Am checking the group after a very long time so haven't gone through all the posts...
One thing I feel is that we are unable to write anything on tamil history without referring to poetry. Not that I doubt poetry but we do have to accept that poets have used their imagination very liberally. The theory about Karikal Valavan skipping Himalayas as there was a Linga on the way is too far-fetched to believe.
The greatest king - at least, IMHO - is RRC. We are still unable to completely confirm if 'Kanthalur Chaalai' was a battle or a deed of giving grains (kalam + aruthu + aruli)... We need more corroborative evidence to clearly sketch it.
Can we write a book on RRC's battles or any phase of his life for that matter with the material available? Or even with the material that is available but not has been made public untill now?
I haven't read Madan's reply in Vikatan. So, I don't want to comment on it. But, Madan is one of the more knowledgeable people we have around us. I definitely wouldn't take what he claims very lightly. Please bear in mind that he is one of the handful to have written a historical book in the recent past.
atlast somebody with guts to have clarity and truth above sentimentality and patriotism
any body not agreeing that " kal thondri man thondraa kaalathhE" is deemed un patriotic. isnt that a bit too much. I have pride in my history but that doesnt mean I want my anscestor to have seen the erosion of rocks into sand. then whats the difference between a politician and us. such sentimentality leads us to make half baked claims. when we amatuer historians can de bunk the CHOLA PASS THEORY madan would make mince meat of it with his team of researchers.
truly i would like to say i have read madans vanthaarkal vendraarkal. it inspired me to write 'Madurai" a 600 page historical novel. I think madan is one of the best brains in todays society. well.what he has given us is a hidden challenge. the answer to him is not to write articles in varalaaru or hand deliver letters to him. why dont we all write a book on Raja raja without quoting a poem. about his early life, about his pre throne activities and his last days. I sure hope the varalaaru team can contribute matter to these chapters. i would particularly write a chapter each on his battles, kanthalur uthakai and others.I also would like to know how he died. dont we all deserve to know that.so many historians names and achievements were quoted. we must have an ocean of material from such giants. instead of quoting historians names repeatedly lets all put our heads together and get a book on RRC ready.
hi; Writing a book about RRC without quoting from poetry would definitely clear atleast some part of this issue. It should be a historical account writing in the style of the Asian Society books and not in the historical-fiction genre. Every important passage should be accounted for and the source of info should also be mentioned. A lot of research has to be done but im sure it would be worth it. It should be a FRESH book i.e. should not refer any other book written before in this subject, however great the author might be. It should be based on the copper plates, kalvettus, etc only. It would be a big effort but would definitely be worth it. Remember, we need not prove to anybody else that we were a great society. But to have that attitude we have to be 200% confident ourselves about our greatness. This book with the required amount of publicity should put matters to rest.