Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Vallavarayan Vanthiyathevan was a real personality who existed in Chola regime under Raja Raja Chola I and before. His origins and clan are subjects of great debate. Kalki Krishnamurthy strongly believed his clan is Vaanar Kulam (Bana Kingdom / Magadai Mandalam) and depicted the same in his famous novel Ponniyin Selvan. To add more evidence that he is a Chalukyan, if you look at chola dynasty since Adithya Chola it has been a trend to strengthen their ties through marital alliances. Right from Adithya, Paranthaga and Sundara we see kings marrying many daughters, sometimes from potential would-be enemy empires and forge solid relationship with them. And in case of Vanthiyathevan, we see that he married Kundavai, perhaps the most powerful princess of her times.