Ponniyin Selvan: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Indian epic historical fiction novel}}
{{other uses}}
{{other uses}}
{{short description|20th-century Tamil historical fiction novel}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox book
{{Infobox book
| name = Ponniyin Selvan
| name             = Ponniyin Selvan
| image = Ponniyin selvan volume 1.jpg
| image             = Ponniyin Selvan from Jaya Bakti.jpg
| alt = This is the Cover Page of Ponniyin Selvan Part 1
| image_size        = 235px
| caption = Cover Page of Ponniyin Selvan Part 1 published by Vanathi Pathipagam
| alt               = This is the Cover Page of Ponniyin Selvan Part 1 published by [[Jaya Bakti]] , Malaysia.
| author = [[Kalki Krishnamurthy]]
| caption           = Cover Page of Ponniyin Selvan Part 1 published by Jaya Bakti , Malaysia.
| cover_artist = [[Maniam]]
| author           = [[Kalki Krishnamurthy]]
| country = [[India]]
| cover_artist     = [[Maniam]]
| language = [[Tamil language|Tamil]]
| country           = India
| title_orig  = பொன்னியின் செல்வன்
| language         = [[Tamil language|Tamil]]
| orig_lang_code = ta
| genre             = [[Historical novel|Historical]], [[romantic novel|romance]], [[spy novel|espionage]], [[thriller novel|thriller]], [[fiction]]
| genre = [[historical novel|Historical]], [[Romantic novel|Romance]], [[Spy novel|Espionage]], [[Thriller novel|Thriller]], [[fiction]]
| published         = {{plain list|
| published = {{plain list|
* Serialised: 29 October 1950 {{ndash}} 16 May 1954
* Serialised: 29 October 1950 {{ndash}} 16 May 1954 ([[Kalki (Tamil magazine)|Kalki]])
* Book form: 1955 (Mangala Noolagam)
* Book form: 1955 (Mangala Noolagam)
}}
}}
| english_pub_date = {{plain list|
| english_pub_date = {{plain list|
* 1993 ([[Project Madurai]])
* 1993 ([[Project Madurai]])
* 1999 ([[Macmillan Publishers|Macmillan]] India)
* 1999 ([[Macmillan Publishers|Macmillan]] India)
}}
}}
| media_type = Print ([[Serial (literature)|Serial]])
| media_type       = Print ([[Serial (literature)|Serial]])
<!--| pages = 2300 pages (approx)-->
<!--| pages = 2300 pages (approx)-->| native_wikisource = பொன்னியின்_செல்வன்
| native_wikisource = பொன்னியின்_செல்வன்
| isbn             = 9789672811275
| isbn = 9788183451536
| isbn_note         = {{small|(Kavitha Publication ed.)}}
| isbn_note = {{small|(Kavitha Publication ed.)}}
| oclc             = 84057533
| oclc = 84057533
| preceded_by       =  
| preceded_by = [[Parthiban Kanavu]]
| followed_by       =  
| followed_by =
| translator       = {{plain list|
| translator = {{plain list|
* Pavithra Srinivasan
* Indra Neelameggham (1993)
* Indra Neelameggham (1993)
* C.V. Karthik Narayanan (1999)
* C.V. Karthik Narayanan (1999)
* Rajalakshmi Srinivasan - Sanskrit (2015)
*Sajith M. S - Malayalam (2022)
}}
| pub_date          = 30 September 2022
}}
}}
}}'''''Ponniyin Selvan''''' (<span lang="Ta" dir="ltr">பொன்னியின் செல்வன்</span>, English: ''The Son of [[Kaveri|Ponni]]'') is a [[historical fiction novel]] by [[Kalki Krishnamurthy]], written in [[Tamil language|Tamil]]. The novel was first serialised in the weekly editions of [[Kalki (Tamil magazine)|Kalki]] during period from 29 October 1950 to 16 May 1954, and released in book form of five parts in 1955. In five volumes, or about 2,210 pages, it tells the story of early days of [[Arulmozhivarman]] (<span lang="Ta" dir="ltr">அருள்மொழிவர்மன்</span>), who later became the great [[Chola Dynasty|Chola]] emperor [[Rajaraja Chola I]]. Kalki visited [[Sri Lanka]] three times to gather information for it.


Ponniyin Selvan is widely considered by many to be the greatest novel ever written in Tamil literature.<ref>{{cite web |title=ponniyin selvan greatest novel ever written in Tamil literature |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/jayaram-joins-mani-ratnam-ponniyin-selvan-5940783/ |website=indianexpress |publisher=Indian Express |access-date=9 April 2021}}</ref>
'''''Ponniyin Selvan''''' ({{translation|''The Son of [[Kaveri|Ponni]]''}}) is a [[Tamil language]] [[historical fiction]] novel by Indian author [[Kalki Krishnamurthy]]. It was first serialised in the weekly editions of [[Kalki (Tamil magazine)|''Kalki'']], a Tamil magazine, from 29 October 1950 to 16 May 1954 and later integrated into five volumes in 1955. In about 2,210 pages, it tells the story of early days of [[Chola dynasty|Chola]] prince [[Rajaraja I|Arulmozhivarman]]. Kalki visited [[Sri Lanka]] three times to gather information and for inspiration.
It was first published as a series in the ''[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]]'', a Tamil language magazine, during the 1950s and was later integrated into a novel. The craze for the series which was published weekly was such that it elevated the magazine circulation to reach a staggering figure of 71,366 copies&nbsp;– no mean achievement in a newly independent India.


Even today, the novel has a cult following and fan base among people of all generations. The book continues to be admired and garner critical acclaim for its tightly woven plot, vivid narration, the wit of the dialogue, and the way in which the power struggle and intrigues of the Chola empire were depicted.
''Ponniyin Selvan'' is regarded as one of the greatest novels of [[Tamil literature]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jayaram joins Mani Ratnam's Ponniyin Selvan? |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/jayaram-joins-mani-ratnam-ponniyin-selvan-5940783/ |website=indianexpress |date=27 August 2019 |publisher=Indian Express |access-date=9 April 2021}}</ref> The fan-following for the series, which was published weekly in ''Kalki'', was such that it elevated the magazine circulation to a figure of 75,000 copies&nbsp;– a vast readership in a newly independent India.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2011-10-19 |title=Age hardly withers charm of Ponniyin Selvan |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/books/age-hardly-withers-charm-of-ponniyin-selvan/article2550847.ece |access-date=2023-05-18 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The book continued to be admired in the modern era, developing a [[cult following]] and fanbase among people of all generations. ''Ponniyin Selvan'' has garnered critical acclaim for its tightly woven plot, vivid narration, witty dialogue, and portrayal of the intrigues and power struggle of the Chola empire in the 10th-century.


A film series adaptation of the Novel is in production and is directed by the Indian filmmaker [[Mani Ratnam]].
The novels were [[film adaptation|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 first publication of the ''Ponniyin Selvan'' series outside of Tamil Nadu was released in 2022, published in Malaysia by Jaya Bakti.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ponniyin Selvan - First Edition Published in Malaysia |url=https://jayabakti.com/product/ponniyin-selvan-first-edition-published-in-malaysia/ |access-date=2023-05-18 |website=Jaya Bakti |language=en-US}}</ref>


== Book volumes ==
== Book volumes ==
Line 53: Line 56:
|-
|-
|1
|1
|''புது வெள்ளம்'' ({{translation|New Floods}})
|''Pudhu Vellam'' ({{translation|New Floods}})
|57
|57
|The story unfolds with the journey of the protagonist [[Vallavaraiyan Vandiyadevan|Vandhiyadhevan]] to the capital [[Thanjavur]]. Ends with Vandhiyadhevan making enemies in Royalty and joins the Royal services.
|The story unfolds with the journey of the protagonist [[Vallavaraiyan Vandiyadevan|Vandhiyadhevan]] to the capital [[Thanjavur]]. After discovering a conspiracy, Vandhiyadhevan makes enemies with the royalty.
|-
|-
|2
|2
|''சுழற்காற்று'' ({{translation|Whirlwind}})
|''Suzharkaatru'' ({{translation|Whirlwind}})
|53
|53
|The events that took place on Sri Lanka where Ponniyin Selvan ( [[Rajaraja I|Raja Raja Cholan]] ) was stationed for "Eezhathu Por" Battle of Lanka, the tragic stories from the past of the characters' lives.  
|The events take place in Sri Lanka where Ponniyin Selvan ([[Rajaraja I|Raja Raja Cholan]]) is stationed for "Eezhathu Por" (Battle of Lanka), the tragic stories from the past of the characters' lives.
|-
|-
|3
|3
|''கொலை வாள்'' ({{translation|Sword of Slaughter}})
|''Kolai Vaal'' ({{translation|Sword of Slaughter}})
|46
|46
|The revenge set up by the suicide squad of Veera Pandiyan ( Aabathuthavigal ) against [[Aditya Karikalan|Aditha Karikalan]] and Chola Empire, the plot devised by Nandhini.  
|The revenge set up by the suicide squad of Veera Pandiyan (Aabathuthavigal) against [[Aditya Karikalan]] and Chola Empire, the plot devised by Nandhini.
|-
|-
|4
|4
|''மணிமகுடம்'' ({{translation|The Crown}})
|''Manimagudam'' ({{translation|The Crown}})
|46
|46
|The struggle for the crown among the members of Chola dynasty. The inside conspiracy is being revealed eventually among the patriotics.
|The struggle for the crown among the members of the Chola dynasty. The inside conspiracy is being revealed eventually among the patriots.
|-
|-
|5
|5
|''தியாக சிகரம்'' ({{translation|The Pinnacle of Sacrifice}})
|''Thiyaaga Sigaram'' ({{translation|The Pinnacle of Sacrifice}})
|91
|91
|The Climax is being set. The conspiracy is broken due to lack of motivation and the head of conspiracy comes to senses. The rulers are reunited and the danger is averted. The rightful prince offer the throne to his cousin out of magnanimity. The tragic deaths of the main characters also adds sorrow to the fact that the story ends.
|The Climax is being set. The conspiracy is broken due to a lack of motivation and the head of the conspiracy comes to senses. The rulers are reunited and the danger is averted. The rightful prince offers the throne to his uncle out of magnanimity. The tragic deaths of the main characters also add sorrow to the fact that the story ends.
|}
|}


