[brraverishhh]

I am posting an Article downloaded long back claiming that Thiruvalluvar was born in Kanyakumari.

NAGERCOIL: The birthplace of saint Tiruvalluvar has always been a matter of debate for historians. Now, the Kanyakumari Historical and Cultural Research Centre has thrown new light on this subject.

The Centre claims that Tiruvalluvar hailed from Kanyakumari district. And as proof of this, it has identified Tiruvallurvar worship in Kani tribal belt on two hillocks, ‘Valluvan Kalportrai’ and ‘Valluvathi Kalportrai’ (the second named after Tiruvalluvar’s wife).

This fact was unearthed during a field research conducted by a team of researchers, headed by Dr Padmanabhan and comprising Dr P Srikumar and Dr Suresh, in Koovaikadu Kani belt area where Tiruvalluvar worship is practiced by 32-odd Kani families on the twin hillocks.

According to Kalian Kani, an aged tribal chief, Tiruvalluvar ruled over Valluvan country and the hillocks - Valluvan Kalportrai and Valluvathi Kalportrai - were once the favourite haunt of the saint-king Valluvar. (Historians say that Valluvar was once Valluvan and the change of name indicates the respect and honour given to the saint.)

Legend has it that the Kanis deified Valluvar and the two hillocks are considered holy to this day. A special ritual, ‘Valluvan Kodithi’ is still performed at ‘Valluvan Paatham’, ‘footprint’ of Saint Valluvar, for good rains.

The Kani tribals, beating the traditional chendai (drums), offer honey and Thinai flour to Saint Valluvar during prayers. Dr Suresh, who has done his research on Kani tribals, said, ‘‘Certain couplets in Thirukural have graphical description of Kanis’ hunting habits - the Kanis mimic the call of birds to lure their prey and shoot them down with arrows. And this has been narrated in couplet No 274 in Thirukural, he said.

Going by research done over a few decades in linguistics, oral traditions, calligraphy, social norms, customs and habits, the birthplace of saint Valluvar could be somewhere in Kanya Kumari district.

And researchers claim that the saint was born in Tiruvalluvanayanar of Tirunayanarkurichi near Muttom.

Some of the other evidences that attest to the claim are inscriptions of the ‘Valluvan country’ in Tirunanthikarai cave temple, and the recent finding of Valluvar worship in Valluvan portrai, All these three evidences are traced to Kalkulam taluk in Kanyakumari district.

Says Dr.Padmanabhan, ‘‘Historical and sociological evidences suggest that the Kalkulam part of Kanyakumari district was ‘Valluvanadu’ and the king who ruled over it was Valluvar’’