Rajakesari - Revision history

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← Older revision		Revision as of 19:54, 28 May 2022
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			{{Unreferenced\|date=May 2022}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=August 2020}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=August 2020}}
	{{Use Indian English\|date=August 2020}}		{{Use Indian English\|date=August 2020}}
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	\| title_orig = Rajakesari		\| title_orig = Rajakesari
	\| translator =		\| translator =
	\| image = ~~Rajakesari-II-FrontCover.jpg~~		\| image =
	\| caption = ~~Rajakesari Tamil Historic Novel by Gokul Seshadri~~		\| caption =
	\| author = [[Gokul Seshadri]]		\| author = Gokul Seshadri
	\| illustrator = [[Gokul Seshadri]]		\| illustrator = Gokul Seshadri
	\| cover_artist =		\| cover_artist =
	\| country = [[India]]		\| country = [[India]]
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	\| followed_by = [[Udhayabanu Karmegam]]		\| followed_by = [[Udhayabanu Karmegam]]
	}}		}}
	'''''Rajakesari''''' (Tamil:இராஜகேசரி), meaning "''a lion among Kings''" ~~<ref>Chola kings of South India bore the titles Rajakesari and Parakesari, alternatively.K.A.Nilakanda Sastri~~, ~~The Colas, Madras University.</ref>~~ is a [[Tamil language]] [[historical novel]] written by [[Gokul Seshadri]]. ~~Though it~~ is ~~a work of fiction, it is based on extensive historic research and delves deep into various socio-cultural aspects of ancient~~ Tamil Nadu during the ~~period of~~		'''''Rajakesari''''' (Tamil:இராஜகேசரி), meaning "''A lion among Kings''", is a [[Tamil language]] [[historical novel]] written by [[Gokul Seshadri]]. It is set in [[Tamil Nadu]] during the [[Chola dynasty]]. ''Rajakesari'' is the first part of a trilogy which also includes ''[[Cherar Kottai]]'' and ''[[Udhayabanu Karmegam]]''.
	[[w:Chola dynasty~~\|Cholas~~]]. Rajakesari is a part of a ~~Chola historical~~ trilogy which includes [[Cherar Kottai]] and [[Udhayabanu Karmegam]] ~~by the same author~~.

	==~~Plot summary~~==		==Premise==
	~~Period~~ around 1000 CE~~. The [[w:~~Chola ~~dynasty\|Chola]]~~ capital city of [[Thanjavur]] ~~is abuzz with birthday celebrations of the~~ emperor [[Rajaraja Chola]]~~, whose natal star Satabhisak (Sadayam) falls in the month of Asvina (Aippasi).<ref>Several epigraphical references point to the fact that Rajaraja Chola~~'s birthday ~~was~~ celebrated ~~during his times~~. ~~The earliest such reference is provided~~ by the ~~Muttam Record~~ of ~~Rajaraja. South Indian Inscriptions-Vol 3.</ref> People from all walks~~ of ~~life~~ are ~~gathering in~~ the ~~city~~ to ~~celebrate the event in all pomp and glory~~.		The story is set around 1000 CE in the Chola capital city of [[Thanjavur]], where emperor [[Rajaraja Chola]]'s birthday is being celebrated. In the lands ruled by the [[Chera dynasty]], another of the [[Three Crowned Kings\|three main powers of the region]], there are plots against the emperor, and agents have come to Thanjavur to attack him.

	~~In city’s suburbs,~~ Rajarajeswarm (present day [[Brahadishwara Temple]]), ~~a massive temple complex of epic proportions, personally~~ commissioned by the king about a year ~~ago, is taking shape.<ref>From the available inscriptions~~, it is ~~surmised that Rajaraja commissioned~~ the ~~Big temple project sometime at around 1000 AD~~.~~South Indian Inscriptions-Vol 2 and Sivapadhasekaranin Thanjai Kalvettukkal, Ed.R.Nagasamy.</ref> Massive blocks of granite are getting unloaded from large elephant carts. Adittan Suriyan, the~~ chief administrative officer of the project ~~(Sri Kariyam),<ref>Thanjavur temple inscriptions talk of this officer and his donations, which included bronze statues of Saivite Nayanmars. South Indian Inscriptions-Vol 2</ref>~~ is ~~busy overseeing various aspects of temple building activity~~. ~~The campus is bustling with people from all walks of life like~~ sculptors ~~(Sthapathis)~~, ~~painters (Chaitrikas)~~, ~~engineers (Vasthu experts), religious pundits and Saivite gurus. A select band~~ of 400 dancers (Thalippendugal),<ref>A lengthy inscription from Thanjavur temple records the names of all these girls, the temples they came from and the door number of houses allocated to them. Thalicheri Kalvettu.R.Kalaikkovan</ref> chosen from ~~numerous~~ temples ~~located~~ across the empire, have been relocated to [[Thanjavur]] to ~~attend~~ to the ~~services~~ of ~~Lord Raajarajeswara~~.		The Rajarajeswarm temple (present-day [[Brahadishwara Temple]]), which was commissioned by the king about a year earlier, is being built outside the city. The chief administrative officer of the project is called Adittan Suriyan. In addition to the engineers, sculptors, and other people involved in the construction and building, there is a group of 400 dancers (Thalippendugal) from other temples across the empire, who have been relocated to Thanjavur to work in the new temple. A dance drama troupe led by Vijayaraja Acharya, whose family belongs to a prestigious school of theatre artists, is rehearsing a new dance drama titled "Sri Rajaraja Vijayam" (the visit of Rajaraja). The theme of this drama is purportedly inspired by the life of the emperor himself.