== Characters ==
== Characters ==
[[File:Ponniyin Selvan Family Tree English.jpg|thumb|Chart of characters involved in ''Ponniyin Selvan''.|817x817px|alt=|center]]
[[File:Ponniyin Selvan Family Tree English.jpg|thumb|Chart of characters involved in ''Ponniyin Selvan''.|817x817px|alt=|center]]
In order of appearance (omitting the flashbacks)
* '''[[ vallavarayan vandhiyadevan]] (<span lang="Ta" dir="ltr">வல்லவராயன் வந்தியதேவன்</span>):''' The brave, adventurous and sarcastic warrior prince of Vaanar clan, who later becomes the Commander for Southern Troops under the reign of Uttama Chola. Although the second protagonist of the story other than Ponniyin Selvan himself, Vandiyadevan's exploits make the readers think of him as the main hero at multiple points in the novel. He was a bodyguard and close friend of Aditya Karikalan in Kanchi who sends him as a messenger to Sundara Chola in Thanjavur to invite him to the newly built golden palace in Kanchi and also as a trustful guard for Kundavai in Pazhayarai. His unplanned and hateful acts put himself and others in danger but come out of them by trickery and luck. He is the lover of Princess Kundavai. He is loved one-sidedly by Manimekalai, the sister of Kandanmaran. The author introduces most of the characters to the audience through him.
* '''Azhwarkadiyan Nambi (<span lang="Ta" dir="ltr">ஆழ்வார்க்கடியான் நம்பி</span>) alias Thirumalaiappan (<span lang="Ta" dir="ltr">திருமலையப்பன்</span>):''' A Veera [[Vaishnavism|Vaishnavite]] spy who works for the Prime Minister and Chembiyan Mahadeva. He is the foster-brother of Nandhini and also a close friend of Vandiyathevan. He works closely with him and saves him from many dangers. He was a loyal trustful servant for the Chola royal government. He often does many religious word battles with Veera [[Shaivism|Shaivites]] and [[Advaita Vedanta|Advaitis]].
* '''Sambuvaraiyar:''' The petty ruler of Kadamboor from the [[Sambuvaraya]] family.
* '''Kandanmaran alias Chinna Sambuvaraiyar:''' Prince of Kadamboor. Son of Sambuvaraiyar and close friend of Vandiyathevan. He is the one who arranges the conspiracy meeting of petty rulers to be taken in Kadamboor. He then assumes Vandiyathevan tried to kill him and starts to think of him as his worst enemy.
* '''Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar:''' The chancellor and treasurer of the Chola kingdom from the [[Paluvettaraiyar]] clan who was respected for his valor and 64 scars he got in battles. The second most powerful man in the empire next to the Emperor himself. He marries a much younger Nandini in his sixties, gets seduced by her beauty and gets used by her as a puppet for her plot. He was the leader of the conspirators who acted against the sons of Sundara Chola and tried to make his cousin Madurantakan the next emperor under the plans of Nandini.
* '''Theveraalan (alias Parameswaran), Idumbankkari, Ravidasan, Soman Sambavan, Revadasa Kiramavithan:''' Antagonists of the novel. Bodyguards of the late Veerapandiyan. They conspirate to kill the members of the Chola family. Ravidasan and Parameswaran were once ministers in [[Chola]] court. Ravidasan and Revadasa Kiramavithan were acting as wizards. Idumbankkari was acting as a guard in Kadambur palace.
* '''Madurantaka alias Amarabhujangan Nedunchezhiyan''''':'' Son of Chembiyan Maadevi who was raised as a Shaivite. He was raised a calm and humble Shaivite and taught not to desire on the throne. He was brainwashed by Nandini so that the developed a greed over the throne. Kundavai and others thought that he was untalented and lacked the basic characters and skills for being an emperor. People of Chola country did not want him to become the ruler.
* '''Kundavai alias Ilaya Piratti''''':'' The Chola princess. Second child and only daughter of Sundara Chola. Lover of [[Vandiyadevan Senai thalaivan|Vandiyathevan]]. She was respected much by her father and the people for her intelligence and wit. Unlike other princesses of those times, she had an ambition of making Chola empire wide and great and took a vow to never leave her motherland. She used her brother Arulmozhivarman and his son to achieve her ambition. She raised and taught Arulmozhivarman to be an intelligent prince and wished to make him the Chola emperor. She is the one who sent Vandiyathevan to bring back Arulmozhivarman from Sri Lanka and to prevent Aditya from going to Kadamboor palace and also to guard him. She took care of Vaanathi more than any of her friends and wanted to make her Arulmozhivarman's queen.
* '''Vaanathi:''' Shy and innocent Kodumbalur princess who is the future wife of Raja Raja Chola and mother of [[Rajendra Chola I|Rajendra Chola- I]]. Daughter of Paranthakan alias Kodumbalur Chinna Velar who died in the battle against Mahinda in Sri Lanka. Niece of [[Irunkovel]] [[Boothi Vikramakesari]]. She lost her mother and father in her childhood. She is the most beloved friend of Kundavai. She had an immense love for Arulmozhi. Later she dies giving birth to her son who is now known as Rajendra Chola.
* '''Nandini:''' Pazhuvoor Princess and wife of Periya Pazhuvettraraiyar whose birth and origin was doubtful in the beginning. The main antagonist of the story. She was born in Madurai and grew up in a priest family along with royal children in Pazhayarai till her youth. She hated Kundavai as she showed hatred towards her because of jealousy over her beauty. She and Prince Aditya Karikalan developed love interest in their childhood which nobody in the royalty liked. She was forced to flee Pazhaiyarai and live in Madurai. After Aditya beheaded the injured Veerapandiyan, she joined Pandya conspirators and vowed to take revenge on him by killing him and destroying the Chola dynasty. By marrying Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar who had fallen in lust with her and by using him, she helped the Pandya conspirators. She had a deep hatred towards the royalty for their ill-treatment and also had a desire for the throne. She had a terrible childhood that affected her badly and wanted to be with her mother Mandakini. Parthibendra Pallava and Kandanmaran fell for her beauty and she used them for her plot too.
* '''Senthan Amuthan:''' A flower seller. He is a close friend of Vandiyathevan. He helped him many times in his missions when he was still the son of Vaani and a calm, humble and honest Shaivite devotee.
* '''Vaani Ammal:''' The deaf and mute foster mother of Senthan Amuthan, sister of Mandakini and aunt of Poonkuzhali. She was good in practising traditional medicine.
* '''Chinna Pazhuvettaraiyar:''' alias Kaalandhakandar. The chief in-charge of Thanjavur fort. Younger brother of Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar to whom he had huge respect and love. He is the father-in-law of Mathuranthakar. Both brothers hated Vandiyathevan at first. He constantly warns his brother about Nandini and her conspiracy to no avail.
* '''Sundara Chola alias Parantaka-II:''' The emperor of Chola empire. He was known for his facial beauty which gave him his name 'Sundara'. After his health became poor, his legs paralysed and was expecting his death, he was moved from Pazhayarai to Thanjavur by Pazhuvettaraiyars for his protection. This sparked the debate for the next rightful heir. His wish was to appoint his uncle's son as his successor. There was a rumor that the emperor was kept as a prisoner by them.
* '''Vanavan Mahadevi:''' Empress of the Chola empire. Chief queen, wife and caretaker of Sundara Chola. Mother of all his children. Daughter of Thirukovalur Malaiyamaan.
* '''Chembiyan Maadevi alias Periya Piratti''': Wife of Gandaraditya and mother of Utthama Chola. A Shaivite devotee who donates a lot to build many temples for Lord Shiva across the Chola empire. She was very strict in not making her son the emperor, which was also the dying wish of her husband.
* '''Pinaagapani:''' Son of the traditional healer in Pazhayarai. He was narrow-minded and ambitious and always considered Vandiyathevan as his enemy but gets beaten by him all throughout the story. He was sent by Kundavai with Vandiyathevan to show his way from Pazhaiyarai to Kodikkarai where he lusts over Poonkuzhali but fails in attracting her. His desire to gain high positions in the empire make him prey to Nandini's plans.
* '''[[Aditya Karikalan]]:''' Eldest son of Sundara Chola, the crown prince and the commander of Northern troops in Sundara Chola's reign. He was a glorious brave warrior who entered the battlefield at the age of 12. He was known all over the empire for his valiant acts. It was him who sent Vandiyathevan to Kundavai for being her trustful guard. Aditya Karikalan was little hasty and had unpredictable anger due to the dark past he encountered. That gave all the conspirators a reason to conspire against him.
* '''Thirukovalur Malaiyaman''' '''alias Milaadudaiyar:''' Father-in-law of Sundara Chola and maternal grandfather for his children. He was a well-wisher and advisor for Aditya Karikalan and lived with him in Kanchi. He was a rival of the Kadamboor ruler.
* '''Parthibendra Pallava:''' Friend of Aditya Karikalan, who comes from the lineage of [[Pallava dynasty|Pallavas]]. He fought along with Aditya in his battles. He lusts after Nandini and hates Vandiyathevan from the beginning.
* '''[[Poonguzhali|Poonkuzhali]]:'''. A boat woman, she was born and raised in [[Point Calimere|Kodikkarai]]. She was adventurous and fearless and had a hate towards other men and civilisation. She had a great affection for her aunt Mandakini Devi. She had a love interest towards Arulmozhivarman who also had the same before she married Senthan Amuthan. She was named "Samudrakumari" (Princess of the Ocean) by the Prince Arulmozhi himself.
* '''Thiyaaga Vidankar:''' Father of Poonkuzhali and in-charge of the light house at Kodikkarai. He is the younger brother of Mandakini Devi and Vaani Ammal.
* '''Rakkammaal:''' Sister-in-law of Poonkuzhali. She joined the Pandiyan conspirators due to her greed for money. Revadasa Kiramavithan was her father.
* '''Anbil Aniruddha Brahmarayar:''' The Prime Minister of Sundara Chola's Court and a trustful intimate close friend of him. He was very much respected by the people for his wit and intelligence. On the request of Sundara Chola, he became the minister and assisted Sundara Chola in administration apart from being a teacher. He knew the personal secrets of his friend and many royal secrets. He had many spies across the Chola empire that almost nothing could happen out of his knowledge. One of the best of them is Azhwarkadiyan.
* '''Boodhi Vikrama Kesari alias Kodumbalur Periya Velar:''' [[Irunkovel]] chieftain and uncle of Vaanathi. The Commander of the southern troops during Sundara Chola's reign. He fights along with Arulmozhi against Mahindan's troops in Sri Lanka. He had a desire to marry Vaanathi to Arulmozhi and thus make her the Queen. He and Thirukovalur Malaiyaman opposed the proposition of making Mathuranthakar the heir to the throne. Kodumbalur Velars and Pazhuvettaraiyars were rivals though they were both loyal to the Cholas.
* '''Arulmozhivarman alias [[Rajaraja I|Raja Raja Chola-I]] alias Ponniyin Selvan:''' One of the two protagonists of the story after whom the novel was named. 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 she sent him to Sri Lanka at the age of 19 for battle. He was said to be saved by the Mother Kaveri herself from drowning in the river when he was 5. This gave him the title "Ponniyin Selvan" or "Son of Kaveri". He was beloved by all the people and soldiers of the Chola kingdom and even in Sri Lanka due to his religious tolerance, good behaviour towards all the people and his facial attraction. He had an equality towards all religions but was more attracted to Shaivism and showed brief interest in Buddhism.
* '''Mandakini Devi''' '''aka Singala Naachiyaar aka Oomai Rani("The Mute Queen"):''' The deaf and mute mother of Nandini and Madurantaka. Love interest of Sundara Chola. She had great affection towards his children and her niece, Poonguzhali. She is always around Arulmozhivarman and saves him from many dangers.
* '''Murugaiyan:''' Elder brother of Poonkuzhali. Husband of Rakkammal. He rowed the Pandiyan conspirators to Sri Lanka from Kodikkarai. But later compensated his unknowing wrongdoing by helping Arulmozhivarman reach Thanjavur.
* '''Manimekalai:''' Innocent and shy princess of Kadamboor. Younger sister of Kandan Maran and daughter of Kadamboor Sambuvaraiyar. She had a deep, immense one-sided love on Vandiyathevan.
* '''Karuthiruman''' aka Paithiyakaran (The Madman): An assistant of Veerapandian and prisoner in the dungeons of Thanjavur. Claims to know the location of Pandyan crown and scepter hidden in Sri Lanka.
Other characters in the novel are:
* '''Kudanthai Jothidar:''' (jothidar- astrologer) The astrologer in the town of Kudanthai (present day [[Kumbakonam]]) who predicts that Arulmozhivarman will become a great emperor. He also mentions that Vanathi will marry Arulmozhi and bear a great king who will take the Chola dynasty to its glory. He later moves to [[Thiruvaiyaru]] since his house was destructed by the Kaveri floods.
* '''Kalyani:''' Mother of Sundara Chola. Wife of Arinjaya Chola.
* '''Paranthakan Devi:''' Another wife of Sundara Chola.
* '''Eesaana Sivabattar:''' The priest of the Shiva temple in Pazhayarai. Elder brother of Azhwarkadiyan and foster brother of Nandini. He helps Vandiyathevan to meet Kundavai secretly in Pazhayarai when Pazhuvettararaiyars were searching for him there.
* '''Aacharya [[Bhikkhu|Bhikku]]:''' The head monk in Chudamani Vihara of [[Nagapattinam]] who saves Arulmozhivarman when he was affected by a lethal flu.
* '''The Pandyan Prince''' whom the Pandyan conspirators made the successor of Veerapandiyan at [[Thiruppurambiyam|Thirupurambiyam]] [[Tomb|Pallipadai]].
* '''Chandramathi''': Maid and companion of Manimekalai in Kadambur palace.
* '''Kayalvizhi''': Pandiyan prince, son of Veerapandiyan raised by her...
'''Prequels and Sequels'''


