Mahendravarman

(r. 600–630) Ruler in southern India during the Pallava dynasty, when it was a
stronghold of Tamil culture. According
to tradition, Mahendravarman was born
a Jain, but became a devotee (bhakta) of
the god Shiva under the influence of the
poet-saint Appar. Mahendravarman
was a cultured man and a patron
of the arts, as well as the author of
the play Mattvavilasa (“Sport of
Drunkards”), which was popular
throughout southern India. The rockcut temples at Mahabalipuram were
built during his reign. He fought
with the surrounding monarchs, especially the Chalukya king Pulakeshin II;
it was in battle with Pulakeshin’s forces
that Mahendravarman met his death.