Mani Ratnam wraps 'Ponniyin Selvan' shoot". The New Indian Express. 18 September 2021 . Retrieved 18 September 2021.

Mani Ratnam first discussed 'Ponniyin Selvan' with Kamal Haasan in 1989. Details inside". The Times of India. 6 September 2022. Archived from the original on 7 October 2022 . Retrieved 4 October 2022. Vandiyathevan introduces most of the novel’s protagonists, including Arulmozhivarman, the beloved prince, and Periya Pazhavetturayar, the chancellor who married Nandhini (the primary conspirator) at age 60. Adithya Karikalan was in love with Nandhini in his childhood, but she grew vindictive when he murdered Veerapandyan (her boyfriend). Some believe it was her father, but it’s unclear. Kundavai Piratti sends Vandiyathevan to Sri Lanka to tell Arulmozhivarman to return immediately after hearing about the scheme. In between on his way to Tanjore to meet the Emperor, Vandiyathevan witnesses Nandini, the queen of Pazhuvur, and the Pandya conspirators making an internal commitment to have a little child crowned emperor of the Chozha Empire in the Thirupurambayam forest. Vandiyathevan questions who is this boy and what right does he have to the throne? This is the kind of suspense that is maintained throughout the novel. Azhwarkadiyan Nambi alias Thirumalaiappan: A Veera Vaishnavite spy who works for the Prime Minister Aniruddha Brahmarayar and Queen Mother Sembiyan Mahadevi. He is the foster-brother of Nandhini and also a close friend of Vandiyathevan. He works closely with Vandiyathevan and saves him from many dangers. He was a loyal, trustful servant to the Chola royal government. He often engages in verbal battles with Veera Shaivites and Advaitis.There are at least six different translations of Ponniyin Selvan available in English by Preetha Rajah Kannan, [31] Indra Neelamegam, [36] Pavithra Srinivasan, CV Karthik Narayanan, Varalotti Rengasamy and Sumeetha Manikandan. On 21 February 2015, a Sanskrit translation by Rajalakshmi Srinivasan was released at a public function in Chennai. [37] [38] English translations [ edit ] Translator Narayanan, C.V. Karthik (2018) [1999]. The First Floods. New Delhi: Pustaka Digital Media. ISBN 978-9352859542. The Tiger Throne by Preetha Rajah Kannan is an English retelling of this vast 5 volume epic in one complete novel. [31] [32] The author takes care to tie up almost all the loose ends. One thing I've learnt from reading this book is that everyone has a point of view and that we should not be judgemental about anyone. At first I hated the character Nandhini for all her doings. And then there came a part where the author justifies (atleast from her point of view) her actions. Thiyaaga Vidankar: Father of Poonguzhali and in-charge of the light house at Kodikkarai. He is the younger brother of Mandakini Devi and Vaani Ammal.

The novels were adapted into two films by Mani Ratnam by condensing the first two volumes into Ponniyin Selvan: I, and volumes 3 to 5 into Ponniyin Selvan: II, which were released on 30 September 2022 and 28 April 2023 respectively. The story unfolds with the journey of the protagonist Vandhiyadhevan to the capital Thanjavur. After discovering a conspiracy, Vandhiyadhevan makes enemies with the royalty. Vanathi, wife of Raja Raja I, is identified as Vanama Madevi, and the Thiruvalanchuzhi inscriptions confirm that she is the mother of Rajendra. The colourful characters captured the imagination of Tamils, and the novel tops the sale in all book fairs across Tamil Nadu even today.Kalki has been highly associated with his world-famous epic Tamil historic novel ‘Ponniyin Selvan’, serialized between 29 October 1950 to 16 May 1954, in the weekly edition of his magazine Kalki and released in book form five parts in 1955. Ponniyin Selvan is a fictional work that draws from actual historical events and characters. Kalki’s Ponniyin Selvan novel was accompanied by Shri Maniam’s awesome illustrations. Arulmozhivarman/ Ponniyin Selvan later known as Rajaraja I: The titular protagonist. The youngest son of Sundara Chola. He was raised in Pazhayarai by Periya Piratti and Ilaya Piratti. He was taught well by his sister and was sent to Sri Lanka at the age of 19 for battle. He was said to be saved by Mother Kaveri herself from drowning in the river when he was 5, earning him the title "Ponniyin Selvan" ("Son of Kaveri"). In 1921, Gandhiji launched the Non-Cooperation Movement, Kalki took part in the country’s freedom movement and left his studies. He was arrested and sentenced to 3 months of rigorous imprisonment. Vandiyathevan meets Kundavai who both reveal their feelings about each other. Meanwhile, he learns that Ponniyin Selvan married Vanathi. Vandiyathevan receives a message from Kandhamaaran asking him to come and meet Manimegalai. Vandiyathevan goes to meet Manimegalai, who loved him, and dies in his hands.