Malarcholai Mangai is a prequel of Ponniyin Selvan written by Dr.L. Kailasam, which describes how Vandiyathevan, the hero of Ponniyin Selvan was brought up in his childhood to become a hero. Kaveri Mainthan written by Anusha Venkatesh and Nandipurathu Nayagai written by Vikraman are famous sequels of Ponniyin Selvan
* '''[[Vallavaraiyan Vandiyadevan|Vallavaraiyan Vandiyathevan]]''': The brave, adventurous and sarcastic warrior prince of the Vaanar clan, who later becomes the Commander for Southern Troops under the reign of Utthama Chola. He is the bodyguard and close friend of Karikalan,who sends him as a messenger to Sundara Chola in Thanjavur to invite him to the newly built golden palace in Kanchi. His impulsive actions put himself and others in danger but he comes out of them with trickery and luck. He is the lover of Princess Kundavai. He is loved one-sidedly by Manimekalai, the sister of Kandanmaran.
* {{anchor|Nandini}}'''[[Nandini (fictional character)|Nandhini]]''': Pazhuvoor Queen and wife of Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar whose birth and origin was doubtful in the beginning. The main antagonist of the story. She was born in Madurai and grew up in a priest family along with royal children in Pazhayarai until her youth. She is the foster-sister of Azhwarkadiyan Nambi. She hated Kundavai as Kundavai was jealous of Nandhini's beauty. Nandhini and Prince Aditya Karikalan developed a liking for each other in their childhood which nobody in the royalty liked. She was forced to flee Pazhaiyarai and live in Madurai. After Aditya Karikalan beheaded the injured Veerapandiyan, Nandhini joined Pandya conspirators and vowed to avenge Veerapandiyan's death by killing Karikalan and destroying the Chola dynasty. By marrying Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar who had lusted for her and by using him, she helped the Pandya conspirators. She married Aditha to involve him. She had a deep hatred towards the Chola royals for their ill-treatment and also had a desire for the throne. She had a terrible childhood that affected her badly and wanted to be with her mother Mandakini. Parthibendra Pallava and Kandanmaran fell for her beauty and she used them for her plot too. [Mandakini Devi went to Thanjavur (while she was pregnant), Sembiyan Maadevi was pregnant too, so she took care of Mandakini during her pregnancy. During child birth Sembiyan Maadevi gave birth to a still born son but Mandakini gave birth to twins - a boy (Madhurantaka) and a girl (Nandhini). Sembiyan Maadevi swapped her still born son with Mandakini's son. She asked Vaani Ammal (a maid in the place at that time) to bury her still born son and gave the daughter to Azhwarkadiyan's parents. After leaving the palace, Vaani Ammal notices that Sembiyan Maadevi's son (Senthan Amuthan) is alive. She fosters him and raises him as her own son.
* {{Anchor|Azhwarkadiyan Nambi}}'''[[#Azhwarkadiyan Nambi|Azhwarkadiyan Nambi]]''' alias '''Thirumalaiappan''': A Veera [[Vaishnavism|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 [[Shaivism|Shaivites]] and [[Advaita Vedanta|Advaitis]].
* '''[[Paluvettaraiyar|Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar]]''': The chancellor and treasurer of the Chola kingdom from the [[Paluvettaraiyar|Pazhuvettaraiyar]] clan who was respected for his valor, as demonstrated by his 64 battle scars. The second most powerful man in the empire. Enamoured by her beauty, he marries a much younger Nandini, and gets scapegoated by her. He was the leader of the conspirators who tried to make Madhurantakan the next emperor.
* '''[[Kundavai Pirāttiyār|Kundavai]]''' alias '''Ilaya Pirattiyar''': The Chola princess. Second child and only daughter of Sundara Chola. Lover of [[Vandiyadevan Senai thalaivan|Vandiyathevan]]. She was respected much by her father and the people for her intelligence and wit. Unlike other princesses of those times, she had ambitions of expanding the Chola empire and enhancing its glory and took a vow to never leave her motherland. She used her brother Arulmozhivarman and his son to achieve her ambition. She raised and taught Arulmozhivarman to be an intelligent prince and wished to make him the Chola emperor. She sent Vandiyathevan to bring back Arulmozhivarman from Sri Lanka to guard him.
*{{Anchor|Vaanathi}}'''[[#Vaanathi|Vaanathi]]''': The shy but playful princess of Kodumbalur. She was raised by her uncle Periya Velar [[Boothi Vikramakesari]] because both her father, Siriya Velar and mother are killed. She was sent to Pazhayarai to be one of Kundavai Devi's many friends/ helpers. She tends to faint in stressful situations due to which Ilaya Piratti takes special care of her, making the other princesses envious. She receives a prophecy from Kudanthai Jothidar stating she will bear an extraordinary warrior son who will conquer all 7 seas. She has an immense devotion for [[Rajaraja I|Ponniyin Selvan]] and wishes to marry him but due to Poonguzhali's accusation that her motive to marry Arulmozhi is for the throne, she vows to never sit on the throne if she marries him.
* [[Raja Raja Chola|'''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").
* '''[[Aditya Chola II|Aditha Karikalan]]''': Eldest son of [[Parantaka Chola II|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.
* '''[[Poonguzhali]]''': A boat woman, she was born and raised in [[Point Calimere|Kodaikkarai]]. She was adventurous and fearless. She deeply distrusted and disliked men and civilisation. She holds great affection for her aunt Mandakini Devi. She also has an intense love for Ponniyin Selvan and yearns to be Queen because she believes her Aunt should have been the rightful Queen. She saves Arulmozhivarman when he drowns in the ocean and secretly takes him to Nagapattinam to recuperate. She was named "Samudrakumari" (The Maiden of the Ocean) by Prince Arulmozhivarman himself. She marries Senthan Amuthan/ Madhuranthakan and attains her desire of being Queen.
* '''[[Uttama (Chola dynasty)|Madhurantaka Uttama Chozhan]]''' alias '''Senthan Amudhan''': He is the son of Sembian Madevi who was given to the flower seller Vaani Ammal, assuming to be a still born baby. . He is a close friend of Vandiyathevan, and helped the latter many times in his missions when he was still known as the son of Vaani Ammal and a calm, humble and honest Shaivite devotee.
* '''Vaani Ammai''': The deaf and mute foster mother of Senthan Amuthan, sister of Mandakini and Thiyaaga Vidankar. Aunt of Poonguzhali. She was skilled in traditional medicine remedies.
* '''[[Paluvettaraiyar|Chinna Pazhuvettaraiyar]]''': alias '''Kaalandhakandar''': The chief in-charge of Thanjavur fort. Younger brother of Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar to whom he had huge respect and love. He is the father-in-law of Mathuranthakar. Both Pazhuvettaraiyar brothers hated Vandiyathevan at first. Chinna Pazhuvettaraiyar constantly warns his brother about Nandini and her conspiracy, but his cautionary words fall on deaf ears.
* '''[[Parantaka Chola II|Sundara Chola]]''' alias '''[[Parantaka Chola II|Parantaka II]]''': The emperor of Chola empire. He was known for his facial beauty which gave him his name 'Sundara'. When his legs became paralysed and his health began rapidly deteriorating, the Pazhuvettaraiyar brothers moved the emperor from Pazhayarai to Thanjavur so they could better protect him. This sparked the debate for the next rightful heir. His wish was to appoint his uncle's son as his successor. There was a widespread rumor that the emperor was kept as a prisoner by the Pazhuvettaraiyar brothers.
* '''Vanavan Madevi''' alias '''Idaya Pirattiyar''': Empress of the Chola empire. Chief queen, wife and caretaker of Sundara Chola. Mother of all his children. Daughter of Thirukovalur Malaiyamaan.
* [[Sembiyan Mahadevi|'''Sembiyan Madevi''']] alias '''Periya Pirattiyar''': Wife of Gandaraditya Chola and mother of Utthama Chola. A Shaivite devotee who donates a lot of resources to build temples for Lord Shiva across the Chola empire. She was steadfast in not making her son the emperor, which was also the dying wish of her husband. [Mandakini Devi went to Thanjavur (while she was pregnant), Sembiyan Maadevi was pregnant too, so she took care of Mandakini during her pregnancy. During child birth Sembiyan Maadevi gave birth to a still born son but Mandakini gave birth to twins – a boy (Madhurantaka) and a girl (Nandhini). Sembiyan Maadevi swapped her still born son with Mandakini's son. She asked Vaani Ammal (she was a maid in the place at that time) to bury her still born son and gave the daughter to Azhwarkadiyan's parents. Vaani Ammal after leaving the palace notices that Sembiyan Maadevi's son (Senthan Amuthan) is alive, she fosters him and raises him as her own son.]
* '''Pinaagapani''': Son of the traditional healer in Pazhayarai. He was narrow-minded and ambitious and always considered Vandiyathevan his enemy but gets beaten by him all throughout the story. Pinaagapani was sent by Kundavai with Vandiyathevan to lead the way from Pazhaiyarai to Kodikkarai where the former lusts over Poonkuzhali but fails to attract her. His desire to gain high positions in the empire make him prey to Nandini's plans. Killed by Kandhanmaaran
* [[Malayamān|'''Thirukovalur Malaiyaman''']] alias '''Milaadudaiyar''': Father-in-law of Sundara Chola and maternal grandfather to his children. He was a well-wisher and advisor for Karikalan and lived with him in Kanchi. He was a rival of the Kadamboor ruler.
* {{Anchor|Parthibendra Pallavan}}'''[[Pallava|Parthibendra Pallavan]]''': Friend of Karikalan, who comes from the lineage of Pallavas. He fought along with him in battles. He lusts Nandhini and hates Vandiyathevan from the beginning.
* '''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.
* '''Rakkammaal''': Sister-in-law of Poonguzhali. She joined the Pandiyan conspirators due to her greed for money. Revadasa Kiramavithan was her father.
* '''[[Aniruddha Brahmarayar|Anbil Aniruddha Brahmarayar]]''': The Prime Minister of emperor Sundara Chola's Court and a close friend and confidante to the emperor. He was highly respected by the people for his wit and intelligence. On Sundara Chola's request, he became the minister and assisted Sundara Chola in matters of administration in addition to being a teacher. He was the keeper of many of the emperor's personal and royal secrets. His network of spies across the Chola empire ensured that almost nothing could happen without his knowledge. One of the best of them is Azhwarkadiyan Nambi.
* '''[[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.
* '''Theveraalan''' (alias '''Parameswaran'''), '''Idumbankkari''', '''Ravidasan''', '''Soman Sambavan''', '''Revadasa Kiramavithan''': Antagonists of the novel. Bodyguards of the late Veerapandiyan. They conspire to kill the members of the Chola royal family. Ravidasan and Parameswaran were once ministers in [[Chola]] court. Ravidasan and Revadasa Kiramavithan were acting as wizards. Idumbankkari was acting as a guard in Kadambur palace.
* {{Anchor|Madhurantakan}}'''Amarabhujanga Nedunchezhiyan'''/ former '''Madhurantakan''': Foster Son of Sembiyan Maadevi who was raised as a Shaivite. He was raised a calm and humble Shaivite and taught not to desire the throne. He was brainwashed by his twin sister Nandini to develop a greed for the throne. Kundavai and others thought that he was untalented and lacked the basic characteristics and skills to be an emperor. The people of the Chola kingdom did not want him to become the ruler either. He fled once he discovered he was the son of Veera Pandiyan and the crown prince of Pandya Kingdom, turning into a warrior.
*'''Mandakini''' alias '''Oomai Rani'''/ '''Singala Nachiyar''': The deaf and mute mother of twins, Nandini and Amarabhujangan. Love interest of Sundara Chola. She had great affection towards his children and her niece, Poonguzhali. She is always around Arulmozhivarman and saves him from many dangers. [Mandakini Devi went to Thanjavur (while she was pregnant), Sembiyan Maadevi was pregnant too, so she took care of Mandakini during her pregnancy. During child birth Sembiyan Maadevi gave birth to a still born son but Mandakini gave birth twins to a boy (Madhurantaka) and a girl (Nandhini). Sembiyan Maadevi swapped her still born son with Mandakini's son. She asked Vaani Ammal (she was a maid in the place at that time) to bury her still born son and gave the daughter to Azhvarkadiyan's parents. Vaani Ammal after leaving the palace notices that Sembiyan Maadevi's son (Senthan Amuthan) is alive, she fosters him and raises him as her own son.]
* '''[[Sambuvarayar|Sambuvaraiyar]]''': The petty ruler of [[Melakadambur|Kadamboor]] from the Sambuvaraya family.
* [[Sambuvarayar|'''Chinna Sambuvaraiyar''']] alias '''Kandhanmaran''': Prince of [[Melakadambur|Kadamboor]]. Son of Sambuvaraiyar and close friend of Vandiyathevan. He is the one who arranges for the petty rulers to gather in Kadamboor and hold a meeting to conspire to make Madhurantakan the next Chola emperor. He then assumes that Vandiyathevan tried to kill him and begins to think of him as his worst enemy.
* '''Murugaiyan''': Elder brother of Poonguzhali. Husband of Rakkammaal. He rowed the Pandiyan conspirators to Sri Lanka from Kodikkarai. But later compensated for his unknowing wrongdoing by helping Arulmozhivarman reach Thanjavur.
* {{Anchor|Manimekalai}}'''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.
* '''Karuthiruman''' aka Paithiyakaran (The Madman): An assistant of Veerapandian and prisoner in the dungeons of Thanjavur. Claims to know the location of the Pandyan crown and sceptre hidden in Sri Lanka.
* '''Kudanthai Jothidar''': The astrologer in the town of Kudanthai (present-day [[Kumbakonam]]) who predicts that Arulmozhivarman will become a great emperor. He also predicts that Vanathi will marry Arulmozhi and bear a great king who will take the Chola dynasty to its glory. He later moves to [[Thiruvaiyaru]] since his house was destroyed in the Kaveri floods.
* '''Kalyani''': Mother of Sundara Chola. Wife of Arinjaya Chola.
* '''Parangusan Nedunchezhiyan''': [[Pandian]] Prince. The 5-year-old son of Veerapandiyan and his Queen, raised by Nandini and the Aabathudhavigal (Pandyan conspirators) who declared him the successor of Veerapandiyan at [[Thiruppurambiyam|Thirupurambiyam]] [[Tomb|Pallipadai]].
* '''Eesaana Sivabattar''': The priest of the Shiva temple in Pazhayarai. Elder brother of Azhwarkadiyan and foster brother of Nandini. He helps Vandiyathevan secretly meet Kundavai in Pazhayarai when the Pazhuvettaraiyar brothers were searching for him there.
* '''Aacharya [[Bhikshu]]''': The head [[monk]] of [[Chudamani Vihara]] in [[Nagapattinam]] who saves [[Arulmozhivarman]] when he was affected by [[Malaria|Kulir Suram]].
* '''Chandramathi''': Maid and companion of Manimekalai in Kadambur palace who is literate and helps her read the final letter written by Aditha Karikalan.
*'''[[Pandyan Civil War (1169–1177)|Veera Pandian]]''': [[Pandian]] King. Father of Nandhini, Amarbhujangan and Parangusan. Husband of Mandakini. Killed by Aditha Karikalan when he was hiding in Nandhini's hut.


== Plot summary ==
== Plot summary ==
The story revolves around Vandiyathevan, a charming, brave and a brilliant young man who sets out to the Chola land to deliver a message to the King and the Princess from the Crown Prince Aditya Karikalan. The story shuttles between Vandiyathevan's travels in Chola country and the young Prince Arulmozhivarman's travels in Sri Lanka. The narrative deals with attempts by his sister Kundavai to bring back Arulmozhi (as Raja Raja was called before his crowning) to establish political peace in a land seemingly getting besot with unrest and signs of civil war, plotted by vassals and petty chieftains.
{{Long plot|section|date=June 2023}}
 
The story revolves around Vandiyathevan, a charming, brave and courageous young man who sets out across the Chola land to deliver a message from the Crown Prince, Aditya Karikalan, to Emperor Sundara Chola and Princess Kundavai. The story shuttles between Vandiyathevan's travels in Chola country and the young Prince Arulmozhivarman's (later known as Raja Raja Chola) travels in Sri Lanka. The narrative details attempts by his sister Kundavai to bring back Arulmozhivarman to establish political peace in a land seemingly beset with unrest and civil war plotted by vassals and petty chieftains.
Parantaka Chola was succeeded by his second son Gandaraditya as the first son Rajaditya had died in a battle. At the time of Gandaraditya's death, his son Maduranthaka was a two-year-old child and hence Gandaraditya’s brother Arinjaya ascended the throne. After Arinjaya’s death, his son Parantaka II, (Sundara Chola) was crowned. He had two sons, Aditya Karikalan and daughter Kundavai and the younger son Arulmozhivarman, the later known Rajaraja.
The story begins as the emperor Sundara Chola is ill and bedridden. His son Aditya Karikalan is the general of the Northern Command and lives in Kanchi. The younger son Arulmozhivarman is in Sri Lanka on a military campaign. Their sister Kundavai lives in the Chola royal household at Pazhayarai.
The story advances when rumours abound that there is a conspiracy against Sundara Chola and his sons.


