#vallavaraiyan vanthiyadevan

[teaah-art]

Because the Vandiyadevan Comic is doing numbers on Tumblr.

[thereader-radhika]

2- Friends and Foes from the Beyond

Part 1

Nandini shivered as the rain came pounding down. Thirumalai says that she feels colder these days because she lost too much weight. She tied a piece of cloth over her thin grey hair fashioned into a small bun. When she was younger and the hair was thicker, it used to stay tight for a long time.

"Aazhi mazhai kanna . . . ", she hummed as she covered herself with the thick blanket given by Annan and lied down on the mat. Since the day his gurunathan handed her over to him, she hasn't let him know peace or rest. Even in this old age, he dutifully visited her at least thrice every year.

"Do you need heat, kanmani?"

She woke up with a start and looked around frantically searching for the source of that sound. Which devil has come to torture her today? It seems like father-in-law and son-in-law have come together today. Weren't Pandyas the sworn enemies of Pazhuvettaraiyar? How could they become such thick friends in death?

"Our darling is confused."

"My little girl isn't confused. This smart girl killed him and avenged poor old me." Veera Pandyan's severed head laughed from Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar's lap. "No, I didn't kill . . . ", Nandini groaned. The events of that cursed night replayed in her mind.

"Hoy! Hoy! Veera Pandyan thalai konda Koparakesari stabbed himself. You are such a misfortune".

"But he too didn't get her maama", Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar tickled Veera Pandyan's cheeks and he laughed even louder.

"I will only blame you. You clothed her in the finest silk and gold, endured all mockery while this yakshi was observing fasts and austerities for that upstart".

"That isn't true. She touched my arms a few times".

"Chi! Are you a man? I was with her mother only for a few days but I shot two birds with one stone", Veera Pandyan's head winked. Nandini felt like vomiting but her body was unable to move. Someone caressed her hair and wiped her tears. Amma! She buried her head into her lap and cried bitterly.

"How many men have these women claimed to be their lovers? Pathetic maamiyar, her hopes were shattered when Sundara Cholan's veera-patni entered the pyre with her husband. That's our Chola women for you". Pazhuvettaraiyar's boasting turned to screams as Veera Pandyan's furious head bit his hands.

"Don't you hear this, you whore? I am so embarassed to admit that you are my daughter too".

"Sorry maama. I have spoken in anger."

"Don't worry. I will teach you to tame unruly women".

"Thanks. I will try it on her in our next birth".

Nandini's blood boiled as she listened to this exchange. She only hoped to console the old man after using him for years but he haunts her with her own words. "Get lost, you old perverts. I will never be yours".

"Old? Have you seen yourself, moothevi? Do you think your komagan will look twice at you? Even your mother looks younger than you. How lovely of them to send my mohini to me!"

Veera Pandyan's headless body approached Mandakini as the head jeered at Nandini from Pazhuvettaraiyar's lap. She dropped Nandini's head on the hard floor and dashed into the rain as the mutilated body followed her with outstretched arms. Nandini massaged her temples. Isn't there an end to this? Earlier, it was Veera Pandyan alone. After that fateful night, more apparitions started to torture her.

Where is he?

Why hasn't he come today? Is it because she looks old and ugly now? Perhaps he doesn't want her anymore.

"You know that isn't true", Aditha Karikalan chuckled from the other side of her mat. She tried to hug him but her arms passed through his form. She got as close as she could get and stared into those lovely brown eyes.

"Do they bother you . . . there?"

"No. Don't you know that we have our own place?  For us."

"Ummmm"

"There are a lot of flowers. You can make as many garlands as you want and I will adorn your neck with all of them".

"Can we take my Amma too? She doesn't have anyone else."

"Yes, but she won't come alone".

"I am coming. I just want to meet Ponniyin Selvan once, just once, and tell him everything. After that I won't linger. I can't wait."

His form dissolved into thin air before her eyes but she heard his whisper, "Neither can I".

Parts 3, 4

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[thirst4light]

Karthi in Chola Multiverse

So, I was doing some reading on the Chola dynasty last night and stumbled across this piece of information.

Karthi aka our favorite Vallavaraiyan Vanthiyadevan had played a Chola descendant in modern day named Muthu in the 2010 movie Aayirathil Oruvan. This literally blew my mind 🤯🤯🤯!!!