	~~Intent to impress upon the emperor and the state,~~ a seasoned dance drama troupe, headed by a veteran named Vijayaraja Acharya, whose family belongs to a prestigious school of theatre artists - is busy doing the final rehearsals of their brand new dance drama titled "Sri Rajaraja Vijayam" (the visit of Rajaraja).<ref>An inscription from Tiruppunturutti refers to this drama written by Suvarnan Naranan Battaradittan.T.V.Sadasiva Pandarathar, Pirkala Chozhar Varalaaru, Annamalai University Publications.</ref> The theme of this drama is purportedly inspired by the life of the emperor himself.		A retired soldier from a village in the Chola countryside, witnesses a murder and travels to Thanjavur to seek justice. He becomes involved in the political machinations in the capital.

	~~While the Chola heartland is thus immersed~~ in ~~merriment and joy, several hundred miles away, deep within the jungles of Chera country (Kerala), a sinister plot has been hatched against~~ the Chola ~~emperor. Envoys of these forces are already in the city, awaiting the right opportunity to strike a deadly final blow.~~

	~~Meanwhile, the life of an innocent~~ countryside ~~man from a remote Chola village~~, ~~Tuzhaikkudi, is transformed forever by~~ a murder ~~committed right in front of his eyes. This old man of 55 years, forcefully retired from the Chola army after a fatal injury, is pulled into the dangerous game of politics~~ and ~~treachery~~. ~~Armed with a sense of getting justice, this physically challenged soldier undertakes an epic journey into~~ the ~~[[w:Chola dynasty\|Chola]] capital that puts him~~ in ~~direct confrontation with~~ the ~~dark mercenaries of the Chera country. Rajakesari is the nail biting adventure of this unlikely hero and his historic sojourn to [[Thanjavur]].~~

	~~For a detailed review of the plot and characters, please refer to this [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNNZItrnx70 YouTube Review]~~.

	==Characters==		==Characters==
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	* Theatre artist Arikanda Devan (Fictional)		* Theatre artist Arikanda Devan (Fictional)
	* Dancer Talaikkoli Nakkan Maduravasaki (Historical)		* Dancer Talaikkoli Nakkan Maduravasaki (Historical)

	~~==Trilogy==~~
	* Rajakesari
	* [[Cherar Kottai]]
	* [[Udhayabanu Karmegam]]

	==Publication history==		==Publication history==
	The story was originally serialized in ~~[http://www.varalaaru.com~~ Varalaaru.com] a monthly web magazine ~~from~~ 2004 ~~onwards~~. It was ~~later~~ published as a book by Palaniappa Brothers in 2008. In 2017, the author revised its contents and published a second edition ~~which is currently in circulation.~~		The story was originally serialized in ''Varalaaru.com'', a monthly web magazine, starting in 2004. It was published as a book by Palaniappa Brothers in 2008. In 2017, the author revised its contents and published a second edition.

	~~==Audiobook==~~
	In 2020, an [https://www.storytel.com/in/en/books/1832118-Rajakesari audiobook version of Rajakesari] was published by StoryTel India with voice narration provided by Mrs. Deepika Arun. In this [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDdgxqf0FsY StoryTel interview] with Deepika, author Gokul Seshadri details how he got the inspiration to write this book, how the plot and its characters were conceived etc.

