At the end one thing is sure, I have lived with them. It’s more real than what these words could possibly convey. I understood, irrespective of how many times I read it, it will always remain to be a beautiful journey through the history. A journey I can take anytime without any second thought.
Ponniyin Selvan is a real epic about political crisis which prevailed in Chola kingdom prior to Raja Raja Chola period, during which the famous “Brahadeeswara” temple in Thanjavur was built. Written by Kalki in 1950’s, the story details about the experiences of a young soldier during the time when political uncertainities even threatened to derail the entire Chola dynasty. “Ponni” is the other name of the river “Cauvery”, “Selvan” means the son, Raja Raja Chola was being referred as “Ponniyin Selvan”. Though the theme of the book revolves around Raja Raja Chola, the main hero remains “Vanthiyathevan”, through whom author tells us the tale, a young soldier I referred to earlier.
Writing is an art; it was what I thought till I read this epic story, when I finished reading the 5th and the final volume, the opinion was changed already. It’s a magic. Till now, I don’t have a count on how many times I have read this beautiful work, but I remember how I felt every single time. The mere reading always has brought to me the elating experience which I simply cannot put into words. Every now and then things which happen in day-to-day life affects us in one or the other way, we live some of those moments, we feel some of those moments, we see some of the moments and those moments make our lives. Given all that we always have something left in us not lived or not felt or not seen. I was not an exception not until I read this amazing book.
It was my grandma who collected all the episodes from the weekly magazine and bounded them together very professionally as five volumes, this was done over 3 and half years span. For me collecting them itself was a tough task for that long a time, forget about somebody who wrote it actually. The story runs at breath taking pace, just when you go to the brink of excitement and start thinking about what is going to happen next, author diverts you to a completely different situation and makes you forget about the unsaid part earlier, only to remind you later and make you feel the happiness which you would have felt only during the childhood. The details he gives about each scene is mind boggling, I don’t know about how the scripts are made for movies, but this one I must say has all the details one could possibly imagine.
The character presentation is trickier, since this was based on real incidents and people, not at one place author has the luxury of potraying the character as he wants, and this makes the work even more majestic. The narration, it is a stunner. You can read it as many number of times as you want it, everytime he will make you look forward to the next episode, you would still ask yourself what is going to happen next. It simply is the testimony to the narration. It has everything, Romance, Friendship, Political drama, Action, Management etc, you name it. Whats so special is simply that you would be part of them. The analysis of each of characters by other characters in their own perspective is something which shows the dynamicity of the author in living each character by himself, for the people like me who reads it, it remains a mystery. More so, when you find your friends wanting their life partners to be having the qualities of some of the characters they come across in this epic story.
The life is filled so much of uncertainities, unwanted worries, it always seems very tough.But whatever be the situation, once I start reading this gift; it liberates me to a paradise, a world which I have never experienced before. A feeling which I never believed could possibly exist. It makes me forget about everything. To put it simple, everytime you will be made to feel you are living a new life. The desires we have are fulfilled through the characters, we would be made happy for ourselves. We celebrate the victories of the characters when they over come a tough challenge. All this was proved possible and all because of the gem of an author. Thanks to him not only for given the world such a work but for having made millions of people who read it live the life they would have loved to. The world he has created and the excitement he instilled can never be taken away. The Yahoo groups, Orkut community, Wiki links etc. are just the living testimonials to this fantabulous work by Kalki. It just inspires to live better.
The characters and the places mentioned in this story are of real and one cannot help but to compare. I hail from Kumbakonam which is nearby to Thanjavur where the story revolves. I remember whenever I pass through the Palaces and the rivers, I start imagining about how it would have been 1000 years back when this story happened.Even yesterday night, one of my friend was mentioning, it would have been better off if we would have lived in such a time. We know it was just out of the love we have found with the characters.
At the end one thing is sure I have lived with them. It’s more real than what these words could possibly convey. I understood, irrespective of how many times I read it, it will always remain to be a beautiful journey through the history. A journey I can take anytime without any second thought.
To all my friends out there, who can read Tamil, if you haven’t read this book earlier, just try out first few pages, it would be enough for you to get hooked. Why so? That’s what makes it so special. When you do read it, please share with me your experience, I would love to hear those. For all of my friends who cant read Tamil,this has been translated to English and is available, currently I dont have the links or soft copy,will soon update if I succeed in my search.
The details about what exactly this book is about can be found in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponniyin_Selvan and http://varnam.org/history/2006/02/book_review_ponniyin_selvan.php
PS: If you do need the PDF format of Tamil version, let me know, would send it across.
Very well narrated!!! Each word used to praise the author and his work can make anyone very eager to read the book.To be very frank, I was expecting to get a glimpse of the story in the post 🙂 But nevermind, atleast got an idea of what “Ponniyin Selvan ” actually consists of. Description of the minute thing is what makes a great write.You enjoyed reading the epic “Ponniyin Selvan ” coz of the minute details provided. In that way,your post is also a great one. One can easily understand the feelings u got when u read “Ponniyin Selvan “.You have described in details even the little feelings u got. A very good post indeed… Keep it up!!!!
Hi,
Can you send the PDF version of Ponniyin Selvan.
Regards,
Sudha
I have read PONNIYIN SELVAN for four times, but every time i feel the same thrill when I read first time. I Love Vandhiyath evan for his “Kurumbu, valdhanam kalantha Veeram”.
I appreciate the author for his clearance about the thinking of reader. as and when he attempt to clear the route of the story. When he wrote about the nature, i really feel like, Puzhukkam, wind, rain and storm how Vandhiyadevan feels at burning Ship. The author could expect the questions from the readers in some situation and he attempts to clear. I really bow my head for him. I also Love You “Kalki” Sir.
I also read this book countless times. As u feel i also felt that it was the first time as if i read this book every time. And it gives a very large scope for discussion about the characters incidents even tamil lyrics from thevaram ans pasurams. When ever iam travelling in Trichy Tanjure kumbakonam areas i will feel as if im travelling in those places specified in ponniyinselvan