When the story starts, the emperor Sundara Chola is ill and bedridden. Aditya Karikalan is the general of the Northern Command and lived in Kanchi and Arulmozhivarman (who would be famous later as Raja Raja Chola I) is in Sri Lanka in battle and their sister Kundavai Piratti lived in Chola royal household at Pazhayarai.
Vallavarayan Vandiyathevan, crown prince Aditha karikalan's messenger, is sent by him to investigate about the conspiracy and deliver the news to Sundara Chola and his sister Kundavai. Vandiyathevan reaches Veeranarayanapuram where he meets a vaishvite spy,Azhwarkaddiyan Nambi.
There he sees Periya Pazhuvettarayar,the country's treasurer along with his wife Nandhini in a closed palanquin who are on their way to Kadambur. After seeing the palanquin, Nambi asks if Vandiyathevan can deliver a message to Ilaya Rani ( Nandhini ) if he meets her in Kadambur. Vandiyathevan reaches Kadambur and meets his friend Kandhamaaran ( Kadambur prince ). He is invited to see the devaralan aatam where he meets many other petty chieftains. At the night,he eavesdroops on a secret meeting at the palace. In the meeting the chieftains take an oath to make prince Maduranthaka Thevar, Gandaradithya chola's son as the next king. While he listens to all of these, he finds Nambi too, trying to listen to their plan. Next day, Vandiyathevan leaves for Thanjavur to reveal the conspiracy to Sundara Chola. On the way he finds Nambi and asks his true motive of visiting Kadambur and what relationship he has with Pazhuvoor Ilaya Rani. To this Nambi reveals that Nandhini was his foster sister and disappeared under mysterious circumstances. After they cross the Kollidam river, Vandiyathevan leaves for Tanjai while Nambi gets a chance to eavesdrop pandiya spies talking about destroying the Chola kingdom.
On the way to Tanjai, Vandiyathevan sees Ilaya Rani's palanquin and goes near it vowing to meet Maduranthakan but is disappointed seeing the actual Nandhini in the palanquin. Nandhini gives pazhuvoor signet ring to Vandiyathevan and asks him to use that to access the Tanjavur fort.
Vandiyathevan reaches Tanjai and meets a flower selling youth, Sendhan Amudhan who helps him.
Next morning, Vandiyathevan enters the fort using the signet ring outsmarting the fort commander, Chinna Pazhuvettarayar. Vandiyathevan meets emperor Sundar Chola and reveals about the conspiracy against him and his sons.
Chinna Pazhuvettarayar suspects him and arrests him but Vandiyathevan escapes smartly and climbs a ladder that leads him to Ilaya Rani's latha mandapam. He meets Nandhini and delivers his message from Azhwarkaddiyan and tells her about his venture. The ladder Vandiyathevan climbed to reach latha mandapam was actually meant for Ravidasa, who is referred to as Mandhiravadi. After talking with Nandhini, Vandiyathevan finds an entrance to a secret passage and tries to escape through it.
Periya Pazhuvettarayar reaches Tanjai and meets his brother who reveals his suspicion about Nandhini. Vandiyathevan sees Maduranthakan coming through passage with Kandhamaaran and is welcomed by Periya Pazhuvettarayar and Nandhini.
Finally after exploring the passage he finds the exit to it. There Vandiyathevan finds Kandhamaaran stabbed and saves him but Kandhamaaran thinks Vandiyathevan tried to kill him and turns against him. Learning that Vandiyathevan escaped, Chinna Pazhuvettarayar sends his soldiers to capture him. With the help of Sendhan, Vandiyathevan escapes but Sendhan is captured instead of him.
Vandiyathevan reaches Pazhayaarai where Ilaya Pirati Kundavai Devi lives. With Nambi's help Vandiyathevan meets Kundavai and delivers Karikalan's message to her.
Kundavai asks Vandiyathevan to bring Arulmozhi varman aka Ponniyin Selvan  back from Lanka along with a doctor's son, Pinnagapani, to bring medicines for Sundara Chola. Aditha Karikalan, his grandfather, Thirukovalor Malayaman and friend, Parthibendra Pallavan discuss about the country's problems and decides that Parthibendra should go to Lanka to bring Arulmozhi. At the night, Parthibendra insists Karikalan to reveal him about his past.
In his youth, Aditha Karikalan and Nandhini love each other, they were sure that they will get married and live a happy life, but whole royal family was against their love and plot to separate them. So when Karikalan went to war Nandini was expelled from the kingdom by Karikalan's family as she is an orphan so they doesn't want her to be Aditha karikalan's wife who is going to be the king, but Karikalan is unaware of his family's plan. He started to search her everywhere when he returned. Aditha karikalan and Nandini cannot able to forgot each other even when they are miles apart. Later she turned vengeful and vowed to destroy the Chola dynasty after Aditha Karikalan killed Veerapandiyan unaware of that veerapandiyan is Nandini's father. So she married Periya pazhuvettarayar who lusts for Nandini in order to seek revenge but she had no relationship with him.


The story is set in motion, when rumor starts that there is a conspiracy against Sundara Chola and his sons. One person who gets a glimpse of the Pandya conspirators is a warrior the Vanar Kula Veeran Vallavarayan Vandiyathevan at the palace of his friend Kandhamaaran.
Vandiyathevan reaches Kodikarai and meets Poonguzhali,lighthouse keeper Thygaravidagar's daughter. He tries to seek Poonguzhali's help but she refuses. Pinnagapani starts to dislike Vandiyathevan and tries to get him caught by Chinna Pazhuvettarayar's soldiers. Poonguzhali helps him to escape. Finally, he convinces her and reaches Lanka to meet Ponniyin Selvan. Ilaya Pirati Kundavai Devi reaches Tanjavur and meets her father Sundara Cholar who is ill and is depressed. To seek the reason behind it, Kundavai talks with her father and learns that in his youth, Sundara Cholar went to Lanka and there fell in love with a deaf-mute woman named Mandakini. After some days, Chola ships arrived there and took him to Tanjai and he promised her that he will return but failed in it. He says that he saw her again multiple times and thinks that she vowed to torture his family. He had said his prime minister, Aniruddha Brahmarayar to bring Mandakini back to him but Brahmarayar lies that she died. From then he is been disturbed and falls ill. Ilaya Rani Nandhini helps Kandhamaaran to heal. Sendhan Amudhan caught by the soldiers is put in jail. Learning that he is Vandiyathevan's friend, Kundavai asks Chinna Pazhuvettarayar to release him. Nandhini who is known for her beauty, uses Kandhamaaran and asks him to invite Karikalan to Kadambur. Kandhamaaran agrees. Periya Pazhuvettarayar asks Nandhini about the signet ring with Vandiyathevan and she acts as if she did that as a part of their plan. In Lanka, Kodambalur Periya vellar Boothi Vikrama Kesari arrests Vandiyathevan but is saved by Nambi. They together go in search of Ponniyin Selvan. They meet Parthibendra along with some soldiers. They realise that the soldiers are Pandiya Aabathudavigal who are vowing to kill Ponniyin Selvan. They find Ponniyin Selvan as elephant rider for foreigners. Ponniyin Selvan welcomes Vandiyathevan with a fight.
They reach Anuradhapuram for a festival. On the way ,they see a tall Buddha statue with some clues that invite Ponniyin Selvan to an underground Buddhist monastery where he is offered the Lankan crown but he refuses it. When they return, they are attacked by Aabathudavigal but is saved by Mandakini .They come back to Anuradhapuram and take rest.
Ponniyin Selvan reveals that Mandakini was the one who saved him while he drowning in Ponni river. This is the reason why he attains that name. Ponniyin Selvan also tells that Mandakini had saved him multiple times in Lanka too. While they talk about her, Mandakini comes there and takes them somewhere to show some drawings about her life.
Next day, Kodambalur vellar meets Ponniyin Selvan and advices him to stay in Lanka itself. Parthibendra asks him to come to Kanchi. Vandiyathevan tells him to come along with him to Pazhayarai. Kodambalur vellar also reveals that a chola ship has come to arrest Ponniyin Selvan with Chakravarthi's orders. He tells that he learned it from Poonguzhali. Poonguzhali who has feelings for Ponniyin selvan reveals about what she saw and heard. Eventhough everyone says Ponniyin Selvan to not go to Tanjavur, he goes with Poonguzhali to the Chola ships only to find that the Chola soldiers were killed by Arabians. Vandiyathevan boards a ship thinking that it is a chola ships but finds aabathudavigal there. Ponniyin selvan goes to save Vandiyathevan in parthibendra's ship. Due to the cyclone, Ponniyin Selvan and Vandiyathevan drown in the sea. Poonguzhali saves them.


It is through Vandiyathevan that we meet most of the characters in the novel such as Arulmozhivarman, the prince whom all the people loved, and Periya Pazhavetturayar, the chancellor who married Nandhini (the main conspirator), when he was sixty. During his youth, Aditya Karikalan had fallen in love with Nandhini, but she turned vengeful after Aditya Karikalan killed Veerapandyan (who was probably her lover. It was a confusion which revolves in the story, some says it was her father.) and vowed to destroy the Chola dynasty. We also meet Kundavai Devi,
Periya Pazhuvettarayar is tensed learning about Ponniyin selvan's drowning. He reaches Kodikarai along with Nandhini and lines up his soldiers along the coast to find Ponniyin Selvan if he comes there.
who after hearing the news of the conspiracy sends Vandiyathevan to Sri Lanka to give a message to Arulmozhivarman to come back immediately.
Nandhini uses the opportunity and asked Parthibendra to bring Karikalan to Kadambur.Ponniyin selvan falls ill with poisonous fever. They think to go to kodikarai but Pazhuvettarayar's soldiers were guarding the coast. Poonguzhali leaves them in her own shelter in the forest and goes to investigate learning about aabathudavigal's relation with her brother's wife, Rakkamma. She finds Sendhan Amudhan who follows her. Mandhiravadi Ravidasa follows her to find Ponniyin Selvan but fails,getting caught inside a mud pond. He is saved but Vandiyathevan and Poonguzhali fool Ravidasa and escapes. Poonguzhali learns that  Sendhan bought news from Kundavai who wants Ponniyin Selvan to arrive to nagapattinam. They take him there after Vandiyathevan leaves to Pazhayarai. On the way he stops at an iron smelter to give his horse some iron protection for it's legs. There he finds a sword with fish embelem of the Pandiya. After he sleeps there for sometime, he learns that the Pazhuvettarayar family crossed him telling about Ponniyin selvan's drown and are on their way to Tanjavur. On the way to Pazhayarai, he finds devaralan who takes him to Nandhini. He reaches Pazhayarai. To enter the fort he claims that he is an astrologer to Maduranthakan and fools him. Maduranthakan is stopped by his mother who tells him to leave all his will to become the Chola emperor but he does not pay heed to her request. Vandiyathevan meets Kundavai and reveals everything to her. Brahmarayar and Kundavai send Vandiyathevan to warn Karikalan about Nandhini and protect him.
Vanathi who is worried about Ponniyin Selvan, learns about his presence in nagapattinam and ventures there. On the way she is interrupted by shaivites who force her to reveal Ponniyin Selvan's whereabout. To this she refuses and is attacked by them. She falls unconscious and gets up  to find herself in Kundavai's lap. Kundavai tells that all of it was her dream but it was just a plan made by her to test vanathi.
When vanathi is attacked even Vandiyathevan sees it . He goes to save her but on the way meets Maduranthakan who was suffering to ride a horse. He reaches a pallipadai where Aabathudavigal were gathered to crown a young boy as Pandiya prince. Vandiyathevan is found but Nandhini stops them from killing him. Kundavai and vanathi reach Aanaimangalam meets Ponniyin Selvan and talks with him about their next step.


Besides these, there are other characters like Maduranthaka Thevar (the man whom the conspirators want to crown king), the son of Gandaraditya and Aniruddha Brahmarayar, Sundara Cholar’s Prime Minister and the man who has eyes and ears everywhere. But the most wonderful character in the book is Brahmarayar’s spy Azhwarkadiyan Nambi, a who roams around the country challenging for debates. He collects information for the Prime Minister and is always around Vandiyathevan, rescuing him during trouble.
Paying heed to Nandhini's request, Karikalan goes to Kadambur. Vandiyathevan and Nambi go to Kadambur where they find a secret passage to enter the palace. Vandiyathevan enters it to go into vettai mandapam. There he sees some aabathudavigal. He opens another exit of the passage that leads to Nandhini's room where he sees Kadhamaaran's sister Manimegalai, who hearing about Vandiyathevan, had fallen in love with him. He then escapes by using Manimegalai. He meets Karikalan and warns him about Nandhini but Karikalan doesn't listen. Aditha karikalan cannot able to forgot Nandini and never able to hate her even though he knows all her evil plans against him and chola dynasty, thus revealing his  pure love for Nandini. Pazhuvettarayar and Nandhini come to Kadambur. Karikalan also reaches Kadambur and are welcomed by Sambuvarayar family. Periya Pazhuvettarayar talks with Karikalan about the next emperor. Karikalan agrees to crown Maduranthaka as the king but puts in a condition stating that he should be given permission to seize lands towards the north and be the emperor for the places he annexed. The chieftains agree for this and send Pazhuvettatayar to bring Maduranthaka from Tanjavur.
Pazhuvettarayar leaves Nandhini in Kadambur and ventures to Tanjavur.
In Kodikarai, Poonguzhali sends Sendhan back to Tanjavur and tries to takes her aunt Mandakini to Nagapattinam to meet Ponniyin Selvan. They are interuppted by mens who take Mandakini to Tanjavur. Poonguzhali and Sendhan reunite again and follows Mandakini. When they are almost near Tanjai, a heavy rain causing floods attack the Chola country. Intending to save Mandakini, Poonguzhali exchanges herself with her aunt and sits in the palanquin and goes to Tanjai fort. Sendhan amudhan takes his aunt to his home. Kundavai comes to Brahmarayar's home to talk about her father's bad condition  and the damage to chola country because of the flood. Actually, Brahmarayar's men were those who kidnapped Mandakini. After learning about Poonguzhali's exchange, they send her to bring Mandakini but she fails as Mandakini enters a secret tunnel through which some aabathudavigal have entered that leads to Sundara Chola's room. Mandakini that night exits the tunnel meets sundara chola. Sundara chola is shocked by her arrival and gets angry. Next morning Mandakini again enters the tunnel spying on the aabathudavigal.
In Kadambur, Nandhini gains Manimegalai's friendship and uses her for her plan. They leave to veeranarayana pond for picnic where they meet Vandiyathevan and Karikalan who come to forest for hunting, where Nandini had a conversation with Karikalan.


