kalki's speciality in writing

kalki was one of the most powerful writer of tamil history. what makes him more powerful writer than others is just simple.
He triggers the imagination of the readers to be in an imaginary world ,makes them feel happy and just like that.When i first read ponniyin selvan i am in nearly a dream world, i even not interested in any thing . i forgot about eating,sleeping everything. I read for hours ,i even read it in midnight also.
The reason for his writings are he uses only simple tamil(first it will be difficult to remember the names) language ,there is no vulgar dialogues are present, even while describing any situation he matches with the history, and above all his imagination that make us forget about every thing .....
Try to read the novel ponniyin selvan...because when i read first i really forget about all the worries ,all my fears, and the novel gives me self confidence and make me happy... i know there are several tamil readers around the world .... please please read the ponniyin selvan novel and don forget about the tamil culture for any thing .. because we are from most oldest culture .....tamil vazhgha......

Vengayin Mainthan

vengayin maindan is one of the best historical novel by akilan.... this novel gets the sakhitya academy award ... the story deals with how Rajendra chola built the city gangai konda cholapuram.... by getting water from ganga river.... like ponniyin selvan here also the main hero is not Rajendra chola but Elango a soldier,prince of veliyir who first recovered the pandayan mudi which is hidden in the dense forest of srilanka, with the help of one girl who is daughter of srilankan king maghindan.Elango fell in love with the girl. At the same time in tanjore , Rajendra's daughter also fell in love with Elango. But Elango doesn't know about this.Elango came home with a great victory.Then starts some problem the pandyas,the chaulakyas,the srilankans are all rebel against the chola kingdom.Rajendra plans for every thing and send some group of soldiers to get water from the river ganga.The patrol get victories over the countries which are on the way to the ganges.In the meanwhile, the king ordered to build the Gangai konda cholapuram.When the soldiers return from ganga with water, the enemies joined hands to destroy the new city,they planned to let the city drowned under the water of the nearby lake.. how Rajendra finds this and how Elango tackles this attack is the climax.

This novel is good.Akilan writes in more real than imaginary whereas kalki writes novel in a way that kindle the imagination of the readers. Many characters from ponniyin selvan is included in this novel like vallavarayan vandiyadevan, kundavai, vanamadevi etc...

This is not availble in net or any online reading . so try to buy or read in general library . The price of the book is around Rs.300 i think..

tamil historical novels list

Historical novels by Kalki

‘Ponniyin Selvan’ is a novel set in the Chola period and brings out the social and political situation that prevailed during that era. The imaginary characters and events blend well into the historic events. He could even blend humour and satire into the actual events. His description of the kings and the wars they fought and their aspirations and dreams for their country and people. The stories were full of twists and turns that captured the imagination of the reading public. ‘Sivagamiyin Sabhatham’ is his masterpiece, romantic novel set in the Pallava dynasty’s reign over south India. ‘Parthiban Kanavu’ is the story of Chola prince Vikkiraman who fulfills the dream of his father Parthiban, the Chola king to re-establish the Chola kingdom and freeing it from the Pallava ruler Narasimha Varma Pallavan.

Akilan

Akilan’s ‘Kayalvizhi’ is a gripping saga set in the Pandiya kingdom background. His other novels include ‘Vengayin Maindhan’, ‘Kanni Maadam’ and ‘Vettri Thirunagar.’ ‘Vengayin Mainthan’ has won the Sahitya Academy Award in 1963. ‘Vettri Thirunagar’ depicts the life of Viswanatha Nayaka of Vijaya Nagar who was the founder of the Nayakas. He played a major role in integrating the country.


Na Parthasarathy

Popularly known as ‘Deepam’ Parthasarathy, after the name of the Tamil magazine he edited, his novels ‘Paandimaa Devi’, ‘Rani Mangammal’ and ‘Manipallavam’ are very popular. Paandimaa Devi depicts the glorious Tamil culture and philosophy. The novel is a story of the Pandian ruler the third Rasa Simma Pandiyan.

