#arulmozhi varman

[quietparanoiac]

I grew up with two warrior princes. I should not cry. So make me laugh.

Ponniyin Selvan: II (2023)

#Ponniyin Selvan #Arulmozhi Varman #Arunmozhi Varman #Arulmozhi #Kundavai #Jayam Ravi #Trisha #Trisha Krishnan #பொன்னியின் செல்வன் #Kollywood #ponniyinselvanedit #kollywoodedit #perioddramaedit #periodedits #dailyworldcinema #mediagifs #cinemaedit #filmtvcentral #cinematv #Indian cinema #period drama #my gifs #(ahem I suspect El Cid viewers must see... potential here ahem) #am I disappointed by PS-2? kind of #was it worth watching? I'd still say yes

[yehsahihai]

Panivaanavan

Second collab with @harinishivaa and oh my god, there were so many butterflies while writing this

The night sky twinkled serenely like a million stars, the full moon glowing brightly. Arulmozhi Varman sighed when he saw Vanathi’s eyes in the stars and face in the moon . Why is she still haunting his thoughts?

Ever since he’d rescued her from falling into the canal, it seemed as though all streams of thought led back to her. More specifically to the way she had felt in his arms. Was this even right for a man to be feeling?

But why was it so natural with her? When he had seen her falling it seemed like the most natural thing to run to rescue her. Then why did it feel like a line had been crossed between the two of them? And then she had slid out of his arms and it had felt like there was a sudden thrum under his skin, urging him to not let her go, to keep her in his arms. It was most bizarre. 

She had been fully clothed, for heaven’s sake. 

He had never even touched her skin. 

And all he could think of now was how soft her skin was. He had touched her palm in an entirely planned fashion, and the softness of it… 

He had stayed awake many a night wondering if the rest of her was as soft as her palm as well, then mentally berated himself for thinking as such.

Just as he was thinking of getting back to his chambers, the soft voice of Vanathi reached him. She was singing some unknown tune, it seemed, as she walked into the clearing he was in. 

Vanathi had been having a difficult few days. Ever since her near-fall into the canal it seemed as though something around her had fundamentally shifted. More specifically, it felt as though something had changed in her relationship with Ponniyin Selvan.

They gravitated to touches often, and even light shoulder brushes when possible. What had changed? She had worn her night clothes, bare of jewelry and with her hair in a loose bun, she looked like some mad woman, she knew. But it wasn’t like anybody would be around to see her, she thought. 

She walked into a clearing humming, when she met the eyes of the one who held her heart in his palms. She froze as she saw him, taking in how he too seemed to be bare of any jewellery, without an upper cloth. The blush that overtook her was so hot she wondered if her colouring matched the kumkum that was given during poojas. 

Arulmozhi was frozen. What was she wearing? How had he never seen her in this? Is this what she wore to sleep? Bare shouldered and bare waisted? With a single cloth covering her chest area? Hair half open, strands of it flitting around her face? 

Ishvara, save me, he prayed, even as he took a step forward toward her. 

Vanathi felt her breath hitch as she saw him move towards her, the intensity of his gaze unfamiliar to her except for her occasional dream.

“Vanathi, Ardha raatriyil inge? (Vanathi, you are here in the middle of the night?)” he questioned her, gaze roving over her face and body, not really bothering to hide his reaction this time. Something about her glow in the full moon and stars made him bolder than usual. 

Vanathi visibly shuddered at his tone. Since when was his voice so deep? Was this a dream or reality itself? 

“I couldn’t sleep, Ilavarase,” she said shyly, well aware of his lingering gaze, but feeling completely comfortable due to the deep respect in his eyes despite the intensity that radiated from them. 

Arulmozhi’s brow furrowed as he heard her response. Was she not well? Did she get injured earlier? 

“Vanathi, is your health fine? Should I call…”

“Selvare I am perfectly fine. Just….”

“Restless”, she concluded, still looking at his face, afraid that if she looked anywhere else she would give away all the feelings jumping in tandem with her heartbeat.

