#ponni nadhi

[dangerouspeanuttidalwave]

SOUTH INDIAN TEMPLES--GOPURAM BLOG

Ancient and early medieval temples feature smaller gopuram, while in later temples they are a prominent feature of Hindu Dravidian style; in many cases the temple compound was expanded and new larger gopuram built along the new boundary. They are topped by the kalasam, a bulbous stone finial. They function as gateways through the walls that surround the temple complex. Another towering structure located towards the center of the temple is the Vimanam. Both of them are designed and constructed as per rules given in the texts of Vaastu shastra.

The gopuram's origins can be traced back to early structures of the Pallava kings, and relate to the central shikhara towers of North India. Between the twelfth and sixteenth century, during the Pandya, Nayaka and Vijayanagara era when Hindu temples increasingly became a hub of the urban life, these gateways became a dominant feature of a temple's outer appearance, eventually overshadowing the inner sanctuary which became obscured from view by the gopuram's colossal size and courtyards.[5] It also dominated the inner sanctum in amount of ornamentation. Often a shrine has more than one gopuram.[1] They also appear in architecture outside India, especially Khmer architecture, as at Angkor Wat.

Here are some of my pictures i had clicked and these structures were built far before..in BC period.

[run-awayy]

SO, here are my observations from ponniyin selvan.

-Vikram perfectly fit the role of Aditha Karikalan as a warrior who has been through a lot of struggle and has a lot of anger inside of him.

-I was a little skeptical about jayam ravi as arunmozhi before watching the film but boy was I wrong. I mean there's such a difference between Aditha and Arunmozhi as people. Arunmozhi Varman is a little more level headed and calm.

-Don't even know where to begin. I think he's easily everybody's favorite in the film. Karthi has done the rold really well. Like vanthiyadevan is charming and witty and soo likable. His journey and his scenes with nambi(jayaram) was like just😭.

- Jayaram was hilarious. Loved him in the film😭

-Vanthiyadevan and semba(his horse) 😍

-With the very little screen time that Kundavai was given, I think who she was as a person was satisfactorily conveyed. Her intelligence. And Oh my god her beauty. Anddd the bgm that plays when vanthiyadevan and kundavai meet is just🤌😩

-Another little observation I made is that rahman's role as maduranthakan was also good. Like from looking at him, just the way he is and how he behaves, I see a man who wants power and hides behind other people to fight for him. Totally gave me a weak man vibe.

-My god Nandhini though. I understood and noticed the little nuances in her character so much better the second time. She's cunning, manipulative and so damn smart. She's got her husband just wrapped around her little finger. There's this scene where we're shown her cunning side for the first time. Might be insignificant but it really stuck with me. It's when she meets vanthiyadevan in her palace. She subtly let's him know that he could take his kingdom back if he wanted. Like it shows her cunning mind. And the fact that she's so calm and her eyes say so much, it all just amplifies her complexities. Aishwarya Rai oh my god.

-I loved how the movie was so plot driven. Like period films usually are more about entertainment. This wasn't like that. It was about the characters and the plot. Like you really have to pay attention. It's one of those movies that you understand better as you watch it again and again.

[tater-tots-last-of-the-romanovs]

I've had this stuck in my head all day so here *throws into the void*

[daily-current-affairs]

‘Ponniyin Selvan: 1’ movie review: Epic story gets Mani Ratnam’s royal treatment

‘Ponniyin Selvan: 1’ movie review: Epic story gets Mani Ratnam’s royal treatment

Kalki’s source material of ‘PS:1’ is rich with myriad characters, and Mani Ratnam gleefully picks them all up to give it a cinematic touch, thanks to some powerhouse performances from his all-star cast Kalki’s source material of ‘PS:1’ is rich with myriad characters, and Mani Ratnam gleefully picks them all up to give it a cinematic touch, thanks to some powerhouse performances from his all-star…

[yolofashionfactory]

PS1 Ponniyin Selvan 🗡️

[theinfinitedivides]

listening to the PS:2 soundtrack again in an attempt to bite the bullet and psyche myself up to watch both films back to back in August(? that's the goal at least, if i get to watch it earlier even better) and i have been stuck on Veera Raja Veera for an hour and a half. i have also figured out my personal ranking for all versions of the song at last and it went about as well as i would have expected. it started to get too long for the f*cking tags tho so i decided to put in this post, we'll see how it goes from here—list is in order from least liked to most liked btw

