#aditha karikalan

[iwanderbecauseimlost]

@jrrt-native-languages-fest

For JRRT Native Languages Fest, I'd like to introduce Ponniyin Selvan, a historical fiction novel based on the period before the golden era of the Chozha Empire in Tamil Nadu. The story revolves around conspirators of other kingdoms tangled in a very personal manner to the lives of the Chozha royal family, and hence, trying to get revenge and power.

My favourite character from the series is Aditha Karikalan, the heir apparent to the Chozha throne. He's very tragic, and I can't help but draw many parallels with Boromir and him.

Both he and Boromir are heirs apparent to the respective positions held by their fathers. Their fathers have problems of their own, Aditha's father being an invalid with paralysis, and Denethor being, well, Denethor.

Each of them has a younger brother, who is considered the more gentle brother (and ends up getting the position originally meant for them).

Although Boromir's death isn't entirely connected with his lust for the Ring, it's a conclusion to his character, and there is no other way his character arc could've closed in the novel, considering the rest of the story.

And although Aditha didn't really die in the arms (or by the hands) of his lover-turned-enemy-because-he-killed-her father-thinking-it-was-her-lover-but-he-was-going-to-kill-him-anyway-because-he-happened-to-be-the-enemy-king (because he didn't have any in history :P) fiction is, of course, romanticised. He died growing mad for her (at least in the movies). He begged her to run away with him and then killed himself in front of her.

Kind of sacrifice, really. Either of them had to die, and he killed himself. A bit like Boromir, who also sacrificed himself.

Their biggest tragedies, however, are their love for their kingdom, and their want to protect them. But this is where they differ; Boromir tries to take the ring from Frodo in hopes that he can save Gondor, and then repents and dies, protecting Merry and Pippin.

Aditha actually kills his ex-lover's father because, as mentioned above, he was the enemy king. He was doing it to protect his kingdom. Eventually he does go mad. And dies.

This is a little incoherent, actually, and I couldn't find any of Aditha's quotes that might relate to Boromir. Sucks to be travelling and writing all this off the top of my head. I did, however, remember the song that was composed for his funeral procession.

வீரா ராஜ வீர

சூரா தீர சூர

வீழா சோழ வீர

சீரார் ஞாலம் வாழ

வாராய் வாகை சூட

தொடுவோர் பகைப்போரை

நடுகல் சேர்க்கும் வீரா

மாறா காதல் மாறா

பூவோர் ஏங்கும் தீரா

பாவோர் போற்றும் வீரா

Romanised:

Veera raja veera

soora dheera soora

Veezha sozha veera

Seerar gnyalam vaazha

Vaaraai vaagai sooda

Thoduvor pagai porai

Nadukal serkkum veera

Maara kaadhal maara

Puvor yengum dheera

Pavor potrum veera

Meaning:

O royal warrior, O brave and strong one,

Invincible [chozha] warrior,

May your world prosper. Hail to your victory.

Those who dare to oppose you,

You send to their graves.

O, angel of undying love, Lovely damsels yearn for you.

We sing your glory, o brave one.

This is just the first stanza, but I think it fits him well, don't you?

@valar-did-me-wrong I thought you might be interested?

[vishnavishivaa]

Avalin Unmai

"I believe that Arulmozhi should marry Vaanathi," Sembiyan Maadevi announced in court, making Vaanathi freeze. No no, this is not what should happen, not to him. She peered at Kundavai, who looked delighted, at Aditha, who also looked happy, at a partly frowning Vanthiyathevan, and then at a neutral Arulmozhi, her heart sinking.

The man who once went behind her in love was now hesitating to marry her? Before she could say anything, Arulmozhi said, "As you wish Patti, I will marry Kodumbalur Ilavarasi Vaanathi."

And Vaanathi's heart broke. He did not want this. Not anymore. Not since Poonkuzhali happened.

'Emperumane,' she cried in her heart. 'What is this new test?'

****

"Enough Vaanathi, enough avoiding me!" Arulmozhi thundered. "We are now tied in an engagement, you can at least talk to me properly."

"We have our whole lives for that," Vaanathi said weakly. She did not want to hear anything from him, she was still feeling injured.