“Why, is something the matter?” He felt as if she was restless for the same reason as him. 

“Not e-exactly, my Prince.” She stuttered out, trying not to turn red once again when he seemed to smirk knowingly. 

“Is that so? It seems we are sharing a similar restlessness, Devi,” his gaze darkened when his eyes fell on her bare shoulders. By the heavens, what was she thinking? 

Suddenly realsing the state of undress she was in, in front of Ponniyin Selvan no less, Vanathi’s eyes widened. Ishavara, what must he be thinking of her, looking like this? 

“What is it, Vanathi?” He asked, concerned.

“I–we- you”, Vanathi attempted to string together a coherent sentence, even as he took another step towards her, a smile playing on his lips. 

“Wonderful”, she thought. “Now I really should add lunacy to my long list of accomplishments, like he said.”

Clearing her throat, she cast her eyes downwards, determined to not let him reduce her to such a mess. 

He stepped into her personal space, itching to touch her waist, feel her soft skin. Vanathi, look at me, he pleaded in his mind. He saw as Vanathi took in a deep breath, the flush on her cheeks much more prominent now that he was closer. He mentally preened at being able to draw such a reaction out of her. 

What was he doing, why was he doing this? She tried to look at him discreetly, only to meet his eyes full on. She felt her body shiver at his nearness, yearning to sink into his arms and feel him around and in her. 

“I should go.” She nodded in affirmation. 

“Really?”

“Yes. I should go because if someone sees us here it would not be good for you, or your reputation.”

Arulmozhi cocked his head to one side as he continued studying her, causing her heart to cartwheel in her chest. Her entire body felt hot, and she wished she could take a dip in a pond or lake in the clothes she was in, but his presence stopped her. 

“My reputation? Vanathi, what about yours then?” he asked, still watching her with an intense gaze. She seemed to be blushing all over her body, and he was filled with a wish to feel the blush under his palms. He could see the blush disappear under her upper cloth and wondered if it extended till-

No. He could not go there. And yet….

“M-mine? It will be fine, my Prince,” she said. She knew her reputation of being in love with him was one many knew, and one she was proud to have. Even if he didn’t know it or trust it even if he did… 

‘That’s enough negativity, Vanathi, you idiot,’ she chided herself, looking at his now darkened eyes. Oh why did he look at her like that?

“Will it? You are alone, with a young man…”

“Said young man is respectful of me,” she retorted, annoyed that he was trying to find fault with himself. She blushed when his smirk widened at her words. 

“You are defending me to me?”

“Indeed I am, my Prince,” she said, raising her head defiantly. 

“The maiden I met at Thirunallam is back,” he said in awe, tracing her features. “Why did she disappear?”

“She thought she had made a grave error in calling the one meant to rule the three worlds as Yaanai Paaga,” she said, hoping he would read in between her words. 

“The Yaanai Paaga has only been yearning for that maiden,” he confessed, gently taking her palms in his, trying not to groan at how soft they were. He saw her shiver, but felt her palms tighten around his, and he could not help the brilliant smile that made its way to his face. 

“I am sorry, my Prince. My idiocy at running away cost us an early understanding,” whispered Vanathi. 

“I should have been better to you,” he whispered, pulling her close. “And I will, hereafter.”

“Ilavarase, are you saying what I think you are?”

“What do you think I’m saying, Vanathi?”

“That you feel for me as I do for you,” she whispered, shyness overcoming her as she ducked her head down, looking at his feet rather than his eyes. 

“I’m not quite sure I understand. After all, you did say there are so many matters to engage my mind.”

Vanathi gaped at the prince whose eyes seemed to be twinkling with mischief. Surely this could not be the same Ponnyin Selvan who, she had heard so much about. This childishness, the teasing, the laughter that he seemed to be holding back…. Where had this come from? Shaking her head, she took a step away from him, determined to not lose all sense of control. 

“Tell me, Devi.”

“If you do not know, how can I tell you, Ilavarase?”

