Ok this is like comparing apples and oranges - truly, I have nothing against Vanathi except that she's strong-willed for no good reason. If I understood this right, she gets offended that Poo(am tired of typing Poonguzhali so Poo she is, from now on :-)) makes fun of her right? So what if someone misunderstands your objective? She could've just shaken it off - why give so much importance to something as silly as that and torture herself and Arunmozhi in the process?
Another flaw in your statement: drinking is NOT a western habit/vice. Haven't you heard of soma and all that? ;)
And the pledges are so different - Gandhiji's was based on certain principles. Vanathiyoda sabadhathula I see no principle - just a useless rosham - childish behaviour, at best, and like Thilak said, stupidity at worst.
Just my opinion. Not ganging up on Vanathi, dude. Don't take it personally.
Hi You just cant condem Vanathi just like that. Eventhough she was groomed by Kundavai for Arul, she unknowingly had a crush for him as a 'yanaipaagan'. The point is she fell in love with Arul even before knowing that he is a prince. But Poo knew who arulmozhi was before falling in love with him and this makes her love more materialistic. In fact, she had a burning desire of being a princess of some sort and expresses his to Amudhan.
I am not disputing the genuineness of Vanathi's love at all. I just feel that her sabadham makes no sense to some of us. She comes off (again, to some us - mostly women and Thilak :-)), as a silly character esp. with all the fainting.
Also, when Poo agrees to marry Sendhan Amudhan she has no idea he's a prince or will be crowned - so she gives up some too.
Here I am, sitting down to a comfy dose of light-hearted browsing...and I find myself wading through dozens and dozens of mails. PS has gotta be the most happening place in the e-universe. For the past few hours, at any rate.:-)
> I am not disputing the genuineness of Vanathi's love at all. I just feel that her sabadham makes no sense to some of us.
My dear Sril- oh, wait, you don't like that:-). All right, Latha...it was done for a purpose. It was the trend, those days, when Kalki was writing, to make heroines all solemn, faint, trembling, and as pure as driven snow. The slightest provocation ended up in them making huge and colossal vows and pledges. Kalki made it a bit different- he, at any rate, made it appear as if Vanathi had been goaded into doing it. The point is, she loved Arulmozhi- she didn't want the throne. And if 'vow'ing (ow!) was the only way out of it- fair enough.
And there's another thing- Vanathi never does ascend the throne, as per istory. Kalki has to bind that in, right?
>She comes off (again, to some us - mostly women and Thilak :-)), as >a silly character esp. with all the fainting.
Refer para on 'driven snow' please.:-).
The part I like, and which describes Vanathi prety well, I think, comes when Kalki describes here character - 'she understood that if she was being resented by so many of her friends, then she must possess something special- or words to that effect. The 'something special' doubtless, was Kundhavai's obvious support. :-))
when you discuss about vanathi, you should consider her age also.
As per the book, even Arulmozhi was around 20s, it makes vanathi not even crossing her teens. how much maturity can you expect from that girl? nonetheless, she shows a lot of spirit when confronted with ANbil, Saving Poonguzhali, towards the climax.
My verdict: Vanathi became stronger later, definitely she wasn't a stupid.
Adding as a second thought, have you read Gone with the wind, stage set around 1830s-- women are depicted to be frail, fainting every now and then, with only one exception, scarlett, the heroine.
Hate to beat a dead horse (or is it snake ;)), but thamizh pengal are known for their courage (i remember a saying about puliyai murathal aditha pen). And, take Ponniyin selvan - we have Kundavai - she'd very well fit in with today's society, and Poo - wow! independent, strong! I know it was just a different character - Vanathi, I mean - and it's purely my personal opinion that I do not like that character. That's all there is to it - I am not criticizing Kalki, I am not saying it's not factual, or anything like that. We all have trying to convince me otherwise, you'd think I'd committed a major sacrilege :) Come on guys (and gal), gimme a break! -latha