Sumeetha Manikandan's Blog, page 5

Chapter 16: Madhuranthaka Devar

We met Prince Madhuranthakan at the beginning of this story and then had a mere glimpse of him while he was in the underground chamber in Thanjavur. It is quite unfortunate that we failed to introduce this famous prince (who would later ascend the Chola throne as Parakesari Uttama Chola) in a befitting manner to our readers. We shall take this opportunity to do so now.
Before we introduce Prince Madhuranthakar to the readers, it is important that we learn more about his ancestors. Before the r...

Chapter 15: Kalamugar

Kalamugars and Vandiya Devan
The heat of the early morning sun woke Vandiya Devan but he didn’t get up yet. He turned on his back lazily and spotted two Kalamugars coming his way on the road. Their mated hair, trident, holy ash, garland of skulls and unkempt appearance made many people wary of them. Kalamugars were staunch saivaites whose devotion to Lord Shiva was absolute. As he watched them approach, Vandiya Devan sorely missed the one person who could stand his ground against them– Azhwark...

Chapter 14: A Flying Horse

Pazhuvur Elaya Rani - Nandini DeviNandini held the sword to her heart and then kissed it lovingly but to Vandiya Devan, it seemed as though a beautiful lotus was seeking to come close to a burning furnace. Immediately after this, her facial expression changed.  She now resembled Goddess Kali who demanded a sacrifice from her devotees.
Vandiya Devan“Yes. God has given me this sword to fulfil a life’s purpose but I can’t fathom what that is. I often send this to the Ironsmith to sharpen it....

Chapter 13: Poison Darts

Meeting Devaralan unexpectedly at that place startled Vandiya Devan completely. He inadvertently remembered his wild dance at the Kadambur Palace and their last conversation on the ship along with Ravidasan. He still couldn’t discern the truth of their words and their revelation about Nandini but he did know that they were engaged in a murderous plot against the Chola Prince and the King.
He contemplated on how to escape from him.
How do I escape from him?
Thinking thus he looked around and fou...

Chapter 12: Throw him in the fire!

The Ironsmith was intent on his work and didn’t notice Vandiya Devan standing inside his house right away.
“Ayya! Who are you? What do you need? Are you in need of a sword, or perhaps a spear? Nowadays, not many come here for weapons and so I doubt if you would want any,”
“Your actions belie your words Ayya! You are asking this question, even while you are working on a sword?”
“You mean this? This was an unusual work. Someone got this old sword and wanted me to sharpen and repair it. A few year...

Chapter 11: At the Ironsmith’s

Vandiya Devan rode steadily towards Pazhaiarai without halting anywhere. He remembered the path that he had taken days ago when he was on his way to Kodi Karai, therefore he didn’t stop and inquire about the route. At first, he travelled through the woods but the path was arduous and his horse found it difficult to gallop through the stones and thrones that lay along. Vallavareyan was exhausted. It had been many days since he had slept. Many a time, he found himself sliding off the horse due...

Chapter 10: Choodamani Viharam

After Poompuhar went under the sea, Nagapattinam became the most important sea port for the Cholas. Many merchant ships came to the beautiful land of the Cholas through Nagapattinam bearing precious gems and fast horses of Arabia, seeking to barter goods.
Years ago, when Sundaramurthy Nayanar came to Nagapattinam he saw rich ships helmed by the prosperous merchants bringing in their goods to the port. He described the scene in a song where he hails Nagapattinam as a port city of beautiful pala...

Chapter 9: Three in a Boat

As the day dawned, night flew away from the world like a reluctant lover who was withdrawing from the arms of the woman she loved. The goddess of night and darkness withdrew from the world with self-same reluctance and hesitancy. As she kissed the world goodbye for one more time, one might even imagine the conversation they had. “Just few more hours, my love and we shall meet again tonight!” and then she moved away from her lover with many a hesitant step.
After released from the tenacious lov...

Chapter 8: Oh God! Ghost!

Night blooming flowers fell upon Poonguzhali’s beautiful face from atop while the divine music played in the heaven. Poonguzhali’s veins thumbed with music when she heard the Prince’s words!
“My Prince! I am not an apsara or a heavenly damsel. I am a poor boat girl and I didn’t feed you nectar. I gave you the milk that I got from the temple priest of Kuzhagar temple,”
“I will not believe that you are not a heavenly damsel. Aren’t you the daughter of Lord Varuna himself? Samudra Kumari! How many...

Chapter 7: A Song in the Woods!

When Poonguzhali stopped running and turned around a song was heard in the woods, “Ponnaar Meniyaane! Puli Thol araikasithu….”
Startled Poonguzhali realized that the voice belonged to Senthan Amuthan and laughed out aloud at her unfounded fears. She also forgot that her pursuer was coming from a different direction.
“Athaan! Is that you?”
“Yes. Poonguzhali!”
“Where are you? Come hither!”
“Here I am,” said Senthan Amuthan and came out of the woods to the clearing.
“You frightened me out of my wits!...