Sumeetha Manikandan's Blog

Parthiban’s Dream
Volume 1

Chapter 1 – At Thonithurai

The banks of Kaveri were calm and serene. The early morning sun had turned the placid waters of the river into molten gold. It’s not surprising that they would name the river ‘Ponni’ (means gold). The spectrum of colours that were displayed on the swirling river currents lent an ethereal feel to the entire scene. It seemed as though hundreds and thousands of gemstones were deposited on the river, and they were ensnaring us with their glittering charm.

By the banks of the river, there was a grove of banyan trees. It was a season when trees would shed their old leaves and new leaves to spring forth. When the golden sun rays of early morning fell on these young leaves, they became gold in colour.

We can see an island in the north-eastern direction of the river. Amidst the green foliage of the island, a palace tower rose high with its golden Kalasam shimmering enticingly.

As time sped by, many different sounds could be heard by the banks that accentuated the silence that had enveloped the place before. The many birds that had made their homes on the banyan trees began chirping, welcoming the new dawn. The sound of water gushing through the rivers seemed to complement the birds’ welcome. It was time for the birds to leave their nests behind to search for food, and the mother birds fluttered their wings about frantically as they left their young ones half-heartedly.

In the gentle breeze that blew through the river, the banyan trees swayed in the wind, and their leaves danced as though they wanted to prove to all that ‘I am also there’.
The river currents tried their utmost to sweep the boats tied to the banyan trees in its sway, but when they realised it was impossible, they seemed angry.

By the banks of the river, under the shade of the banyan tree, an ordinary hut could be seen. Through the chimney of the hut, smoke rose, and with it, one could smell Kambu Aadai that was being cooked in the kitchen.

Next to the hut, there was a cow that lay on the ground while its calf watched it fondly.
Suddenly, the sound of horse hooves could be heard approaching the banks of the river. A galloping horse came by the banks, and the man mounted on it was drenched in sweat. Even the horse was sweating. The soldier dismounted the horse hurriedly.

Inside the hut, a young woman was cooking Kambu Aadai on the earthen stove, and next to her, a strong young man was sitting. He was eating the Kambu Aadai along with a stew. He smacked his lips and said, “Valli, God knows how long I am destined to eat the food prepared by you!”

“Every day, you say the same thing. If you talk again like this, I will throw everything into the river.”

“I am not joking, Valli. I heard the Maharaja and Maharani talking yesterday. War is imminent,” said the young man.

“So what if a war is coming. Who is asking you go to the war? You just row your boat as always…”

“No. I am going to beg the Maharaja, to take me along with him to the war.”

“Then I will fall at your feet and beg that you take me along with you. If you are not willing to do that, then throw me back into the river, from where you had rescued me.”

“Yes Valli, our Chola Kingdom has indeed become like that. The womenfolk should get ready to go to the battlefield while we menfolk should hide inside our homes… wait, I can hear the sound of a horse!”

When the young man heard the sound of the horse, he sprang up and emerged from the hut, not even bothering to wash his hands. He saw the soldier who had arrived. The soldier said, “Ponnna! I have brought urgent news for the Maharaja. Ready your boat.”

“Yes… Here I come!” said Ponnan and hurried back into the hut. There, Valli was about to cook another Kambu Aadai. “Valli, a messenger has brought an urgent message from Uraiyur. I need to go!”

“What urgent message! You haven’t even eaten properly! I don’t like any of this,” complained Valli and turned her face in anger.

“What can we do, Valli! Serving the royalty is not easy!” said Ponnan and neared her fondly and turned her face towards him.

Valli smiled at him and asked, “Will you come back fast?”

Ponnan bent his head down towards him when they heard the messenger shouting, “How long Ponna!” and he shouted back, “I am coming!” and hurried outside.

***

Manimeghalai stood still in front of the mirror, wondering whether she had indeed seen the face or not.