"What.. Vaanathi!" Arulmozhi sounded frustrated, as he gently grabbed her by the shoulders. "You have avoided me at every turn! After all the romance we had before I left for Eezham, is this what you do?"

What was he talking about? Vaanathi was entirely confused. She did not even know he remembered all that?

"You remembered that?" she asked, genuinely shocked, her heart hurting when she saw genuine hurt in his eyes. Oh! He did not think she would ask him that. Had she... no, his words were clear.

"Of course I remembered that! I would not just forget, even amidst everything!"

"Really? What about Samudrakumari?"

And he shut up. Vaanathi could see his recoil, and she smiled, a small, melancholic thing.

@ahamasmiyodhah @thegleamingmoon @yehsahihai @mahaswrites @hum-suffer @theramblergal @moon-880 @arachneofthoughts @whippersnappersbookworm @rang-lo @celestesinsight @willkatfanfromasia @mahi-wayy @ragkee @houseofbreadpakoda @sambaridli @nidhi-writes @leoprincess21 @anushyaselvaraj @chaliyaaa Clearly, I am back. Once more, with something angsty. Poor Vanathi.

[sowlspace]

lo main qayamat tak hua tera 🤍

[philtstone]

even more (deeply unserious) ponniyin selvan + textposts

+ BONUS

[anthonyed]

no, no, but the thing is. the damned thing is, how much aditha karikalan hated himself. the thing is, how much he only ever wanted to die everytime he walked the war path.

the thing is, how much he regretted, how much he was saddened, how much he wished things could have been different and how much he was unhappy.

the thing is, he said it all. he saw his first love and his worst regret all in nandini and he said, hey. so i hate myself and i know you hate me too and you want to kill me and i came here because i want to die.

he said, i want to die. i thought it would be grand, the most perfect and the most glorious death if it was to be granted by your hand.

and he said, kill me. just kill me cause i don't want to live anymore and he put the dagger in her palm, wrapped her fingers around its handle. those same fingers he said looked like lotus' buds and he took that hand and buried that dagger inside himself.

the thing is, he wanted to die and she wanted him dead so he let her have the win that really wasn't a victory in the end.

[schroedingerscryptid]

lol PS1's on KTV and i always forget the bisexual energy from vandiyathevan

like damn that that opening between aditha karikalan and him? girl what am i interrupting something

[dosai-maavu]

Two Full Moons

I recently rewatched both of the PS movies and I gotta say, the dialogues are just INCREDIBLE.

i don't know if anyone else has noticed it, but there's such a clever play on words when Nandini and Kundavai have their exchange when Kundavai enters the Thanjavur Fortress.

The conversation goes: Nandini: Welcome Princess, your arrival has beautified the whole of Thanjai's fortress.

Kundavai: I've heard that you have collected and kept all of the beauty in the fortress.

When you watch it for the first time, it looks like it's just clever conversation between two smart and sharp women. But wait. Who in the story is described as being so beautiful, that their NAME was altered to celebrate it? Kundavai's father, Sundara Chozhar. Kundavai and Nandini are indirectly talking about how HER father, the King of the Chola Empire, has basically been imprisoned in the fortress.

The conversation continues,

Nandini: Yes, beauty is kept captive here.

Kundavai: Captive? I thought it was seated on a Golden Throne.

Nandini: Yes, but it is old gold.

Kundavai: The older the gold, the more respected.

Nandini: Even if it is made of gold, shackles are shackles.

Kundavai: The key to those shackles are in my hands.

Nandini is taunting Kundavai here, talking about how her father is old and cannot do anything to resist becoming a puppet of the Pazhuvettarayars. He has no freedom. It doesn't matter that he's a King with a luxurious palace and everything he needs a beck and call away, he's still under the thumbs of the Pazhuvettarayars.

Kundavai has a befitting reply of course. It doesn't matter that her father is basically under house arrest. She, Kundavai, being a Princess of the land has much more power than the Pazhuverttarayar brothers. She has the power to release her father from their control. She still has more power than Nandini.

It's such a clever way to show how Nandini and Kundavai hate each other, to the very core. It looks like a fun, teasing conversation but in reality, both insulting each other in the worst way possible.