There are some lovely and adorable women too, like Vanathi, Kodumbalur princess (the woman who becomes Arulmozhi's wife later) who is in love with Arulmozhi; Poonkuzhali, the boat woman who rows the future king to Lanka; Mandakini, the deaf and dumb step mother of the original Maduranthaka Chola and the aunt of Poonkuzhali. Most memorable among these is Nandhini, whose beauty is said to have the power to influence any man. Manimegalai, the sister of Kandhamaran (the Kadamboor prince) who helps nandhini without any knowledge that she herself is the conspirator and also he turns against Vandhiyathevan, his best friend.
On the way to Tanjai, Pazhuvettarayar is caught in the storm and drowns in Kollidam. After suffering a lot he reaches a durga temple near the river. There he gets a chance to follow Pandiya aabathudavigal who talk about murdering Sundar Chola and his sons tomorrow. Listening this Pazhuvettarayar, attacks them but they escape. During their talk, they also reveal about Nandhini's motive. Pazhuvettarayar goes to Kudanthai where he meets Kundavai and Vanathi, alerts them about the conspiracy and returns to Kadambur. On the same night,Nagapattinam choodamani viharam gets drowned while Ponniyin Selvan saves the head buddhist monk and reach Aanaimangalam palace. There he is forced to reveal himself to the people and plans to leave to Tanjai. The aabathudavigal plan to kill Ponniyin Selvan using his elephant rider but fails miserably as Ponniyin Selvan knew how to control elephants. While going to Tanjai, Vanathi gets caught in a flood. Ponniyin Selvan reaches there on time and saves her. Along with Vanathi, Ponniyin Selvan reaches Tanjavur, enters the fort as an elephant rider and meets his father Sundara Chola. There the aabathudavigal try to kill Sundara Chola but is stopped by Mandakini who sacrifices her life for him revealing her love for him and his family. In Kadambur, Nandhini plans to kill Karikalan and arranges for it. Vandiyathevan and pandyas were also hiding in Nandhini's room. Karikalan came to Nandini room even after he knows Nandini's plan to kill him. When Nandini sees Karikalan her motivation stumbles, She hates Aditha karikalan for changing her fate but she also loves him for accepting her for  she was. Vandiyathevan became unconscious by pandyas. Aditha karikalan and Nandini reveals their love for each other and feels sad to see their fate. Suddenly lights were off and when lights on again Aditha karikalan is found dead in the room. The room gets caught with fire. Vandiyathevan regains consciousness found Aditha karikalan, to at least save Karikalan's body, Vandiyathevan brings him out of the palace. Everyone suspects Vandiyathevan because there was nobody in the place except him so they tie him up. They take them to Tanjavur, finish Karikalan last rites and discusses about the next step.  Nambi and Poonguzhali saves pazhuvettarayar and reveals the true motive of Nandini. Periya pazhuvettarayar realises his mistake and feels guilty for betraying chola kingdom in lust of Nandini. Nandhini escapes  in a horse. Vandiyathevan is put in jail where he meets paithiyakaran aka Karuthiruman who tells that he knows a great secret of the chola dynasty. They together work and escape the jail and with the help of Nambi reaches Sendhan's house. There Madurantaka and his mother is found.
 
Karuthiruman escapes with Maduranthaka. Since, Maduranthaka badly wanted to become the next king, his mother reveals that he is not her son but a son of an orphan women who is Mandakini. She exchanged her child with him, since her child was lifeless. She gave her child to vaani ammai ( mandakini's deaf sister) who before putting of the child is alerted by karuthiruman that the child is alive. The child now seems to be Sendhan Amudhan. Learning it Madurantaka thinks that he is Pandiya heir and goes with Karuthiruman. Pinnagapani tries to kill Sendhan but fails. He stabbs vandiyathevan but then thinks that it was madurantaka. Then he follows karuthiruman along with kandhamaaran who attack maduranthaka thinking he is vandiyathevan . Pinnagapani dies there. Vandiyathevan is saved by Kundavai and Poonguzhali. Since madurantakan goes missing, Nambi dresses up Sendhan Amudhan as Madurantaka and brings him inside the fort. Manimegalai comes to Tanjai and meets Kundavai and tells that she was the one who killed Karikalan just to save vandiyathevan. She tries to drown in the river where Vandiyathevan saves her. He goes to Sundara Chola's court. Pazhuvettarayar reveals that he was the one who killed Aditha Karikalan releasing Vandiyathevan and kills himself, before dying he tells a secret to Nambi that he did not kill Aditha karikalan, when he went to the palace karikalan is already found dead, he accepted the blame because he know that Vandiyadevan and Kundavai love each other and doesn't want to separate them and also feels guilty for betraying chola kingdom. Arulmozhi reveals that he will become the next chakravarthi. Sendhan marries Poonguzhali. Vandiyathevan and Ponniyin Selvan dress as china traders and brings silk clothes for Kundavai and Vanathi. Sembiyan Maadevi asks Ponniyin Selvan to marry Vanathi but he tells that she has taken a oath to not become the chakravarthini. During Ponnoyin selvan's coronation, he smartly makes Chinna Pazhuvettarayar move away from there and crowns Sendhan amudhan the real madurantakan. Later Arulmozhi varman meets Nandini who is hiding in a village where she reveals Arulmozhi about her birth secret and truth behind karikalan's death. Chinna Pazhuverttarayar realises that his daughter is married to Pandiya heir and she has went there. The old madurantaka fights with chinna pazhuvettarayar pushing him down a falls. Nambi saves him. After Aditha karikalan's death Nandini lost her will to live as she loves him truly and he is the only man who loves her truly and accepted her for who she was even though whole dynasty is against them.  While others only lusts Nandini for her beauty. So she drowns herself in ponni river, thus revealing her pure love for Aditha karikalan. Aditha karikalan and Nandini love story had a tragic end, even though they have true love they cannot able to be together. They went from being in love to becoming enemies  but they never lost the love they had for eachother and died because of it as well.  
In the meanwhile, with Poonkuzhali's help, Vandiyathevan reaches Sri Lanka, meets Arulmozhivarman, and becomes his close friend. In Lanka, Arulmozhivarman realizes that his father had spent some time in an island near Lanka and had been with a girl born deaf and dumb. He meets her and realizes from her drawing that she and his father have had two children. Who are those children and do they have the right to the throne? Later one day in Thirupurambayam forest Vandiyathevan sees Nandhini and the Pandya conspirators place a small boy on a throne and take a vow in front of him. Who is this boy and what right does he have to the throne?
 
Vandiyathevan meets kundavai who both reveal their feelings about each other. Meanwhile, he learns that ponniyin selvan married vanathi. Vandiyathevan gets a message from Kandhamaaran asking him to come and meet Manimegalai. Vandiyathevan goes to meet manimegalai who loved him and dies in his hands. With this, the story ends with a painful note.
While coming back from Lanka, Arulmozhivarman is caught in a cyclone and goes missing. Rumor spreads that he is dead, but he survives and stays at Choodamani Viharam, a Buddhist monastery in. Then slowly the dispersed family starts assembling. The conspirators meanwhile choose one day in which both the king and both of his sons would be assassinated.
 
Nandhini in the meantime calls Adithya Karikalan to Kadambur Palace to discuss about the future of kingdom. Though Karikalan knows that is life is in utter danger, he goes to Kadambur palace. Despite warning from his grandfather, Adithya Karikalan was then assassinated there (it was debated till about the assassin). But actually as per historians Ravidasan, the loyal guard of Pandiya king killed Adithya as the revenge for Pandiya king. Later this case was tabled before Raja Raja Chola. He punished him with ceasing his property as Ravidasan was Brahmin community by birth, who were not punished to death in olden times generally.
 
Meanwhile, Arulmozhivarman recovers and returns to Tanjore, where he was forced to crown and he accepts to get the crown initially. Later, he tricks everyone and crowns to his uncle Uthama Chola. Thus gets the fifth part of the book the name as Tyaga Sigaram.


== Publication ==
== Publication ==
The novel was first serialised in the weekly editions of [[Kalki (Tamil magazine)|Kalki]] during period from 29 October 1950 to 16 May 1954 resulting the total period of development of work be 3 years, 6 months, and 18 days. The following year, Managala Noolagam released the novel in book form.{{sfnp|''Ponniyin Selvan Eng Pt. 1''|1999|loc=Introduction|p=xv|ps=. ''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.}}{{sfnp|''Ponniyin Selvan Book''|1955}}
[[File:Ponniyin Selvan Sanskrit Novel.jpeg|thumb|2015 Sanskrit Translation of ''Ponniyin Selvan'' by Rajalakshmi Srinivasan and published by [[Central Sanskrit University]], Delhi, India.]]
The novel was first serialised in the weekly editions of [[Kalki (Tamil magazine)|Kalki]] during the period from 29 October 1950 to 16 May 1954 resulting the total period of development of work be 3 years, 6 months, and 18 days. The following year, Managala Noolagam released the novel in book form.{{sfnp|''Ponniyin Selvan Eng Pt. 1''|1999|loc=Introduction|p=xv|ps=. ''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.}}{{sfnp|''Ponniyin Selvan Book''|1955}}


== Adaptations ==
== Adaptations ==
=== Film and television ===
There have been several attempts to create film adaptations of ''Ponniyin Selvan'', beginning with an [[M. G. Ramachandran's unrealised projects#Ponniyin Selvan|attempt in 1958]] by [[M. G. Ramachandran]]. He bought the film rights to the novel for {{INRConvert|10000|year=1958}}, and announced that he would produce, direct and star in the adaptation which would feature an [[ensemble cast]] including [[Gemini Ganesan]], [[Vyjayanthimala Bali]], [[Savitri (actress)|Savitri]], and [[Padmini (actress)|Padmini]]. Ramachandran chosen [[J. Mahendran|Mahendran]] to write screenplay for the film.<ref name=mmalar>{{cite web|title=எம்.ஜி.ஆர். மூலமாக திரை உலகில் நுழைந்த மகேந்திரன்|url=http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2012/05/12175316/mullu-malarum-director-mahendr.html|work=[[Maalai Malar]]|access-date=6 August 2013|archive-date=17 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120517121517/http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2012/05/12175316/mullu-malarum-director-mahendr.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Before shooting could begin, Ramachandran met with an accident, and the wound took six months to heal, Ramachandran was unable to continue with the film despite renewing the rights four years later.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://upperstall.com/features/films-announced-never-started-ponniyin-selvan/|title=Films Announced But Never Started: Ponniyin Selvan|last=Bali|first=Karan|date=14 March 2018|website=Upperstall.com|access-date=31 March 2018}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/books/age-hardly-withers-charm-of-ponniyin-selvan/article2550847.ece|title=Age hardly withers charm of Ponniyin Selvan|last=Srivathsan|first=A.|date=2011-10-19|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-07-17|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Mani is likely to drop Ponniyin Selvan|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-02/news-interviews/29495509_1_mani-ratnam-priyanka-chopra-ponniyin-selvan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616095442/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-02/news-interviews/29495509_1_mani-ratnam-priyanka-chopra-ponniyin-selvan|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 June 2013|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=11 February 2013}}</ref>


=== Film ===
In the late 1980s, actor [[Kamal Haasan]] and [[Mani Ratnam]] worked together on adopting the novel into a film.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=1989-10-29 |title=பொன்னியின் செல்வன்: கமலின் கனவுகள்... |url=https://archive.org/details/kalki1989-10-29/page/n3/mode/2up |magazine=[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]] |language=ta |pages=2–4 |access-date=10 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=6 September 2022 |title=Mani Ratnam first discussed 'Ponniyin Selvan' with Kamal Haasan in 1989. Details inside |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/mani-ratnam-first-discussed-ponniyin-selvan-with-kamal-haasan-in-1989-details-inside/articleshow/94020403.cms  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007032905/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/mani-ratnam-first-discussed-ponniyin-selvan-with-kamal-haasan-in-1989-details-inside/articleshow/94020403.cms |archive-date=7 October 2022 |access-date=4 October 2022 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> Ratnam revealed that he worked on a first draft of the film alongside Kamal Haasan, who had bought the rights of the novel from Ramachandran, but the pair shelved their plan as the project did not make financial sense at the time.<ref name="Filmfare94">{{Cite magazine |last=Mohammed |first=Khalid |date=January 1994 |title=Mani Matters |url=http://members.tripod.com/s_jagadish/films/mani.html |url-status=live |magazine=[[Filmfare]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170609074017/http://members.tripod.com/s_jagadish/films/mani.html |archive-date=9 June 2017 |access-date=10 June 2019}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> Ramachandran also requested [[Bharathiraja]] to make the film.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McHjLgsJI-E |title=Life History of Bharathiraja: Ep 62 - Ponniyin Selvan -ஐ படமா எடுனு MGR சொன்னார் |date=30 November 2020 |language=ta |publisher=En Iniya Tamil Makkale |access-date=27 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221227171913/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hzGsoxKR6Y |archive-date=27 December 2022 |time= |url-status=live}}{{time needed|date=December 2022}}</ref> Kamal Haasan then attempted to make the story into a forty-part television series during the early 1990s, and worked with writer [[Ra. Ki. Rangarajan]] on the screenplay, but the project was later stalled.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 July 2022 |title=Ponniyin Selvan lures all&nbsp;— from MGR to Kamal Haasan to Mani Ratnam |url=https://thefederal.com/entertainment/ponniyin-selvan-lures-all-from-mgr-to-kamal-haasan-to-mani-ratnam/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716125537/https://thefederal.com/entertainment/ponniyin-selvan-lures-all-from-mgr-to-kamal-haasan-to-mani-ratnam/ |archive-date=16 July 2022 |access-date=10 October 2022 |website=The Federal}}</ref>
There have been several attempts to create film adaptations of ''Ponniyin Selvan'', beginning with an attempt in 1958, [[M. G. Ramachandran]] announced ''[[M. G. Ramachandran's unrealized projects#Ponniyin Selvan|Ponniyin Selvan]]'', a film adaptation of the novel. Ramachandran bought the film rights to the novel for {{INRConvert|10000|year=1958}}, and would produce, direct and star in the adaptation which would feature an [[ensemble cast]] including [[Gemini Ganesan]], [[Vyjayanthimala Bali]], [[Padmini (actress)|Padmini]], [[Savitri (actress)|Savitri]], [[B. Saroja Devi]], [[M. N. Rajam]], [[T. S. Balaiah]], [[M. N. Nambiar]], [[O. A. K. Thevar]] and [[Chittor V. Nagaiah]]. Before shooting could begin, Ramachandran met with an accident, and the wound took six months to heal, Ramachandran was unable to continue with the film despite renewing the rights four years later.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://upperstall.com/features/films-announced-never-started-ponniyin-selvan/|title=Films Announced But Never Started: Ponniyin Selvan|last=Bali|first=Karan|date=14 March 2018|website=Upperstall.com|access-date=31 March 2018}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/books/age-hardly-withers-charm-of-ponniyin-selvan/article2550847.ece|title=Age hardly withers charm of Ponniyin Selvan|last=Srivathsan|first=A.|date=2011-10-19|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-07-17|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mani is likely to drop Ponniyin Selvan|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-02/news-interviews/29495509_1_mani-ratnam-priyanka-chopra-ponniyin-selvan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616095442/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-02/news-interviews/29495509_1_mani-ratnam-priyanka-chopra-ponniyin-selvan|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 June 2013|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=11 February 2013}}</ref>


