The Manuscript mentioned by you is titled "Cholamandala Varalarugal" by Dr Soundara Pandian. It is clear this is a "secondary source" of information. If you had already read this Manuscript could you very kindly let me know from which "original source" Dr Soundara Pandian got this information on the name of the Silpi as Chavara Sharma who built the Thanjavur "Rajarajeswarem Temple" (Birahatheeswarer temple).
As far as I am aware the the Chief Silpi (Perum Kal Thatchchan} who was intrumental in constructing this great temple was "Virachola Kunjajara Mallan alias Rajaraja Perum Thatchchan", assisted by the two Associate Silpis namely "Niththavinotha Perum Thatchchan" and "Kandaraathiththa Perum Thatchchan".
The Manuscript itself is written by Dr Soundara Pandian - which is not an original manuscript but a secondry manuscript. But from what you have mentioned below it appears that the Dr "has not mentioned the original source" of this information in his manuscript, but "possibly he has been mis-informed by someone".
If possible, and if you have access to this manuscript, I very kindly request you to provide the "exact words" of the Dr as given in his book pertaining to this information on "Chavara Sarma".
I think you have completely mis-understood what I have interpreted. Say if - I have written a book on the "History of Cholas" myself using - say some informations from South Indian Inscriptions and also say with some informations from Kalingaththuparani, I would call my work as secondary manuscript or secondary work. I will consider the South Indian Inscriptions volumes and Kalingaththuparani as original manuscripts or sources. I would refer to my manuscript as a secondary work - as it has been written based on the informations from the other original - works and sources.
In the same line of thinking, I asked you to kindly let me have the details of Dr Soundara Pandian's "original source" of this information on "Chavara Sharma" mentioned by him in his work titled "Cholamandala Varalaarukal".
Or is it the "Cholamandala Varalaarukal", you are referring to is a historical or literary work composed "by some other author" of the earlier days, but edited, explanatory notes given, and publised by Dr Soudara Pandian ???
Please note we are "not referring" to any one as "fake" as your have "wrongly stated". Your statement that "the entire OML department will shout" is only exibiting the "immaturity of the minds" of the people who want to shout, in the process of my quest for the truth.
However I thank you very much, for whatever informations you have provided to me upto now on same.
The claim on the silpi goes directly against what is the widely accepted claim - which is based on inscriptions standing till date in the big temple itself. I have talked to an expert sculptor who is from the viswakarma clan and he too confirms to this view. So when you talk of manuscripts which give a diff view, its only natural that people ask for more details. We would all like to learn new things and any such claim must be supported by the full information and am sure open to debate.
Take the debates still on as to the authorship of the mallai monuments. we would love to have an healthy discussion and you can rest assured that its the theory under debate and not the credentials of the people involved.
Names of two sculptors are mentioned in Thalicheri Kalvettukkal. Remember that this inscription only talks about the dancers employed - along with musicians etc and is necessarily not one which talks about the sculptors who built the project. So the references to two names are circumstantial and does not necessarily accord any status.
The title "Perunthachan" was accorded to all major sculptors. Earliest reference is "Erukkottur Perunthachan" in pillaiyarpatti. Till recently the usage of the word perunthachan was very much in vogue in kerala. There was even a malayalam historical movie titled perunthachan (nice one).
Rajaraja accorded his name as title to many. You find Rajarajap perunthachan and Rajarajap Perunavidhan. Rajarajp pallavarayar.
Hence Kunjara malla (which was the title of parantaka) who bore the title Rajaraja perunthacha was one of the many sculptors who was involved in the project. He was not the chief architect - atleast there is no evidence.
Now on the oriental manuscript library. There are many 17-18th century manuscripts which talk about chola history. Some of them were collected by Lt col Colin Mackenzie. Esp the Kongu desa rajakkal & "Chola mandala charitira surukkam" - full of true and imaginary information - go at length to describe how "Karikaala" (!) built the brihadeshwara temple. It also describes a certain "sharma" and his "son" who were involved in the construction.
It is almost impossible to trust these sources as primary info. Historians are using it only as secondary or tertiary source of info.
Following my earlier thoughts I found a reference to another silpi in Thanjavore inscriptions : Kandaraditta-Perundachchan is meitoned in No. 66, paragraph 505 of SII Vol 2.
I have extracted from my article the connected reference titled "Rajarajaeswarem & Gangaikonda Cholaeswarem - Siva Temples" in WWW.mayyam.com/hub on same which is as follows:
".....The chief among the Silpis (Perum Thatchchar) who were instrumental in the construction of this great temple was Viracholan Kunjajara Mallan alias Rajaraja Perum Thatchchan - with - his two assistants, and the expertise of two other Silpis namely the Kunavan Mathuranthahan alias Niththavinotha Perum Thatchchan and Ilaththi Sadaiyan alias Kandaraathiththa Perum Thatchchan....."
The question may be asked as to how Viracholan Kunjajara Mallan alias Rajaraja Perum Thatchchan was considered the chief among them.
This could be seen from the Payment made to him and the other two associate Silpis. Viracholan Kunjajara Mallan alias Rajaraja Perum Thatchchan was paid 1 1/2 Pangu, while the other two were paid 3/4 Pangu as seen from the actual text of the inscription which is as follows.
- Inscription on the outside of the northern Thiruchchuttru wall - - South Indian Inscriptions - Vol 2, Ins No 66 -
Rajarajap perumthatchchan was paid ontrarai pangu, while his associate Silpis were paid only half of it - i.e. each mukkaal pangu.
Hence we can safely assume that Viracholan Kunjajara Mallan alias Rajaraja Perum Thatchchan was the chief Silpi instrumental in the construction of the great - Thanjavur Rajarajaeswarem temple.