I have seen at the very least fifty interviews, press meets of the cast for both PS- 1 and PS -2. And NOBODY...literally NOBODY thought of asking Karthi about working on 2 movies (technically 3) on the history of Chola empire.

(How I wish I was an interviewer and had the opportunity to ask questions to the cast 😩!)

After I thought about this fact, I realized this opens a floodgate of ideas for great stories.

This fact literally DEMANDS a Vanthiyadevan X MUTHU MULTIVERSE FANFICTION!!

Imagine the possiblities...

Pic courtesy: Internet

[anthonyed]

He first saw him when the Earth was closest to Jupiter.

Fiery red with blood dripping from his lashes, youth crippled by venom; the Chola's Crown Prince was a sight for any sore eyes.

And damn if Vanthiyadevan's poor eyes weren't sore enough for the entire kingdom. 

His heart stopped when their eyes met. Vanthiyadevan beamed, wearing his tender heart at his sleeve, never rolled in; naked for everyone to see. 

There was a curious tilt to the Prince's perfect lips, one which Vanthiyadevan would swear for decades, was the first smile that graced his highness face after so long. And he was the reason for it. 

True or not, later during their years of kinship, Vanthiyadevan would indeed be the reason for many smiles and even countless laughter that decorated the broken prince.

He couldn't cure, but he did try his best. 

[teaah-art]

This is a teaser! Chew on it while I work on more visually appealing PS content

[thereader-radhika]

Ponniyin Selvan Original Score Part-A is out now

Track List

Armageddon

Arunmozhi’s Dilemma

Chozha’s Bravery

Conspiracy

Exotic Queen

Life at Lanka

Nandini’s Fortress

The Guardian Angel

The Pandiyan’s Oath

The Thirst for the Throne

The Wise King

VT’s Play

Oo Rey Sooriyare

Saaya Sanjale

Soodanathu Rattham

Vanathi’s Message

[thereader-radhika]

Some crazy Ponniyin Selvan prompts

• Poonkuzhali joins Pandya Aabathudavigal.

Some time ago, some people from the Pandya country came here. They wanted me to help them wreak vengeance on the royal family which had betrayed my aunt. It was then that I heard my aunt's story. My blood began to boil and I decided to join them. Later, I came to know how my aunt felt about all this. . . . Then I abandoned the idea of joining hands with the Pandya group. As you said my aunt's love is really divine. But mark my words, I won't be like her. If any Prince tries to deceive me I'll take revenge. I'll kill him. I'll also kill the woman who steals him from me. Then I'll stab myself and die.

• Vanathi joins Buddha monastery for real.

Vanathi went on: "Yes! I've decided to become a Buddhist sanyasini. Why do you object to that? Weren't there many women in ancient Tamil Nadu who became ascetics? Did not Madhavi's daughter, Manimekalail, become an ascetic and attain divinity and don't we praise her now as the Goddess Manimekalai? I have no such aspirations. I tried to end my useless life, but failed in the attempt. Perhaps it is God's wish that I live a little longer. I want to join a Buddhist monastery and spend my time serving people. You won't refuse to help me, will you?"

• Chinna Pazhuvettaraiyar Kalanthaka Kandar adopts Vanthiyathevan.

Let's wait, he thought, until my older brother returns. We can find out about him then and do whatever is best. A warrior like him should be inducted into our private bodyguard. Even a portion of his ancestral kingdom could be given back to him. Helping boys like this will bind them to us and ensure their loyalty. But if he's proved an enemy, we'll have to make other plans. Let's wait for my brother, anyway. We’ll see.

• Poonkuzhali fakes her death and runs away from the palace.

The court politics and the never ending scheming are so tiring and infuriating. She doesn't like Senthan as much as thought and Emperor Senthan is the most eligible married man in the country. She runs away, to embrace the waves once again.

• Manimegalai thinks 'ponal pogattum poda' (let it go) and starts to manage the affairs of Sambuvarayar clan when Kandan Maran is away on border patrol.

She is totally embarassed about her emotional outburst about a man who doesn't like her, that too to the woman he actually loves.

