Historical novel



TAMIL

VAMSADHARA — Parts I & II: V. Dhivakar; Narmadha Pathippagam, 10, Nana Street, T. Nagar, Chennai-600017. Rs. 100 each.


VAMSADHARA IS a historical novel based on the rich materials culled from Chola inscriptions, panegyric poems and Telugu copper plates of medieval Andhra kings besides literary sources, especially the Kalingattu Parani indited by Jayamkondar, the renowned court poet of Kulothunga Chola I. In addition, the valuable works of K.A.N. Sastri and T.V.S. Pandarathar, research articles such as Tamil Merchants in the Trade of Medieval Andhra by K. Sundaram are used in the construction of this narrative.

The matrimonial alliance between the Imperial Cholas and Eastern Chalukyas, right from the time of Rajaraja the Great (985 -1014 A.D.) resulted in the territorial expansion and consolidation of the Chola hegemony. Since Kulothunga I was paternally a Chalukya and maternally a Chola, the novel spreads over a vast area, connecting the cultures of the Cauvery and the Godavari.

The main reason for the military expedition, led by Karunakara Thondaiman, the undaunted Chola army chief to subjugate the North Kalinga ruler Anandavarma was the latter's refusal on two occasions to pay tribute to Kulothunga Chola I.

Nevertheless, the novelist puts forth an additional and plausible pretext that the Kalingas were jealous of the flourishing Tamil merchant guilds, which as a result faced troubles and tortures caused by Anandavarma. Hence, the fierce battle was successfully fought to save them at Kalinga.

In this novel, most of the characters are historical while a few are fictitious. Vamsadhara, the heroine of the romance, besides being the princess and heir-apparent to King Anandavarma is an imaginative character, suggesting that she was the star of the clan. Similarly is the character, Vinayani, the princess of Vengi country and sister of Saktivarman, the viceroy of the Chola monarch. Both these characters are the embodiment of beauty and expertise in the martial arts.

Vaanakovaraiyan, renamed as Manivaanan, another chief of the Chola army adept in warfare and diplomacy, is portrayed to prevent the calamities and to protect the welfare of the Tamils.

His reciprocal love towards Vamsadhara and Vinayani has been elegantly portrayed with twists and turns. The role of Vikrama Chola (1118-36 A.D.), the son of Kulothunga I in the maintenance of peace and prosperity in the Vengi region is vividly presented.

The part played by Aghora Sivacharya, the head of Kanchi Ghadika and the role of the Buddhist monastery in Andhra to the development of the story and solution to the crucial problems are dexterously drawn.

The dialogues between Karunakara Perumal and Vikrama Chola, Manivaanan and Saktivarman and also Vamsadhara are exuberant and interesting. The description of the festivals of the guardian deities at Srikakulam and the depictions of the Godavari region, hilly spots and natural scenes add beauty to the narration.

The novel vouchsafes to the author's creative genius, flow of language, candid style, aesthetic sense and equal reverence to different faiths, though with leanings to Nammazhvar's philosophy.



S. N. KANDASWAMY



Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Book Review