5. going to start this off by saying i'm so so sorry to Gulzar but it's something about the rhythm for me. the lyrics are lovely but the way they are lining up with the music in the Hindi version,,,,,,, or failing to in certain parts,,,,,, it's not it. it's not it. it does well in the first minute or so and then heads downhill from there, and tbh it's not his fault i think it's just the sheer amount of syllables that they have to fit in compared to the original? and with that in mind it's not going to sound the same, obviously, but what salvages it from being a complete disappointment is the way we got both Shreya Ghoshal and Kavita Krishnamurthy as a duet in this year of our Lord 2023. Kavita, who still sounds the same as she did on the Dil Se soundtrack singing Satrangi Re and the Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam soundtrack and the Devdas soundtrack and the Yaara Dildaara soundtrack and the K3G soundtrack with Bole Chudiyan and Shreya Ghoshal who is a pleasure to listen to on practically everything she touches (Bajirao Mastani and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and that aalap just before her verse with Kavita here i'm looking at you) and— *inhales* *exhales* ok. do appreciate them letting Kavita take the 'चुन चुन चुन चुन / जाली रे जाली चिंगारी' portion in the Hindi translation bc she sounded beautiful there. (she always reminded me of Lata in that regard i think, and for some inexplicable reason i've by extension connected the two of them to Zohra Sehgal in some of her roles)

favorite line — 'दुश्मन पे टूटे जब | बिजलियों का वीर' / 'dushman pe toote jab | bijilyon ka vaar'. this is one of those times where the rhythm works in their favor and works well, and it leads perfectly into the rest of the verse imo. also @ that one guy going 'योद्धा~~' / 'yodhaa~~' at the very end of the song ty for your service

3. in contrast to the rhythm problems of the Hindi the Kannada recording is very smooth? i don't know if that makes sense as someone who doesn't speak the language but it's like water. like water in a stream just one after another going over the stones in the riverbed as it passes or the waves lapping against the side of the ship or the gentle sound wind chimes make when they hit against each other in the lightest breeze—the phrasing doesn't feel forced (ty Jayant Kaikini sir) and the syllables match the music as well as the original. ofc Rakshita Suresh and Sivasri Skandaprasad have a part to play with their solos in this sounding as good as it does, despite its ranking on my list (which will be explained in the next entry), and while i expected nothing less from Rakshita after Kirunage, this is the first i'm hearing from Sivasri and she blew me away. i had to listen to it several times to be able to tell them apart, and i might still be wrong bc their voice color is very, very similar, but they took what Rahman gave them and made it their own. (is it Rakshita that starts and Sivasri that continues? i'm thinking that it alternates between them with Sivasri ending that portion)

favorite line — 'ಮಳೆಗರೆವಾಗ ಬಾಣ | ಅಡಗಳು ಎಲ್ಲಿ ತಾಣಾ' / 'malegarevaaga baana | adagalu elli thaana'. this is where the river analysis stands out to me bc this feels like putting pebbles said river into a tumbler and rolling them over and over until they come out smooth and polished and just. right. (i am using the word smooth a lot to talk about the Kannada version sksksksk but can you blame me)

3. technically Malayalam and Kannada tie for third place on here (there is no fourth place. there is 4.75th place rounded up to fifth place and that belongs to the Hindi entry as previously stated) but Malayalam has the slightest edge for me. in terms of sound/pronunciation it's the closest to the original—i know most scholars believe that Malayalam descended from Tamil and split early on, so that might have something to do with it, but it sounds like a perfect cross between the flow of Kannada and the strength of the Tamil and ugh. pair that with Srinivas featuring and Shweta Mohan taking on that solo (by herself!!! and eating that sh*t like it was a duet!!!) and Rafeeq Ahamed as the lyricist and i play it almost as often as i play the original. (i was almost half expecting to hear the extension at the end in this version, that's how good it was)

favorite line — 'കടലിൽ ചുഴലി പോലെ | തവ നൗക കളിരമ്പി' / 'kadalil chuzhali pole | thava noukakalirambi'. i am in love with what Shweta does here, especially with the latter half of the line ('... നൗക കളിരമ്പി' / 'noukakalirambi') since she just heads straight into the 'വൻകടൽ...' and for some reason that is so auditorily pleasing to me. i don't have any rational thoughts behind that that's just how it is. her aalap before her verse is also breathier/softer than Shreya's if that makes sense but it fits her perfectly