He smirked, gently pulling her back close. “Hmmmm… I'm sure there are ways to remind you Ilavarasi”, Arulmozhi said, his skin burning at every point where her body touched his. Ishvara why did she have to be so soft, so lovely? 

Vanathi drew in a sharp breath as she felt his arm around her waist, securely holding her, until she was almost fully pressed against him. She saw the darkening of his eyes as her chest brushed his with each breath and instinctively moved to put her hands on his shoulders. She felt his breath hitch, and slowly, shy but sure, she trailed her hands down his arms, feeling his hardened warrior skin with delight.

Aulmozhi drew in a shuddering breath as he felt her hands move to trace his arms, stopping occasionally to linger or trace imaginary shapes on them. It was all too much; her doe eyes peering at him, her soft frame pressed against his, her petal like hands touching him. He could have sworn that there were actual sparks flying where her hands traced over him. Shutting his eyes tight, he prayed that she wouldn’t notice the small shiver that ran through him at her touch, even as his arms moved to encircle her waist tighter. 

She paused, thinking she had done something wrong. 

“Why did you stop, Vanathi?” he opened his eyes to meet hers, reading the worry in them. Was she thinking she did something wrong? To encourage her, he said, almost ordered, “Continue.”

Vanathi bit her lips lightly as the realisation struck her that the prince was more than a little affected by her. She touched only her fingertips to his arms, gently tracing again, trying not to laugh in sheer happiness. 

Arulmozhi shuddered as her hands resumed their journey, doing his best to not collapse where he stood. 

Vanathi, on the other hand, was starting to feel hot, for his skin, hardened with his hefting heavy swords, spears and axes like they were nothing, felt warm under her palms, his biceps rippling under her touch. She could feel his power as she traced his arms and shoulders over and over- was it even possible for someone with such power to hold this much control over himself?

Her Prince was incredibly unique. 

Vanathi dipped her head down, as a smile made its way onto her face as a sudden flash of boldness overtook her. She wanted to see how far his control went. She could see that she impacted him. Now she wanted to find out exactly how much of an impact she had on him. Tracing one hand upwards, she reached his shoulder, biting the inside of her cheek as she trailed one finger down, moving to trace his abdomen, even as she felt him clench his muscles at her touch. 

She was testing him, wasn’t she? His bold maiden… He had done his best not to react too outwardly, though it was clear Vanathi was not fooled. Her touch to his abdomen made him clench his muscles, wondering how the petal touch of a single finger made his muscles want to flex, as if to show off for her. Yet, exerting the highest restraint he could, he gazed at her, not realizing the impact of his smoldering gaze. 

Vanathi shuddered as she met his gaze, wondering if it were possible to spontaneously combust and liquiefy at the same time. “Ishvara this is unfair”, she thought. Why did he get to be so.. So perfect? How was anyone not to love him? 

Maybe now was his time…hmm. Arulmozhi moved closer and closer now, making her back away, till her back almost hit a tree, when he held her instead, softening the impact. His arms caged her against the tree, as his eyes traced her face, though alternately focusing between her plump red lips and darkened gaze, the pink on her cheeks now obvious all over her in a deeper shade. 

Vanathi stopped breathing altogether, as she realised she could feel the warmth of his body against her own, their noses brushing against each other, his lips a breath away from hers. It was the most natural thing in the world for her to whisper, “Swami-”

“Vanathi,” he whispered, now focusing completely on her beautiful eyes, brighter than the stars.

“What-What are we doing?”

“I don’t know… but with you, it feels natural,” he whispered softly, gently touching her palms with his own now, bringing them up to his lips to kiss, finally letting the ocean of love he had pushed deep within him to be released. 

Vanathi sighed happily, even as a thousand bolts seemed to strike her with his touch. Gently moving her hands out of his grip, she held her illavarase’s face, taking in a moment to just admire him. Had the universe made anything more perfect than him? Rising on her toes, she pressed her forehead to his, feeling her heart beat with his. 