Vikkiraman

‘Vanthiyathevan Vaal’ by Vikkiraman is a novel set in Raja Raja Chola period. He has penned some interesting novels like ‘Kulothungan Kanavu’, ‘Raja Rajan Sabhatham’, ‘Aalavai Arasi’ and ‘Vathapi Vijayam’ which are very popular.

Kovi Manisekaran

‘Kollippaavai’, ‘Naaga Nandhini’, ‘Vengai Vanam’, ‘Sera Sooriyan’ and ‘Ilavarasi Mohanangi’ are famous novels by Kovi. Manisekaran serialized in Tamil Magazines.

Ra Ki Rangarajan

‘Naan Krishnadevarayan’ by Ra. Ki. Rangarajan is a story woven around Vijayanagaram and as seen by the king Krishnadeva Rayan.

Sandilyan

His novels are historic romance with lots of adventure laced into them. Most of them are set in the times of the Chola kingdom. His novels also describe the political situations prevailing in south India and the conflict with the other countries across the seas. ‘Yavana Rani’ is about a Greek Princess who is saved by Ilanchezhiyan, from the Chola Empire. ‘Kadal Pura’ is another novel about the army commander of Chola king Rajendra II and the princess of Sumatra.

Tamil readers could read most of the historical novels serialized in Tamil weekly magazines. They were published as books later on.

It would be tough to point out who the real hero of the novel is. Mahendravarman I, the Pallava emperor plays an important role in the first half of the story while his son Narasimhavarman comes into his own as the novel progresses. The plot revolves around the historical events of the Chalukya king, Pulakesi II laying a siege of Kanchi and Narasimhavarman avenging this by attacking Vatapi, the capital of the Chalukyas.

The novel is divided into four parts.

Part 1: Paranjothi's Journey

The novel begins with the arrival of Paranjothi in the city of Kanchi to attain tutelage under the Tamil saint Thirunavukkarasar. But he ends up saving the damsel Sivagami and her father Ayannar from a mad elephant by throwing a spear at it, almost by reflex. There is considerable unease in the town since the Chalukya king Pulakesi is on his way to attack Kanchi. That night Paranjothi is arrested by the guards and is kept in a cell since Mahendravarman wants to see and award the young man who saved the life of his most important artists. But Paranjothi manages to escape from the prison with ample help from Naganandhi, the buddhist monk who accompanied him to Kanchi.

Naganandhi takes him out of the Kanchi fort through a secret tunnel to meet the master sculptor Ayannar, who stays outside the fort in a small settlement. Paranjothi plans to join the legendary sculptor as a student and believes that should be possible since his uncle, a friend of Ayannar, has provided a letter asking Ayannar to take care of his nephew. Naganandhi, who has promised Ayannar that he would get him the secret behind the dyes used in the Ajanta paintings, asks Ayannar to send Paranjothi on a trip to the Vindhyas to meet a monk who Naganandhi says, should give Paranjothi the secret formula for the dyes. Accordingly, Paranjothi is sent with a note written by Naganandhi.

Narasimhavarman continues visiting his lover, Sivagami who has mastered the ancient Indian dance form, Bharathanatyam. But this growing romance between the prince and the sculptor's daughter does not have the approval of the emperor. Mahendravarman also orders a livid Narasimhavarman, that he should stay in Kanchi and safeguard it when he goes and takes care of Pulikesi in the battle field.

