Ponniyin Selvan

Ponniyin Selvan is a historical novel written by Kalki Krishnamurthy(1955), one of the most prominent Tamil writers of the 20th century. The novel is set in 10th century South India, during the reign of the Chola dynasty(947-1014), and tells the story of the early life of Rajaraja Chola I, one of the greatest emperors of the Chola dynasty. The novel is widely considered one of the greatest works of Tamil literature and is considered a classic in Tamil literature.

The novel is divided into five parts, each of which covers a different period in Rajaraja Chola's life. The first part, "Ponniyin Selvan", is set in the early years of Rajaraja Chola's life, when he was still a prince. The second part, "Sivagamiyin Sabatham", is set during Rajaraja Chola's youth, when he is being groomed to be the next king. The third part, "Arulmozhivarman", is set during Rajaraja Chola's early years as king. The fourth part, "Vandhiya Devan", is set during the later years of Rajaraja Chola's reign. The fifth and final part, "Ponni", is set after Rajaraja Chola's death and covers the reign of his son, Rajendra Chola.

Historical and Cultural Landscape

One of the most interesting aspect of the novel is the portrayal of the historical and cultural landscape of 10th century South India. Kalki Krishnamurthy paints a vivid picture of the complex political landscape of the time, with the various powerful kingdoms that existed in South India, such as the Pandyas, the Cheras, and the Pallavas. He also delves into the culture and society of the Chola kingdom, providing readers with a rich understanding of the people and the land. The novel provides a detailed glimpse of the customs, traditions, festivals, and everyday life of the Cholas and the society they lived in.

The novel also highlights the religious and spiritual practices of the people, with references to Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. The novel also portrays the significant impact of Buddhism on the Chola society, which had a profound influence on the art, architecture, literature, and philosophy of the time.

Portrayal of Rajaraja Chola

Another important aspect of the novel is the portrayal of the main character Rajaraja Chola, who is not just a powerful emperor but also a complex individual with both strengths and weaknesses. He is portrayed as a man who is deeply committed to his kingdom and his people, but also as someone who struggles with the weight of his responsibilities and the many challenges he faces as a ruler. The novel portrays the life of Rajaraja Chola from the time he was a prince, and how he become one of the most powerful and respected emperor of the Chola dynasty. Through Rajaraja Chola's story, the novel explores themes of power, responsibility, and the human condition.

Role of Women

Another important theme in the novel is the portrayal of the women characters. The novel includes several strong female characters, such as Kundavai, the sister of Rajaraja Chola, and Nandini, the queen of the Pandyas. These characters are not just there as accessories to the male characters, but are portrayed as powerful and independent individuals in their own right. They have their own motivations and desires, and play a significant role in the story. The novel also explores the theme of women's rights and their role in the society of the time.

Themes of Love and Friendship

The novel also explores the themes of love and friendship. One of the most important relationships in the novel is the friendship between Rajaraja Chola and his childhood friend, Vandhiya Devan. Throughout the novel, their friendship is tested by the challenges they face and the choices they make, but it ultimately remains strong. The novel also explores the theme of romantic love, through the relationship between Rajaraja Chola and Nandini.

Ponniyin Selvan is widely considered a masterpiece of Tamil literature. It is a rich and complex novel that delves into the political and cultural landscape of 10th century South India, and offers a deep understanding of the people and the land. The novel also explores important themes of power, responsibility, and the human condition, through the story of Rajaraja Chola. With strong characterization and a powerful narrative, it is a novel that has stood the test of time and will continue to be enjoyed by readers for generations to come.

Ponniyin selvan - The film

Ponniyin Selvan is a Tamil historical epic film directed by Mani Ratnam, based on the Tamil historical novel of the same name by Kalki Krishnamurthy. The film tells the story of the rise of the Chola dynasty in 10th century South India, and the political intrigues surrounding the succession of the Chola Empire. The film features an ensemble cast including Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan,Trisha Krishanan, Jayam Ravi, Karthi and Jayaram. It was released in 30 September 2022 and was well-received by critics and audiences alike, and considered a box office success.

Ever since its publication, a film adaptation of Ponniyin Selvan had been explored by several Tamil filmmakers, including an attempt by M. G. Ramachandran in the late 1950s; however, it never materialized due to financial constraints. Decades later, Ratnam attempted to adapt the novel in the late-1980s and early-2010s but was unsuccessful. Calling it his “dream project”, Ratnam revived the effort in January 2019, after Lyca agreed to fund the film. Following several changes in cast and crew, production of Ponniyin Selvan began in December 2019 and concluded in September 2021, halting twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The film was shot in various locations across India, with a few sequences in Thailand. It was originally intended to be a single film but was split into two parts.

Ponniyin Selvan: Part I - was released in theatres worldwide on 30 September 2022 in standard and IMAX formats, where it received acclaim from film critics, who praised the direction, cast performances, musical score, visuals and faithfulness to the novel. Breaking several box-office records, the film grossed more than ₹500 crore (US$63 million) and became the highest-grossing Tamil film of 2022, the fourth-highest-grossing Tamil film of all time and the 15th highest-grossing Indian film of all time. It received six nominations at the 16th Asian Film Awards, including Best Film

Ponniyin selvan: Part II - On 28 December 2022, it was revealed by the unit that PS:2 would be releasing on 28 April 2023.