Just thought I could summarize some of the unique features of PS as compared to other historic novels written in Tamil -
* Most of the novels have a big invasion or fighting between 2 kingdoms as their climax. The entire novel will be moving towards this event and the author would have supported one side - portraying the other as the evil force. Kalki's own SS is no exception to this.
But PS is different in this respect - to a careful observer it will be evident that the novel does'nt have a climax on its own ! Kalki felt that the renunciation of Crown by Arulmizhi was his climax (refer his conclusion to the novel) - to many readers it is the murder of Aditya - but to me it is neither or both. That is why when you finish the novel, you always suffer from a sort of dissatisfaction - no other novel can give this feeling - that too at the end of 5th volume !
* Most of the novels have a King or a prince as its hero but in PS a small, insignificant and noble warrior (Vandhiyathevan) becomes a hero. It is interesting to note that Kalki actually wanted Arulmozhi to be recognized as a hero in his novel the name Ponniyin selvan is derived from him but an `all perfect' figure he portrayed only helped to distance readers from Arulmizhi. Moreover the chronology of events was also in favour of Vandhiyathevan. It is interesting to compare Vandhiyathevan with Paranjothi who is a character in SS and Ponnan of Parthiban Kanavu. In SS Paranjothi character is used to introduce many characters in the Novel but the real hero is Narasimhavarman. It is certain that Kalki wanted to adopt a similar technique but somehow Vandhiyathevan triumphed over his own creator !
* Usually such long historic stories have to portray some breaks in timeline (invariably). For example, in SS the last part happens after a gap of 9 years. But PS portrays events continuously for a period of 6 months. If you trace back carefully, you can actually find out who was doing what for almost every day for a period of 6 months.
* Probably its portrayal of simultaneous happenings in many many places is unique to Tamil historic novel genere. At some point of time, he will be detailing different events happening in Srilanka, Tanjore, Pazhaiyarai, Kudanthai and Kadambur and yet with master craftsmanship will link them in a very logical order as pages move by
* Its characterization of people is a well discussed and well researched topic
* This is probably the only novel in which we see almost all kinds of love between human beings portrayed - Vandhiyathevan and Kundhavai who are in love with each other since their first sight. - Poonguzhali's love for Arulmozhi and her compromise to marry Amudhan - Arulmozhi's interest in Poonguzhali and his compromise to marry vanathi - Vanathi's love towords Arulmizhi - Amudhan's love towords Poonguzhali - Nandhini's love towords Aditya and her revenge - Aditya's love towords Nandhini - Parthibendhran's love towords Nandhini - Pazhuvettaraiyar's interest in Nandhini - Manimekalai's love towords Vandhiyathevan
Initially I thought of categorizing them (like one sided love, two sided love etc) but I find that it is difficult to do given the wide spectrum of relationship kalki portrays
* PS is perhaps the only novel in which the story is not entirely dominated by Hero. Sometimes I think PS has different heros at different points of time - In Pallipadai events (Part I) Azvarkadiyan sounds like a hero - In Nilavarai and many other occations, ofcourse Vandhiyathevan dominates - In Part II Arulmozhi dominates in many occasions - Sendhan amudhan surprisingly dominates certain portains in Part IV and V (During Mandakini escape from Pallakku, when he becomes royal heir etc) - During the aftermath of floods (Part IV), Pazhuvettaraiyar certainly becomes a hero for a chapter or two Thus it is close to real life in which different people become heros at different points of time.
* Surprise ! PS seems to have no villains ! (or rather everybody seem to have enough justifications) Nandhini might sound like a villi but after reading her childhood we understand that there are enough reasons behind her abhorrence. Ravidasan ? Soman sambavan ? Remember they had vowed to give their life in case they fail to protect their leader. But instead they choose to live and take revenge. They undergo so many troubles to achieve their goal. Considering the cruelty of Pandiya's murder this can be understood. In other words, the negative forces are also portrayed with possible realism a writer can bestow upon his characters.
I initially though of writing a small mail but this is close to becoming an article. I can write many things like this .and yet may not able to fully portray the heights and depths of this greatest historic novel ever written.
Am newly joined member of this group. While going through the previous mails and conversations, i came across this mail ... as you said its not just a mail, but ofcourse its a wonderful article about PS. A preface for that great novel. After reading PS, i decided that i should make my children also read it and want them to make ardent lovers of kalki and his novels. But, always i have a doubt, that the generation gap .. they may show a disinterest, if i suddenly gave them a historic novel to read...
after reading the novel, am damn sure that kalki will make them fall in his writing spells... but before reading i should take careful steps to bring their interest towards the novel.
Now you have taken care of it... i will take a copy of this article and ask them to read this first.. this will surely draw their interest in reading kalki novels.
As time goes, I'm finding newer and newer things which Kalki has capitalized.
One thing which I forgot to mention was the way he had made use of all the various festivals - beginning from Aaadi padhinettu. I went thro the tamil calender and found out that as the novel progresses, he makes use of various auspicious days - some are mentioned in the passing while some are featured in great detail. For example, the birthday of krishna, aandal thirunakshatram and even a day when the lord comes to Ketilam river.
On a comparison, these techniques are missing in Paarthibhan Kanavu and Sivakamiyin sabadham
may be b'coz as u said, the events portrayed in PS is continuous for a period of 6 months.. and kalki wants to make the reader involve by minute moves. So that the reader will get a clear picture of, at what stage the story is. But in SS, the story is traveling across many years. For this reason, he would have avoided in adapting this technique. This is my opinion.
At the end of reading the last chapters and when i turned back the long way I came through, reading PS and recollected the incidents, my mind was filled with so many astonishments. Within such a short duration ... it involves so many turning points... only he (kalki) can do this... no one else ...