Did she really see it or was it a dream? If it was a dream, shouldn’t she be sleeping? 

She touched her face to confirm that she was indeed standing in the Pazhuvur Queen’s chambers in front of her mirror. She turned around and saw that she couldn’t have imagined the face in the dark as the lamp near the mirror was lit rather brightly. She stared hard at the opposite wall. She knew that...

Sambuverayar’s daughter and Kandanmaran’s sister Manimeghalai was an energetic and spirited girl by nature who was cherished and loved by her family. The palace of Kadambur was her own royal court where she ruled over everyone like a queen. For many years, life was a happy dream until four months ago… something changed. Her family started pressuring her to agree to something that her heart couldn’t accept. Her pleas fell on deaf ears and but they seemed determined to have their way.
For the pa...

After entering the secret underground passage at the Ayyanar Temple, Vandiya Devan walked for a while in the dark. A faint light was seen from the entrance of the tunnel through which he had entered and that gave him the confidence to venture further into the darkness. After taking a few steps, he heard a rumbling sound of a lever being turned and the tunnel entrance closed. The underground passage became so dark that Vandiya Devan became disoriented.
His first thoughts were of the resolution...

Just when Karikalan and his grandsire were talking, on the northern banks of Kollidam at a place known as Thirukannathumullur our old friends Azhwarkadiyan Nambi and Vandiya Devan were engaged in an odd occupation. This part of Kollidam River in those days was a holy pilgrimage area as the idol of Shiva from the adjoining temple was brought out for immersion in the river waters. To see this sight, many devout Saivites and Kalamugars would gather at the banks every day in the holy month of Thu...

The old man looked at the spot that his grandson has pointed. It was an old mandapam dilapidated and careworn built many years ago by some kind-hearted nobleman to aid those who travelled the roads in these parts. Though the structure was old, it was ornamentally superior with much beautiful sculptural work.
“Did you see thatha?”
“Child! You are pointing towards that mandapam but I see nothing there. There is no one inside the mandapam too.”
“Thatha, only now I can truly say that you have indee...

The chariot stopped and Thirukovallur Malaimaan who was seated on it, said, “Child! Karikala! I wish to take your leave here and travel to Thirukovallur. Before I leave, I wish to speak to you about a few things. Will you sit with me for a while, under that tree.”

“Alright, Thatha!”

The Prince and his Grandsire then walked towards the tree and sat under it. 

Watching them, Parthibendran looked at Kandanmaran and said, “Thank the Gods! I was worried that the old man would come with us all...

Kedilam is one of the rivers that made the Kingdom of Thirumunaipadi fertile and green. Along the banks of this river is a Shiva Temple much celebrated by Appar Perumal. Further down this river is yet another temple of Lord Shiva where Sundaramurthy Nayar had composed many of his poems in Thirunuyavalur. Situated betwixt these two places lay the king’s road that led one from Thondai Mandalam to the Chola Kingdom. The banks of Kedilam were always busy thanks to the many pilgrims who bathed in...

In the 10th Century AD the glorious Cholas ruled over the land of Tamil Nadu with Emperor Sundara Chola on the throne. Sundara Chola was bedridden with paralysis and there was confusion all over the Kingdom about who would ascend the throne next. The Emperor had two sons and one daughter. The eldest Aditya Karikalan was anointed the Crown Prince of the Kingdom but his uncle Madhuranthakan (whose father ruled prior to Sundara Chola) also wished to ascend the throne as well.
The story begins whe...

While the Prince and Kundavai were speaking in the Nandi Mandapam, Senthan Amuthan and Poonguzhali too were have a very serious conversation while they were waiting in the boat.
“Amudha! If I ask you something, will you tell the truth?”
“It is difficult for me to speak anything other than the truth Poonguzhali. That’s why I haven’t seen or spoken to anyone for the past four days!”
“There are some, who can’t speak the truth ever. Your friend Vandiya Devan is like that.”
“Still he is a good man. He...