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.
But, nobody can deny the beautiful way in which Arulmozhivarman, has been portrayed. Infact, his introduction scene, is just as pleasant as it could be.
He character later gains momentum, and reader expects him to be there in current scene all the time.
==================================== > " ... I initially though(t) 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. (REFER BELOW) ================================ FROM THERE TO RAJAKESARI .. !! (in 3 years ?) GREAT HEIGHT ... NICE T O HEAR FROM YOU AGAIN .. Anbudan / sps ======================================
Maybe its just me... but having seen 'Raja raja cholan' - the movie, I could only imagine Shivaji whenever the name arulmozhivarman was mentioned in the book... which in fact doesnt match the illustrations done by maniam - in which arulmozhivarman is always protrayed as a youthful character, of maybe 16-20 years - which in turn contradicts Kalki's own description of him as powerful enough to bring down vvthevan down from a horse...
Sivaji Ganesan as Rajarajan ! There cannot be a better Identify.
ARUMOZHI - Rare tongue - is what Thiruvalangadu Copper plates of Rajendra call him of. ARULMOZHI - is ALSO NOT WRONG - incription as ARULMOZHI is too found in the Thanjavur Big Temple Entrance - Rajrajan Thiruvoil! When ARU(L)MOZHI CROWNED UTHAMA (It should have been Thiruvalangadu Copper Plates which inspired Kalki !) around 970 AD, he should have been youth of say 18 - 20 ? !.. Because Rajendra participated in Wars from the early Reign of RRC (985 AD- 1012) Arumozhi should have got married to Vaanathi soon after Uthama came to Power (say 970 - 975 ?!).
Incidentally Dr. Kalaikkovan has recently comeout with EVIDENCE that 'BHUVANAMDEVI thiruvayirudhiutha RAJENDRA CHOZHA DEVAR .. " - means Vanathi was also known as Bhuvanamadevi !
THIS FATHER AND SON COMBINATION IS AN UNIQUE COMBINATION. (Dear Kamal @ adithakarikalan bear with me :: I personally believe it is SPS and RjC @ SSS and NOT Karuvarar / RRC - who assumed themselves as Sanathana Munivars under the (Lotus) Feet of Lord Siva - as depicted in the Big Temple!)
Dear Madan, now LOOK for a 20 year Old Agressive youth - performing Dual role (!?) for ARUMOZHI and Rajendra !
And Remember this Arumozhi is a Wrestler ! And a very romantic guy even after became known RRC: Vows not to perform JALAKREEDA till he conquers MANYAKETAM (which he does in 1006 - 07 - by conquering Sathyashreyan !) ~
Sorry for replying to the wrong mail... I somehow did not receive/notice SPS original reply to me.
> Dear Madan, now LOOK for a 20 year Old Agressive youth - performing Dual > role (!?) for ARUMOZHI and Rajendra !
Are you asking for a contemporary actor?
Though I might disagree on the trend of movies he has been doing and though he may not be 20, I would say Ajith would be a great fit... he has shown that he can do negative and historical roles (asoka). He could also portray a younger face, and he is a skilled actor IMHO (In my humble opinion).
But for raja raja chola alone, I would suggest rajkiran - who is the only one with the stature and Khambeeram to do it as of today.
On the lighter side, Dhanush could do adithya karikalan. He seems to have the ill-luck of performing characters that dont suit his looks! ;)
Another question while on the topic... Prince Charles is 60+ today but he still is not 'King'. Is it possible that that during scantily warring times the kings had a long life and thier sons got to be King only at some ripe age?
Re ww.varalaaru.com Oct issue :: Kamal @ adithakarikalan's article related to Japanese .. ====================== Note: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v243/rajinifans/japan2.jpg - Kamal presiding Chandramukhi 100th days function in Osaka. ================================ Congrats Dear Kamal ! Thank you Ramki.
(For attn of new member : Our member Kamal @ adithakarikalan - organised Mudal yathirai - related to PS activities - is in the Editorial Bd of www.varalaaru.com)
Oh! indha vishayam group varaikkum vandhiduchaa!!!
Thanks to Ramki and SPS.
I was invited as special guest for Chandramukhi 500th day celebrations in Japan organised by Osaka Rajini fan club. They honoured me for helping them to understand tamil culture and to translate lyrics of rajini songs into japanese. Now, i am teaching tamil to 4 japanese people. And there are lot of people who love tamilnadu and language outside fan club also.
.....And when you talk of characters, the ones who I, and for that matter many among you, would hate the most are in this order: vaithiyar magan pinakapani, pallava parthipendran and even kandamaran.
kandamaaranai pidikkaathaa???
I am very sad to hear that.
kandamaran was a much maligned charecter. aarva kolaaru more than villanish
I am sure kalki had bettter things for him but kaalaththin kattayam maligned him. in one of the later chapters kalki thro the words of another charecter says kandamaran is not bad but immature. dont we all have incidents in our life which we want to forget. incidents that seem so foolish in the retrospective.kanda maranas life was like that. and he got punished by fate more than any one else. a dead sister, a burnt fort, a dissillusioned outlook and a bleak future.
another trivia: thiruvakkarai temple was built ( or rebuilt) by a sambuvaraayan king called kanda suuriyan sambuvaraayan. must have given kalki the idea of naming the charecter.
Hari If she did not love him, I don't see why she spared Vandyadevan even after she knew that he knew about the plans of Pandya Aabathudavigal. So I think she had a love which she could not express but prevented her from a decision to execute him.