2. Telugu. holy f*ck, Telugu. you put Shankar Mahadevan (i don't think i've ever heard him sing a bad song. ever. at least not what i've heard) and Chinmayi (Tere Bina???? Mayya Mayya???? Titli???? i'm still not over any of them from her????) in the same song you make every f*cking verse rhyme almost exactly courtesy of Chandrabose if Kannada is the sound of water then Telugu is pure silk and honey and the feel of something melting in your mouth and you expect me to stay alive? the actual f*ck? admittedly i may be biased bc one of my OCs is Telugu and i have been putting Telugu covers from my Bollywood playlist on loop for inspo but uh Rahman what the f*ck. what the f*ck am i supposed to do with that kind of genius

favorite line(s) — 'సమరం శ్రుతించైరా శిఖరం స్పృశించైర' / 'samaram shruthinchaira shikharam spushinchaira' & 'విధిగా తెగించైర | విధినే వదించైర | విలయం దరించైర | విజయం వరించైర' / 'vidhigaa thegincheyraa | vidhine vadhincheyraa | vilayam dharincheyraa | vijayam varincheyraa'. the f*cking alliteration? hello? also the 'veera raja veera' at the end of this version in particular gives me full body chills bc there is someone going up with the harmonization every time there's a new line. i don't know who it is but he's (they're? could be multiple vocals) going up and i am crying shaking throwing up on the floor having a spiritual experience etc etc

and finally 1. the top spot. the place where everything has been leading through this long ass piece that i have put you to suffer through

and ykw Tamil is pretty much self-explanatory i think: we bring Shankar back as we should but this time K.S Chithra (Asoka!!! Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon!!! Bombay and Thoda Thoda from Indira/Priyanka and the live version of Jiya Jale that Rahman did in Dubai!!!) and Harini (also sang for Indira/Priyanka and featured on Varayo Thozhi from Jeans) are with him and Ilango Krishnan's lyrics take over and flatline me on the f*cking operating table. before it flatlines me however i break into goosebumps every time i hear it start, bc lbh it is impossible not to when you have the f*cking vocals coming in like 'காணீரோ? நீர் காண் | சோழ வெற்றி வாள் ஒன்றை காணீரோ? | ஓ அழகிய பூவே! செல்லுதியோ | மலரிடு போ சகி!' if you stay sane during that opening you are a liar get off my feed unfollow and block i don't want you anywhere near me for the next six years or however long it takes Mani Ratnam to make his next masterpiece. no coherent thoughts head empty MV playing on loop he and Rahman own me now they have the copyrights

favorite line (had to split everything into two blocks bc Tumblr was tryin to f*ck up my sh*t) — 'எம் தமிழ் வாழ்க வாழ்க! | வீர சோழம் வாழ்க! | நற்றமிழ் வாழ்க வாழ்க! | நல்லோர் தேசம் வாழ்க!' / 'em thamizh vaazhga vaazhga! | veera sozham vaazhga! | natramizh vaazhga vaazhga! | nallor thesam vaazhga!'. technically this isn't my favorite favorite line bc i have to do a seperate ranking for that below + it's exclusive to the Tamil version and i am trying to make this a wholistic review but. it's f*cking up there let's just say that. i think i mentioned in the tags of a different post of how i've been doing genealogy research and (in the process) tentatively confirmed the possibility of there being some South Asian descent from my dad's side, specifically Tamil or Telugu based on the stories/timeline of French occupation in the Caribbean and portions of the Indian subcontinent, and there's something in me that shifts every time we get down to the last twenty or so seconds and this hits. i don't know what it is, truly—maybe the remnants of the genes of my ancestors and their pride for their land, their language—but it's there and it's loud and if it's the right day at the right time i will start crying btw. full on sobbing like a little bitch. you didn't ask but i told you anyway

after all of *motions* that, i am also offering a bonus ranking of the section of VRV that makes me rewind every f*cking time it comes on in every language, bc it featured heavily in creating my eventual rankings and i would be remiss to not mention it. so here have this additional dive into my thought process during these trying times of hyperfixation rip