Meanwhile, en route, Paranjothi meets a soldier, Wajrabahu, who gives him company till the inn where they decide to stay for the night. When Paranjothi is fast asleep, Wajrabahu changes the content of the letter that Paranjothi is carrying. The next day both part ways. Paranjothi is captured by the soldiers of the approaching Chalukya army. He is taken to Pulakesi and presented as a spy. Pulakesi deciphers the letter that Paranjothi is carrying to mean the young man should be given the secret of the Ajanta dyes. Unable to communicate with Paranjothi (since Pulakesi does not understand Tamil and Paranjothi does not understand the language that Pulakesi spoke). Pulakesi asks Wajrabahu to interrogate the surprised Paranjothi. Having confirmed from Wajrabahu that Paranjothi indeed knew nothing, Pulakesi orders Paranjothi to continue his journey to the Vindhyas accompanied by his soldiers. Wajrabahu informs the scared Paranjothi not to worry and asks the young man to trust him. Paranjothi leaves from Pulakesi's camp with some soldiers accompanying him. At night when the soldiers are asleep Paranjothi escapes with the help of Wajrabahu who takes him to the Pallava camp. Paranjothi believes Wajrabahu is a Pallava spy only to later realize that it is fact the Pallava King, Mahendravarman himself.

Part 2: The Siege of Kanchi

Seven months pass and Paranjothi is now a trusted and able commander in Mahendravarman's army. With the battle with Pulakesi fast approaching, Paranjothi returns to Kanchi and soon becomes a close friend of Narasimhavarman. The prince also finds him a suitable companion to describe his lost love and longing to meet Sivagami. Satrugnan, the spy chief, in the Pallava army, comes with the news from the emperor asking Narasimhavarman to launch an attack on Durveneedhan, a local chieftain who tries to attack Kanchi in this hour of crisis.

Ayannar and Sivagami, after being prodded by Naganandhi leave from their settlement to a buddhist monastery to get away from the impending war. Naganandhi almost gains Sivagami's trust by promising her that he will make her famous by arranging for her performance in all the important sites of the Chola and Pandya kingdoms. From the buddhist monastery Sivagami notices Narasimhavarman chasing Durveneedhan's forces and in a sudden twist of events Narasimhavarman rescues Ayannar, Sivagami from an impeding flood. Unknowst to them the flood actually results due to the breach of the bank of a lake by Naganandhi.

The prince, sculptor and the dancer along with Gundodharan a student of Ayannar (who is actually a spy working for the Pallavas) take refuge in the village, Mandapapattu. The romance between Narasimhavarman further blossoms with Sivagami getting convinced that the prince would eventually marry her even though she is a poor sculptor's daughter. Naganandhi tries to assassinate Narasimhavarman but is locked in a room in a temple by the quick wits of Gundodharan. Naganandhi, however, manages to escape and steal the royal seal of the Pallavas. The emperor Mahendravarman reaches the village and almost begs Sivagami to forget marrying Narasimhavarman something which Sivagami claims is very difficult for her to do. Finally the royal party leaves for Kanchi leaving behind Ayannar and Sivagami.

Mahendravarman returns to Kanchi. Nanganandhi is arrested by Mahendravarman in Kanchi. As per the orders of the king, the fort is properly protected and is ready to face the invasion of Pulakesi's army. The siege of Kanchi by Pulakesi begins.

Part 3: The Monk's Love

Pulakesi tries bulldozing his way into the fort only to realise that Mahendravarman has fortified the city almost impregnably. He decides to camp outside the fort as long as it takes since he believes that the stockpile of food would soon run out in the fort forcing the Pallava king to surrender. But the city of Kanchi has stocked well and continues to thrive and Pulakesi realises that his forces are running out of food and the elephants are slowly turning uncontrollable.

He calls truce and says he wants to enter Kanchi as the King's friend much to the disbelief and dismay of Narasimhavarman, who does not trust the sincerity of Pulakesi. But Mahendravarman tries to convince and finally makes sure Narasimhavarman is not in town when Pulakesi enters it, by asking the prince to go to war with the Pandya kings in the south. Pulakesi enjoys the royal hospitality. Sivagami comes from Mandapapattu and performs in the royal assemblage after being requested by Mahendravarman. Ayannar and Sivagami stay in Kanchi waiting for the fort gates to reopen. Pulakesi leaves Kanchi and on the final day Mahendravarman reveals how he managed to outwit him as Wajrabahu. This hurts Pulakesi's ego though he doesn't reveal much. On leaving the fort Pulakesi orders his forces to destroy all the villages in the vicinity and also to cut the hands of artisans as way of getting back at the connoisseur of arts, Mahendravarman.

