THE MESSAGE THREAD IS REPRODUCED : hear that Rama was worshipped in the name of Ayodhi azhvaar. Kamban is post Kulothunga - contemporary of Poet Ottakoothar. Chola bronzes of early period portraying Rama with consorts are also available - one of the best being Vadakkuppanaiyur bronzes. It is clear that Rama was deified before Kamban.
Comparing this with other azhvaar titles provided to Lord vishnu (Pandri azhvaar for Varaahamoorthy, Dwarakapuri azhvaar for Krishna etc) it is possible that the concept of Rama as an avathar of Lord Vishnu was also in place
Adithya chola the second major king of Vijayalaya line bore the title Kothandaraman. I saw an inscription in the Shiva temple at Vellur (in Trichy Musiri route) where it was mentioning a temple called Kothandaraama Vinnagaram in the same village. The temple does not exist now but could have either been a vishnu temple built in the name of Aditya or could have been a Rama temple.