Getting ready to soak in history!
When I was young, back in the early sixties of the last century, this historic novel came as a serial in a magazine which captivated the young and the old alike. It became a staple diet for my friend and myself who loved the romantic and glorious past.
It was a historic novel written by Kalki Krishnamurthy, a great writer, known for his vivid style with the right amount of humour. The novel when later published as a book, ran into five volumes. It describes the story of Arulmozhi varman who went on to be known as the great Chola king, Rajaraja I later. This novel is considered his magnum opus wherein he had taken two or three historic events, added a few fictitious characters (memorable ones!) and spun a beautiful story of intrigues, conspiracies and romance.
The pace is gripping and the plot unfolds with enough suspense that it reels in readers even today. Wonder if we can attribute the magic of the novel entirely to the brilliant writing style or is it something more?
The title means 'The son of Kaveri' or Ponni's beloved'.
Ever since the first time I was hooked to follow the spy, Vandiathevan (one of the protagonists) on his trail ( the novel opens up when he moves along slowly on horseback along Veeranam - Veeranarayanapuram-Lake (Eri in Tamil)), how many more times I would have travelled the path along with him feeling a sense of excitement!
So begins the novel!
So begins the novel!
"....about two leagues far
to the west of Thillai Chittrambalam, (Chidambaram Town) there spreads an
ocean-like reservoir. It is known as Veera Narayana Lake. It is about a league
and a half long north to south and about half a league wide east to west. Time
has twisted its name: for these days the
reservoir is known as Veeraanatthu Lake ... In the windy months of Aadi-Aavani (August), when new floods fill the
reservoir to almost overflow, anyone who looks at the Veera Narayana lake will
surely recall with pride and astonishment the splendid deeds of our ancestors
in Tamil Nadu. Did those ancients do things merely for the welfare of
themselves and the people of their own times? ... On the 18th day of
the month of Aadi, in the early hours of the evening, a young warrior, mounted
on a horse, was riding down the banks of this ocean-like Veera Narayana Lake. Vallavarayan Vandiya
Devan was his name. Having travelled a long distance and being worn and weary,
his horse was walking along rather slowly. The sprawling
reservoir had so enchanted his heart!"
(On land, the league is most commonly defined as 3 miles - 4.83 km)
Do I mean to say that the lake still exists, serving a valuable purpose? Is it still in workable condition with water flowing in from tributary of Kaveri, no kidding?
After about five decades, an opportunity presents itself in front of me, the wanderer, to actually walk on the path of my hero! Will I let it slip off my hands!
Young People with passion to study our glorious past and know about our heritage have come together with a few subject experts and scholars to provide a rich experience. So the heritage trip is named 'In the trails of the spy'.
It covers a few important places - the places of action in the real past or in the novel. The trail starts from the lake as in the novel but then moves on to places nearby which have witnessed a battle or a plot unfolding or the great temples which were brought to life from the lofty dreams of the father and son duo - Rajaraja I and Rajendra Chola.
How does it feel to breath the same air that those warriors and great administrators breathed; to walk on the same land where the warring armies marched?
Veeranarayapuram Lake (the saviour of Chennai city -providing the life-giving water), the old capital of Cholas (Pazhaiyarai - now a small village), Udaiyalur (where the great king, Rajaraja's Samadhi is ), the awe inspiring magnitude of Thanjavur and Gangaikonda Cholapuram temples, the sheer beauty of the Darasuram temple (sculptures coming alive out of granite) the battle site of Thirupurampiyam (which marked the rise of the later Chola kings) - delight to the history buff!
Am I one? What do you think? Do you want to come along with me?
Am I one? What do you think? Do you want to come along with me?
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