Arulmozhi was sure that no other moment in his life had ever felt as exquisite as this one. She truly was made for him, he thought, noting how each contour of her body seemed to fit against his, how her eyes made him feel alive from the inside. She was his, and he was hers; he knew that with absolute certainty. And when he had accepted her as his queen…

Vanathi let out a small gasp as he dipped his head towards her, giving her the perfect access to place a kiss on his forehead, a small tear making it’s way down her cheek as she registered the significance of the move. 

Arulmozhi’s thumb instantly swept away the tear as it rolled down her face. Keeping their foreheads he smiled as he said, “En Idhaya Arasiye, unnidam endrume naan panindhavan thaan.” (Oh Queen of my heart, to you, I am always the one who bows down)

@vibishalakshman @thelekhikawrites @nspwriteups @dumdaradumdaradum @dr-scribbler @kovaipaavai @celestesinsight @thirst4light @rang-lo @thegleamingmoon @whippersnappersbookworm @chiyaanvikram @hollogramhallucination @arachneofthoughts @anushyaselvaraj @vijayasena @mounamelanoyi @nerdreader @thereader-radhika @lavanya-lakshmi @willkatfanfromasia

Please forgive me if there's someone else who should have been tagged but isn't

#ponniyin selvan #ponniyin selvan 2 #desiblr #vanmozhi #Arulmozhi varman #vanathi #vanathiarulmozhi

[nspwriteups]

An Oath of Feelings - Final part

pic credit: @reeeereeeereeereee

Arulmozhi made his way through the long corridor. He swore he saw Vanathi just a minute ago , her jasmine-decorated long hair fluttering in the soft breeze, her voice echoing as she laughed at a joke of one of her Sakhis. Goodness! when did he became attuned to her so much? Now he understood what his Anna was saying about love- it was sweeter than honey, addicting than any intoxicant in the world and it strengthens one's resolve, not weaken it. He thought of all this while he stood in the empty corridor, wondering how his Anna was able to survive all those years not able to see Nandini when he himself was feeling morose after not seeing the stealer of his heart for a day. Maybe he should talk with Vanthiyathevan? No, he dismissed that line of thought immediately. There was no limit to how much Kundavai teased him after the incident the other night about his brave-but-utterly reckless attempt at window jumping. And how dare Vanthiyathevan join in when he was the one who suggested the idea in the first place? No, he isn't going anywhere near those two. He will prove his love on his own. Thus deciding, he retraced his steps back to his chambers.

Once his footsteps started to fade away, Vanathi came out of her hiding place behind the pillar and gazed at the retreating figure. Maybe she was taking this a bit far? Should she talk to him? But what result would that give? He may say something sweet and she will fall for it and then he would go back to ignoring her again. What she wished, what she craved was for him to show his feelings for her, feelings that her Akka claim exists. Many a time she has seen Vanthiyathevan kissing the back of Kundavai's hand or whispering in her ear or simply gazing at her when she was preoccupied by some other task. He was indifferent to the fact that they were other people watching or making remarks about them. How many times has she imagined her Yaanai pagan gazing at her so, of him whispering sweet nothings in her ear or him standing close to her in public so that everyone will know they belong to and with each other. She wondered if all these fantasies will come true or remain the same. Her train of thoughts was broken by one of her Sakhis.

"Vanathi, why didn't you tell us you were playing hide-and-seek with Ponniyin Selvan?" her sakhi taunted her.

"Oh be quiet!" Vanathi whispered in annoyance before walking off.

--------------------------------------------

Vanathi has never really been jealous of her Kundavai Akka, in fact she greatly admired her Uyir Thozi's intelligence and courage. But at this moment, when she was sitting with her in her chamber, preparing for the evening aarti, she realised she was envious of Kundavai - not of her reasoning and understanding but of her success at a fruitful relationship. Ever since they had been acquainted with a certain Vana clan prince, she had seen a budding affection forming between the two. She didn't exactly knew when it became solidified but once she heard him call her Akka an 'Apsaras' and saw Kundavai's face turn as red as kumkum and she knew - this was not a mere flirting. She heard a genuineness in his voice, the same genuineness she heard when he earlier declared " Uyir ungalodayathu Devi". She thought of all this when she kept glancing at Kundavai, who was humming while arranging the Pooja thali. Just then a servant came in " Ilaiya Piratti, Vallavaraiyan Vanthiyathevan is seeking permission to enter" .

