At the golden era of Tamil civilization

Raja Raja Cholan (ராஜ ராஜ சோழன், Tamil, 1973)

Of late the name of the Cholan Empire has been in the limelight. The remnants of an old relic had been ignorantly bulldozed by capitalistic minded building developers who thought that those remains of an ancient shrine were just giant boulders that just happened to be there, as if stupidity is a legitimate excuse for acquittal. The shrine was allegedly built by the local inhabitants of Swarnabhumi who were awed by the culture of the invading Chola Kingdom and decided to emulate their way of living. One of the ancestors of this kingdom is Raja Raja Cholan. He is said to have ruled South India at the zenith and glory of Tamil civilization. In this 1973 film, the era of Raja Raja Chulan was immortalized by the eloquent and sometimes over acting doyen of the Tamil movie screen, the late Padmashri Sivaji Ganesan.
This film highlights the cunning and far thinking megalomaniac of a king who strives to leave his mark in history by expanding his territories and showcasing the greatness of the Tamil culture and language. It narrates the tale in the life where he outwits an enemy turncoat advisor who deflects to his kingdom. All the same breath, he tests the tenacity of his future son in law, his strong willed princess, the combative prowess of his young prince and to defeat the traitor at his own game of wits.

Tanjavur Periya Kovil

Along the way, he salvages some Thevaram scrolls which were locked up by some priests who insist that they would only be released when three sages who had gave them for safekeeping appeared in person. These three sages, Appar, Manickavasagam and Nyanasambanthar, were presumed dead! Raja Raja retrieved the scrolls by presenting idols replicas of them, arguing that if God idols were representation of Him, then those replicas should suffice!
His reign also saw the erection of Tamil Nadu's magnificent temple, Periya Kovil. It is said that the Cholas were master builders who spread their influence (conquered) to Ceylon, Srivijaya, Kadaram (Kedah) and Maldives.
In keeping with the tradition of Tamil movies, all ends well when the youngsters prove their mettle and the turncoat's antics come to fore!