• Parthipendra Pallavan and Manimegalai decide to get married out of spite and plot the end of Vanthiyathevan and Kundavai.

Yeah, I made that up. I am crazy.

If anyone writes anything, please tag me so that my evil heart can rejoice 😏

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[thereader-radhika]

3- Uncharacteristic Behaviours

Parts 1 , 2

It was midnight but it looked like morning due to the light of all lamps that were lit in and around the temple. Floral garlands of several colours decorated its walls and pillars. Cool breeze from the nearby river blew into the temple but the lamps miraculously stayed intact. Vallavarayan Vanthiyathevan gazed into the temple as he heard a sweet song.

Aazhi mazhai kanna! Onrum nee kai karavel Aazhiyul pukku mugarnndhu kodaarththeri Oozhimudalvan uruvam pol mei karuthu Paazhiyan tholudai Padmanabhan kaiyil ...

Some old women danced before the idol of Muraleedharan, holding flower garlands. Has he gotten so old that young beauties won't grace him even in his dreams? He closed his eyes and slowly massaged his aching neck. The women or the decorations were nowhere to be seen when he looked again.

A abstruse fear gripped his heart as he walked away, so he decided to go back. But a garland made of white lotus buds was floating against the current of the river. How is this possible? It stopped floating and sunk into the bottom of the river as Vanthiyathevan stood there transfixed. Then the dancers' prayers were answered and the rain drenched him.

No, it was his nephew, the crown prince, who poured a pot of water on him.

***********

". . . Ravikulamanikyam, Mummudi Chola devar, Kandhaloor Salai Kalamarutta Keralanthakan, Pandiya Kula Sani, Cholendrasimhan, Korajakesari, Tribhuvanachakravarti Konerinmaikondan Raja Raja-devar . . . "

Mama's and his titles were too announced as the royal entourage entered the captured palace. Appa squirmed as he heard the name 'Maduranthakar' again and again. Who asked paatti to name him after her runaway son? Young Maduranthakan still doubted if this was an elaborate prank they all pulled on him. How could a Pandya king grow up as the Chola emperor's son?

Appa asked mama to deal with the officials and ordered Madu not to disturb him unless it is an emergency before retiring to some chambers he claimed for himself. He pretended not to care but mama's nightmares have scared him too. Could this be a vision about impeding heavy rains and flooding? If it rains now, it will affect the movement of their reinforcements and supplies.

Madu entered his father's room and sat beside him. Why isn't he talking to the soldiers and commanders and cheering them up as usual? Is he upset about the the other Maduranthakan?

"Are you alright, appa?"

"I am. Give me a quick update on today's developments".

"Half of the aabathudavigal have escaped with the women and a prince who might lay claim to the throne. Velakkara padai met an old woman at the eastern boundary of the palace complex asking for 'Ponniyin Selvan'. People here really hate us but don't worry. Mama has written to athai to send reinforcements and supplies. I suggest a system of food - rationing until they calm down and more supplies arrive".

"Old woman?"

Maduranthakan was already regretting reporting it. It reminded him of the Singala Nachiyar who saved appa in his youth. Her story was so sad and unsettling. He stopped talking to girls after learning about her death. Hasn't Poonguzhali paatti too said that these girls have the bad habit of building castles in the air if handsome men treat them nicely? Though he isn't that handsome, what if they catch unnecessary feelings for him?

"Bring her here. No, it is impossible. I will order rationing until we secure our holdings. Don't mention a word to your mama. These aabathudavigal manage to do it every damn time".

What has come over his usually calm and composed appa? He might not be used to people turning against him but they will overcome this. Madu had no idea how to deal with this situation but what will the common soldiers think if their emperor is flustered like this?

"You are rambling, appa. Everything will be fine".

A strange expression appeared on appa's face. He looked naughty like the times when they used to sneak away from amma and athai and go on small adventures with mama.

"My son, it is the logistics and supplies that win wars. I have sent Aprameyan to take account of the food and grain reserves. Further orders will be issued on the basis of his report. You too assist him and learn to make such calculations. If I want any help from you, I will send for you".

If Maduranthakan had any doubts, they were quickly dispelled. Now he was sure that Appa is definitely up to some mischief. Does he expect him to make the list of rice and vegetables in the kitchen? He will show him!

