Vararuchi was a poet and grammarian in the court of King Vikramaditya. He was renowned as one among the nine gems or ‘Navaratnas’ in the court. There is a legend that Vararuchi begot twelve children in a ‘Chandala’ or low caste woman. They were Mezhathol Agnihothri (Brahmin), Paakkanaar (Parayan), Rajakan (Washerman), Naaraanathu Bhraanthan (Elayathu), Kaarakkal Maatha (high caste Nair), Akavoor Chaathan (Vysyan), Vaduthala Nair (Nair soldier), Vallon (Thiruvalluvar) , Uppukottan (Mlecha), Paananaar (Paanan), Perumthachan (Carpenter) and Vayilyakkunnilappan (deity).