[houseofbreadpakoda]

Naatpu-3

Ponniyin Selvan X Bahubali Crossover

prev | next

Vandiyathevan woke up with a jerk. A slight noise had alerted him. "It must be those pindaris, to hell with them" he cursed as he pulled out his sword from its sheath and slipped out of bed. He waited for a while for any other sounds when he heard it. "Nanba?"

Arase? At this hour? He sneaked upto the window where he heard Aditha from and threw it open.

Aditha jumped onto the sill he was hanging from and into the room as vandiyathevan quickly shut the window behind him. "My lord vanthiya, took you a great deal of time to hear me."

"Arase, why did you have to slip in through- are the pindaris waging a war?!" Aditha shaked his head in denial waving his hand as he caught for breath.

He was interrupted by a knock on the door. Aditha sleekly slid under the bed before vandiyathevan could comprehend what was happening. He trotted towards the door still hazy at being subjected to so much so early into the day. He opened the door to see Devasena, who quickly barged into the room and shut the doors behind herself.

"Where's Aditha?" She sternly asked him, and before he could act clueless he saw Aditha slip out from under the bed and stand upto his full stature.

Vandiyathevan stepped back from infront of Aditha. Why was the Arase here at this hour? And why was Yuvarani here? Rather how had she come to know?

"Aditha are you out of your mind?" Devasena shrieked yet whispering every syllable.

"I mean-" Aditha said smirking at her making her throw a pillow at him. "You saw me from your anthapuram? Was I so loud?"

"You were pretty loud, I'm surprised our soldiers weren't alerted. All the training sessions, constant boar hunts, nothing can teach them to be alert. And then the pindaris attack and we lose a thousand of them. I can't-"

"Devasena...." Aditha said getting closer trying to calm her down. And Devasena got the cue. She exhaled relaxing her shoulders, looked back at Aditha trying hard to smile. "How are you? It's been a while."

"I'm very well!" Said Aditha grinning, "I've also heard that you've been doing really really well." Devasena scrunched her nose trying to figure out what Aditha was speaking about and her eyes widened when she realised. She glared back at vandiyathevan. He shook his head grinning. And then he saw her smile. He knew what the yuvarani was about to bring up. "Mhm, then I guess you would also know how vandiyathevan was doing."

"Ohhhhh Rightt. I completely forgot." Aditha said smiling at vandiyathevan bewildering him further. He quickly tried to change the topic.

"Arase you could've very well brought your troop and yourself through the main gates with a great degree of pomp. Why did you have to sneak in through-"

"Trust me Nanba my ego would've loved that, but entering the kingdom at this hour? That too unannounced? It wouldn't seem right. But I needed to talk to you after the message you'd sent me! So Parthiba and the rest stayed back in the tents at the outskirts of Kuntala. A post might reach the kingdom authorities in an hour or two about my arrival and then I can enter back with the rest of them tommorow morning."

So much, just to know about the yuvarani's love interest a few hours earlier. But again, this was Aditha. And the yuvarani in concern here was Devasena. Devasena had fallen for someone. And that had clearly gotten Aditha excited enough to ride down to Kuntala in a matter of less than nine hours. The poor horses.

For the next few hours, the three sat in Vandiyathevan's chambers speaking about everything they had piled up in their heads. Devasena spoke about the last boar hunt they went on which ultimately led to shivudu, making her fluster and the other two giggle. And just to make things light on Devasena, Aditha asked Vandiyathevan about how his spying mission was going on, which he himself led to Kundavai even though his nanba very evidently tried to avoid it. Both Devasena and Vandiyathevan knew better, than to bring up Nandhini, so they remained mum.

The sky had slowly begun to turn a lighter shade of blue, when both Aditha and Devasena realised it was time they sneaked back.

"Try not to get caught." Devasena told Aditha before opening the chamber doors. "I'll try. But you're soldiers are a little too good." Devasena tried to respond assuming Aditha was mocking her kingdom's army. "No seriously" Aditha responded "Your general found me sneaking in. But then he let me proceed after recognising me." Devasena sighed

"Devasena you're doing just fine, so is your army. Just.......just calm down. You're good. You're really really good. I'll see you in a few hours with my soldiers." He waved and smiled at Vandiyathevan before jumping out of the window.