Mahendravarman releases Naganandhi. Not aware of the danger that awaits them, Sivagami and Ayannar leave Kanchi using a secret tunnel only to be caught by Pulakesis's forces. Naganandhi dressed as the king Pulakesi (it must be mentioned here that Naganandhi is Pulakesi's twin brother) rescues Ayannar from the soldiers. Mahendravarman is seriously injured in a battle with Pulakesi's forces. He is bed ridden and realises his folly of extending a hand of friendship to the Chalukya king. He orders Narasimhavarman to avenge this shame to the Pallava dynasty and rescue Sivagami from the clutches of the Pulakesi.

Sivagami is taken along with the other prisoners to Vatapi. Naganandhi confesses his love for Sivagami to a shocked Pulakesi, who promises to take care of Sivagami. Naganandhi leaves to take care of other matters at hand. In Vatapi, Pulakesi raises a victory column claiming his victory against the Pallavas. Sivagami refuses to dance in front of the Persian emissaries in Pulakesi's court. But Pulakesi devises a devious way of making her dance by beating the captured Pallava citizens and stopping only when Sivagami dances. This continues every day.

Humiliated Sivagami vows that she would not leave Vatapi until Narasimhavarman burns it down and rescues her. She cites the vow as a reason and refuses to come with Narasimhavarman when he makes a secret visit to come and rescue her.

Part 4: The Shattered Dream

Nine years pass. Mahendravarman has died, never recovering from the injury he sustained from the battle with Pulakesi's army. Narasimhavarman, now crowned King, is married to the Pandya princess, Vanamadevi. He continues his preparation for attacking Vatapi. Meanwhile the differences between the brothers Naganandhi and Pulakesi increases. Naganandhi believes that he should be ruling the country, something he forsake when he took up the buddhist way of life. He also hides from Pulakesi the fact that the Pallava forces are on their way to attack Vatapi. What further adds to Nangandhi's anguish is the non-subjugation of Sivagami.

Pulakesi visits Ajanta to take part in a cultural festival and at that time Narasimhavarman reaches Vatapi. The citizens of the fort offer to surrender. Meanwhile a battle ensues between the returning Pulakesi's army and the Pallava forces outside the Vatapi fort. Pulakesi is killed in this battle but this information is not known to the Pallavas since the body is taken and cremated by Naganandhi. Naganandhi returns to Vatapi as Pulakesi(through a secret tunnel) and withdraws the surrender offer. Narasimhavarman's forces burn down the city.

The novel climaxes with Naganandhi being allowed to escape by Paranjothi on the grounds that Paranjothi does not want to kill a buddhist monk. Paranjothi feels disturbed with war and the cost that humans have to pay and announces that he taking the life of a Saivite and takes up the name Siruthondar. Sivagami is united with her aging father. She is initially heart-broken on realising that Narasimhavarman is married to someone else, but later decides to dedicates herself to the God Kanchi Ekambareswarar.

Characters

• Mahendravarman

Kalki portrays him as a connoisseur of arts. He is also someone who was well versed in disguising. Kalki also portrays him as a compassionate king who was easily accessible and who sought and got advice from his courtiers. Though he gets converted from being follower of Jainism to Shaivism he remains tolerant of other religions and respects their practices. He dreams of a day when peace reigns and kings do not have to fight war with each other.

• Narasimhavarman

Outshone by Mahendravarman in the first half of the book, Narasimhavarman takes a life of his own later on. He is the prince who is head over heels in love with the dancer, Sivagami. His love for Sivagami even makes him promise her that he would even relinquish his throne if there was precondition for marrying her. He is portrayed as an obedient son and more importantly someone who understands the practicality of a situation when he agrees to marry the Pandya princess to avoid any problems when he is planning is attack on the Chalukyas.

