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Parthiban's Dream - An English Translation of Parthibanin Kanavu by Kalki Krishnamurthy
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.
***
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.
***