"Let him in " Kundavai said excitedly

"Speak of the devil and the devil is here" mused Vanathi. She was quite fond of the Vana Kula Prince and already considered him as a brother but she was still disappointed that he didn't attempt to give some good advice to Ponniyin Selvan despite their close friendship.

Vanthiyathevan came in " How are you this evening, ladies?" He asked . His sense of formality was often times confusing. In public, he resorted to formal titles such as 'Ilaiya Piratti' and 'Kodumbalur Ilavarasi ' but in private he called her as 'Devi' or even 'Maya Kannan' while he reserved the sweetest of nicknames for his lady love.

"Vanthiyar, do you have any news for us?" Kundavai asked

"Devi, things are as you know. Sendhan Amudhan will reach Thanjai in 2 days time" Vanthiyathevan replied

Vanathi was confused. What? Sendhan Amudhan is coming? But why? Suddenly she remembered Arulmozhi's oath of bestowing the crown. Surely he didn't say it seriously? Surely he only said it to spite her?

"And Samudrakumari will also be joining him. They decided to have the wedding ceremony the day after they arrive. So much preparations yet to be made" Vanathi heard Vanthiyathevan continuing his narration and Kundavai nodding along. Marriage? What marriage? She realised she said this thought aloud as both faces turned towards her.

" Yes, Maya Kanna. Perhaps you missed out on the news. Ilavarase wasn't joking when he said he wished to hand over the crown to Sendhan Amudhan. He presented the matter with the emperor and he too agreed that this was a rightful decision"

"And what about Samudrakumari?"

"Ah that. Amudhan has always loved Poonguzhali and although she was reluctant at first, as she doubted the genuineness of his feelings she later returned his feelings and has now accepted his hand in marriage. I am not bragging but I may have had a hand in uniting the couple." Vanthiyathevan said with a smirk and earned a pinch in the arm from Kundavai for 'going off topic'.

Vanathi was already in her world of overthinking. So, Ponniyin Selvan wasn't in love with Poonguzhali? Then why did he admit having that conversation with Kundavai Akka? Was there any existent feelings for her in his mind as Kundavai Akka claimed? Now she decided she have to talk to him. At least before she leaves for Kodumbalur. With these thoughts in mind, she stood up.

"Kanne, where are you going?" Kundavai asked

"Akka, I'm just going to meet someone. I'll be right back" Vanathi hoped she was being discreet enough but Kundavai managed to see through it.

"No, you can meet anyone you want after the pooja. Now go, time is ticking "

"Yes Akka" Vanthiyathevan and Kundavai watched a disheartened Vanathi leaving the chamber.

"Ennavale, as much as I like your idea I'm afraid it is lacking action" Vanthiyathevan turned to his lover with a mischievous smile.

"I know my plan doesn't involve tree-climbing or window-jumping like you'd wish but it is effective. It's exactly like you said - they want to come closer. We are just giving them the necessary push" Kundavai said calmly.

---------------------------------------

Vanathi was hyper-focused on her aarti plate as she, along with Kundavai's other companions, made their way back from the temple. All through the Pooja, she prayed for happiness for all and a ray of clarity on her otherwise chaotic life. She was wondering when she would get the answers to all her questions (even Kundavai Akka was not with her, making some excuse after the Pooja that she didn't even pay attention to) .

"Vanathi, are you done playing hide and seek with Ponniyin Selvan?" One of Kundavai's companion started her teasing.

"Aren't you leaving for Kodumbalur anyway? Don't worry , I don't think Ponniyin Selvan would come to find you since all of us would be here to take care of him" another companion chimed in

They had reached the gardens when Vanathi decided to retaliate.