'आंधी से तेज़ | तूफ़ान से तेज़ | चुन चुन चुन चुन | जाली रे जाली चिंगारी | अंग अंग अंग अंग | लागे रे लागे अंगारे' / 'aandhi se tez | toofaan se tez | chun chun chun chun | jaali re jaali chingaari | ang ang ang ang | laagey re laagey angaare', Hindi — still at the bottom of the list here, but the inflection during the repetition ('chun chun chun chun' and 'ang ang ang ang') salvages it somewhat. nothing else to say it about it otherwise, since i already addressed Kavita's voice here earlier

'വാക്കാകെ നീ കാറ്റാക നീ | ശര ശര ശര ശരമേയ്ക | വേൽമഴ നെയ്തിട് | റ പറ പറ പറ വിറകൊൾക | പായട്ടെ പായ്വഞ്ചികൾ' / 'vaakkaaka nee kaattaaka nee | shara shara shara sharameyka | velmazha neythidu | para para para para virakolka | paayatte paayvanchikal', Malayalam — taking that third place as always, but its tied partner in the general rankings is higher up in this list for a change. i think the very last part ('പായട്ടെ പായ്വഞ്ചികൾ' / 'paayatte paayvanchikal') is what throws me off tho bc of the way they distributed the line, since on the first listen i was expecting them to go 'paayatte paayvan-chi-kal' and they chose 'paayatte pa-ay-van-chikal' instead. it's not like it decreases the overall quality of the song or anything it's just a very specific hang up i have. who knows maybe my preferred pronunciation would have f*cked with the meaning and we do not want that

'సుడిగాడ్పులా అడుగేయరా | సర సర సర సర | శరమే తనువే తాకగా | చర చర చర చర | చెలరేగాలి వేగంగా' / 'sudi gaadpulaa adugeyyaraa | sara sara sara sara | sharame thanuve thaakagaa | chara chara chara chara | chelaraegaali vegangaa', Telugu — this ties with Malayalam for third place and, much like it, my quirk is specfically with the last part ('చెలరేగాలి వేగంగా' / 'chelaregaali vegangaa'). my preferred is 'chelare-gaali ve-gan-gaa', they gave me 'chelare-gaa-li ve-gan-gaa'. again, not an issue, this is just me, i'm sure they knew what they were doing otherwise they wouldn't have recorded it like that in the first place

'ನೀ ಜ್ವಾಲೆಯು ನೀ ಗಾಳಿಯೂ | ಸರ ಸರ ಸುರಿವ | ಮಳೆಯಂತೆ ಶೂಲಗಳು | ಭರ ಭರ ಭರ ಭರನೆ | ಭೋರ್ಗರೆವ ಪಂಜುಗಳು' / 'nee jwaaleyu nee gaaliyuu | sara sara suriva | maleyanthe shoolagalu | bhara bhara bhara bharane | bhorgareva panjugalu', Kannada — there are at least two portions here that sound eerily similar to the original and that is why this version has moved up to spot two. it takes that water comparison i made and uses it to its advantage so much and it rotates in my mind like a rotisserie chicken at just at the right angle and it's just!!!! it's just!!!! God pls keep me from putting this in my mouth and biting it's too good

'கூற்றாகிச் செல்... | காற்றாகிச் செல்... | சர சர சர சரவெனவே | மழை தான் பெய்திட | பர பர பர பரவென | பாயட்டும் பாய்மரம்' / 'kootraagi sel... | kaatraagi sel... | sara sara sara saravena | velmazhai thaan peidhida | para para para paravena | paayattum paaimaram', Tamil — when this hits i blank out and come to at random intervals. cannot pinpoint the time the place etc but it happens and when it does i go f*cking feral. this one i am indeed putting in my mouth and biting bc the entire thing from 'para para...' onwards??? more alliteration more alliteration more f*cking alliteration. i remember someone making a post on here that said that certain parts of VRV sound like pearls bouncing off of the floor (was it @mizutaama? i apologize for the tag but i think that was you) and i think this is what they were referring to but my ears are that f*cking floor. i thank God every day for that

anyway mutuals (and non-mutuals who are just as obsessed about PS as i am) i'm sorry for clogging your feed with my opinions on a film i haven't even watched properly, pls feel free to roast me about my ranking choices. or agree but it doesn't really matter at this point bc even tho i could be talking out of my ass in terms of actually speaking said languages (i,,,,, do not unfortunately) i've said what i needed to say sksksksk

[pariaritzia]

the songs in ponniyin selvan are all cut short or missing scenes but they've been releasing the full versions on youtube and ponni nadhi was just released and it's SO much nicer..why did they cut short the movie versions....agh

[stxrrynxghts]

Ranking the songs of Ponniyin Selvan

The sole reason for making this post is because I. AM. OBSESSED. Also, I am not a music expert, so this is just about how the songs sounded to me.