	~~==Book reviews==~~
	* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNNZItrnx70 YouTube Blogger's Review of Rajakesari]
	* [http://www.varalaaru.com/Default.asp?articleid=939 Rajakesari Book Review at Varalaaru.com]
	* [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17800275 Rajakesari Reviews in Good Reads]

	~~==Authors Interviews==~~
	* [https://www.youtube.~~com/watch?v=lDdgxqf0FsY Author's interview with StoryTel narrator Mrs.Deepika Arun]~~
	* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23E6chruuWY Author's interview in You tube on his writing journey]
	* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKRhdSEB6gE Author's talk on Rajakesari and his other historic novels]

	~~==Online Ordering==~~
	* [https://pages.razorpay.com/GokulSeshadriBooks Order Rajakesari directly from the publishers]
	* [https://www.amazon.in/Rajakesari-Gokul-Shesadri/dp/8183795056/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&qid=1610836216&refinements=p_27%3AGokul+Shesadri&s=books&sr=1-1 Order Rajakesari at Amazon.in]
	* [http://udumalai.com/?prd=Rajakesari&page=products&id=8271 Order Rajakesari at Udumalai]

	~~==External links==~~		In 2020, an audiobook version of Rajakesari] was published by StoryTel India, narrated by Deepika Arun.
	* [https://www.facebook.com/pg/authorgokulseshadri/about/?ref=page_internal Author Gokul Seshadri's Facebook Page]
	* [https://www.storytel.com/in/en/books/1832118-Rajakesari Rajakesari Audio Book in StoryTel ~~Tamil]~~
	* [https://books.google.com/books/about/%E0%AE%87%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%9C%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%87%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%BF.~~html?id=DXsOpHXqrywC Rajakesari at Google Books]~~

	==References==		==References==

imported>Clovermoss: fixed typos

2021-07-14T23:40:06Z

fixed typos

New page

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2020}}
{{infobox book | 
| name = இராஜகேசரி
| title_orig = Rajakesari
| translator =
| image = Rajakesari-II-FrontCover.jpg
| caption = Rajakesari Tamil Historic Novel by Gokul Seshadri
| author = [[Gokul Seshadri]]
| illustrator = [[Gokul Seshadri]]
| cover_artist =
| country = [[India]]
| language = [[Tamil language|Tamil]]
| series = Rajakesari trilogy
| subject = Historical fiction
| genre = [[Tamil historical novels]]
| publisher = Palaniappa Brothers
| release_date = Jan 2008
| english_release_date = No
| media_type = Book
| pages = 360
| isbn = 9788183795050
| preceded_by = [[Cherar Kottai]]
| followed_by = [[Udhayabanu Karmegam]]
}}
'''''Rajakesari''''' (Tamil:இராஜகேசரி), meaning "''a lion among Kings''" <ref>Chola kings of South India bore the titles Rajakesari and Parakesari, alternatively.K.A.Nilakanda Sastri, The Colas, Madras University.</ref> is a [[Tamil language]] [[historical novel]] written by [[Gokul Seshadri]]. Though it is a work of fiction, it is based on extensive historic research and delves deep into various socio-cultural aspects of ancient Tamil Nadu during the period of
[[w:Chola dynasty|Cholas]]. Rajakesari is a part of a Chola historical trilogy which includes [[Cherar Kottai]] and [[Udhayabanu Karmegam]] by the same author.

==Plot summary==
Period around 1000 CE. The [[w:Chola dynasty|Chola]] capital city of [[Thanjavur]] is abuzz with birthday celebrations of the emperor [[Rajaraja Chola]], whose natal star Satabhisak (Sadayam) falls in the month of Asvina (Aippasi).<ref>Several epigraphical references point to the fact that Rajaraja Chola's birthday was celebrated during his times. The earliest such reference is provided by the Muttam Record of Rajaraja. South Indian Inscriptions-Vol 3.</ref> People from all walks of life are gathering in the city to celebrate the event in all pomp and glory.

In city’s suburbs, Rajarajeswarm (present day [[Brahadishwara Temple]]), a massive temple complex of epic proportions, personally commissioned by the king about a year ago, is taking shape.<ref>From the available inscriptions, it is surmised that Rajaraja commissioned the Big temple project sometime at around 1000 AD.South Indian Inscriptions-Vol 2 and Sivapadhasekaranin Thanjai Kalvettukkal, Ed.R.Nagasamy.</ref> Massive blocks of granite are getting unloaded from large elephant carts. Adittan Suriyan, the chief administrative officer of the project (Sri Kariyam),<ref>Thanjavur temple inscriptions talk of this officer and his donations, which included bronze statues of Saivite Nayanmars. South Indian Inscriptions-Vol 2</ref> is busy overseeing various aspects of temple building activity. The campus is bustling with people from all walks of life like sculptors (Sthapathis), painters (Chaitrikas), engineers (Vasthu experts), religious pundits and Saivite gurus. A select band of 400 dancers (Thalippendugal),<ref>A lengthy inscription from Thanjavur temple records the names of all these girls, the temples they came from and the door number of houses allocated to them. Thalicheri Kalvettu.R.Kalaikkovan</ref> chosen from numerous temples located across the empire, have been relocated to [[Thanjavur]] to attend to the services of Lord Raajarajeswara.

