Ponniyin Selvan Varalaatru Peravai

Dear all...

I asked Mr. Swaminathan about the Sithannavaasal paintings...here's my
question:

"...I visited your site www.pudukottai.org- extremely interesting, and
contains a lot of details about Sithannavaasal- one of my favourite
historical sites. I have a doubt- in Sivagaamiyin Sabhadham, Kalki mentions
that 'Aayanar' the sculptor paints in Sithannavaasal, has a bet with a
Samana munivar and loses- therefore, the painting of the apsara is bright
and clean in one half, and faded in the other. Is there any foundation for
this?"

Here's his answer in detail:

You have mentioned about what Kalki has written regarding the paintings of
Sittannavasal. Kalki was writing a novel and not history. He has basically
used some of the historical characters and settings and weaved a story
around them. He has taken liberties to which he is entitled to. But in
Tamilnadu, people start believing the incidences found in a novel true, just
because kalki wrote it. In my opinion Kalki has not done any serious
research on the paintings of Ajanta and Sittannavasal. Thus there is no
foundation whatsoever to the the apasara being bright and clean in one half
and faded in the other. Though I have read the novel, that was long ago,
Idon't remember the passage and hence cannot comment any further. In fact,
if you come to Sittannavasal you can only see the place where the painting
of apsara once was. It is all gone. It might have been so even when Kalki
visited the place.

We must be thankful to Kalki creating an interest in places like
sittannavasal.

By the way why don't you come over here - to Pudukkottai, it is called an
archaeological paradise - for a day or two. We can show you around and you
can also see what we are doing here. You are welcome to come with your
friends."

What do you say, people?