14. PS Anthem

I...I don't have anything to say. It's an okay song for me, I just don't like it as much as the other tracks, simple.

13. Devaralan Aattam

Again, same thing. It is a nice piece of music...I am not that fond of it. This album is soooo good, and this song is a nice song. Except I kind of get scared when I listen to it T-T.

12. Aazhi Mazhai Kanna

It is soooo pretty! My only complaint is that it is...what? A minute long?! I wish it were a full fledged, 2-3 minute long song...It has a such a lovely vibe, and I am in love with the music video.

11. Ilaiyor Soodar

It has a kind of nostalgic, old-ish vibe? IDK how to describe it, but it feels kind of melancholic, which I think it is meant to be? This is very small as well, no?

10. Chinnanjiru (Marumurai)

This is one of my fav songs on this album actually, but I don't listen to it that much, because it makes me cry. I think this song might actually make me depressed, it's so beautifully made and sung.

9. Chola Chola

It has a very energetic vibe, over all. Why do I feel that this would be a good gym song tho? It also seems like a strong dance song, and I love it for that. Also, I listened to the Hindi version first, and I highly recommend it.

8. Chinnanjiru Nilave

It is a very beautiful piece of music. My favorite part is how the music starts off with a very cheerful tune, and keeps it throughout the song, while slowly adding a tragic/painful tone as the song progresses. It really fits the couple it is picturized on. Who is the singer, guys? Another song whose Hindi version I loved.

7. Shivoham

I really love the fact that this song's lyrics are taken directly from Nirvana Shatakam. I am a sucker for well made religious music, especially with Sanskrit lyrics, and this is one of those songs. Someone make a 1 hour loop of this, it is toooooo short.

6. Ponni Nadhi

This was the first PS song I listened to, and it is so, so, so good!!!! Such an energetic and simultaneously peaceful song. The music video is so precious as well, and the fact that it is picturized on Vanthiyathevan is just another plus for me. Makes me want to sing along whenever I listen to it.

ANNNDDDDD NOW, TOP 5.

5. Ratchasa Maamaney

Sweetie, I am so sorry. I feel so guilty for ranking this so low. This is an awesome song. Shreya Ghoshal is a pleasure as always, and the music + music video are just precious. This song has such festive vibes, and Vanthiyathevan's parts are so hilarious. The flute in the beginning has fulfilled all my dreams.

4. Sol

Now, NGL, but I was not that big of a fan of this song initially, when I first heard it, but it grew on me. The whistling, the sound of water, everything is so cute. This is the most adorable song I have ever heard. The Tamil version was my fav.

3. Aga Naga

It is so dreamy and breath-taking for me. I am in love with this song. The instruments, and the singing, everything is top notch. IDK how people can dislike this song. It has a slow touch to it, and it is very romantic, but has subtle vibes? Like this song gives me the vibe of loving someone, but from afar?

2. Alaikadal

So dreamy and peaceful. I listened to all of it's versions, and it has a mysterious + chill vibe. Antara Nandy is such a good singer. This song just transports you to a different world.

WINNER: Veera Raja Veera

This song is just....perfection. Chef's kiss. Out of this world. ROYAL. I always blast this song on full volume, and it is EVERYTHING. This song is just....I don't have words for it. The lyrics are even more perfect. The part before the last chorus is my fav and I just-

Also the music video.

DAMN.

I am screaming, shrieking, throwing up whenever I listen to it.

What is your ranking?

[nspwriteups]

Aarampam Part 2

The next part of Aarampam is here and it is based on the book version with the fledglings scene from AMV's pov so hope you'll like it

Three months after Vanathi arrived at Pazhayarai, she and Kundavai were invited to the beautiful Thirunallam by Sembiyan Mahadevi.

