Today is Chingam 1; Kerala welcomes new century in Malayalam calendar; history behind Kolla Varsham

Kollam: As dawn breaks on the New Year, Keralites step into another year filled with hope and high expectations, leaving the last page of an eventful century behind. Chingam 1 marks the beginning of the new year for the Keralites. This year, it marks the beginning of the century as well. These days, with people more or less glued to their mobile phones and digital devices for information and entertainment, unmindful of the glorious past of our culturally rich state, not many care about the historical and cultural importance of the Malayalam year.

So many interpretations, stories, and assumptions surround the origin of the Malayalam calendar. Not many have historical backing, as it is passed down through generations with coloured narratives punctuated with imaginations mixed with partial facts. Still, the Malayalam calendar marking the new year as ‘Kolla Varsham’ is a historical phenomenon that is 1200 years old, irrefutably. Scholars and historians nod in approval as the calendar also carries the name of Kollam, a southern district of Kerala.

Before the advent of Kolla Varsham in Kerala, there were Saptharshi Varsham, Vikrama Varsham, Kalachoori Varsham, and Guptha Varsham to measure the passage of time in Kerala. However, all those systems lacked something or other to measure time scientifically and in a unified manner. It is said that the system ‘Kolla Varsham’ ended the confusion regarding the marking of time, proof of which can still be seen in the Rameshwaram Temple in Kollam, where there is a stone plaque in the temple with an inscription of the word ‘Kollam Thonty’, which means “Kollam has born”.

Another argument in favour of Kolla Varsham is that the calendar began during the time of Rajasekhara Kulasekharan, a dominant king of the Chera Dynasty. According to this view, Kolla Varsham began on July 25, AD 825. Historian P. Sankunni Menon had a different opinion regarding the date, stating it was not on July 25 but on August 15. Another historian, K.V. Krishna Iyer, suggested that Kolla Varsham began in AD 1101 following the battle between the kings of Kerala and Cholas. In that battle, Raman Thiruvady, the patriarch of Venad, was defeated by Kulothungan Naralokaveeran, the Chola king. As he was hailed for his victory, Kulothungan was called ‘Kollam Azhinthukandan’ (man who destroyed Kollam). Thus, started the year Kolla Varsham, said Krishna Iyer. Later, Raman Thiruvady fought back and pushed the Cholas out of Kollam. With this victory, a new language and culture flourished in Kerala. Some historians view that Kolla Varsham might have started during this period.

Meanwhile, A. Sreedhara Menon, another great historian of Kerala, says that Kolla Varsham was introduced with the arrival of Namboothiris in Kollam. A Saptharshi Varsham is the recurrence of 100 years. When the Namboothiris arrived in Kollam, the annual calendar of Malayalam began with the start of the 10th recurrence of Saptharshi Varsham.

The first proof of Kolla Varsham is found in the Mambally title deed made in bronze in Kolla Varsham 149. The title deed begins with ‘Kollam Thonty 149 Thulam’. Apart from this, the reference to ‘Kollam Thonty’ can be seen in many other orders issued by the kings of Venad.

Whatever be the historical interpretations, ‘Kolla Varsham’ has gained popularity over the years and has become a part of Kerala's cultural life for around 12 centuries.

According to Sreedhara Menon, Hermann Gundert says that ‘Kolla Varsham’ began when a temple was built in Kollam district. Since there are no foolproof documentary evidences regarding the origin of Kolla Varsham, some historians also point to the possibilities of the stone plaque found in the Rameshwaram temple.

Even as the importance of Kolla Varsham has waned over time, with new generation kids having no idea about even the existence of such a calendar, ‘Kolla Varsham’ still moves along with us as the mark of a great heritage and culture. The calendar acts as the guiding light to the unique cultural characteristics of Kerala and Malayalis.