" What is all this talk? Keep your Ponniyin Selvan with you. He wasn't mine in the first place" She said, with her back to them, determined not to show them the sadness in her face.

"I beg to differ Devi"

All of them turned towards the source of the voice and found the object of their conversation standing in front of them.

"You are exceptionally good at hiding Ilavarasi" Arulmozhi said with a triumphant smile, " But now, since I have found you may I have a word with you"

He led her a safe distance away, so that her companions can only watch them and not eavesdrop on them.

" Akka told me I can find you here"

"I wanted to talk to you, Ponniyin Selvare about Poonguzhali..."

He sighed and said " I don't blame you for misunderstanding Vanathi. It is true that once I had a conversation with Akka about my then feelings for Poonguzhali but then I also asked you whether you would believe me if I said my feelings have changed over the months... Because that is what happened"

"What do you mean?"

"I was always under the impression that what you sought after was the throne and Poonguzhali always thought Amudhan's feelings will fade away someday. Then, Vanthiyathevan once asked if we have ever got to know you both as a person and to that we were answerless. So we decided to get to know you both better before making a final decision, just so we wouldn't feel guilty afterwards. Little did we knew fate had other plans"

Vanathi stared at him wondering about the direction of his narration. " In the few months that I got to know you I learned to appreciate your presence and adore your personality which made me confused because I was unfamiliar to this sensation"

"what sensation, Aiyya?"

"I understood you were insecure of the prospective marriage to me, and I wanted to erase that insecurity. I couldn't understand that feeling so I stayed in denial for weeks"

He looked at her then "I met with Poonguzhali again and she admitted she also started to develop an affection for Amudhan's sincerity. We still cared and respected each other but the feelings we began to develop for you two felt..stronger. Finally it was Vanthiyathevan who advised us to follow our heart and that's what we did"

"So you like me?" Vanathi asked. She was hoping this wouldn't be any of her usual dream. Her Yaanai Pagan was actually declaring what she wanted to hear all this time. "Better than that" Arulmozhi said, gazing lovingly at her " Nan unnai katalikkiren"

Saying this, he reached out and touched her hand. The sudden movement caused Vanathi to lose balance and the aarti plate to tumble down.

"Oh Lord, she has dropped the aarti plate. How inauspicious!" One of the onlookers commented.

"No, look closely I think the wick is still burning, so it's not inauspicious " another replied.

Vanathi felt Arulmozhi's hand circle her waist and pull her close to his chest. She gasped and put both her arms round his neck.

"Don't faint on me again Vanathi" He said almost breathlessly, "You made me so worried the last time"

"Ponniyin Selvare, what are you doing? Everyone is watching" Vanathi said, blushing but making no attempt in getting out his hold.

" Let them watch" Arulmozhi said with a grin, quickly glancing at the group of girls standing at a distance away, looking awe-struck.

"If you still wish to go to Kodumbalur, then let me come with you. Not as Ilavarase Arulmozhi Varman but as your varunkala kanavan. I respect your oath and proud of your determination" he continued and smiled wholeheartedly when Vanathi nodded. " I finally understood what Vanthiyathevan said . Sometimes love can be shown better through actions"

"What do you mean?" Vanathi cocked her head to the side and looked at him with confusion.

Arulmozhi simply gave her a smirk and tightened his arms around her, lifting her up and twirling her. Her squealing mixed with his laughter and the loud gasps from the onlookers. Well,not all onlookers. Kundavai and Vanthiyathevan watched the happy couple from the balcony.

"Who knew my Thambi was such a romantic?" Kundavai remarked with a short laugh

" Why Devi? Do you me to twirl you like that? " Vanthiyathevan asked with a wide grin and Kundavai smacked him in the arm.

"Noo" She said playfully "maybe another time?" She smiled sheepishly when Vanthiyathevan raised his eyebrows.

