Ponniyin Selvan is an historical novel in Tamil; of late I
got a chance to read this novel, I wanted to log my thoughts and experience
during these 3 months reading period. The plot is about a great Tamil emperor
Rajaraja Cholan, during the 10th century. Though the book is during
late 50s, it is written in a lucid narrative style that never bores the reader.
I am not good at reading books, although I still have to
manage to read a few that are critical for my academics. The first stint came
when a close friend of mine who is an avid reader insisted me to read this
novel. Though I was a bit reluctant, I convinced myself to go for it. During my
last visit to India, I bought these 2000+ pages volumes in Landmark; honestly I
was amazed to know that the book is still a bestseller. The author Kalki
Krishnamurthy did a pretty good job and his simplified language, the narrative storytelling
covering a number of real historical events and characters do undoubtedly stick
the reader to the book.
Vallavaraayan Vandhiyadevan is the lead character; the story
is narrated revolving the characters he encounters. While reading the author do
induce a sense of jealousy with me, through the way he portray the then
beautiful Tamilnadu, the natural wealth and resources etc., Most importantly men
during those days are brave, women are beautiful, not to mention about the
beauty of the magnificent Chola princess Kundavai. Her characterization in the
entire volumes depicts the pivotal role women played in olden times to protect
the kingdom and their loved ones. Another important character that impressed me
was the boat mistress, later queen of Chola Empire, Poonguzhali, her valiant
and perseverance positively holds a place in the reader’s mind. The other
characters that impressed me during the course of the books are Chetan Amuthan,
queen Nandini, spy Azhvaarkuadiyan, Chancellor & Treasurer Periya Pazhavetturayar,
Chief Minister Anirudhar, deaf queen mandhagini. The friendship between
Vandhiyadevan and Arulmozhi Varman was phenomenally described.
At the current times of several distractions and endless
entertainment resources online, reading an historical novel was a definite
pleasure. The phase of the story does imprison the reader to this book. For the
past three months, this book has become a favourite pastime and I began talking
about the characters and my experience to my friends and definitely recommend reading.
On the downside the abrupt ending of this book might make some people a bit grumpy
(including me), nevertheless the author justified the ending in his conclusion.
After all a meagre 2000+ pages can’t hold the thousand years of great Tamil
history. I am not a voracious reader but I will definitely read this book
again.
Cheers - Jb
http://jayabalaji.blogspot.com
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