Valvil Ori

Valvil Ori is a Vanniyar (Mazhavar) who ruled over the Kolli Hills, Tamil Nadu, India, around 200 CE. Valvil Ori is a Vanniyar who ruled over the Kolli Hills, India, around 200 CE. King Valvil Ori is known for his skill in using the bow and arrow. He is also known for his generosity and as a king who ruled without caste discrimination. He was from the Mazhavar dynasty. Valvil Ori is praised as one of the seven great philanthropists of ancient Tamil Nadu. His valour and marksmanship are sung by several poets, and his exploits are a popular part of folklore. Legends have it that he was a great archer and released an arrow by him pierced first and elephant, then went through the open mouth of a tiger, then a deer and the a pig and then hit a monitor lizard killing instantaneously all. Valvil Ori is famous for his archery skills. His title Valvil refers to his special archery skills.

Valvil Ori's Painting in Kolli Hills.

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The Kolli Hill

The Kolli hill is situated in the Namakkal district of Tamilnadu, and lies about 40 km north-northeast of the ancient Karur, capital of the Cheras of Sangam age. The hill with its lofty peaks is graphically and frequently described in the Sangam Literature assignable from second century B.C. to second century A.D. The Kolli hill on account of its height, was covered with clouds and received good rainfall. It abounded in good fragrant flowers like Jasmine, Iruvatchi and Kantal. A special variety of paddy was grown here. Giant size beetles were found in the hill. The hill was more popular in the Sangam age for the beautiful sculpture of a Goddess called Kollip-paavai (identical with Durga) carved on the western slopes of the hill. It is an impressive piece of art, charming and well known throughout the Tamil country. Identically it was perhaps the earliest rock-cut sculpture from Tamil-Nadu, though it has not so far been located. The Kolli hill was said to gladden the hearts of the visitors and at the same time infuse an awe and inexplicable fear on the others. It was called "bayam kelu kolli”. The hill and its adjoining area were called the territorial division of Kolli - Kollik-kurram.

Val-Vil Skilled Ori.

The Rulers of Kolli

Two rulers namely - the Chieftain Val-vil Ori and the Chera ruler Perum-cheral Irumporai are referred to in the Sangam works as the rulers of the Kolli hills. References to the hill appear over eighteen times in various works of Sangam collections, Ori appearing as the Lord of Kolli in seven instances and the Chera, in nine instances. It is of great interest to note that almost all the celebrated poets of the Sangam age like Paranar, Kapilar, Auvaiyaar, Arisilkilaar, Perum-chitranaar, Kallaadanaar and others have sung the Kolli hill. Among them Kapilar, Vanparanar, Nattattanaar, and Perum-chitranaar refer to Val-vil Ori as the Lord of Kolli hill, whereas the poetess Avvaiyaar and poets like Kurum-koliyuur Kilaar, Perum-kunruur Kilaar, Tayam Kannanaar, celebrate this hill under the rule of Poraiyan Kolli and Vaanavan Kolli.

However, the greatest poet of the sangam age - Paranar, mentions that Kolli belonged to Ori the chieftain- Ori Kolli and in other verses praises Chera as the Lord of Kolli hill - Poraiyan Kolli. This must be considered significant, which will be discussed in the sequence. The other significant reference to Kolli occurs in the Tamil epic Silappadikaram, in which the Chera is praised as the ruler of Kolli - by the poet Ilango-adigal.

Val-vil Ori, The Great Patron.

Valvil Ori Statue in Kolli Hills.

Ori, the Lord of Kolli hill, was celebrated as one of seven great vallal - patron of the Sangam age. He was probably the son of Adan and was called Adan Ori. He had a swift horse also named Ori. It is seen from the description of him found in the works that he was a great connoisseur of music and dance. The dancers who came to his court were honoured with great fortunes and a golden garland with kuvalai flowers fastened to silver threads. Because of his bountiful gifts to dancers and musicians, he came to be included among the seven celebrated patrons. It is said that the wealth bestowed on the dancers, made them forget even their art. A paana is said to have sung a vannam composition on him. The viralis accompanying the Paanan played on yaaz, little drum, the great flute and patalai as orchestra. Twenty-one forms of musical compositions are said to have been composed in his honour by the musicians Ori's great valour, love for poetry, music and dance and also bountiful gifts endeared him to the poets. This chieftain picked up an enmity with then Chera ruler whose capital Karur was hardly forty kilometers from this hill. However, he was a great friend of Atiyamaan Nedumaan Anji, another chieftain, who had his capital at Tagadur. These chieftains enlisted the help of the two crowned rulers - the Chola and Pandya against the Chera. It is difficult to be precise on the chronology of events. It would be interesting to briefly note the history of the Chera ruler under reference.