"Get some sleep" Devasena said before leaving. "With Aditha here, today will be one long day, I can promise you that."

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.

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I didn't think people would read this, but seeing people still write fics about rrr, bahubali and kgf, i couldn't help but churn all my thoughts into this story. So regardless of the number of notes this gets, you will get chapter after chapter on this crossover until I'm done with it thank yoooss!!!

Also HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Tagging: @vijayasena @yehsahihai @thelekhikawrites @willkatfanfromasia @celestesinsight @harinishivaa @whippersnappersbookworm @sambaridli everyone else, it's been a long time I've tagged anyone on my writing, I love you all <3<3<3

[deadrosessociety]

What's up with them never getting a happy ending??

[artcinemas]

i think about this pic almost daily guys i can't

[thirst4light]

In Memoriam

This is my first try at Vanmozhi Fanfiction. Inspired from the PS 2 movie scene. Planning to do a two part follow-up of this prologue. Let me know what you think!

Prologue

'Tis better to have loved and lost Than never to have loved at all.’ (In Memoriam A. H. H., 27.13-17) 

The sky of Thanjavur was strangely grey on a Vaikasi afternoon as the people waited for their beloved crown prince, Aditha Karikalan, to come home.

Only this time, there was no line of excited girls, wearing their best sarees,  chattering away with their aarti thali on the steps of majestic Thanjavur fort, waiting to catch a glimpse of their handsome  prince.

Instead, a grief-stricken royal family waited patiently. Chakrvarthi and the young prince, Ponniyin Selvan were waiting at the front, while the women of the royal family waited behind.

Slightly behind the royal family, Kodombalur Ilavarasi Vanathi was also waiting along with other royal women, looking over the sea of the people that gathered at the outer court of the fort. Since last night, as the news of the prince’s death spread, people kept coming from all corners of the Cholanadu. 

While Vanathi waited, she thought of everything and nothing.

Such a contrast, Vanathi reflected, looking at the grey sky briefly before her gaze settled on the royal family who were clad in pristine white, a decorum when someone in the family passes away.

As if even the sky was mourning along with this family.

Vanathi’s thoughts got interrupted as people’s clamour suddenly increased, making her focus at the entry gate of the fort.

Finally, Aditha Karikalan had arrived in Thanjavur.

In the city where he grew up. In the city where he belongs.

A long procession of regiment came by foot, closely followed by the prince's beloved horse regiment, waving the chola flag. 

From where she was standing, Vanathi could  see the chariot carrying the prince’s body from a distance, closely flanked by his trusted fighting companions, Manamalyan, Parthibendran and Vanthiyadevan; not leaving their beloved prince’s side, even in death.

As the chariot slowly moved across the crowd, Vanathi could hear muffled cries while some people started to shower flower petals at the chariot, a sign of their last respect to their Ilavarase. A section of the crowd even started to tussle with the guards to touch the chariot and pray.

It took a long time for the guards to clear the way for the chariot to cross the short distance of the entry gate to the steps of the fort. 

When the chariot carrying the prince's body finally stopped in front of the fort stairs, there was a momentary pause among the royal family members. 

As if they could not believe what they were seeing.

The ailing Chakravarty was the first to break down as he could not support his weight anymore. Ponniyin Selvan gripped his father tightly, making sure his father could come down the stairs to meet his beloved elder son.

Raṇi varataṭcaṇai Sembiyan Mahadevi, Rani Vanavan Mahadevi, Iliya Piratti slowly started to walk behind the Chakravarty to meet their nephew, son and brother, Aditha Karikalan, one last time. Vanathi followed them as well, her steps heavy with grief.

As everyone in the family huddled at the front of the chariot and tried to caress the beloved prince’s face, the cries of the Chakravarti and Rani were the most heart-breaking.  Vanathi, who was standing at the end of the chariot, could not take it anymore. She bowed her head, closed her eyes to drown out the sound of cries and desperately put her hands together in prayer.

Ishvara, may the Ilavarase join you in heaven. And…And give my beloved royal family and the people of Cholanadu the strength to overcome this difficult time.