If I had to tell you in one sentence what I thought of ‘Ponniyin Selvan’, it would have to be this - One hell of a thrilling rollercoaster ride! Oh, to have been a fly on the wall in those times! History, mysteries, intrigue, conspiracies, secrets, romances, philosophy, art… it has everything. Mohammed, Khalid (January 1994). "Mani Matters". Filmfare. Archived from the original on 9 June 2017 . Retrieved 10 June 2019. Manimekalai: Innocent and shy princess of Kadamboor. Younger sister of Kandanmaaran and daughter of Sambuvaraiyar. She had deep, immense love for Vandiyathevan that he did not reciprocate. Well, I would run out of time if I keep talking about this book. I would say people who are interested in reading historical novels will definitely like this book. Nandhini summons Adithya Karikalan to discuss the kingdom’s destiny. Karikalan risks his life to meet Nandhini in Kadambur palace. At Kadambur palace, Adithya Karikalan is killed.According to Mr. Sastri and another historian Sadasiva Pandarathar, one of the claimants was Parthivendravaran, a chieftain from the Thondaimandalam. The other was Bhuti Vikramakesari of Kodumbalur, who also claimed to have conquered Vira Pandiyan in a battle. Ilaya Piraati Kundavai Devi:): சோழ இளவரசி. சுந்தர சோழனின் இரண்டாவது குழந்தை மற்றும் ஒரே மகள். வந்தியத்தேவனின் காதலன்.

Ponniyin Selvan Eng Pt. 1 (1999), p.xv, Introduction. Ponniyin Selvan was first published in serial form in the Tamil weekly magazine Kalki; it was begun in the issue dated 29 October 1950 and concluded in the issue for 16 May 1954.

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Reading this book took me to a whole new world where I saw myself with the characters of this book. Aditha Karikalan: Eldest son of Sundara Chola, the crown prince and the commander of Northern troops during Sundara Chola's reign. He was a distinguished warrior who began fighting at the age of 12. He was known all over the empire for his valiant acts. His haste and irascibility alienated many, and resulted in a conspiracy against him. Boothi Vikramakesari alias Kodumbalur Periya Velar: Irunkovel chieftain and uncle of Vaanathi. The Commander of the southern troops during Sundara Chola's reign. He fights alongside Arulmozhivarman against Mahindan's troops in Sri Lanka. He had a desire for Vaanathi to marry Arulmozhivarman and thus become the Queen. He and Thirukovalur Malaiyaman opposed the proposition of making Mathuranthakar the heir to the throne. The Kodumbalur Velars and Pazhuvettaraiyars were rivals though they were both loyal to the Cholas. I am not even a worthy person to write a review about the greatest historical novel I have ever read in both tamizh and english put together. For those who are curious to know the premise, it is basically about the life of a great chola(kingdom in south india circa. 1000 AD) king 'Raja Raja Chola' before he ascended the throne. It is narrated by a Vandhiya thevan who is also one of the protagonist. The story takes place during the time of political instability in the chola kingdom or to put it precisely the time before they discover about the impending threats to the kingdom.