| Succession: | Chera ruler |
| Katal Pirakottiyavan | |
| Reign: | c. 188 – 243 |
| Father: | Nedum Cheralathan |
| Mother: | Uraiyur Chola Nalconai |
| Spouse: | Illanko Venmal |
| House: | Chera |
Cheran Chenkuttuvan (c. 2nd century CE), literally 'the Alluring Kuttuvan Chera', identified with Katal Pirakottiya Vel Kezhu Kuttuvan,[1] was the most celebrated Chera dynasty ruler of the early land of Tamilnadu in early historic South India.[1] [2]
The Kuttuvan is eulogized by Paranar in the fifth decade of Patitrupattu of the Ettutokai anthology (early Tamil texts).[3] The Kuttuvan successfully intervened in a succession dispute in the Chola country and established his relative on the Chola throne.[1] The Kadambas ― helped by the Yavanas (perhaps Greek or Roman mariners) ― attacked the kuttuvan by sea, but the Chera ruler destroyed their fleet. He is said to have defeated the Kongu people and a warrior called Mokur Mannan.[1] Under his reign, the Chera territory included Kollimalai near Karur in the east and Vanchi, Tondi and Mantai on the western coast (Kerala). Kuttanadu in Kerala is after his name, which was one of his major capitals. The base of major ancient temples in land of Kerala was established by Chenguttuvan.
Military achievements of Senguttavan are described in an exaggerated manner in the medieval Tamil epic poem Cilappatikaram.[4] A method, known as Gajabahu Synchronism/Triple Synchronism, based on text proper, canto 30:160 of the epic, is used by scholars to date Chenkuttavan Chera to c. 2nd century CE.
The kuttuvan is eulogized by Paranar in the fifth decade of Patitrupattu of the Ettutokai anthology. Purananuru 343 refers to the hill products and sea products, mainly pearls, of Cenkuttuvan and to the Yavana gold that reached ashore by boats, in exchange.
The kuttuvan's mastery over the sea might have led to the often used title Katal Pirakottiya, which translates as "One who Lagged the Sea Behind". Paranar praised the kuttuvan for his naval powers -
Paranar also praised kuttuvan's military prowess -
Authorship of Silappatikaram is traditionally ascribed to prince Ilanko Atikal (literally the Junior Prince), who appears in the work as the younger brother of Cenkuttuvan Cera.[5] The third part of Silappatikaram (the Vanci Kantham) deals with Cenkuttuvan's expedition to bring the virakkallu from the Himalayas for an idol of Kannaki/Pattini.
According to the patikam of Silappatikaram, the royal astrologer at the court of Cera king predicted that (the younger prince) Ilanko would succeed the king, which angered the elder prince Senguttavan. Ilanko at once chose to renounce his claims to the throne and live a life of a Jain ascetic. He shifted to a monastery on the outskirts of Vanci, where he composed epic Silappatikaram.
The Bhagavati Temple, in Kodungallur, Kerala, is claimed to be the Kannaki temple thus consecrated.[6]
A method known as Gajabahu synchronism/Triple Synchronism is used by some scholars to date Cenkuttuvan Cera to 2nd century CE.[7]