A 32-hour animation film was created by Rewinda Movie Toons, a Chennai-based animation studio. The project was started in 2008 and took seven years to complete. The film is distributed over 15 DVDs and will be released [[direct-to-video]] by April 2015.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/ponniyin-selvan-in-32hour-animation-film/article7083116.ece|title=Ponniyin Selvan in 32-hour animation film|author=B. Kolappan|date=9 April 2015}}</ref>
In the 2000s, there were further attempts to make the book into television series by Makkal TV and by Kalaignar TV, through a project directed by [[Naga (director)|Naga]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.moviecrow.com/News/30744/ponniyin-selvan-it-took-60-years-to-bring-the-story-on-screen | title=Ponniyin Selvan: It took 60+ years to bring the story on screen! }}</ref> A 32-hour animation film was planned by Rewinda Movie Toons, a Chennai-based animation studio, in 2008 and took seven years to complete. The film was set to be released by April 2015, but remains unreleased as of October 2022.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/ponniyin-selvan-in-32hour-animation-film/article7083116.ece|title=Ponniyin Selvan in 32-hour animation film|author=B. Kolappan|date=9 April 2015}}</ref> In late 2010, Ratnam renewed his interest in his film project and worked alongside writer [[B. Jeyamohan|Jeyamohan]] to finalise the script for the film adaptation of ''Ponniyin Selvan''. The film was later shelved before the start of the filming stage, as the expected cost of production escalated. Jeyamohan stated that the film did not materialise as the team struggled to find available locations to shoot the film. He revealed that temple officials in Tamil Nadu refused to allow the team to film scenes on the premises and that the expensive cost of producing replica sets meant that it would not be a viable solution.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 September 2016 |title=Writer Jeyamohan reveals why Mani Ratnam's Ponniyin Selvan was shelved |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/writer-jeyamohan-reveals-why-mani-ratnams-ponniyin-selvan-was-shelved-49536 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201033410/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/writer-jeyamohan-reveals-why-mani-ratnams-ponniyin-selvan-was-shelved-49536 |archive-date=1 December 2020 |access-date=15 March 2020 |website=[[The News Minute]]}}</ref>


==== Upcoming film ====
In 2016, [[Eros International]] engaged Jeyamohan and [[Soundarya Rajinikanth]], as a creative producer, to make the book into a web-series but the project did not develop into production.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/ponniyin-selvan-to-come-alive-on-screen/article7038751.ece | title=Ponniyin Selvan to come alive on screen | newspaper=The Hindu | date=27 March 2015 | last1=Kolappan | first1=B. }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.livechennai.com/detailnews.asp?newsid=18024 | title=Live Chennai: Ponniyin Selvan serial in internet: Eros announces,Ponniyin Selvan serial,internet, Eros announces }}</ref> In early 2019, Soundarya Rajinikanth associated with another production house, May 6 Entertainment, and director Sooriyaprathap to make a web-series of the novel for [[MX Player]]. After years of little promotion, Soundarya announced that the project was still under the planning phase during September 2021.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2021/sep/10/puthu-vellam-soundarya-rajinikanth-announces-ponniyin-selvan-web-series-26552.html | title=Puthu Vellam: Soundarya Rajinikanth announces Ponniyin Selvan web series | website=[[Cinema Express]] }}</ref> In January 2021, a further adapted web series produced by Eternitee Motion Krafte and directed by Ajay Pratheeb titled ''Chiranjeevi Ponniyin Selvan'' was announced. The makers announced that the series would have 125 episodes, with technicians such as [[Ilaiyaraaja]] and [[Sabu Cyril]] joining the team.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2021/jan/14/another-ponniyin-selvan-adaptationa-125-episode-series-with-music-by-ilaiyaraaja-22242.html | title=Another Ponniyin Selvan adaptation: A 125-episode series with music by Ilaiyaraaja | website=[[Cinema Express]] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.dtnext.in/cinema/2022/01/17/mgr-dream-project-to-be-turned-into-film-web-series-by-ajay-pratheeb | title=MGR's dream project to be turned into film, web series by Ajay Pratheeb }}</ref>
{{Main|Ponniyin Selvan (upcoming film)}}
Director [[Mani Ratnam]] also attempted to film a complete adaptation of the book for a 2012 release, but had to shelve the project due issues with the potential budget for the film and difficulty locating financiers to back the project.<ref>{{cite web|title=Maniratnam announces abandonment of Ponniyin Selvan|url=http://www.kollytalk.com/cinenews/maniratnam-announces-abandonment-of-ponniyin-selvan/|publisher=KollyTalk|access-date=11 February 2013}}</ref>


In 2019, however, [[Mani Ratnam]] officially restarted production, and is expected to make it in two parts, with part one releasing in 2021. Ratnam's adaptation will feature an ensemble cast consisting of [[Vikram (actor)|Vikram]], [[Karthi]], [[Jayam Ravi]], [[jayaram]], [[lal]], [[R. Parthiepan|Parthiepan]], [[Aishwarya Rai]], [[Trisha (actress)|Trisha]], [[Aishwarya Rajesh]], [[Vikram Prabhu]], and [[Ashwin Kakumanu]], with [[Prabhu (actor)|Prabhu]] and [[Aishwarya Lekshmi]] also having reportedly signed on as well, the film ''[[Ponniyin Selvan (upcoming film)|Ponniyin Selvan]]''<nowiki/>'s principal photography began on 11 December 2019<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/mani-ratnam-to-begin-shooting-ponniyin-selvan-in-thailand-next-month-1617031-2019-11-08|title=Mani Ratnam to begin shooting Ponniyin Selvan in Thailand next month|newspaper=India Today|language=en|access-date=2020-01-03|agency=Ist}}</ref> and a poster was released on 2 January 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/mani-ratnams-ponniyin-selvan-poster-out-lyricist-not-mentioned-crew-115232|title=Mani Ratnam's 'Ponniyin Selvan' poster out, lyricist not mentioned in crew|date=2 January 2020|website=www.thenewsminute.com|access-date=19 May 2020}}</ref>
==== 2022 film ====
{{Main|Ponniyin Selvan: I}}
In early 2019, [[Mani Ratnam]] officially restarted production on his film project. His two-film adaptation featured an ensemble cast consisting of [[Vikram (actor)|Vikram]], [[Aishwarya Rai Bachchan]], [[Jayam Ravi]], [[Karthi]] and [[Trisha (actress)|Trisha]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/mani-ratnams-ponniyin-selvan-poster-out-lyricist-not-mentioned-crew-115232|title=Mani Ratnam's 'Ponniyin Selvan' poster out, lyricist not mentioned in crew|date=2 January 2020|website=www.thenewsminute.com|access-date=19 May 2020}}</ref> In September 2021, the filming for both the parts got completed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 September 2021 |title=Mani Ratnam wraps 'Ponniyin Selvan' shoot |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2021/sep/18/mani-ratnam-wraps-ponniyin-selvan-shoot-2360602.html |url-status=live |access-date=18 September 2021 |website=[[The New Indian Express]]}}</ref> The film was released on 30 September 2022 in five [[Languages of India|Indian languages]] and extends to a sequel [[Ponniyin Selvan: II]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Palisetty |first=Ramya |date=19 September 2021 |title=Mani Ratnam wraps up Ponniyin Selvan shoot, film is set to release in 30th September 2022 |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/mani-ratnam-wraps-up-ponniyin-selvan-shoot-film-to-release-in-the-summer-of-2022-1854417-2021-09-19 |access-date=19 September 2021 |website=[[India Today]]}}</ref>


=== Stage play ===
=== Stage play ===
Line 171: Line 182:
One of the prize winning scripts was 'Raja Raja Chozhan,’ which was staged in 1955 with Shanmugam as prince Rajendra.
One of the prize winning scripts was 'Raja Raja Chozhan,’ which was staged in 1955 with Shanmugam as prince Rajendra.
'Raja Raja Chozhan' was also presented at the Motilal Nehru Centenary celebrations in Delhi in 1961, earning compliments from Nehru for the splendid acting.
'Raja Raja Chozhan' was also presented at the Motilal Nehru Centenary celebrations in Delhi in 1961, earning compliments from Nehru for the splendid acting.
In Singapore, 'Raja Raja Chozhan' was also enacted 90 times. Overall it was staged 2,146 times.{{fact|date=February 2021}}
In Singapore, 'Raja Raja Chozhan' was also enacted 90 times. Overall it was staged 2,146 times.{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}}


Avvai Shanmugam played the role of Maamallan in Kalki's 'Sivakamiyin Sabatham' and the sets were grand, befitting the story. For the scene in which Paranjothi tames an elephant that runs amok, two men inside a specially made elephant, operated levers as they walked in unison.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/theatre/labour-of-love/article3779426.ece|title=Labour of love|last=Krishnamachari|first=Suganthy|date=2012-08-16|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-01-03|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
Avvai Shanmugam played the role of Maamallan in Kalki's 'Sivakamiyin Sabatham' and the sets were grand, befitting the story. For the scene in which Paranjothi tames an elephant that runs amok, two men inside a specially made elephant, operated levers as they walked in unison.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/theatre/labour-of-love/article3779426.ece|title=Labour of love|last=Krishnamachari|first=Suganthy|date=2012-08-16|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-01-03|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>


In 1999 the book was adapted into a stage play by E. Kumaravel and was staged by Magic Lantern Theater in Buck's Theatre inside YMCA Nandanam, Chennai.<ref name="THSP">{{cite web|title=The stage is his world|url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2009/02/27/stories/2009022751520400.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303064307/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2009/02/27/stories/2009022751520400.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 March 2009|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=2009-02-27|access-date=11 February 2013}}</ref> The script's length was originally over nine hours long, but was shortened into a performance time of four hours and 20 minutes and featured 72 actors on a multi-level setting.{{fact|date=February 2021}}
In 1999 the book was adapted into a stage play by E. Kumaravel and was staged by Magic Lantern Theater in Buck's Theatre inside YMCA Nandanam, Chennai.<ref name="THSP">{{Cite web|title=The stage is his world|url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2009/02/27/stories/2009022751520400.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303064307/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2009/02/27/stories/2009022751520400.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 March 2009|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=2009-02-27|access-date=11 February 2013}}</ref> The script's length was originally over nine hours long, but was shortened into a performance time of four hours and 20 minutes and featured 72 actors on a multi-level setting.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Kalki|language=ta|title=சுருக்குப் பையில் ராட்சஸத் திணிப்பு! |url=https://archive.org/details/kalki1999-08-15/page/n89/mode/2up|pages=88-89|date=15 August 1999|access-date=13 June 2023}}</ref>


Again, the book was adapted into a stage play in a very grand scale by SS International Live along with Magic Lantern theatre group in [[Chennai]], in June 2014. The crew includes Kumaravel, who penned the screenplay & dialogues, Thotta Tharani as art director, Preethi Athreya as costume designer and Bhanu leading the make-up and hair styling department. Pravin directed the play.<ref>Ananda Vikatan [http://www.vikatan.com/new/article.php?module=magazine&aid=94381 "Ponniyin Selvan&nbsp;– Kodayil Medayil"], Vikatan.com Private Limited, TamilNadu, 30 April 2014.</ref>
Again, the book was adapted into a stage play in a very grand scale by SS International Live along with Magic Lantern theatre group in [[Chennai]], in June 2014. The crew includes Kumaravel, who penned the screenplay & dialogues, Thotta Tharani as art director, Preethi Athreya as costume designer and Bhanu leading the make-up and hair styling department. Pravin directed the play.<ref>{{Cite web|last=மு|first=ராகினி ஆத்ம வெண்டி|title=வறட்சியால் பாதிக்கப்பட்ட விவசாயிகளுக்கு இழப்பீட்டுத் தொகை!|url=https://www.vikatan.com/government-and-politics/agriculture/94381-compensation-for-farmers-hit-by-drought|access-date=2022-11-15|website=www.vikatan.com/|language=ta}}</ref>


[[Chicago Tamil Sangam]] staged the play in May 2013 with over 40 volunteers in cast and crew.<ref>http://chicagotamilsangam.org/wordpress36/?page_id=745</ref>
[[Chicago Tamil Sangam]] staged the play in May 2013 with over 40 volunteers in cast and crew.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://chicagotamilsangam.org/wordpress36/?page_id=745|title=Ponniyin Selvan}}</ref>


=== Series ===
=== Novels and Comic books ===
An attempt to turn the book into a [[television serial]] was made by [[Makkal TV]], but was shelved.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gopika's sister to debut|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/kannada/article/12549.html|publisher=India Glitz|access-date=11 February 2013}}</ref> Another attempt to adapt the novel into a series by [[Soundarya Rajinikanth]] and [[Eros International]] surfaced in March 2015.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/ponniyin-selvan-to-come-alive-on-screen/article7038751.ece|title=Ponniyin Selvan to come alive on screen|author=B. Kolappan|date=27 March 2015|work=The Hindu}}</ref>
The Tiger Throne by Preetha Rajah Kannan is an English retelling of this vast 5 volume epic in one complete novel.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Rajah Kannan |first=Preetha |url=https://www.amazon.in/Tiger-Throne-Kalkis-Ponniyin-Selvan/dp/9391019978/ |title=The Tiger Throne: Kalki’s Ponniyin Selvan Retold |date=2022-09-10 |publisher=Jaico Publishing House |year=2022 |isbn=978-93-91019-97-6 |edition=3rd |location=Mumbai |language=English}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=p-themes |title=The Tiger Throne [English] |url=https://bookkish.com/products/the-tiger-throne-english |access-date=2022-12-20 |website=Bookkish |language=en}}</ref>