As soon as she reached Thirunallam, she was overjoyed by the beautiful gardens the city has to offer . It reminded her so much of the garden she had back in Kodumbalur, which served as a place of refuge for her . But alas, Vanathi the continuous rain had stopped her from going out in the garden , and she was forced to confine herself within the close quarters of the palace and focus on the book Kundavai ordered her to read.

" Kanna" - Vanathi looked up from the windowsill 

" Yes akka?"

Kundavai smiled at her young friend, 

" It's a pleasant day ,the rain has finally stopped. Why don't you go out and enjoy the beautiful gardens of  Thirunallam like you wanted to?"

" Ok akka" - Vanathi replied as she put down her book and went outside, bouncing in  happiness , overjoyed by the prospect of fresh air after days of confinement.

Arulmozhi sighed in frustration, as he stood at the banks of Ponni Nadhi, overlooking the magnificent river that is the life source of their Chola Nadu. Since he was a child Arulmozhi had a weird connection with this river , maybe it is due to a small accident he encountered in his childhood . Ponni always offers its prince a much needed recluse whenever ,he feels frustrated and suffocated by the royal life . Glancing at the beauty of Ponni and swimming in her cool water always helps in relieving his mind and provides him with some clarity. Today was one such day when Arulmozhi needed to get away from his royal life . He arrived in Thirunallam last night and since then his dear akka and Patti had continuously tortured him with countless marriage proposals. Who is going to tell them that he doesn't want to get married to all these princesses ? Especially not to Kundavai's new best friend, The Kodumbalur ilavarasi!. Kundavai and Periya Velar are hellbent on arranging a match between him and the princess. Ponniyin Selvan still hasn't met the aforementioned girl, but he doesn't need to meet her to know that she wants him only for his throne. Arulmozhi, a hopeless romantic in his heart, always wanted a maiden with whom he could share the small joys of his life , someone who will understand his thoughts and support him in his dreams , unfortunately none of these princesses fit this bill.

" This Ilavarasi is going to drive me insane "- Arulmozhi muttered under his breath as he took off his angavastram and dived into the chilly water of Ponni. The water welcomed and embraced him as he swimmed through it , he shaked water droplets hanging into his unruly hair as Ponni worked her usual magic on his mind, unknown to fact that a young maiden was watching him from behind a tree, clearly admiring his wonderful physique.

yone else to be there at that moment. Although the rational part of her mind instructed her to walk away, her mischievous heart told her to stay for some time, lest the young man might find himself in danger and may need her to call for help? Believing this excuse, she stood hidden behind the tree while letting her eyes roam over the luscious glowing skin of the bathing man. Could this be the Ponniyin Selvan she has been hearing about so much? No, how could it be? Was he even here? And even if he were, why would he choose to bathe in Ponni when he has a palace pond and hundreds of servants to do his bidding? But then why was she having an instinct to go and talk to him, find out who he is?

The rational part of her mind came back to chide her more stronger Vanathi, you shameless girl! What are you doing, gawking at a stranger like this? What would Kundavai Akka say if she comes to know of this? The image of Kundavai Akka distracted Vanathi and she decided to walk back. That was when she heard a sound. It sounded like cries of a bird, following the sound, she looked up at the tree she was standing under, noticing a nest with some fledglings sticking their necks out and crying loudly. The danger presented itself in the form of a cat which was approaching the nest quickly, its eyes trained upon the helpless chicks.

"Ayyo" Vanathi exclaimed loudly, as the sight of the parentless fledglings reminded her of a younger version of herself who cried to sleep in the absence of her own parents. She barely registered the young man who was swimming in Ponni earlier hearing her voice and coming over to enquire.

Arulmozhi opened his eyes abruptly. From where did he hear a voice just now? Did he imagine it? He listened carefully to his surroundings and this time he heard a female shriek. His instincts kicked in and he immediately exited the river, wrapping a dry angavastram around him and ran to the direction of the sound, assuming a maiden to be in danger. He only had to go a short distance before he saw a woman stand under a tree looking up at the top branch, her hands covering her mouth. He approached her, "Devi, What happened?" He asked soothingly. The woman turned to him, only registering his presence now. And the first thought that struck him was What beautiful eyes! But this was hardly the time to appreciate her beauty as she looked at him with anxiety and shyness. She didn't say anything, merely pointed a finger to what she was staring at a while ago.