Intent to impress upon the emperor and the state, a seasoned dance drama troupe, headed by a veteran named Vijayaraja Acharya, whose family belongs to a prestigious school of theatre artists - is busy doing the final rehearsals of their brand new dance drama titled "Sri Rajaraja Vijayam" (the visit of Rajaraja).<ref>An inscription from Tiruppunturutti refers to this drama written by Suvarnan Naranan Battaradittan.T.V.Sadasiva Pandarathar, Pirkala Chozhar Varalaaru, Annamalai University Publications.</ref> The theme of this drama is purportedly inspired by the life of the emperor himself.

While the Chola heartland is thus immersed in merriment and joy, several hundred miles away, deep within the jungles of Chera country (Kerala), a sinister plot has been hatched against the Chola emperor. Envoys of these forces are already in the city, awaiting the right opportunity to strike a deadly final blow.

Meanwhile, the life of an innocent countryside man from a remote Chola village, Tuzhaikkudi, is transformed forever by a murder committed right in front of his eyes. This old man of 55 years, forcefully retired from the Chola army after a fatal injury, is pulled into the dangerous game of politics and treachery. Armed with a sense of getting justice, this physically challenged soldier undertakes an epic journey into the [[w:Chola dynasty|Chola]] capital that puts him in direct confrontation with the dark mercenaries of the Chera country. Rajakesari is the nail biting adventure of this unlikely hero and his historic sojourn to [[Thanjavur]].

For a detailed review of the plot and characters, please refer to this [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNNZItrnx70 YouTube Review].

==Characters==
* Emperor [[Rajaraja Chola]] (Historical)
* Chola Army Commander [Senapathi] Rajaraja Marayar (Historical)
* Chief Minister Amangudi Krishnan Raman (Historical)
* Chola Army General Paraman Malapadiyar (Historical)
* Administrative Officer Adittan Suryan Tennavan Moovenda Velar (Historical)
* Commanding officer of the Bodyguards [Tirumeikappu] Velan Atkonda Villiyar (Fictional)
* War Veteran Ambalavanar Kamban Arayan (Fictional)
* Doctor Kilayoor Vathiyar (Fictional)
* Theatre master Santhik Koothar Vijayaraja Acharya (Fictional)
* Theatre artist Arikanda Devan (Fictional)
* Dancer Talaikkoli Nakkan Maduravasaki (Historical)

==Trilogy==
* Rajakesari
* [[Cherar Kottai]]
* [[Udhayabanu Karmegam]]

==Publication history==
The story was originally serialized in [http://www.varalaaru.com Varalaaru.com] a monthly web magazine from 2004 onwards. It was later published as a book by Palaniappa Brothers in 2008. In 2017, the author revised its contents and published a second edition which is currently in circulation.

==Audiobook==
In 2020, an [https://www.storytel.com/in/en/books/1832118-Rajakesari audiobook version of Rajakesari] was published by StoryTel India with voice narration provided by Mrs. Deepika Arun. In this [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDdgxqf0FsY StoryTel interview] with Deepika, author Gokul Seshadri details how he got the inspiration to write this book, how the plot and its characters were conceived etc.

==Book reviews==
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNNZItrnx70 YouTube Blogger's Review of Rajakesari]
* [http://www.varalaaru.com/Default.asp?articleid=939 Rajakesari Book Review at Varalaaru.com]
* [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17800275 Rajakesari Reviews in Good Reads]

==Authors Interviews==
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDdgxqf0FsY Author's interview with StoryTel narrator Mrs.Deepika Arun]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23E6chruuWY Author's interview in You tube on his writing journey]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKRhdSEB6gE Author's talk on Rajakesari and his other historic novels]

==Online Ordering==
* [https://pages.razorpay.com/GokulSeshadriBooks Order Rajakesari directly from the publishers]
* [https://www.amazon.in/Rajakesari-Gokul-Shesadri/dp/8183795056/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&qid=1610836216&refinements=p_27%3AGokul+Shesadri&s=books&sr=1-1 Order Rajakesari at Amazon.in]
* [http://udumalai.com/?prd=Rajakesari&page=products&id=8271 Order Rajakesari at Udumalai]

==External links==
* [https://www.facebook.com/pg/authorgokulseshadri/about/?ref=page_internal Author Gokul Seshadri's Facebook Page]
* [https://www.storytel.com/in/en/books/1832118-Rajakesari Rajakesari Audio Book in StoryTel Tamil]
* [https://books.google.com/books/about/%E0%AE%87%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%9C%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%87%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%BF.html?id=DXsOpHXqrywC Rajakesari at Google Books]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Tamil-language literature]]
[[Category:Novels set in the Chola Empire]]
[[Category:Indian historical novels]]
[[Category:Indian historical novels in Tamil]]