==== Upcoming web series ====
{{Main|Ponniyin Selvan (web series)}}
In 2019, a web series adaptation was announced,<ref>{{Citation|title=Ponniyin Selvan&nbsp;– An MX Original Series {{!}} Announcement {{!}} Soundarya Rajinikanth {{!}} May 6 Entertainment|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbUw4K3c97Y|language=en|access-date=2020-01-04}}</ref> which would be co-produced by [[MX Player|MX player]] and 6 May Entertainment with creative direction by [[Soundarya Rajinikanth]] and direction by Sooriyaprathap S.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/mx-player-to-adapt-epic-novel-ponniyin-selvan-as-original-series-soundarya-rajnikanth-to-produce-the-show/articleshow/67759484.cms|title=MX Player to adapt epic novel&nbsp;– Ponniyin Selvan as original series, Soundarya Rajnikanth to produce the show&nbsp;– Times of India|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2020-01-03}}</ref>
=== Comic books ===
In 2017, Nila comics started releasing series of [[comic book]]s where every comic book is an adaptation of two chapters from the novel.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/ponniyin-selvan-now-a-comic-book-for-the-young/article19951947.ece|title=Ponniyin Selvan, now in comic book avatar|last=Poorvaja|first=S.|date=2017-10-31|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-01-04|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> It is available in Tamil and English. As of January 2019, There have been 18 comic books released in Tamil and 10 in English.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nilacomics.com/product-category/tam/|title=Buy Tamil Books&nbsp;– Nila Comics|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nilacomics.com/product-category/eng/|title=Buy English Books&nbsp;– Nila Comics|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-04}}</ref>
In 2017, Nila comics started releasing series of [[comic book]]s where every comic book is an adaptation of two chapters from the novel.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/ponniyin-selvan-now-a-comic-book-for-the-young/article19951947.ece|title=Ponniyin Selvan, now in comic book avatar|last=Poorvaja|first=S.|date=2017-10-31|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-01-04|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> It is available in Tamil and English. As of January 2019, There have been 18 comic books released in Tamil and 10 in English.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nilacomics.com/product-category/tam/|title=Buy Tamil Books&nbsp;– Nila Comics|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nilacomics.com/product-category/eng/|title=Buy English Books&nbsp;– Nila Comics|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-04}}</ref>


== English and other translations ==
== English and other translations ==
There are at least five different translations of Ponniyin Selvan available in English by Indra Neelamegam,<ref>[http://ponniyinselvan.in/groups/ponniyinselvan/forum/topic/1263-ps-in-english/ Ponniyin Selvan]</ref> CV Karthik Narayanan, Varalotti Rengasamy,<ref>[http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3462965.C_V_Karthik_Narayanan CV Karthik Narayanan Goodreads page]</ref> Sumeetha Manikandan and an ongoing one by Pavithra Srinivasan.<ref>[http://ponniyin-selvan-translation.blogspot.com/ Ponniyin Selvan translation&nbsp;– Pavithra Srinivasan]</ref> On 21 February 2015, a Sanskrit translation by Rajalakshmi Srinivasan was released at a public function in [[Chennai]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/linguistic-diversity-an-asset-smriti-irani/article6921020.ece |title=Linguistic diversity an asset: Smriti Irani |date=2015-02-22 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=2018-01-07 |location=[[Chennai]] |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>{{sfnmp|''Ponniyin Selvan Eng Indra''|1993|Centenary Volume|1999}}
There are at least six different translations of Ponniyin Selvan available in English by Preetha Rajah Kannan,<ref name=":1" /> Indra Neelamegam,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ponniyinselvan.in/groups/ponniyinselvan/forum/topic/1263-ps-in-english/|title=Ponniyin Selvan}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/linguistic-diversity-an-asset-smriti-irani/article6921020.ece |title=Linguistic diversity an asset: Smriti Irani |date=2015-02-22 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=2018-01-07 |location=[[Chennai]] |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>{{sfnmp|''Ponniyin Selvan Eng Indra''|1993|Centenary Volume|1999}}
 
=== English translations ===
=== English translations ===
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
Line 202: Line 207:
!Publisher(s)
!Publisher(s)
!Ref(s)
!Ref(s)
|-
|Preetha Rajah Kannan
|The Tiger Throne: Kalki’s Ponniyin Selvan Retold
|688
|10th September 2022
|[[Jaico Publishing House]]
|<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" />
|-
| rowspan="5" |Pavithra Srinivasan
|''Ponniyin Selvan Book 1: Fresh Floods''
|454
|1 December 2019
| rowspan="5" |<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.zerodegreepublishing.com/products/ponniyin-selvan-part-4-the-jewelled-crown-pavithra-srinivasan?pr_prod_strat=description&pr_rec_id=e89d6eeb6&pr_rec_pid=6727904362645&pr_ref_pid=7860460454120&pr_seq=uniform|title=Amazon.in: Ponniyin Selvan|access-date=2022-07-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/writer-pavithra-srinivasan-no-more/article35374948.ece | title=Writer Pavithra Srinivasan no more | newspaper=The Hindu | date=16 July 2021 }}</ref>
|-
|''Ponniyin Selvan Book 2: Whirlwinds''
|482
|1 December 2019
|-
|''Ponniyin Selvan Book 3: Sword of Slaughter''
|424
|1 October 2020
|-
|''Ponniyin Selvan Book 4: The Jewelled Crown''
|426
|2 April 2021
|-
|''Ponniyin Selvan Book 5: The Zenith of Sacrifice''
|866
|1 January 2022
|-
|-
| rowspan="7" |C.V.Karthik Narayanan
| rowspan="7" |C.V.Karthik Narayanan
Line 240: Line 274:
|
|
|-
|-
! colspan="6" |
| rowspan="4" |Indra Neelamegam
|''Ponni's Beloved: Part 1– New Floods''
|264
|1993, updated 2022
| rowspan="4" |Free on Project Madurai
ePub available at Smashwords, Barnes and Noble
| rowspan="4" |<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last1=Neelameggham |first1=Indra |title=Book Links |url=https://indllc.wixsite.com/indrasponniyinselvan/links |access-date=15 August 2022 |website=IndrasPonniyinSelvan |publisher=Indra Neelameggham |language=en |ref=32}}</ref>
|-
|-
| rowspan="5" |Pavithra Srinivasan
|''Ponni's Beloved: Part 2  -- Whirlwind''
|''Ponniyin Selvan Book 1: Fresh Floods''
|254
|499
|1995, updated 2022
|14 November 2014
| rowspan="2" |Tranquebar
| rowspan="3" |<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.in/s?k=Ponniyin+Selvan+Pavithra+Srinivasan&i=digital-text&ref=nb_sb_noss|title=Amazon.in: Ponniyin Selvan Pavithra Srinivasan: Kindle Store|website=www.amazon.in|access-date=2020-01-03}}</ref>
|-
|-
|''Ponniyin Selvan Book 2: Whirlwinds''
|''Ponni's Beloved'': Part 3 -- A Killing Sword
|454
|252
|3 February 2016
|Updated 2022
|-
|-
|''Ponniyin Selvan Book 3: Sword of Slaughter''
|''Ponni's Beloved'': Part 4 -- Jeweled Crown
|401
|280
|7 January 2019
|2022
|Westland
|-
|''Ponniyin Selvan Book 4: The Jewelled Crown''
|407
|23 March 2021
|
|-
|''Ponniyin Selvan Book 5: The Zenith of Sacrifice''
|
|in preparation
|
|-
! colspan="6" |
|-
| rowspan="2" |Indra Neelamegam
|''The Son of Ponni: Volume 1&nbsp;– New Floods''
|
|
|
| rowspan="2" |<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.in/s?i=digital-text&rh=p_27:Indra+Neelameggham&s=relevancerank&text=Indra+Neelameggham&ref=dp_byline_sr_ebooks_2|title=Amazon.in: Indra Neelameggham: Kindle Store|website=www.amazon.in|access-date=2020-01-03}}</ref>
|-
|''Ponniyin Selvan: New Floods, Whirlwind''
|619
|
|
|-
! colspan="6" |
|-
|-
|Varalotti Rengasamy
|Varalotti Rengasamy
Line 288: Line 298:
|2128
|2128
|2016
|2016
|Kavitha Publication
| rowspan="5" |Kavitha Publication
|<ref>{{Cite book|title=Kalki's Ponniyin Selvan Part-1 to Part-5 Set (English) (Historical Novel) Paperback&nbsp;– 2016|id={{ASIN|8183455476|country=in}}}}</ref>
|<ref>{{Cite book|title=Kalki's Ponniyin Selvan Part-1 to Part-5 Set (English) (Historical Novel) Paperback&nbsp;– 2016|id={{ASIN|8183455476|country=in}}}}</ref>
|-
|-
! colspan="6" |
| rowspan="4" |Sumeetha Manikandan
|-
| rowspan="2" |Sumeetha Manikandan
|''Ponni's Beloved Volume 1: New Floods''
|''Ponni's Beloved Volume 1: New Floods''
|341
|341
|2019
|2019
|
| rowspan="2" |<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.in/s?k=Sumeetha+Manikandan+Ponniyin+Selvan&i=digital-text&ref=nb_sb_noss|title=Amazon.in: Sumeetha Manikandan Ponniyin Selvan: Kindle Store|website=www.amazon.in|access-date=2020-01-03}}</ref>
| rowspan="2" |<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.in/s?k=Sumeetha+Manikandan+Ponniyin+Selvan&i=digital-text&ref=nb_sb_noss|title=Amazon.in: Sumeetha Manikandan Ponniyin Selvan: Kindle Store|website=www.amazon.in|access-date=2020-01-03}}</ref>
|-
|-
Line 303: Line 310:
|389
|389
|2019
|2019
|-
|''Ponni's Beloved Volume 3: The Sword''
|386
|2020
|<ref>{{Cite book |last=Krishnamurthy |first=Kalki |url=https://www.amazon.in/dp/B085XS8MC1/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_FW0FYP79B4Q0T8Z1ZW0A |title=The Sword - Ponni's Beloved Volume 3: An English Translation Of Kalki Krishnamurthy’s Ponniyin Selvan |date=2020-03-15 |publisher=Sumeetha Manikandan |edition=1st |language=English |translator-last=Manikandan |translator-first=Sumeetha}}</ref>
|-
|Ponni's Beloved Volume 4: The Crown
|314
|2020
|<ref>{{Cite book |last=Krishnamurthy |first=Kalki |url=https://www.amazon.in/dp/B089NHF632/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_STJ1V77S8GPGP5SWCFCC |title=The Crown - Ponni's Beloved Volume 4: An English Translation of Kalki Krishnamurthy's Ponniyin Selvan |language=English |translator-last=Manikandan |translator-first=Sumeetha}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="5" |H. Subhalakshmi Narayanan
|Ponniyin Selvan, Book 1: New Waters
|2150
|2016
| rowspan="5" |Ailum Books
|
|
|-
|-
|Ponniyin Selvan, Book 2: Whirling Cyclone
|
|
|Ponni's Beloved Volume 3: The Sword
|
|
|Soon to be published
|
|-
|Ponniyin Selvan, Book 3:The Killer Sword
|
|
|
|-
|Ponniyin selvan, Book 4: The Crown
|
|
|
|-
|Ponniyin Selvan, Book 5 & 6:The Epitome of sacrifice
|
|
|
|
|
|}
|}


=== Malayalam translations ===
{| class="wikitable"
!Translator
!Title
!Pages
!Publication date
!Publisher(s)
!Ref(s)
|-
| G.Subramanian || Ponniyin Selvan || 1200 || 2022 || [[DC Books]] ||
|-
|Sajith M. S
|Ponniyin Selvan (പൊന്നിയിൻ സെൽവൻ )
|
|2022
|[[Pratilipi]] Malayalam Free Reading
|Also Available in [[Pratilipi]] FM
|}
== See also ==
== See also ==
{{portal|Novels}}
{{portal|Novels}}
*[[Sivagamiyin Sapatham]]
*[[Sivagamiyin Sapatham]]
*[http://ponniyinselvan.in/ Ponniyin Selvan official website]
*[[Parthiban Kanavu]]
*[[Parthiban Kanavu]]
*[https://www.novelstamil.com/ponniyin-selvan-book-pdf/ Ponniyin Selvan Book Pdf]
*[[Romance of the Three Kingdoms]]
*[[Parthiban Kanavu Tamil Novels]]


