Sanskrit sources of Kerala history
by Suma Parappattoli | 2010 | 88,327 words
This study deals with the history of Kerala based on ancient Sanskrit sources, such as the Keralamahatmyam. The modern state known as Keralam or Kerala is situated on the Malabar Coast of India. The first chapter of this study discusses the historical details from the inscriptions. The second chapter deals with the historical points from the Mahatm...
This book contains Sanskrit text which you should never take for granted as transcription mistakes are always possible. Always confer with the final source and/or manuscript.
5.7. Udayavarmacarita Sangraha alias Desyastaka
[Full title: Works written in Puranic (Legendary) style: Udayavarmacarita Sangraha alias Desyastaka]
This is given as an appendix in the same work. It is only a resume of the above account in ten stanzas[1]. Composed in Sragthara metre. The authorship may be ascribed to a Brahmin Tiruvalla. The work is referred to by Ullur by the doubtful title Desyastaka[2]. The author has also referred to the work of the Ravivarman of Kolattiri family.
The common features of these pseudo historical writing is that all of them are based on legendary accounts. The various details given here are often contradictionary. Thus according to the work of Ravivarman Kolattiri, it is Keralavarman the son of Ceraman Perumal who established the Kolattiri race some versions of Keralolpatti also subscribe to the view. But the Musakavamsa traces the geneology of the race from Ramaghata.
Though the historical value of works like Udayavarmacarita is meagre, still such works are significant since they pass on these legends to prosperity however in accurate and contradictory they may be. Reliable historical evidence being unavailable they are often resorted to by writers to paint an outline of history even if it is vague.