- Source: Kalingarayan (title)
Kalingarayars or Kalingarayans titles appear in inscriptions from the time of Kulothunga Chola I in Tamil Nadu with the new title 'Kalingarayan'.
Background
Kalingarayans was a title used by various officials in the medieval Chola and Pandya governments in present-day India. The kings gave many titles to those who excelled in their country and to their political officers in recognition of their work and merit. Etti, Enadi, Kavithi, Pallavaraiyan, Muttaraiyan are some of the names we know in history. 'Kalingarayan' is one of the many titles given in this way. It was borne by persons from different communities like Kallar and Kongu Vellalar, etc.
The Kulothunga Chola I ruled in 1096 CE and conquered Southern Kalinga and in 1112 CE, he also conquered Northern Kalinga. Jayamkondar was the poet laureate of Kulottunga Chola I and he is renowned for the poem Kalingattu parani, in which he describes the Chola-Kalinga war and celebrates the victory of the Chola king. In this, the Jayamkondar in 1112 CE praised the victory of the northern kalinga war with Anantavarman Chodaganga. Kulothunga bestowed the title of Kalingarayan on Manavilkutthan, a devotee of Shiva, who was the reason for his victory in Kalinga. The Kalingarayan title as a symbol of the victory in Kalinga. Many pronounce the name 'Kalingarayan' as 'Kalingarayar'.
In the inscription of the 11th regnal year of the king of Madurai and Eelam in the Alangudi, Apatsahayesvarar Temple in the Chola country, we find the name of a political official named 'Kalingarayar'. The temple inscription of Nataraja Temple in Thillai mentions the order of a political official named 'Kalingarayar Olai (Pinnation)'. In the Thiruvarangam temple inscription, we find the inscription "Kalingarayar Vaikaram". In the eighth regnal year inscription of Maravarman Kulasekara Pandyan I on the third prakaram of Tirunelveli Nellaiyapar Temple, a political official named 'Netturudayan Thiruvrindan Kalingarayan' is mentioned.
Arantangi Thondaimamans have had many Kalingaraya chiefs as high officials. They are Kaliugameiyan Kalingarayar, Karpurak Kalingarayar, Chirambalamudiyaan Kalingarayar, Tirucharan Kalingarayar, Thiruvambalamudiyaan Kalingarayar, Nirambavazhakiyankalingarayar.
See also
Lingaya Kalingaraya Gounder
Govindarasu Kalingarayar