Sumeetha Manikandan's Blog, page 13
July 28, 2014
Chapter 52 – Old Man’s Marriage
Malayaman, Aditya Karikalan and ParthibendranOn the beach, there are numerous stones dotting the landscape as the waves weaved in and out and the ancient sculptors had converted all the big stones into small mandapams.The men alighted from the chariot and headed towards one of these small mandapams. Malaimaan and Karikalan sat on two stone benches near the mandapam, while Parthibendran stood next to them. The waves sometimes came near the mandapam and wet their feet. At a distance, a ship was...
July 27, 2014
Chapter 51 – Mammallapuram
Mammalapuram TodayReaders! We invite you to journey with us to Mammallapuram harbour. It has been more than 300 years since Mahendra Pallava and Narasimha Pallava built stone temples near the harbour. Mammallapuram wore a weary look as the sun shone down on the harbour. Many stone palaces are in state of disrepair and what once was a busy harbour bringing in trade from different parts of the world looked deserted today. The harbour near Mammallapuram was quite deep, though during the Pallava...
July 24, 2014
Chapter 50 - Paranthakar Adhurasalai
It was a glorious morning in Pazhaiarai next day. A beautifully decorated royal elephant was brought to Kundavai’s palace. Climbing through the specially built platform steps, Kundavai and Vanathi sat on the elephant’s back that had a special seat. A mahout walked next to the elephant, leading them through the streets. Hearing the clanging bells of the elephant, many came out to see the princesses riding through their streets. Happy to watch their beloved elayapirati, many women followed her...
July 23, 2014
Chapter 49 – An Astonishing Tale
Princess Kundavai took the olaithat Vandiya Devan gave and read her brother’s message. Her creased forehead cleared and her face bloomed, when she read the contents of the message.
She looked up at Vandiya Devan and asked, “Now that you have given this message to me, what do you intend to do next?”
“My mission is complete Devi! I intend to return to Kanchi.”
“Your work is not complete. It has just begun.”
“I do not understand your meaning devi!”
“My brother has sent a message saying that you are t...
She looked up at Vandiya Devan and asked, “Now that you have given this message to me, what do you intend to do next?”
“My mission is complete Devi! I intend to return to Kanchi.”
“Your work is not complete. It has just begun.”
“I do not understand your meaning devi!”
“My brother has sent a message saying that you are t...
July 22, 2014
Chapter 48 – Whirlpools and Beautiful Eyes
Man, one of Brahma’s finest creations lived near a hill. It gave him shelter from rains and the sultry sun. The bountiful forest provided him enough food to survive. Other animals in the forest trembled at his sight, while he roamed around woodland without any care, free as a bird. Yet at the depth of his heart, he yearned for something, for someone. He often experienced a longing that tugged at his heartstrings, giving him sleepless nights. He felt that he was searching for something t...
July 21, 2014
Chapter 47 – Isana Shiva Pattar
Azhwarkadiyan went to his brother Isana Shiva Pattar’s house after his meeting with Princess Kundavai. Located near the Vada Mettrali Temple, the Pattar’s house was about half a kilometre distance away from the royal palace.
The city was quiet and the streets were empty, as all the drama and entertainment troupes seemed to be done for the day. As he walked by the houses of Padai veedu, he noticed many women were standing outside their houses and talking in groups, angrily. They were no ordinar...
The city was quiet and the streets were empty, as all the drama and entertainment troupes seemed to be done for the day. As he walked by the houses of Padai veedu, he noticed many women were standing outside their houses and talking in groups, angrily. They were no ordinar...
July 20, 2014
Chapter 46 - Murmurs and Rumours
After meeting Queen Sembiyanmadevi, Azhwarkadiyan headed towards Princess Kundavai’s palace. On the way, the sights that met him at Pazhaiarai’s streets, filled his heart with enthusiasm. He happily noted how people celebrated Krishna’s birthday with such excitement. He felt no doubt about the fact that Vaishnavam was here to stay. For over hundred years, under the patronage of Chola kings, many Shiva temples were rebuilt, many grants have been given to them, countless jewels, land and wealth...
July 18, 2014
Chapter 45 – The Crime of the Spy
Two thousand years ago, the great King Karikala Cholan built the banks of cauvery river on both the sides. The banks protected the land for many years from river floods however when Pandyas and Pallavas rose to power, the Cholas star declined. When kingdom was torn apart by war, there was no one to safeguard the land, from flooding river waters. This resulted in floods that changed the geography of the river. Small streams and large lakes were formed where there were none earlier. There was o...
July 11, 2014
When Raks tried to hypnotize
Raks trying to hypnotize usWhile I was writing something very important, she came all the way to my desk on her tippy toes and slid a hand to grab the audio dock. While I pretended that she was invisible, she proceeded with her plan."Your eyes are getting heavy."
"You are feeling sleepy."
"You will only listen to me now."
While I struggled to keep a straight face, I was also curious to know as to what she is going to turn me into. So I pretended to fall asleep. Man! Her gleeful expression at my...
July 6, 2014
Chapter 44 – This is her doing!
Azhvarkadiyan NambiA young sculptor belonging to lineage of great sculptors of Mahabalipuram came forward to appeal with Sembiyanmadevi. Describing his dream to build a new temple, the sculptor displayed small-scale model that excited the old queen to no end. She looked at the man standing next to Azhvarkadiyan Nambi and said, “Patterey! Look at this beautiful structure. I wish I could rebuild all the important Shiva Temple in Chola Kingdom in this new design.”
“Mother! Who can possibly say ‘n...
