PS has a lot of turning points:-) but I think it all really starts with VD listening into the 'sathitittam'. There, the events start escalating at break-neck pace. So that's the real 'turning-point', in my opinion.:-)
Imagine what might have happened if VD had decided to ignore that midnight meeting, and go his sweet way, come hell or high-water:-)
AK's murder comes at the end of PS. Would that qualify as an ideal 'turning-point'?
>PS has a lot of turning points:-) but I think it all really starts >with VD listening into the 'sathitittam'. There, the events start >escalating at break-neck pace. So that's the real 'turning-point', in >my opinion.:-)
After "Krupa's Wedding?!" - there are again activities now. Nice..
Two view points have surfaced so far :
1. VD's night stay at Kadambur & listening to Sadhialosanai. 2. AK's Murder
Strictly speaking I read & re-read PS several years back. I remember the story as a whole - but not event by event.
VD is sent from Kanchi by AK to assess Thanjavur events. He takes the route of Viluppuram (Thirukkovilur via) - Sethiathope - Veeranarayanapuram (Veeranam) - Kadambur. Sambuvarayar's son Kandhan Maran requests him to stay that night thinking VD may qualify for his sister Manimekalai. He fumbles on this gathering : Pazhuvettarayars - Madurantakan (bad) - Sambuvarayars & co., By the end there is a Kuralan yelling there is going to be a loss to the Throne.
I did not consider this as a turning point because AK already suspected the involvement of those assembled in Kadambur. If one recalls -AK is the only affected person because there was an uprise against him - who was already an Yuvaraja (Crown Prince).
Those assembled there did not want him to become the King when Sundara dies.Instead they wanted Maduranataka to become a puppet King. (What a lovely story .. the land offerings to Ravidasan & co by Madurantaka subsequently proves this line of thinking very well)
These people did not air their views when AK was made the Yuvaraja in the presence of Sembianmadei - ignoring Madurantaka - by Sundara Chola. But Siriyapazhuvettarayar had the foresight and gave his daughter in wedding to Maduranatakan. (All supported by Historical facts)
Pazhuvettarayars could not sit tight but to instal Madurantakan.
AK was the only obstruction to all of them assembled over there.
The only agenda was to design getting rid of him.
This is the KNOT for the Story.
(HAD ANYBODY ANTICIPATED IN THE GATHERING THAT ARUNMOZHI WOULD EMERGE AS CHAKRAVARTHY RAJARAJA ONE DAY, THEY WOULD HAVE ELIMINATED HIM ALSO. HOW CLEVER ARUNMOZHI WAS .. EXACTLY KUNDAVAI FEAR THIS AGAIN & AGAIN.. KALKI HAS RANSACKED CHOLA HISTORY AND DEVELOPED THE STORY LINE.. I AM SURE HE WOULD HAVE DISCUSSED IT WITH SASTRY & PANDARATHAR & OTHERS SEVERAL TIMES )
Aditya's murder - Madurantaka's ascendency - Ravidasan's role in AK's murder - is the story of Ponniyinselvan.
Arunmozhi finding this and becoming Rajaraja ...A story yet to be told..
VD's experience was only a reinforcement to AK's suspecion..
Hence I did not consider this as a turning point..
ADITHA KARIKALAN'S MURDER WAS THE TRUE TURNING POINT OF NOT ONLY CHOLA HISTORY BUT ALSO SOUTH INDIA HISTORY ...
Because, this brought about the end of a long winding story.....kadhaiya eppadi mudikkaradhunnu theriyaamal kalki thindadikinu irundhiruppaar..... AK's murder proved very useful in this context.
as for as the story is concerned AKs murder is a certainity because it is history and kalki didnt write that he jus used it in his storyline bacuse all the readers knew he ll be dead the question was when and how