SANGHAM LITERATURE

 There is an icon of the word Ariyar in the ancient Tamil literature, popularly known as Tamil Sangam literature. This literature was related to Buddhist religion which was promoted by Kalabhras, who were themselves the Jain & Buddhist kings. The Kalabhras were believed to be the ancestors of MUTHURAJAS. We must carefully note one fact that ARAIYAR word was used widely during the period of Kalabhras in Sangam Literature and not earlier. In the ancient Tamil literature, the word Arayar, Arayan, Araya etc., found in various places with their other forms and have been used both as nouns and adjectives. From the description of Paditruppattu, it can be seen that Arayar are the Kings of the north Rishis of the "Himalayas, the Kings between the boundaries of 'Himalayas' and Kumari and the people of the north or northern direction of Tamilagam. According to Agananuru, Ariyar were the people who captured and trained elephants, who got defeated by the Cholas at Vallam, who were the Kings from the foregoing discussion about the word Ariyar and its forms mentioned in the ancient Tamil literature, it is evident that they would come under the following categories: Ariyars are: the people who were living immediately north of Tamizhagam (Tamil country) or Vengadam (Thirupathi), The jugglers, tumblers, rope-dancers or acrobats of Tamizhagam, the kings who were ruling immediately north of Tamizhagam or Vengadam, the Rishis or saints of northern mountain of Tamizhagam or 'Himalayas'. The elephant captures and /or trainers, the groups, or kings who waged wars against Tamil kings or chiefs coming from north. The honorific title Ariya was used to respect certain professionals like wrestlers, poets or king-cum-poets of Tamizhagam. All the above mentioned information clearly points to Kalabhras who were the descendants of Kalchuri kings of Central India and who came to South India with Jain & Buddhism. They were also directly connected to Buddha. Both Buddha mother and wife were from Koli warrior & fishing community. Buddha was also referred as Arayar in Tamil Literature. It can be understood that these Indo-Aryan kolis / Kalchuris used to call themselves as Aryas because of their inter marriages with Aryans and Aryan blood in them. This word was also perhaps used to refer them as people who came from North of Tamilnadu