure).
Note:
The above is better understood, if taken as the Chera country encompassed within the outer boundries Kolikkodu, Palani, Ten Kasi and Sea (south beyond Kovalam).
The above are confirmed by the following Reference:
".....Vadakku thisai Palani vaan Keel Then Kaasi Kudakku thisai Kolikkodaam - Kadatkaraiyil
oramo Thetkkahum ulla En Pathi Kavatham
Chera Naatu ellai ena seppu....."
Perunthohai by M.Ragavaiyangar, Verse - 2091, Madurai Thamil Sangam Publication 1935 - 1936
(3) The Kings of early Kerala
From the earliest known times up to the end of the twelveth century the Kerala (Chera Nadu) situated on the western part of the South India was ruled by Tamil Hindu kings, and many Tamil Literary works of the early and medieval periods of both Kerala and Tamil Nadu refer to them as the Chera kings.
The region of the former Chera country was encompassed within the present Kerala state, while the regions of the former Chola and Paandiya (Pandiya) Countries were encompassed within the present Tamil Nadu State, and were known in the early days as the “Muth Thamil Nadu” (three Tamil Countries).
These three Tamil countries from their early days had as their royal emblems the Bow (Chera), Fish (Paandiya), and Tiger (Chola) respectively in their flags.
The above are confirmed by the following References:
"........vada thisai marungin mannarkku ellaam then Thamil Naattu chelu Vil, Kayal, Puli manthalai aetra varaiha eengu......."
Silappathikaaram - by Ilango Adihal, Vanji Kaandam, Kaatchi Kaathai U.V.Swaminatha Iyer edition
".......mudi udai venthar moovarullum
kudathisai aalum kotram kuntraa
aaram maarpit Chera kulathu uthiththor....."
Silappathikaaram - by Ilango Adihal, Vanji Kaandam - Katturai. U.V.Swaminatha Iyer edition
(4)The earliest references to Music Dance and Dramertugy in Sangam period Tamil Literature of Kerala (Chera Nadu)
http://www.rotarytour.com/Kerala-Music.php