Ponniyin Selvan is a recent Tamil blockbuster directed by the famous director Maniratnam. The movie is a historical biopic of the great king of Tamil Nadu and even South India called Ponniyin Selvan. Arunmozhivarman was the birth name of the famous Chola king Raja Raja Chola. Ponniyin Selvan is the epitome of the great Chola empire. Raja Raja Chola built many temples, monuments, and stupas. He encouraged art, architecture, and dance forms during his reign.
Historical facts about this Muslim temple superintendent
History is a best interesting story than a historical fiction story or sci-fi story. We grew up seeing many Muslims are not allowed in Hindu temples till today. They were not allowed to be members of administrations of Hindu religious charities. Now there is also a movement growing to discourage the involvement of non-Hindus in Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam.
Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam were born in the Cauvery delta and this region is their base. Do you ever think that a famous Hindu temple has a Muslim temple superintendent? Yes, the famous Thanjavur Brihadeeswara Temple has a Muslim temple superintendent.
Who is this muslim temple superintendent?
The name of this Muslim temple superintendent was Chonahan Chavur Paranjoti. He superintended the dancers and musicians at the Brihadeeswara Temple in the 11th century.
In the later period, he became an important imperial official in the kingdom. He ensured that the grants given to temples were properly issued or not. The Muslim temple superintendent was not an official but also an artist. His artistic qualifications were described in the inscriptions of Rajendra I with the title 'Kandhiruvapperaraiyan.'
The meaning of the title 'Kandhiruvapperaraiyna' is 'great king of classical music.' In addition to that, he made many donations to Thanjavur temple activities. In the 11th century, fields like religion, arts, and administration were far more open in the Tamil region than today.
Raja Raja Chola's Muslim Temple Superintendent
During the time of Raja Raja Cholan, many arts, and architecture were cherished. The Cauvery delta is famous for its artistic origin. Famous dance form Bharatanatyam and the beautiful Carnatic music were born in this region.
The Muslim during Raja Raja Chola has a title "Kandhiruvapperaraiyaṉ" which means the 'great king of classical music.' In addition, he also made donations to Thanjavur temple activities. The religious barriers are far more open than today.
The Muslim superintendent at the Brihadishvara temple was Chonahan Chavur Paranjoti. There were inscriptions dated the 29th year of Raja Raja I 1014 CE in the temple. Paranjoti used to live in Gangaikondacholapuram which is the imperial capital of the Chola empire.
Paranjoti was appointed as a temple superintendent by Ponniyin Selvan. These inscriptions also say that Paranjoti donated sheep to shepherds. He also made many repair works for the temples and donated money to Siva-yogins during the 24 festival days.
Paranjoti's Contributions to Brihadeeswara Temple
There was a Muslim who superintends the famous Brihadeshvara temple during Ponniyin Selvan's reign. But in today's world, there is a situation where non-Hindus are not permitted to enter the temples.
They are also not allowed to be members of administrations of Hindu charities. And now there was a movement growing to discourage the involvement of non-Hindus in Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam.
But it is quite the opposite in our historical times, our ancient Indian kings encouraged other religions and tried to suppress religious feelings. It will be exciting right to know that the most excellent Indian king Ponniyin Selvan has a Muslim at the famous Brihadeshvara temple. Who is this person? Is he a Muslim or from another religion?
Also read: Story of Hari Hara Veera Mallu
Chonahan Chavur Paranjoti Importance
Raja Raja Chola sees no difference in appointing a Muslim as the temple superintendent. Because he feels like same as appointing a Vaishnavite in the Siva temple.
The dances performed by a large number of dancing girls in the temple raised the art to supreme heights and excellence. This created a huge impact in the further centuries too.
Paranjoti also succeeded in fulfilling the role ensured by Ponniyin Selvan. The royal scribes (Tirumandhira Olai) written by the officials in the Raja Raja Chola time say that Paranjoti worked as a superintendent from 1023 CE to 1035 CE. Now coming to the most important question, is he really a Muslim or from another religion?
Was Paranjoti a Muslim?
Few historians researched the whereabouts of Chonahan Chavur Paranjoti. In 1895, a historian named Venkayya did not consider Paranjoti a Muslim. Because he or we believed that Muslims came to South India much later.
Venkayya thought that Paranjoti could be a Greek or an Arab. However, researchers now learned more about the West Asian trade that happened with South India during that period confirming that Paranjoti was a Tamil Muslim indeed.
Other Muslims in the Chola Period
Many Tamil texts like Purananuru mentioned the foreign trades that occurred during that time. The Roman traders were mentioned as Yavanar, they came by ship to buy spices like pepper. At the same time, the Tamils imported Roman wine and lamps.
The Purananuru also mentioned the tradings done between Arab and Persian Muslims during the 7th century. The west Asians were called Chonahar in the Purananuru. Over time, both Chonahar and Yavanar are referred to as Muslims irrespective of their origin.
Many Muslim west Asian navigators and traders settled on the south Indian coasts at least as early as the 8th century. They were given Tamilising foreign sounds like Chavur means 'Sabur' in Arabic and 'Shapur' in Persian. The meaning of 'Sabur' and 'Shapur' is a prince in the 10th century. By this, we can say that the name Chonahan Chavur Paranjoti was indeed a Muslim.
Conclusion
In the end, the time of Ponniyin Selvan and Rajendra I (often called Napoleon of South India) highlights the remarkable attitude of inter-religious amity that prevailed in the 11th-century Tamil region. Both kings considered Islam as another religion similar to Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Jainism, and Buddhism. They didn't consider Islam as a foreign faith separate from the rest. This is the best thing that we need to acknowledge from our Indian history. To treat every religion in the same manner.