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist|30em}}


==Bibliography==
== Bibliography ==
{{refbegin}}
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book|last1=Krishnamurthy|first1=Kalki|author-link1=Kalki Krishnamurthy|script-title=ta:பொன்னியின் செல்வன்|title=Ponniyin Selvan|language=ta|year=1955|location=Madras|publisher=Mangala Noolagam|oclc=84057533|ref={{sfnref|''Ponniyin Selvan Book''|1955}}}}
* {{Cite book|last1=Krishnamurthy|first1=Kalki|author-link1=Kalki Krishnamurthy|script-title=ta:பொன்னியின் செல்வன்|title=Ponniyin Selvan|language=ta|year=1955|location=Madras|publisher=Mangala Noolagam|oclc=84057533|ref={{sfnref|''Ponniyin Selvan Book''|1955}}}}
** {{cite book|last1=Krishnamurthy|first1=Kalki|script-title=ta:புது வெள்ளம்|title=Puthu Vellam|language=ta|volume=1|ref={{sfnref|''Ponniyin Selvan Book Part 1''|1955}}}}
** {{Cite book|last1=Krishnamurthy|first1=Kalki|script-title=ta:புது வெள்ளம்|title=Puthu Vellam|language=ta|volume=1|ref={{sfnref|''Ponniyin Selvan Book Part 1''|1955}}}}
** {{cite book|last1=Krishnamurthy|first1=Kalki|script-title=ta:சுழற்காற்று|title=Chuzharkaattru|language=ta|volume=2|ref={{sfnref|''Ponniyin Selvan Book Part 2''|1955}}}}
** {{Cite book|last1=Krishnamurthy|first1=Kalki|script-title=ta:சுழற்காற்று|title=Chuzharkaattru|language=ta|volume=2|ref={{sfnref|''Ponniyin Selvan Book Part 2''|1955}}}}
** {{cite book|last1=Krishnamurthy|first1=Kalki|script-title=ta:கொலை வாள்|title=Kolaivaal|language=ta|volume=3|ref={{sfnref|''Ponniyin Selvan Book Part 3''|1955}}}}
** {{Cite book|last1=Krishnamurthy|first1=Kalki|script-title=ta:கொலை வாள்|title=Kolaivaal|language=ta|volume=3|ref={{sfnref|''Ponniyin Selvan Book Part 3''|1955}}}}
** {{cite book|last1=Krishnamurthy|first1=Kalki|script-title=ta:மணிமகுடம்|title=Manimakudam|language=ta|volume=4|ref={{sfnref|''Ponniyin Selvan Book Part 4''|1955}}}}
** {{Cite book|last1=Krishnamurthy|first1=Kalki|script-title=ta:மணிமகுடம்|title=Manimakudam|language=ta|volume=4|ref={{sfnref|''Ponniyin Selvan Book Part 4''|1955}}}}
** {{cite book|last1=Krishnamurthy|first1=Kalki|script-title=ta:தியாகச் சிகரம்|title=Thyaaga Sigaram|language=ta|volume=5|ref={{sfnref|''Ponniyin Selvan Book Part 5''|1955}}}}
** {{Cite book|last1=Krishnamurthy|first1=Kalki|script-title=ta:தியாகச் சிகரம்|title=Thyaaga Sigaram|language=ta|volume=5|ref={{sfnref|''Ponniyin Selvan Book Part 5''|1955}}}}
* {{cite book|last1=Neelameggham|first1=Indra|year=1993|title=Ponniyin Selvan of Kalki Krishnamurthy|ref={{sfnref|''Ponniyin Selvan Eng Indra''|1993}}}}
* {{Cite book|last1=Neelameggham|first1=Indra|year=1993|title=Ponniyin Selvan of Kalki Krishnamurthy|ref={{sfnref|''Ponniyin Selvan Eng Indra''|1993}}}}
** {{cite book|last1=Neelameggham|first1=Indra|editor1-last=Neelameggham|editor1-first=R|editor2-last=Ramadorai|editor2-first=Elizabeth|title=Part 1A New Floods|location=Online|publisher=Project Madurai|url=https://archive.org/details/PonniyinSelvanPart1AFirstFloodsChapters130/mode/2up|ref={{sfnref|''Ponniyin Selvan Eng Part 1A''|1993}}}}
** {{Cite book|last1=Neelameggham|first1=Indra|editor1-last=Neelameggham|editor1-first=R|editor2-last=Ramadorai|editor2-first=Elizabeth|title=Part 1A New Floods|location=Online|publisher=Project Madurai|url=https://archive.org/details/PonniyinSelvanPart1AFirstFloodsChapters130/mode/2up|ref={{sfnref|''Ponniyin Selvan Eng Part 1A''|1993}}}}
** {{cite book|last1=Neelameggham|first1=Indra|editor1-last=Neelameggham|editor1-first=R|editor2-last=Ramadorai|editor2-first=Elizabeth|title=Part 1B New Floods|location=Online|publisher=Project Madurai|url=https://archive.org/details/PonniyinSelvanPart1BFirstFloodsChapters3157/mode/2up|ref={{sfnref|''Ponniyin Selvan Eng Part 1B''|1993}}}}
** {{Cite book|last1=Neelameggham|first1=Indra|editor1-last=Neelameggham|editor1-first=R|editor2-last=Ramadorai|editor2-first=Elizabeth|title=Part 1B New Floods|location=Online|publisher=Project Madurai|url=https://archive.org/details/PonniyinSelvanPart1BFirstFloodsChapters3157/mode/2up|ref={{sfnref|''Ponniyin Selvan Eng Part 1B''|1993}}}}
** {{cite book|last1=Neelameggham|first1=Indra|editor1-last=Neelameggham|editor1-first=R|title=Part 2A Whirwind|location=Online|publisher=Project Madurai|url=https://archive.org/details/PonniyinSelvanPart2AWhirwindChapters126/mode/2up|ref={{sfnref|''Ponniyin Selvan Eng Part 2A''|1993}}}}
** {{Cite book|last1=Neelameggham|first1=Indra|editor1-last=Neelameggham|editor1-first=R|title=Part 2A Whirwind|location=Online|publisher=Project Madurai|url=https://archive.org/details/PonniyinSelvanPart2AWhirwindChapters126/mode/2up|ref={{sfnref|''Ponniyin Selvan Eng Part 2A''|1993}}}}
** {{cite book|last1=Neelameggham|first1=Indra|editor1-last=Neelameggham|editor1-first=R|title=Part 2B Whirwind|location=Online|publisher=Project Madurai|url=https://archive.org/details/PonniyinSelvanPart2BWhirwindChapters2753/mode/2up|ref={{sfnref|''Ponniyin Selvan Eng Part 2B''|1993}}}}
** {{Cite book|last1=Neelameggham|first1=Indra|editor1-last=Neelameggham|editor1-first=R|title=Part 2B Whirwind|location=Online|publisher=Project Madurai|url=https://archive.org/details/PonniyinSelvanPart2BWhirwindChapters2753/mode/2up|ref={{sfnref|''Ponniyin Selvan Eng Part 2B''|1993}}}}
** {{cite book|last1=Neelameggham|first1=Indra|editor1-last=Neelameggham|editor1-first=R|title=Part 3A A Killing Sword|location=Online|publisher=Project Madurai|url=https://archive.org/details/PonniyinSelvanPart3AAKillingSwordChapters122/mode/2up|ref={{sfnref|''Ponniyin Selvan Eng Part 3A''|1993}}}}
** {{Cite book|last1=Neelameggham|first1=Indra|editor1-last=Neelameggham|editor1-first=R|title=Part 3A A Killing Sword|location=Online|publisher=Project Madurai|url=https://archive.org/details/PonniyinSelvanPart3AAKillingSwordChapters122/mode/2up|ref={{sfnref|''Ponniyin Selvan Eng Part 3A''|1993}}}}
*{{cite book|editor1-last=Krishnan|editor1-first=Mini|year=1999|title=Kalki R. Krishnamurthy's Ponniyin Selvan|location=New Delhi|publisher=Macmillan India|oclc=263145239|ref={{sfnref|Centenary Volume|1999}}}}
*{{Cite book|editor1-last=Krishnan|editor1-first=Mini|year=1999|title=Kalki R. Krishnamurthy's Ponniyin Selvan|location=New Delhi|publisher=Macmillan India|oclc=263145239|ref={{sfnref|Centenary Volume|1999}}}}
** {{cite book|last1=Narayanan|first1=C.V. Karthik|title=The First Floods|year=1999|isbn=9780333933091|ref={{sfnref|''Ponniyin Selvan Eng Pt. 1''|1999}}}}
** {{Cite book|last1=Narayanan|first1=C.V. Karthik|title=The First Floods|year=1999|isbn=978-0-333-93309-1|ref={{sfnref|''Ponniyin Selvan Eng Pt. 1''|1999}}}}
** {{cite book|last1=Narayanan|first1=C.V. Karthik|title=The First Floods|year=2018|orig-year=1999|location=New Delhi|publisher=Pustaka Digital Media|isbn= 978-9352859542|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h5NQDwAAQBAJ|ref={{sfnref|''Ponniyin Selvan Eng Pt. 1''|2018}}}}
** {{Cite book|last1=Narayanan|first1=C.V. Karthik|title=The First Floods|year=2018|orig-date=1999|location=New Delhi|publisher=Pustaka Digital Media|isbn= 978-9352859542|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h5NQDwAAQBAJ|ref={{sfnref|''Ponniyin Selvan Eng Pt. 1''|2018}}}}
** {{cite book|last1=Narayanan|first1=C.V. Karthik|title=The Cyclone|year=1999|isbn=9780333933008|ref={{sfnref|''Ponniyin Selvan Eng Pt. 2''|1999}}}}
** {{Cite book|last1=Narayanan|first1=C.V. Karthik|title=The Cyclone|year=1999|isbn=978-0-333-93300-8|ref={{sfnref|''Ponniyin Selvan Eng Pt. 2''|1999}}}}
** {{cite book|last1=Narayanan|first1=C.V. Karthik|title=The Killer Sword|year=1999|isbn=9780333933015|ref={{sfnref|''Ponniyin Selvan Eng Pt. 3''|1999}}}}
** {{Cite book|last1=Narayanan|first1=C.V. Karthik|title=The Killer Sword|year=1999|isbn=978-0-333-93301-5|ref={{sfnref|''Ponniyin Selvan Eng Pt. 3''|1999}}}}
** {{cite book|last1=Narayanan|first1=C.V. Karthik|title=The Crown|year=1999|isbn=9780333933077|ref={{sfnref|''Ponniyin Selvan Eng Pt. 4''|1999}}}}
** {{Cite book|last1=Narayanan|first1=C.V. Karthik|title=The Crown|year=1999|isbn=978-0-333-93307-7|ref={{sfnref|''Ponniyin Selvan Eng Pt. 4''|1999}}}}
** {{cite book|last1=Narayanan|first1=C.V. Karthik|title=The Pinnacle of Sacrifice|year=1999|isbn=9780333935514|ref={{sfnref|''Ponniyin Selvan Eng Pt. 5''|1999}}}}
** {{Cite book|last1=Narayanan|first1=C.V. Karthik|title=The Pinnacle of Sacrifice|year=1999|isbn=978-0-333-93551-4|ref={{sfnref|''Ponniyin Selvan Eng Pt. 5''|1999}}}}
{{refend}}
{{refend}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
{{wikisourcelang|ta|பொன்னியின்_செல்வன்}}
 
*[https://open.spotify.com/playlist/76oiE9w3c0jKido4YnwQUX?si=YNGq0Z-TTJqPBSFLbEg1lQ Kalki's பொன்னியின்_செல்வன் தமிழ் ஒலிப் புத்தகம் (Ponniyin Selvan Tamil Audio Book Narrated by Sri Srinivasa (Spotify) - 77 hours (all 5 Bagams/ Parts) Story in Tamil]
* [https://open.spotify.com/show/1HfI0Su8hQaPb7W5ARm2bs?si=09317ebd8dce4133 Ponniyin Selvan Tamil Audio Book by Nandhini – Nandhiniyin Kural]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R28hyyiZk2Y&list=PLWSUch4AC_y3XQRIUoRm9v7i6_2A9wa8D கல்கியின் பொன்னியின் செல்வன் 2D வடிவில் - Ponniyin Selvan Tamil Book Narrated by Satheeshraj (Bioscope) – 150 Episodes]
*[https://open.spotify.com/playlist/76oiE9w3c0jKido4YnwQUX?si=YNGq0Z-TTJqPBSFLbEg1lQ Kalki's பொன்னியின்_செல்வன் தமிழ் ஒலிப் புத்தகம் (Ponniyin Selvan Tamil Audio Book Narrated by Sri Srinivasa (Spotify) 77 hours (all 5 Bagams/ Parts) Story in Tamil]
*[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmyRknkCy7-oWjnxMtpoZcQ Ponniyin Selvan Audio & Video Story in Tamil]
*[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmyRknkCy7-oWjnxMtpoZcQ Ponniyin Selvan Audio & Video Story in Tamil]
*[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoPKIJHTVZC_a843Xl1Wz9ZIJQX9Lv1sC Ponniyin Selvan Audio Books / Ponniyin Selvan Story in Tamil by Music Box Tamil]&nbsp;– Ponniyin Selvan Full Story details Audio Book.
*[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoPKIJHTVZC_a843Xl1Wz9ZIJQX9Lv1sC Ponniyin Selvan Audio Books / Ponniyin Selvan Story in Tamil by Music Box Tamil]&nbsp;– Ponniyin Selvan Full Story details Audio Book.
Line 359: Line 413:
* ''[http://novels.liveityourway.co.in/ponniyin-selvan-kalki-krishnamurthy/ Ponniyin Selvan Novel epub Free work]''&nbsp;– details on Kalki's novel Ponniyin Selvan, Sivagamiyn Sabatham, Parthiban Kanavu in Epub and Kindle format
* ''[http://novels.liveityourway.co.in/ponniyin-selvan-kalki-krishnamurthy/ Ponniyin Selvan Novel epub Free work]''&nbsp;– details on Kalki's novel Ponniyin Selvan, Sivagamiyn Sabatham, Parthiban Kanavu in Epub and Kindle format
*Balasubramanian, Kudavoil. [http://www.varalaaru.com/Default.asp?articleid=374 "Udaiyarkugi Inscription"], ''[http://www.varalaaru.com/ Varalaaru]''
*Balasubramanian, Kudavoil. [http://www.varalaaru.com/Default.asp?articleid=374 "Udaiyarkugi Inscription"], ''[http://www.varalaaru.com/ Varalaaru]''
*Indra Neelameggham, English translation, free link ''[https://indllc.wixsite.com/indrasponniyinselvan Ponni's Beloved]''
*Indra Neelameggham, English translation, part 3B ''[https://www.projectmadurai.org/pm_etexts/pdf/pm0883.pdf]''


{{authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Tamil history]]
[[Category:Tamil history]]
[[Category:Tamil novels]]
[[Category:Tamil novels]]
[[Category:Novels first published in serial form]]
[[Category:Novels first published in serial form]]
[[Category:Romance novels]]
[[Category:Indian romance novels]]
[[Category:Historical romance novels]]
[[Category:Works originally published in Kalki (magazine)]]
[[Category:Works originally published in Kalki (magazine)]]
[[Category:Novels set in the Chola Empire]]
[[Category:Novels set in the Chola Empire]]
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