Recently I met one of my friends on an official visit to Katpadi. During the discussion I mentioned about theactivities of PS group re: ponniyin selvan and tracing the background of Vanthiya Thevan's nativeplace etc. To my surprise he told me that the birthplace of VT is somewhere in Aathur near Pachchamalai, Salem ! In fact he mentioned that his ancestors are from Vanthiya Thevan's clan ! He also mentioned about Kunthavai, without my asking, that VT married her and Kunthavai never visited the native place of VT and VT was very much a "veettodu maappillai" though he visited his native place from time to time. As this gentleman has no interest in history he told that some "persusus" in their place might throw light. He also strongly denied that Vanthiya Thevan never belonged to Vallam of Tanjore ! He also mentioned that there is a temple [I have seen this temple while travelling] belonging to Rajajaja Chola period, on the way from Vellore to Katpadi and there are a good number of old idols inside the temple even today! The temple is called "Oadakkaara Pillaiyar Koil", Katpadi, and there is a bus stop too.
The above names have not come up for discussion so far in the group I believe. I could not visit the temple due to paucity of time and it may give some clues.
Hi thiruvallam is near ranipet. its a devaram shrine. lots of chola monuments including pallipadais in the north arct. i think a lot more battles of the cholas were fought on the northern frontier
vanthiyathevan comes to light in just one or two edicts of the cholas.
mathathellam kalki's writing has fired up the imagination of a nation