Dear all, I's about to write about Udaiyar - well, Pavitra mundhikittanga. I unfortunately read Part II first ! Part I has been taken by somebody else in the library and I could not control my urge to read part II! Bala answers many of the questions you guys have raised in his prologue for Part II. * The novel itself consists of 4 parts. 2 have already come out. * The novel seems to have come as a series in Saravana stores magazine (Idhayam Pesukirathu). Since the editors expressed discomfort at such a long novel, bala has decided to write the other two as separate books - instead of a series. * His prologue excels in its own might - and is very interesting to read. He mentions about Mr.Sundar Bharatwaj as well as many others who provided him vital info. He has also listed a series of authors whose books he has referred. Very important info. * But the novel itself should not be viewed as a life story of rajaraja etc (though the writer has wanted to write just that). Instead it should be seen as a story of Tanjore Peruvudaiyar Koil - its conception, birth development etc. So we see all events happening around the temple and not just rajaraja. Infact the political atmosphere is given much less importance rather than the spiritual importance. Thus we have to forego all the standard elements of a historical novel and view it with a different perspective. To some extent, Udaiyar reminds me of Sri Venugolalan's THIRUVARANGAN ULA another historic masterpiece - here, the entire story revolves around the deity of srirangam and people associated with him. This novel also defies all the standard historic novel grammer laid out by Kalki and sandilyan. * Characterization in Udaiyar is vast and sometimes vague. No single character gets into our heart and soul. Perhaps, the writer wanted to convey the hercuilan collective effort that went behind the construction and did not want to portray one single hero etc. All in all, Udaiyar is a must read for all in this group though you may not read it 100 times like PS.
Gokul, thanks for all that info. (Vijaya, the story came out in 'Idhayam Pesugirathu'.)
Yes, it does revolve around the spritual aspects rather than the political aspects. Especially the bit about Aditha Karikalan's murder.
(Did anybody see the First Anniversary card in the Files section?!)
People, Gokul has compiled a great file about all the facts discussed in our group- It'll reach the Files section soon. [Gokul- maybe you could add the bits about Choodamani Viharam in your file ]
Dear Gokul That is definitely a very good effort...I did start doing something similar and collated the discussions and uploaded as a discussion folder but couldnt update because of time and proof reading PS good luck sridhar