I joined this group after reading Karthik Narayanan's English PS. I have just finished reading Venkataraman's Parthian Kanavu. I need a small clarification.How come names like Vanama Devi, Kundavi, Paranthaka, Arul Mozhi , Ponna/Ponni are common to both the novels, that too for main characters, specially since they belong to two dynasties - Pallava and Chola. Is it a coincidence or am I missing something?
Welcome, Dr. Madhurima...your resume is truly star-studded. My eye-brows kept rising till they couldn't any more!:-)
About your query...
>How come names like Vanama Devi, Kundavi, Paranthaka, Arul Mozhi , >Ponna/Ponni are common to both the novels, that too for main characters, >specially since they belong to two dynasties - Pallava and Chola. Is it a >coincidence or am I missing something?
I've read that the names 'Vanamaa Devi' and 'Ulagamaa Devi' were used alternately by Chozha pattamagishis- the father's wife is 'vanamaadevi'- the son's wife is 'Ulagamaa devi'. A good many queens were given this name- its a kind of title.
'Arulmozhi' (the actual name inscribed in stone inscriptions is 'Arumozhi' without the 'l') - as far as I know it was the birth-name of Raja Raja. I think Kalki was so captivated by the name that he used it in Parthiban Kanavu too.
'Ponna and Ponni'...those are very common Thamizh names-especially in rural areas. Practically every home had (still has,) someone called by those names:-)[Like Kamalas and Vimalas, I guess]
I suppose 'Kundavai' was a kind of favoured name- as it was bestowed especially on princess (the Pallava Princess, the Chozha princess- and Raja raja's daughter):-).
My two (or three) cents worth:-)
Pavithra.
Pay no attention to what the critics say; no statue has ever been erected to a critic.
My name is Raj residing in Malaysia and i am a fan of this novel too. I must be one of the few fans this novel has in Malaysia.
I have no proper words to explain about this superb novel. No one can even think about writing such a historical novel in the future. I think i must be boring u all if i continue like this because whatever i wish to say in this pattern is a fact without objection for sure. All may agree on that.
Let me come to the point. When i went to Tanjore for the first time i was eagerly asking my uncle and the ppl around about the Chola palaces which i expect to be in the city. However none can tell me an exact location and worst still some unwise creatures pointed to Saraboji palace.
Well if there is any Tanjorian or someone who is familiar with Tanjore who knows the locality of the palace sought, pls be kind enough to drop me a note at this email id. I wud certainly appreciate ur effort.
The present day monuments in Thanjavur from the chola period are the big temple and a few other temples only.
The palace in thanjavur is the marathas and some buildings are from the nayakar period.
I am not sure thera are any chola palaces around still
The greatness of thamil kings is that they built stone temples and monuments but resided in brick palaces (sengal and sunambu) which unfortunately havent stod the test of time as their architectural marvels