• Pulakesi

The Chalukya king is portrayed as being ruthless and almost barbaric. Unlike his brother, Naganandhi, he does not have an inclination towards art and sees them as being a waste of time. He has deep respect towards his brother and mentor, Naganandhi. Kalki paints a clear contrast between Mahendravarman and Pulakesi. While the former's courtiers are shown as respecting the king for his wisdom and knowledge the latter's subjects fear his ruthlessness. While the Pallava king consults his ministers and acts on their advice the Chalukya king acts more on his whims.

• Naganandhi

The fictional twin brother of Pulakesi would probably qualify as the villain of the novel. He dons the role of a buddhist monk and this provides him the license to move freely between the various kingdoms. He has an eye for the art and is also portrayed as a cunning statesman and spy. On more than one occasion he confesses that his love for Sivagami has more to do with her artistic abilities than her physical self. He uses the visual similarity that he has with Pulakesi to his advantage to save Ayanar. Having spent his childhood and most of his youth in a buddhist monastery under highly challenging circumstances he possesses a body that is immune to any poison. He dedicates his life to the well-being of the state and his brother.

• Sivagami

The mystical dancer who Mahendravarman claims can portray even those postures and nuances that the creator of Bharathanatyam had not thought of. She is in love with Narasimhavarman. Being alone in the sculptor's settlement she only has a parrot and deer for company. Her fame had spread to distant lands. She is also portrayed as being selfless and generous. She is ready to undergo punishment for the sake of freeing the captured women from the Pallava empire.

• Paranjothi

The able commander of the Pallava army, Paranjothi is portrayed as being a brave soldier.

• Ayanar

Sivagami's father and master sculptor is portrayed as someone who is fanatically in search of the secret behind the Ajanta dyes. He was so curious to know that secret that he was even ready to risk his life and escape from the Kanchi fort and wanted to talk with Pulakesi to get the information.

• Satrugnan, Gundodharan

The spies of the Pallava empire. They are portrayed as being extremely capable and have a very good sense of humour.

parthipan kanavu

this story starts after sivakami sabadam .... it had a very interesting plot... the hero Narashima pallava is showing a very intelligent character in this story... very twisted story even though it was written before the sivakami sabadam it has its own style of attracting the audience...(readers)..try to read it .... compared to sivakami sabadam it has small number of pages only .......kalki played very efficient writer in this novel ....the story has many twists.... heroism is shown more in this novel .... the story gets fast when we read about the sivanadiyar ,the author creates an eagerness to the reader that" who is this man"" what he is doing" but the answer is the final chapter only... if u want to read a small novel try this.. and i am sure u will enjoy this novel... but once u will read the ponniyin selvan novel... this novel seems to be less important to you than parthiban kanavu and sivakamiyin sabadam.. this is also available in net for download ... address www.thechennailibrary.com

sivagamiyin sabadam

sivagamiyin sabadam is also one of the best historical novels of all the time.. i read that twice ... kalki plays a very different in this novel... he portrays mahendra varma pallavar as hero for sometimes... then he changes it to Narasimha pallavar...and finally he portrays sivagami as hero....that make me so impressed ..... i will tell some interesting facts about the novel in my next post....and some of my opinion also..

want to read ponniyin selvan online

go the web address www.chennailibrary.com
where u will find other works of kalki and also some other novels and short stories... all in tamil font

ponniyin selvan

I am great fan of kalki's writing when i read the novel ponniyin selvan.......
what a novel... very interesting novel when ever u feel bored it gives an energy to u.....
the plot was:
"

The story revolves around Vandiyathevan, a charming young man who sets out to the Chola land to deliver a message to the King and the Princess from the Crown Prince Aditya Karikalan. The story shuttles between Vandiyathevan's travels in Chola country and the young Prince Arulmozhivarman's travels in Sri Lanka. The narrative deals with attempts by his sister Kundavai to bring back Arulmozhi (as Raja Raja was called before his crowning) to establish political peace in a land seemingly getting besot with unrest and signs of civil war, plotted by vassals and petty chieftains.

