Dear Veena Excellent description of chola country I presume your mother must have been an excellent story teller...because I didnt get the same feel of Kalki in CVK's version I must confess I havent been to Kodikaai though it was my dream always to go looking for Poonguzhali...
Even being in India, I'm still finding time to retrace Vandhiyathevan's path...That's my long time wish which is yet to come true.
Ur post acts as a catalyst to my anxiety...to make it true.
For me too, it was my mother who did sow the seeds about historical novels in my heart when I was in my teens. And, I'm still reaping a lot more from them...:))