Historical Novels: Ponniyin Selvan vs Kadal Pura

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Historical Novels: Ponniyin Selvan vs Kadal Pura Historical Novels: Ponniyin Selvan vs Kadal Pura

Topic started by AK (@ sgigate.sgi.com) on Wed Nov 7 04:10:16 .
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.

Hi,

I just finished "Kadal Pura" by Sandilyan and wanted to get some views on what others think of it. Someone on this forum recommended Kadal Pura as a great historical novel. I think I would have to disagree.

A historical novel is one which not only is set in historical times but also is built upon a series of historical events. Moreover, it also ought to comment upon the social melieu of those times. Sadly, Kadal pura was a huge disappointment in those terms. Although, the setting was historical and a couple of main characters were, almost none of the events had any historical basis.

It almost seemed at times like it was a Rajnikanth movie with its larger than life hero Karunakara Pallavan doing amazing deeds.

Ponniyin Selvan on the other hand was a joy to read. It discussed the political/social situation in the country... discussed the historical aspects.. with a lot of vivid imagination thrown in to boot.

I would love to hear comments from other people who have read both the books.

Cheers,

AK

Responses:

Old responses
From: sri (@ ) on: Sat Nov 30 02:39:03

In PS I was confused in climax.I was not able to ascertain the climax.Still I'm having some doubt about the climax.who are the parents of nandhini?
frinds plz tell if you know
From: R.R. Kumar (@ 203.199.207.3) on: Thu Dec 5 02:06:51

Sri

The climaz is not confusing. Since the chola period does not ends with that, it is quite difficult give an certain end. Anyhow, the parents of Nandhini are......................

Friend, that is the thread which drags the story. Some of my friends above might not have read the story. Anyway, u read volume 5 again.
From: sri (@ 61.11.78.187) on: Tue Dec 17 00:21:28

I read that part thrice but I was not able to get it.please help me.atleast tell me the parents of chendhan amudhan.bye
From: Sweet Nothing (@ 202.41.106.101) on: Tue Jan 7 18:52:13

Ponniyin Selvan is the best.. Always..
From: sri (@ 61.11.85.51) on: Tue Jan 14 00:58:03

no responce to my question why?
From: Sweet Nothing (@ 202.41.106.101) on: Tue Jan 14 04:27:46

The parents of chenthan amudhan are King Kandaraadhiththar and Queen Chembian madevi. He was thought to be dead after he was born and was given to Vaani (who can't speak or hear) who while burying the child found out that the baby was not dead (by the help of one Karuthiruman.) So she started raising the child herself, but both the queen and chenthan amudhan found the truth soon enough but did not reveal it for tactical reasons as it would automatically fulfill Kandaraadhiththar's wish that only Sundara Chola's dynasty will continue to rule the chola empire.
From: VP (@ cheater-ext.mpi.com) on: Wed Feb 26 12:51:46

Hi guys,

These are both historical NOVELS. You need some amount of imagination about events/people that happened. The novelist ought to be able to make the reader enjoy the read, and if possible grab a couple of "historical messages". Both do these. Reading more than that would be inappropriate. If someone wanted exact historical accounts, they should not be reading the NOVELS. I had been a huge fan of both, and I think Sandilyan kindles young adults imagination. I had been in those battle grounds on more than many occassions thinking about strategies. Kalki has a shot of reality. You feel almost helpless about certain situations. It all depends on the appeal you want to have on a given day.

Cheers
From: gani (@ ) on: Sat Apr 26 03:20:28

Hi Friends, I had read both the novels PS and KP. Kalki move every character as a boat sail on the river. Here sandilyan give equal distribution. so both the novel is fine to read.
My home town is Thanjavur, i had got more historical place after reading PS. In my point of view each and every novel state an important points to the reader. please tell me more.
From: sri (@ 61.11.79.127) on: Tue May 13 03:07:08 EDT 2003

hi
thanks sweetnothing.but i have one more doubt .can u clear it.was nandhini sister of chendhan amudhan
From: Arun (@ 12.46.106.161) on: Tue Jun 10 04:22:34 EDT 2003

I have read both PS and KP when I was 21. For me both novels are good. They cant be compared. But they can be distinguished. I like to point out some difference btw those. This is purely my perception. Need not be exact.

Both are historic stories. But KP has the Run of Interest compared to PS. Kalki has concentrated more on Tamil writings and his way of writings. Sandilyan has concentrated on the Tamil Writing and also the Reader's interest.. PS's Climax wud not be interesting (its jus surprise end without any heat in the climax) whereas KP's climax comes as Tamil Cinema Climax (in all his novel except mannan magal). Sandilyan's stories include more sexual description compared to Kalki's. One can learn the art of pleasing their Lovers if they read Sandilyan's KP, Yavana Rani, Raja Muththirai, Raja Thilagam(sex concentration is more in this book :-)), Pallava Thilagam. The most important part of a story is love. There is no lack in Sandilyan's but bit lacking in Kalki's. Another most important part of historic novel is to expose the History and Literatures. There is no lack in Kalki's but bit lacking in Sandilyan's. But Sandilyan's makes sure he present some proves (in the same book as notes) on whatever incident he is telling. Both are very good writers. But Sandilyan's Stories captures more hearts with his Romantic writing. Though PS is the best in Historic Novels. It does not mean that KP is least.. But surely more interesting..

As per my visual statistics, Young blood and masculine gender will like Sandilyan's(especially Yavana Rani, KP, Raja Thilagam, Raja Muththirai. these are best rated in Sandilyan's). Sometimes old blood who do not give importance to Romance very much and Feminine in particular will always like Kalki's. Some times Sandilyan's might be irritating for feminine due to the excess of Romance. This is truly my perception. Need not be right.

Those who love the romance might rate the Sandilyan's as best after they read both the novels.

Also I would suggest If this topic name can be changed to Ponniyin Selvan vs. Yavana Rani.

More will continue after ur replies.
From: supa (@ adsl-63-205-69-143.dsl.snfc21.pacbell.net) on: Tue Jun 10 11:26:36 EDT 2003

Comparing Ponniyin Selvan with Kadal Pura is like comparing Himalayas with St Thomas Mount.
supa
From: Arun (@ 12.46.106.161) on: Thu Jun 12 06:44:01 EDT 2003

No Supa.

Its Comparing Himalayas with Sea. Both are best.
From: Maridass Balasubramanian (@ 193.220.224.9) on: Fri Jun 27 11:45:20 EDT 2003

I have read both Kalki and Chandilyan..IMHO,Kalki is very BAD in writing romance novel..But,Chandilyan..o! My boy!!He sets the testosterone level to shoot up off the roof each time i read..Raja thilagam was the ultimate in romace with 2 heroines vying for the same hero with mutual understanding..I noticed one important thing in Chandilyan.,.He takes KAADHAL and VEERAM, the two characteristic Tamil identity very seriously..i love the scenes where the hero meeets the heroine in the night secretly in tha garden in all his novels..No English writer i had read (including Mike Nichols)can beat him in romance and fast paced action..

Parthiban kanavu is better than ponniyin selvan cos it was short and sweet!!
From: saandilyen (@ palo5.pacific.net.sg) on: Thu Jul 10 09:37:33 EDT 2003

hey
does anyone knows where saandilyans book availabe on the net .
--Saandilyen

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