Parantaka Chola was succeeded by his second son Gandaraditya as the first son Rajaditya had died in a battle. At the time of Gandaraditya's death, his son Maduranthaka was a child and hence Gandaraditya’s brother Arinjaya ascended the throne. After Arinjaya’s death, his son Parantaka II, Sundara Chola was coronated. He had two sons, Aditya Karikalan and Arulmozhi Varman and a daughter Kundavai.

When the story starts, the emperor Sundara Chola is ill and bedridden. Aditya Karikalan is the general of the Northern Command and lived in Kanchi and Arulmozhivarman (who would be famous later as Raja Raja Chola I) is in Sri Lanka in battle and their sister Kundavai Piratti lived in Chola royal household at Pazhayarai.

The story is set in motion, when rumor starts that there is a conspiracy against Sundara Chola and his sons. One person who gets a glimpse of the Pandya conspirators is a warrior of the Vana clan Vallavarayan Vandiyathevan. Even though the book is titled Ponniyin Selvan, the hero of the book is Vandiyathevan, a friend of Aditya Karikalan.

It is through Vandiyathevan that we meet most of the characters in the novel such as Arulmozhivarman, the prince whom all the people loved and Periya Pazhavetturayar, the chancellor who married Nandini when he was sixty. During his youth Aditya Karikalan had fallen in love with Nandini, but she turned vengeful after Aditya Karikalan killed Veerapandyan (who was probably her lover) and vowed to destroy the Chola dynasty. We also meet Kundavai Devi, who after hearing the news of the conspiracy sends Vandiyathevan to Sri Lanka to give a message to Arulmozhivarman to come back immediately.

Besides these, there are other characters like Maduranthaka Thevar(the man whom the conspirators want to crown king), the son of Gandaraditya and Anirudha Brahmarayar, Sundara Cholar’s Prime Minister and the man who has eyes and ears everywhere. But the most wonderful character in the book is Brahmarayar’s spy Azhwarkadiyan Nambi, a Vaishnavite, who roams around the country challenging Saivaites for debates. He collects information for the Prime Minister and is always around Vandiyathevan, rescuing him during trouble.

There are some lovely women too, like Vanathi, the Kodumbalur princess who is in love with Arulmozhi; Poonkuzhali, the boat woman who rows the future king to Lanka; Mandakini, the deaf and dumb step mother and Rakkammal, the wife of a boatman who supports the Pandya conspirators. Most memorable among these is Nandini, whose beauty is said to have the power to influence any man.

With Poonkuzhali's help, Vandiyathevan reaches Sri Lanka and meets Arulmozhivarman and becomes his close friend. In Lanka, Arulmozhivarman realizes that his father had spent some time in an island near Lanka and had been with a girl born deaf and dumb. He meets her and realizes from her drawing that she and his father have had two children. Who are those children and do they have the right to the throne? Later one day in Thirupurambayam forest Vandiyathevan sees Nandini and the Pandya conspirators place a small boy on a throne and take a vow in front of him. Who is this boy and what right does he have to the throne? This is the kind of suspense that is maintained throughout the novel.

While coming back from Lanka, Arulmozhivarman is caught in a cyclone and goes missing. Rumor spreads that he is dead, but he survives and stays at Choodamani Viharam, a Buddhist monastery in Nagapattinam. Then slowly the dispersed family starts assembling. The conspirators meanwhile choose one day in which both the king and both of his sons would be assassinated.

Will the conspirators succeed in killing Sundara Chola and crowning Madhuranthaka as the king or will Arulmozhivarman get crowned the king? That is one of the major question upon which the story revolves.And it ends in a dramatic climax in the fifth part of the book where the truth about Maduranthaka Chola is revealed. This story has everything to make a wonderful novel of all time .