Last week, I watched Ponniyin Selvan Part I (PS I), directed by Mani Ratnam.
A good novel, based on the mighty Chola ruler of South India, was going to be immortalized on film. Here is a well etched-out plot and now we have the technology to film the historical scenes complete with forts palaces, giant Buddhas and pirate ships in a stormy sea. What could possibly go wrong?
The film started off well, the songs and the visual were spectacular, but post-intermission I was all at sea. The missing chunks of story in the film — and non-existent characterization — will send most readers scurrying back to the book. I am talking about those like me who don’t know the plot by heart but have some regard for the book/some happy memories associated with it. Surely, the original plot didn’t have gaping holes. It was one fluid, logical narrative — was it not? Or was it?
If you have also decided to re-read the five volumes, please use the map and the list of characters in the novel as aides. Or if you prefer, here is the audio version by Deepika Arun this time. Nearly 75 years after he wrote his magnum opus, readers want to re-familiarize themselves with Kalki Krishnamurthy’s work again.
Read before watching PS1:
Vandhiyathevan Valavarayen makes his way on horseback through the prosperous Chola Kingdom, and we ride alongside him. Being from the hinterland, the wisecracking warrior gapes at the sights — the scenery and particularly at the many beautiful young women. But he is also focused on the job as courier for the royal family.
The Chola Emperor (Sundara/Paranthaka Cholan II, r. 962 – 980 CE), who is on his death bed, has three adult children — crown prince (Aditha Karikalan), the astute Princess (Kundhavai), and the youngest, most beloved to his people (Arulmozhi Verman). This last sibling is also called Ponniyin Selvan, literally River Cauvery’s son, and he lends his name to the book.
Princess Kundhavai manages the administrative affairs in the old capital of Pazhaiyur, while her father is recuperating in the Thanjavur fort under the protection of two powerful brothers in his administration. The crown prince is based in Kanchipuram (near present-day Chennai) to fend off enemies to the north; the youngest prince is in Sri Lanka to teach the meddling rulers a lesson.
For centuries, the Lankans have been sending troops to help Pandyas, the rulers of Madurai, to attack Cholas. Pandyas and Cholas are sworn enemies. In this novel too, there is a Chola prince who, at birth, was named Maduranthakan, destroyer of Madurai, the capital city of the Pandyas. The Pandya king has already been beheaded by the crown prince Aditha Karikalan. But a handful of Pandya faithfuls, who have sworn revenge, lurk near the Chola capital, waiting for an opportune moment to wipe the Chola rulers off the face of the earth. So many enemies from the outside.
With the princes gone, powerful chieftains of the Chola Kingdom — two brothers — try to take make a bid for the throne themselves. Unbeknownst to the Chola rulers, and the scheming top officials, someone in their midst is actively aiding the Pandya conspirators. Who is that person? Why is said person doing this?
