When I think of written thoughts I like Anton Chekov the most. Short stories of Tagore are great. They are great authors.
But what about Ponniyin Selvan by Kalki Krishnamurthy?
Kalki wrote the story in 1950s in a magazine Kalki as a weekly story continued for 5 years. It was quite popular among general public.
I feel the focus of Kalki is an amazing feat. He does not write about achievement of Raja raja chola or others. But showcases a small period of Chola empire.
Mani Ratnam says that Ponniyin Selvan story is meant to be interpreted as suited to its reader. Part 4 and Part 5 of Ponniyin Selvan are very confusing to me. It might have been interesting in 1950s as a weekly. But in novel form it is difficult to have a clear image in mind from the writing. I flipped through pages in Kindle and later listened to audio version of Part 4 and Part 5.
Kalki had a great responsibility. He had to tell the history. He had to show a great empire in a way that people are proud of. At the same time he did not want to belittle the other major kingdoms.
So all in all Ponniyin Selvan is an interesting story. It remains to be seen how Mani Ratnam and his team present the rest of the story as a cinema. I am interested to see Ponniyin Selvan 2. What about you?
This is interesting. Oomai (mute) photo from Google images. Rajaji and Kalki.
My elderly relative said that Ponniyin Selvan story was a rage in 1950s. People would eagerly wait for Kalki and one copy of Kalki was shared among them and people saying I will read first, I will read second etc.
ReplyDeleteThat was the rage of Kalki's Ponniyin Selvan.
So people are expected to respect a popular story of earlier times and appreciate the good points.
Freedom was won with great amount of difficulty and Kalki Krishnamurthy was a freedom fighter. He wanted to make people aware of glorious past of India now free from oppressed rule.
My final personal views on Ponniyin Selvan book. (Mainly because I have some social responsibility and Ponniyin Selvan is released in hindi language and I'm interested in preventing confusion)
ReplyDeleteEither Kalki Krishnamurthy is wrong or Veerapandian.
Ponniyin Selvan is possibly a sattire like Gulliver's travel .
I feel it is necessary to interpret differently in view of modern times the movie Ponniyin Selvan 2.
I hope to get acceptance 🙏
How can Oomai Rani be a Godmother. And especially when her children were given such a bad treatment ?
ReplyDeleteOomai Rani is meant to be a Shaivaite goddess. Maa Parvati types who had Ganesha and Kartikeya as sons.
Oomai Rani was happy with misfortune for her offspring Nandini and mistaken Madhuranthakan because they will get acceptance in Shiva kingdom. And because Arunmozhi was princely she saved him for well being of subjects of the kingdom.