‌Maduranthakan is the son of Vanathi and Arulmozhi. He would later take the name Rajendran. He is 14/15 years old in this fic.

‌Aprameyan is a general of Rajarajan.

Part 4

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[thereader-radhika]

1- The Exile

And after he had walked a long way through the dark green forest, Thirumalai saw the little derelict hut standing near the guava trees. Though he couldn't see anyone in the vicinity, the two still-dripping, wet sarees spread over the clothesline gave him much-needed consolation. He slowly opened the door, which was only bolted from outside, and helped himself to some water from the earthen pot. He took the package of kozhukkattai from his bag and started to munch on it.

"Has pillaiyar started feasting on his modakam?"

He nearly dropped the kozhukkattai. Why does she have to sneak on him like this? Memories of happy old times made him feel even sadder. The woman standing before him looks quite different from the sister he brought up. In fact, she looks older and more deranged than the mute queen who used to wander in Lanka. Nandini placed a basket with tubers in one corner of the hut. She took one kozhukkattai from the banana leaf package and wrinkled her face as she took a bite.

"Eww, it tastes too sweet".

"That's because you don't eat any sweet food anymore."

"Hmmm . . . When will Arulmozhi be back?'

Thirumalai felt anger and curiosity simultaneously. Every time he walks all the way here, she has only this one thing to inquire about.

"Nandini, do you have any concern about this poor annan? Do you know that I turned 50 in the last Aippasi? Come with me. We can go to Haridwar and Mathura".

"Didn't you just visit Dwaraka with gurunathan? Take some rest, anna. As you said, you are getting old".

Thirumalai hesitated to say anything more. It was with great difficulty that he convinced her to settle down here. There are some small villages and even a Tirumal kovil in this area. He had tasked a woman with buying groceries for her, and she carried out the task happily for a few gold coins. He feared that she would run away if he offended her, and he wouldn't see her again.

"Will Arulmozhi visit Chola desam before the margazhi thiruvizha?"

Thirumalai sighed. He debated whether he should relay the happy or sad news to her. The trouble was that he didn't know what would be happy news for Nandini and what wouldn't be.

Chinna Pazhuvettaraiyar and Nandini weren't on good terms, but she has always respected him, perhaps grudgingly. Should she be informed that he has attained the lotus feet of his Parameswaran? Let her remain blissful in her ignorance. The other news was even more confusing. Ilaya Pirattiyar is adamant that Nandini always loved her husband and would have snatched him away if she had the opportunity. Maybe this will give her some happiness.

"My dear, something interesting is going to happen soon."

"Is Arulmozhi coming back for this?"

"Oh, not that. Do you think there aren't other people in Chola Desam? Arulmozhi, Arulmozhi, Arulmozhi... Listen to this. This is about Vanthiyar".

"Who?"

"Our friend Vallavarayan Vanthiyathevar, the Vanarkula-veeran".

Nandini gazed into the darkness absent mindedly and hummed. Thirumalai recognised her absent-mindedness and disinterest. She always did that when he spoke about things she wasn't interested in but didn't bother enough to stop him.

"He is getting married again. Perumal hasn't blessed them with a child yet. How long will he wait? Isn't he the last of his line?"

Nandini's face lit up, which confused Thirumalai even more. The last time she fell in love with a man, she dragged him from temple to temple, crying and singing pasurams. She has never asked him anything about Vallavarayan since he was exonerated of all charges. Is this the maturity that comes with age or is it because it is the misfortune of her sworn enemy, Ilaya Piratti?

"Ponniyin Selvar won't miss the wedding of his brother-in-law, will he?"

This girl! 

"You know what? I concede defeat, and no, I don't think he will attend the wedding."

Thirumalai washed his hands and told Nandini that he was feeling tired and sleepy. Ponniyin Selvan rarely spent any time in the Chola country after the death of his parents. The people seemed to have calmed down after they realised that their favourite wouldn't get to rule anytime soon. Even his sister ilayapiratti has shifted her affections to her nephew. It looks like this obsession is the only inheritance Nandini received from her unfortunate mother. 

Part 2 , 3 , 4

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[thereader-radhika]

4- Who Was She?