Vanathi stayed still for a few minutes, hoping the cries had subdued. As she opened her eyes, she knew that her attempt at focusing on praying was futile. 

But she had to try. 

In desperation, her eyes searched for the only face that could give her strength at this moment. 

As her eyes landed on Ponniyin Selvan’s face, Vanathi realized, despite being such a pillar of strength to his father, the young prince could not hold himself together anymore.

His face contorted with unspeakable grief; tears were streaming down his eyes continuously.

Vanathi had endured loss in various forms from a very young age. Her mother’s death, even though she had never met her, had left a deep wound in her childhood. Then her father’s death at Ilankai war, leaving her as an orphan in this cruel world. Then bidding farewell to her only father like figure uncle Periya Velar before every war, not knowing whether he would return alive from them was always tantamount to loss for her….Yet, no pain of these losses compared to the pain of seeing her beloved Ponniyin Selvan grieving at this moment.

Until this point, Vanathi did not realize that she had been crying along with everyone else. But seeing her Ponniyin Selvan break down like this, fresh tears blocked her vision completely. Her heart felt so heavy that for a moment she felt like she could not breathe anymore.

Wiping her tears with pallu, Vanathi took a few deep breaths to calm herself.

As the guards started to move to take the chariot away for cremation, on a whim, Vanathi decided to come at the front of the chariot and touch Ilavarase Aditha Karikalan’s feet, seeking blessings.

An opportunity she never had before.

While she looked at the crown prince’s resting face one last time, Vanathi realized, in death, Aditha Karikalan had finally found his peace.

The peace that he had been searching for a long time.

Tagging my enablers who I have on my profile: @harinishivaa @nspwriteups @balladedutempsjadis @celestesinsight @thelekhikawrites @reeeereeeereeereee @whippersnappersbookworm @sambaridli

Feel free to tag others/reblog if you like :)

[vishnavishivaa]

PS fandom, please be alive.

I have too many thoughts.

[sowlspace]

நீங்கள் ஒருவர் மட்டும் தான் ❤️‍🩹 (you were the only one)

[philtstone]

more ponniyin selvan + text posts for @foolgobi65

[willkatfanfromasia]

Aditha Karikalan vs Pazhuvettarayar -

Who's the better option for Nandini? by yours truly

1) PP married and owned up to their union publicly; he gave her titles, prestige and the respectability of marriage. 💲💵💰🏧

-AK couldn't because he was too young to overrule his family. However, he definitely would've thrown a fit to marry her had the beheading not happened.

2)Marrying a vassal king comes with several benefits (as discussed with @celestesinsight @thereader-radhika @ambidextrousarcher)

As the junior wife of the treasurer, she had tons of privilege and not much responsibility except showing up to events. Close enough to the throne (to make moves) but away enough to not deal directly.

- Nandini's already been burned by flying too close to the sun. AK's status as crown prince made the brides-shortlist very strict.

3) PP, till the flood, trusts her word easily. Even when confronted with doubts he thinks the best of her.

-AK is jealous af and accuses her of seducing all his friends. This is a result of his own insecurity- Had he married her, he wouldn't have been toxic and possibly been pretty decent as per 10th century standards.

4) Because we have bare minimum expectations, PP respects Nandini's wishes and doesn't force himself on her (she successfully gives excuses/alva always). AK is depicted as a thorough gentleman and would respect her wishes- but won't wait 3 years. Then again, Nandini won't give excuses if she were married to him😂

5) Nandini is forced into kundhavai's company sometimes due to her being PP's wife. As AK's wife she'd constantly be in her presence 🌚

6) Creeps like Parthi and Kandhanmaran presume they have a chance with her because she's married to an old man (who is either not her choice or can't *ehm*👀 satisfy her). As AK's wife they wouldn't dare flirt with her (no matter how tempting she may be) - lest they lose a limb or an eye.

Pls add your thoughts and analysis

@thereader-radhika @celestesinsight @ambidextrousarcher @harinishivaa @vibishalakshman @favcolourrvibgior @sowlspace @yehsahihai and anyone interested in my pointless musing

[ahamasmiyodhah]

This innit funny bishes-