The scene has changed now. The parents of the fledglings, which we can assume to be woodpeckers, had heard their cries and had now arrived and were busy fighting off the cat. But the cat was equally receptive, trying to paw at its target with its sharp claws. Arulmozhi was relieved that the young maiden was not in any danger but the compassion she was showing to the helpless birds won his heart. He gave her a reassuring smile which seemed to have calmed her and proceeded to the branch where the nest was sitting, reproaching the cat with some dark threats of his own. The cat now turned its attention on him with its hissing and spitting. "This seems to be an annoying cat," He joked to the maiden, who was standing there looking at his actions with curiosity. Finally he threw a rock at the branch which shook from the impact and scared the cat so much that it abandoned its mission to retreat back to the foliage.

Now he saw they had another problem at hand. The nest was dangling precariously on the branches after the assault of the cat. He got an idea and after telling the girl to wait and catch the nest in her saree should they fall, he rushed off to get his trusty elephant. He watched the girl look in wonder when he reappeared in his elephant and as if reading his mind, stood aside to the lotus pond. I must get to know her more , he thought, wondering about the identity of this mysterious lady. The elephant stood right below the branch where the nest was dangling and Arulmozhi, standing on the tusker, carefully placed the nest back onto the nest and was greeted by the joyful chirping of the fledglings. He couldn't exactly see the maiden now, assuming she had gone to a safe distance away, he hoped she was watching him, hoped that she was impressed with how he chose to resolve the problem and also hoped that she would want to know about him as much as he wanted to know about her. 

Stay tuned for the next part...will they know each other's identity?

@ramcharanobsessed @dumdaradumdaradum @vibishalakshman @harinishivaa @hollogramhallucination @kovaipaavai@rang-lo. @willkatfanfromasia@thelekhikawrites@thegleamingmoon@deafeningflowercat@yehsahihai@whippersnappersbookworm@itsfookingloosah@gemsmusings@chiyaanvikram@elvenladysakura. @matka-kulfi. @madatdisney@bumblebeeskywalker@vahnithedreamer@nkarti@dosai-maavu@utterlynotperfect@winter-birds@happy-bookworm @tumbledout @anabanana4115 @freeunknownwasteland @bhataktiatmacore@rapunzels-stuff@celestesinsight@mairablue@rationalelderberry@existenceiswhateven@arachneofthoughts@spider5884fan11 @cara-2003 @nirmohi-premika @stella12 @thereader-radhika @inveter

[tamilhobbit]

✨️Put 5 songs you listen to, post it, then send this ask to 10 of your favorite followers :) 🎶

My Spotify playlists are an odd mix of Tamil songs, metal, medieval/folksy music, sea shanties, film soundtracks, Goth, classic rock, Gregorian and Disney. Also some Tolkien songs. So, uh, I'll try?

Ponni Nadhi by AR Rahman (a song from the Tamil film Ponniyin Selvan Part 1)

Song of Durin by Clamavi De Profundis

When Sorrow Sang by Blind Guardian

Goodnight Demon Slayer by Voltaire

Faerie Queen by Alexander Adams

Tagging: @glorfindel-of-imladris, @melpomaenofimladris, @hobbityalse, @hsavinien, @naxios10, @intyaleglorfindeliel, @mandywondering, @peasantswhy, @shakespeareanqueer, and @taylorranhome ♥

[rang-lo]

"I have brought another message from Pazhayarai, Ilavarase!" Vandhiyathevan quips, pulling out another olai secured at his waist. Arunmozhi’s eyebrows raise in curiosity. “From the princess of Kodumbalur,” Vandhiyathevan continues with a smirk, ardently trying to read the prince’s expression.

The small smile that plays on Arunmozhi’s lips as he takes the letter from Vandhiyathevan does not go unnoticed. There is a hint of surprise and curiosity in it. "She sent a letter?" he asks, his voice gentler and quieter than before, when he was discussing his father's health and the danger looming over the Chola kingdom. 

"Yes, Ilavarase. She requested for me to present this to Ponniyin Selvar in private." Arunmozhi glances up at his brother's friend once before opening up the olai suvadi to read its contents. 

He can't stop the way his heart fills up with an inexplicable feeling of lightness and comfort when he sees the gentle curves of her handwriting. The Tamil words seem to have rolled off her fingertips like honey from a flower, he thinks, and begins to read her words.