Parts 1 , 2 , 3

Arulmozhi Varman tried to think about the matters of current importance but his mind raced ahead of him. Is this a trick by the Pandya loyalists to get him alone? But they can't be that foolish to do this after killing Mandakiniamma right before his eyes.

It really stung when the panar sang that Rajarajadevar deprived the Pandyar of their world-renowned glory *. Was his uncle always this talented? If he was appreciated for his skills, would he have left even if he was a devakumaran? But he never belonged with them. Isn't that what they always told themselves?

Madu said it was a very old woman who was enquiring about him. But Nandini is barely older than akka. Has she come to avenge her twin? He looked like the ever young Markandeyan even when he attained the veeraswargam. He often remembered her these days after Vanthiyathevan opened up about his nightmares. Vanthiyathevan might not be the happy-go-lucky adventurer he once was but he is still Ponniyin Selvan.

***********

If her parents were in love, she would have been born and brought up a palace like this. "We wouldn't have met then", Karikalar whispered in her ears. "Wait", she admonished him playfully. How will she enter this huge palace and find Arulmozhi? Amma, how did you do it?

No, one soldier noticed her. If she lets him capture her, they might not want to disturb their emperor at night. What if this fever takes her before she can meet him? She will try after sometime when it gets darker. She tried to run away but the soldier was faster.

"Nandini, akka, please stay", his voice sounded familiar as he overtook her and stopped her by spreading his hands before her. Ponniyin Selvan. Hasn't she waited for this all these years? This is it! Tell him.

"How did you recognise me?"

"What is this? Let us go inside. Are you sick?"

"I didn't kill him".

"I already guessed. Calm down!".

"He offered to renounce everything for me. But this sinner had to tell him about the secret of my birth. That man . . . my amma . . . "

"We know about Veera Pandyan. Vanthiyathevan is also here. Don't you want to see my son?"

"I thought he would kill me and move on. But, but he he . . . ".

Why was she expecting him to move on? She could never move on without him in her life. But she will move on today. Nandini felt a bout of energy she hasn't experienced in years. She wiped her face and stood straight.

"Arulmozhi, sorry, arase, I have a request. When Thirumalai returns from your mission, give this to him", she forced a palm leaf on him. She had kept a similar olai in her hut and given one to her caretaker.

"Stop these formalities, akka. Can you walk? I will call for a bed or palanquin."

***********

Why is that soldier talking to her? Hasn't he ordered to arrest her immediately if she is spotted? Only Parameswaran knows if appa too is sneaking around in this darkness. Maduranthakan trained his eyes on the emaciated lady as they approached them. Suddenly the soldier turned around and untied his turban. Appa!

"Stand down, brave men. You two, bring Vallavarayar here". Two of them ran to mama's camp and others remained awkwardly in the kneeling position waiting for orders. That woman seemed to have slipped away when they distracted each other. Appa too noticed her absence.

"Rise and search for that lady".

The soldiers dispersed to four sides with torches in their hands. Is that a message from athai? The emperor scolded him as he tried to read the olai.

"Why are you standing here? Go and search. No, come here. Can you read this?"

He too found it difficult to read the olai in the dim light. It was full of mistakes. Can't people put some effort into their writing?

"Vasudeva married 16000 women. When the time came, they submerged into the Saraswati. Casting off their human bodies there and transforming into apsaras, they returned to him**. If you want to read Bharatam, there must be a good copy somewhere here".

Appa looked like he is in another world. The soldiers who were sent to summon mama returned.

"Chakravarthy, Vallavarayar isn't well. Senapati thinks he saw a woman in the river and he is going to take a look at the downstream. Should we stop him?"

What!

As mama followed by his bodyguards approached them, appa asked one of them to get down from the horse and rode with them. Madu ordered one of his men to bring a horse and another to keep the olai safely in his room. Who was she?

THE END

* deprived the Sēlinār(the Pandyas) of their splendour at the very time when their greatness, which was adored everywhere on earth, became conspicuous - From a meikeerthi of Rajaraja I

** ṣoḍaśastrīsahasrāṇi vāsudevaparigrahaḥ  nyamajjanta sarasvatyāṃ kālena janamejaya  tāścāpyapsaraso bhūtvā vāsudevamupāgaman - Swargarohana Parvam, Mahabharata

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