Ponniyin Selvan
Have been reading Ponniyin Selvan by Kalki this weekend. Went to sleep at 2 or 3 AM because of it. The way the author has described the beauty of ladies- Ilaiya Piraatti Kundavai, Pazhuvoor Ilaiyaraani Nandhini and the lady of beauty and strength Poonguzhali, deserves a "wow!"
For eg, let me tell abt one instance where the author compares the beauty of Nandhini and Kundavai : He says Nandhini has a face as round as a moon, while Kundavai has a beautiful oval shape as if shaped by a sculptor.
I sometimes have the habit of skipping the over-descriptive lines in a book. But here, it became impossible. How many different ways has he followed to describe each situation that I wonder what I wud have done if I ever wrote such a book :-)). I wud have copied the lines, pasted it many times, did subtle changes each time - one set of description for a city/place, one set for the description of beauty of a lady, one set for the courage and strength of a charismatic King/"Veeran" would have been sufficient for me to write the whole book.
But I wonder how the author is able to write a different yet interesting description abt each place.
Somehow I feel, its a kind of pride to say that I am in the elite society who has read this gem of a book.
A must read!!!
For eg, let me tell abt one instance where the author compares the beauty of Nandhini and Kundavai : He says Nandhini has a face as round as a moon, while Kundavai has a beautiful oval shape as if shaped by a sculptor.
I sometimes have the habit of skipping the over-descriptive lines in a book. But here, it became impossible. How many different ways has he followed to describe each situation that I wonder what I wud have done if I ever wrote such a book :-)). I wud have copied the lines, pasted it many times, did subtle changes each time - one set of description for a city/place, one set for the description of beauty of a lady, one set for the courage and strength of a charismatic King/"Veeran" would have been sufficient for me to write the whole book.
But I wonder how the author is able to write a different yet interesting description abt each place.
Somehow I feel, its a kind of pride to say that I am in the elite society who has read this gem of a book.
A must read!!!
Labels: books
posted by Fathima Sagar | 6:31:00 am
15 Comments:
My Mom is also an ardent fan of Kalki. It seems like it is one of those few works where the difference between prose and poetry is little if any.
Have been procrastinating this and Parthiban Kanavu for almost a year...maybe it is time to act:)...I find so many people commenting on English literature, but very few on Tamil literature-me included though I have immensely enjoyed Sujatha's novels and short stories...will start writing about them soon.
Yes! Ponniyin Selvan is a unputdownable book, which spoiled my sleep for almost a week. Reading so madly!
The vivid descriptions of mother nature, transports one immediately to those places. I was travelling all along with Vallavarayan Vandhiyathevan and was wondering if I can ever do that in reality. Even if I can wander carefree, is there any part in the world with the same grace as described? I hope not!
One more book that took me places was The Doomsday Conspiracy - Sidney Sheldon.
The discipline of the king and his family was what thrilled me more than anything. Each member of the family tries to outperform the others in this regard - the king ,his daughter and the two sons. No wonder, the Chola reign was described as the "Golden Age of TamilNadu".
I am really not able to write all that I feel with regard to this book, but I can say it has done me a ton of a good.
A masterpiece of love, bravery, thrill, and discipline. Must read!
Thanks Fathi for suggesting this book.
~Pattakaran Parthiba Gowdan.
Parthi, I welcome u to the elite society. Hope to c many more people joining soon.
I too had read the book when i was waiting to join work after my college.The book was really interesting and my mom and myself didn't rest (i am exaggerating sightly!) till we had finished all five books.A very good read -but i still felt a few questions were left unanswered in the book(Don't remember them now).I think we finished it in around a week.
Ponniyin Selvan, a brilliant work of KALKI. A well laid plot with a large number of characters. You would live along with them. If anyone has read it in order to finish it, please take time to read it once more,in leisure. It will reveal a lot more. I have admired the character of VALLAVARAYAN VANTHIYADEVAN a lot. You cannot resist liking him!! ;-)
Special mention to the ELAYAPRAATI KUNDAVAI,NANDINI,ARULMOZHIVARMAR...
For those who have completed Ponniyin Selvan, try to read other amazing works of KALKI, esp Sivakamiyin Sabatham.
- MeeraDevi.P
Thanx MeeraDevi. I wanted to read Sivagaamiyin Sabatham badly. Will start it within this month.
Hi Fathi ... I never read Tamil in school but rather @ home using kumudham and ananda vikatan, now you should have a fair idea of my poor tamil pulamai. It would take hours for me reading a page and If I've read the five part Ponniyin Selvan guess how many nights I would have gone sleepless.
btw have you completed the book. The fourth and fifth parts are irresisteble. believe me I've read this book 3 times till now.
A must read. I will write abt it soon on my blog.
Yeah Military, I have completed the book. Awaiting to c ur post on that.
very true ponniyin selvam is a kind of example for tamil literature. i am totally overwhelmed by the writer,he is amazing,the words goes in to your heart straight.made me to sleep only after 2 or 3 am. i have almost gone crazy after vandhiya thevan, what a lovely character.it was sad to know that no much historic news on him which i am sure all the readers may be searching to find like me?
Am also a ardent fan of VANTHIYADEVAN .... And my name is also VANTHIYADEVAN .... AND MY LOOKING FOR KUNDAVI ...HEY KUNDAVI WHERE R U ....
Again this is VANTHIYADEVAN STDYING B.TECH IN BCET KARAIKAL
My Gawd!!!!! I have read the 5 parts 3 times and soft copy atleast 5 times and i still want to read!!!!!!
I am madly in love with my mother tongue tamil after reading kalki..... the meeting of vandhiyathevan and kundavi after vandhiyathevan's arrest by anbil brammarayar is the best romantic scene i have ever read !!!!!!
The urge to know wat happened next is haunting me:)
Best literature to be read by everyone.
i had postponed reading ponniyin selvan for a few years and now when i read it i regreted for being late... the feel of the novel is awesome...i wish i lived in that era...though i have read parthiban kanavu, ponniyin selvan is something which is a class above the rest..vallavarayan vandhiyathevan has conqured my heart so much.. planning to read the book again..
I am 55 years old now.i read Ponniyin selvan first when i was in 8th std after that i read it more than 13 times.i bought a set of 6 val (cheap edition)for Rs 220 and started to read again.i could t find wards to explain my feelings !! SRIDHAR
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