No direct answer. But Kalki is the only author who is ever fresh and makes you read his works (novels and short stories) again and again. More like prayer books.Sampath
I am yet to read an author who caters to the tastes of all ages, gets his story in a easy telling style
And creates a sense of pride in reading his work
Sri
If I can stop one heart from breaking,I shall not live in vain; If I can ease one life the aching,Or cool one pain, Or help one fainting robin, Into his nest again, I shall not live in vain. Emily Dickinson
Yes, he is my favorite. The first Tamil Novel I read is Kalki's Parthiban Kanavu. I was pretty young and could not really understand which part of the story was fact and which is fiction. When I read PS, it brought the interest of history in me. After getting in to this group, when ever I go to any temple, I am really seeing it with new eyes.
If you are asking if he is he best author in Tamil, I would say NO.
As Sivaram rightly pointed out his works include both fiction & history and it makes him the best in Tamil. However, if you take entire world, I would list the following who are better than Kalki (based on my reading)
* Valmiki (for Ramayan) * J.K.rowling (Harry potter) * Dan Brown (Angles & Demons, Digital fortress, Deception point & Da vinci code) * Michael Crichton (Jurassic Park, Airframe, Disclosure - Jurassic Park book is excellent one and gives completely different feel than watching the movie)
Hi I would say Kalki is the best for History based fiction. I am not for his social novels either Alaiosai or Amaradara. I think one cannot choose a single Author as 'The Best' 'cos their works have to be divided into various catagories which are not comparable. Kalki's history based works are the best in the 'unputdownable ' catogry.
Kalki is definitely best for Tamil historic fiction. He is also more of a sakala-kala vallavar :), I think, bringing in aspects of facts and history, religion/philosophy, literature, humor, adventure and romance (and even food :). IMHO, not many other historic writers have done this.
However, for sheer historic fiction and for bringing in as much fact as possible, I like the following 1. Colleen McCullough - Roman history 2. Robert Harris - Roman history (especially Pompeii, Imperium) 3. Steven Saylor - Roman history (with some mystery built in) 4. Isabel Allende - South American/California settlement 5. Marek Halter/Orson Scott Card - books based on Bible characters 6. Gore Vidal - Empire series on US, Creation - Greek/Egyptian
I also read an excellent book called Apostle Paul which is a fictional account of how St. Paul single-handedly took the message of Jesus to the Western world, which made Christianity what it is today. If not for him, Christianity may still be a minor religion localized in Nazareth.
Can all recommend specific historic fiction books? I am very eager for some new recommendations.
Recently I happened to read Robert Alexander"s(had never heard of him before)'Rasputins daughter' and'The Romanov bride'.Both books arebased on the last days of the Russian monarchy and make superb reading.Regards P.Narasimhan.
I'd like to introduce an interesting book to all of you. "Kalkiyin Varalatru Naavalgal" by Dr.Poovannan.
This is the doctoral thesis of Dr.Poovannan who was a professor in Vaishnav college, chennai. It's been published by Vanathi. The book gives very very detailed and interesting insights into the mind of Kalki and how PS and other novels were developed in his mind. He also places historic facts against fiction created by kalki and debades in detail. For example, he says there is no historic base for assuming Vandhiyathevan as someone belonging to Vaanar kulam. He gives many arguments for and against this and concludes that this is purely Kalki's conception of Vallavarayan vandhiyathevan. The book also presents interesting details about Aditya's murder and how Kalki has presented this in PS. To me, it is a must buy for all PS fans.
This is Vimala, a silent member of this group. But watching all the discussions. Can u pl tell where we can get this "Kalkiyin Varalatru Naavalgal" by Dr.Poovannan. Will it be available in Salem? And I also want to know that where to buy "KM" by Venkatesh in Salem?
The second one - KM - should be normally avl in any leading book stall. If not I can request our dear Venkatesh to courier to you / direct you suitably.