“Thodudaiya seviyan vidaiyeriyor thooven madhisoodi Kaadudaiya sudalaip podi poosi en ullam kavar kalvan”

(”He - the majestic Lord Shiva adorned with earrings and seated on a bull with a crescent moon atop his locks - Has thieved my heart by smearing holy ash across his body.”)

The Thevaram verses come flowing back into his memory like waves of the Ponni nadhi - verses he'd learnt as a child from his grandma Sembian Madevi in Pazhaiyarai and Thanjavur. Ah, how long it's been since he'd heard those exquisite Tamil verses! It reminds him of home, of his childhood, of his siblings, of the beautiful river Ponni, and of a woman whose moonlike face he could never forget even in his months away from Chola Nadu.

His eyes go over her gentle script again, unable to help the way his heart skips a beat when he realizes the message she has stored within this devotional prayer - a gentle reminder for him to return home soon, for he holds with him her heart and her thoughts.

Arunmozhi smiles and nods at Vandhiyathevan, who is observant enough to pick up on the prince's softened eyes that he’s had his thoughts occupied with not just the welfare of the kingdom and the conspiracies surrounding it, but also a certain princess of Kodumbalur.

"If you have a reply you would like me to send back to her, I am always here to be your messenger, Ilavarase,” Vandhiyathevan adds, a teasing lilt to his voice. Arunmozhi simply smiles, busying himself with tucking the olai into his waistband before his newfound friend can say anything more.

Later that night, when he removes his angavastram and remembers the olai he kept with him, he takes it out and reads it again, fingers going over the words. Sleep evades him as he gazes at the full moon and sees her reflection in it. 

Just some things I had written when PS-1 had come out. Only putting it up now that I’ve found some fellow appreciators of these characters/scenes like @thatacademic and @vibishalakshman! 

[run-awayy]

OH MY GOD ARR! His work in the film is just indescribable. It really really brings out the tamilian in you. I'm not even tamilian! I've just been around tamilians my whole life. The way the movie is taken, the music, the language used. I feel so much pride honestly.

[v-arbellanaris]

ten songs, ten people.

i was tagged by the lovely @demandthedoodles and @daggerbean to put the "on repeat playlist" on shuffle and share the top ten results, then tag ten people to do the same.

a lot of the songs on this playlist are actually for my (original) novel fiction idea i'm still currently developing, which has taken over my brain. the exceptions for for this is #7 which is actually from my iskandar & isra playlist and #8 (and #10 but this song is also in my original fic playlist which is where i think the repeats are coming from) which is from my cullen/isra playlist.

here are my ten songs:

take me back to eden - sleep token

ponni nadhi - a. r. rahman (from ponniyin selvan part 1)

nfwmb - hozier

1121 - halsey

meet you in hell (chill version) - jade lemac

clay - ghostly kisses

more the victim - linkin park

power - isak danielson

black swan - bts

chokehold - sleep token

and my ten tags below the cut!

@justcallmecappy , @zevsurana , @ziskandra , @flashhwing , @transprincecaspian , @evakant , @villainanders , @quarkyw0lf13 , @gvnseylike, @apostacism

[moviesstoriesandbooks]

So only now I've had the brilliant idea to actually search ponniyin selvan on tumblr (coz of course we're all stupid in our own special ways ) and what i want to contribute to the disc horse or whateva is that :

These actors deserve this. For their art and hardwork , for their talent and the memories they gifted to us over our childhood, these artists deserve to act in movies like Ponniyin Selvan , and we , south , as an idustry are FINALLY capable of giving it to them and it's so overwhelmingly heartwearming 😭🥺

Look we grew up on Vikram in anniyan , and jayam ravi in M.kumaran s/o Mahalekshmi and Trisha on Vinnai thandi varuvaya . Lal . Prabhu. Prakash raj. A r rahman.

Do you have any idea how i look at the beautiful man that is Lal and hurt over his ashy makeup in some movies ? He is a handsome handsome man and his dark complexion has been brought to screen with the beauty and respect it deserved only a handful of times.

And A R Rahman composing for a historical drama , in Tamil. If you don't go nuts every time you hear "Ponni nadhi pakkanume" and sing along , or marvel at how perfect Ratchasa maamane is to show to your niece , then idek what to tell you. 🥲

We didn't have the techniques earlier. Now we do. I do not care for the imperfections that people point at. It is every former south indian child's dream on screen, and i love it .