5.3. Kolanrpotpatti

[Full title: Works written in Puranic (Legendary) style: Kolanrpotpatti]

Kolanrpotpatti [kola-nripa-utpatti]^[1] was composed in the form of Umamaheswara Samvada (as narrated by Siva to Parvati) and purported to be the eleventh chapter of Bhavisyapurana, the work deals with the genealogy of Kolattiris^[2]. It consists of eighteen and a half verses in the sloka metre. Though the account given is of a legendary nature it is interesting in several respects.

Supposedly a part of the Bhavisyapurana, it gives information of a prophetic nature. Thus it prophecies that in the lunar race would be born a king called Sukumara krama who would be get two daughters of these senior daughter would give birth to Vikramarka and his line following patrilineal mode of succession will last up to Bukkana. Of the junior lady a line of kings following the matrilineal form of succession will rule over kerala and will be known by the name of Kolathiris. Virakeralavarma, the kolattiri king will rule the country defeating his enemies with the assistance of his cousin Vikramarka. From that time matrilineal system will be followed by the Kolattiri. The account god on to say that Mlecchas and Hunas will attack their kingdom and that the Kolattiris will have to give tribute money and taxes to the adventurers. The narration claims that the kolathiri line will last upto 30,000 years of the Kali age. Unlike the other accounts on Kolattiris, the present contains no ellusion to the exploits of Udayavarman. Their connection with Ceraman Perumal also is not referred to. Thus it differs much from other traditional sources like Keralotpatti. This is perhaps, due to the short size of the work the authors interest being limited to bringing out the antiquity of the royal family.