Ay Andiran
Ay Andiran was a velir or hill chieftain of the Ay dynasty who ruled over the Pothigai Hills and the surrounding regions, including the south-western Malabar Coast, of the Tamil country in southern India during the early historic period. He was an elder contemporary of the Chera ruler Anthuvan Cheral.
In [Sangam literature|the Sangam Literature (the early historic Tamil corpus)], particularly in Purananuru and Kurunthokai, he is mentioned as the Lord of the Pothigai Hills (or the Pothiyil-malai) in the Western Ghats. His headquarters was probably located at Aykudi in the Western Ghats. He is extolled in Sangam poetry for his benevolence toward poets, musicians, and dancing girls and is counted among the Last Seven Great Patrons (Kadai Ezhu Vallal).
Reign
In Sangam Literature, Ay Andiran is portrayed as a ruler who held dominion over the Pothigai Hills in the southern stretches of the Western Ghats — densely forested and rich in elephants — which he employed extensively in warfare. The luxurious "palace" of Ay Andiran is also described in Purananuru.Poems praising Andiran, composed by the poet Uraiyur Eniseri Mudamosiyar, feature in Purananuru. He is also mentioned by poets such as Paranar, Mosi Kiran, Kavirippumpattinam Karikkannar, Umathur Kizhar Parangotranar, Thuraiyur Odai Kizhar, and in Sirupanatruppadai. In Akananuru, his name appears alongside other minor Tamil rulers such as Nannan, Nalli, Pindan, and Thitthan Veliyan.
Battle against the Kongu rulers
Purananuru mentions the battles Andiran fought against the rulers of the Kongu country. The Kongars are described as launching an attack on Andiran's territory with a large force of spearmen. The poems recount that Andiran deployed his elephant corps, defeated the invaders, and drove them back toward "the western sea".Patronage
Andiran is celebrated as one of the Last Seven Great Patrons (Kadai Ezhu Vallal) in the Sangam Collections such as Sirupanatruppadai and Purananuru. He extended generous patronage to poets and singers in his court, rewarding them with elephants, horses, and chariots. The poet Mosiyar's songs repeatedly praise the wealth of Andiran's land and his acts of generosity.On one occasion, a "blue naga" is said to have visited Andiran and gifted him a fine cloth. The naga explained that he had obtained the cloth through penance and that whoever wore it would be blessed with prosperity and long life. Believing it improper for a mortal to retain a divine gift, Andiran accepted the cloth as a gesture of respect but later dedicated it to the god Shiva (the Al-mara-selvan) at a temple.