Ponniyin Selvan () is a Tamil language historical fiction novel by Indian author Kalki Krishnamurthy. It was first serialised in the weekly editions of 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 the early days of Chola prince Arunmozhivarman. Kalki thrice visited Sri Lanka for inspiration and to gather information.
Ponniyin Selvan is regarded as one of the greatest novels of Tamil literature. Publication of the series in "Kalki" magazine increased the publication's circulation to 75,000 subscriptions which was a significant number in post-independence India and a reflection of the work's popularity. 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.
The novels were 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.
Book volumes
Overview VolumeTitleChaptersNote1Pudhu Vellam ()57The story unfolds with the journey of the protagonist Vandhiyadhevan to the capital Thanjavur. After discovering a conspiracy, Vandhiyadhevan makes enemies with the royalty.2Suzharkaatru ()53The events take place in Sri Lanka where Ponniyin Selvan (Raja Raja Cholan) is stationed for "Eezhathu Por" (Battle of Lanka), introduces the tragic stories from the past of the characters' lives.3Kolai Vaal ()46The revenge set up by the suicide squad of Veera Pandiyan (Aabathuthavigal) against Aditya Karikalan and Chola Empire, tables the plot devised by Nandhini.4Manimagudam ()46The struggle for the crown among the members of the Chola dynasty. The inside conspiracy is being revealed eventually among the patriots.5Thiyaaga Sigaram ()91The Climax is set. The conspiracy is broken due to a lack of motivation and the head of the conspiracy comes to senses. Loose ends are tied. The rulers are reunited to avert the danger. 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
Vallavaraiyan Vandiyathevan: The brave, adventurous warrior prince with a sense of humour and sarcasm from the Vaanar clan, who later becomes the Commander for Southern Troops under the reign of Utthama Chola. He is the bodyguard and a 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. Manimekalai, the sister of Kandanmaran, is in a one-sided love with him. Nandhini: Pazhuvoor Queen (Ilaya Rani) and wife of Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar whose birth and origin was kept 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 is described as the most beautiful women in the entire novel. 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 continued to help the Pandya conspirators from powerful position. She had a deep hatred towards the Chola royals for their ill-treatment she once received 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 exploited them to her use/ plot. It is also to mention that 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. Azhwarkadiyan Nambi alias Thirumalaiappan: A Veera 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 Shaivites and Advaitis. Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar: The chancellor and treasurer of the Chola kingdom from the 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 manipulated and exploited by her. He was also the leader of the conspirators who tried to make Madhurantakan the next emperor. Kundavai alias Ilaya Pirattiyar: The Chola princess. Second child and only daughter of Sundara Chola. Lover of Vandiyathevan. She was respected much by her father and the people for her intelligence, wit and political prudence. 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 Arunmozhivarman and his son to achieve her ambition. She raised and taught Arunmozhivarman to be an intelligent prince and wished to make him the Chola emperor. She was jealous of Nandini's beautiful appearance and intelligence and hated her. She sent Vandiyathevan to bring back Arunmozhivarman from Sri Lanka to guard him. 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 Ponniyin Selvan and wishes to marry him but due to Poonguzhali's accusation that her motive to marry Arunmozhi is for the throne, she vows to never sit on the throne if she marries him. Arunmozhivarman/ 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"). Aditha Karikalan: Eldest son of 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. Aditha Karikalan and Nandhini were also childhood lovers who were separated by the then Chola royals for their relationship. Poonguzhali: A boat woman, she was born and raised in 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 Arunmozhivarman 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 Arunmozhivarman himself. She marries Senthan Amuthan/ Madhuranthakan and attains her desire of being Queen. 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. 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. Sundara Chola alias 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 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.]