The End

A/N: Me dropping a long af fic once in a while. You can clearly see how much I was influenced by the Veera Raja Veera full video song...come, let's rant in the comment section

@ramcharanobsessed @dumdaradumdaradum @vibishalakshman @thatacademic @hollogramhallucination @kovaipaavai @rang-lo . @willkatfanfromasia @thelekhikawrites @thegleamingmoon @deafeningflowercat @yehsahihai @whippersnappersbookworm @itsfookingloosah @gemsmusings @chiyaanvikram @elvenladysakura . @matka-kulfi . @madatdisney @bumblebeeskywalker @vahnithedreamer @nkarti @dosai-maavu @utterlynotperfect @winter-birds @happy-bookworm @tumbledout @anabanana4115 @freeunknownwasteland @bhataktiatmacore @rapunzels-stuff @celestesinsight @mairablue @rationalelderberry @existenceiswhateven @arachneofthoughts

#ponniyin selvan #ponniyin selvan 2 #vanathi #arulmozhi #kundavai #vanthiyathevan #aditha karikalan #arulmozhi varman #nandini #vandiyadevan #vanmozhi #ps fanfiction #poniyin selvan fandom #fanfiction series

[khushireadsandrambles]

EXCUSE ME—

We need more outfit BTS PLEASE IT'S A NEED

@harinishivaa @vibishalakshman @willkatfanfromasia @thegleamingmoon @chemicalmindedlotus @yehsahihai @ambidextrousarcher @thirst4light @celestesinsight @thereader-radhika

#ponniyin selvan #vanathi #desi culture #arulmozhi varman #desiblr #ponniyin selvan 2 #bts #behind the scenes

[balladedutempsjadis]

Shoutout to my movie boyfriend Arulmozhi Varman and his nerves of steel. First in the Buddhist monastery, with five assassins waiting to kill him, unarmed, calm and quiet, walking out of there without a scratch, shielded by the respect and love of these Buddhist monks.

Then, while Vandiyadevan and Nambi are frantically chasing Pandya assassins all over Nagapattinam, he doesn’t rush the procession at all, walking slowly and calmly with Vanathi, while people throw flowers at him which could have been spears or knives.*

And then poor Nambi and Vandiyadevan are freaking out about the rogue mahout and my dude is like “I got this. Elephants and I have an understanding.” (Vanathi looks impressed too! Who wouldn’t be?)

He’s so composed and confident and reliable. It’s super sexy (so are his arms but that’s for another post.) In the books, another character compares Arulmozhi Varman to the Dhruva Nakshatram (the Pole Star) that sailors at sea rely on above all other aids to navigation. “All the other stars and the planets may change positions and directions, but the Pole Star alone remains steadfast.” Somehow, Mani Ratnam, his amazing cinematographer Ravi Varman** and Jayam Ravi’s physical presence and expressions managed to translate these qualities - steadfastness, constancy, the essence of the lodestar - to the screen even without dialogue.

* I understand why the Pandya assassins make themselves so visible in Nagapattinam, because they want to draw Nambi and Vandiyadevan away from the monastery so the five assassins posing as Buddhist monks can do their work unhindered. (They didn’t count on Ponniyin Selvan’s ability to make people willing to die to protect him ;)) And then elephant assassination is a good backup plan. But most of the time, it seems like they would have done better to act by stealth instead. If I were directing these attempts, I would have had them blend into the crowd and throw knives etc at the prince while he was walking through the crowd. 🤷‍♀️

** just as an example, there is way less camera movement for Arulmozhi Varman’s scenes than for Aditha Karikalan. In PS1, contrast the camera work when Aditha is telling Parthibendran about Nandini (it’s swirling around all over the place to match Aditha’s inner turmoil) to the camera work when Arulmozhi is telling Vandiyadevan and Nambi about the Oomai Rani and her role in his life. Both brothers are talking about love, but the total difference in what they are talking about and their own personalities is reflected in the camera work.

#ponniyin selvan #ponniyin selvan 2 #Ponniyin Selvan 2 spoilers #arulmozhi varman

[deadloverscity]

#PONNIYINSELVAN : veera chozha veera (please pretend the glitch foes not exist)

#ponniyin selvan #arulmozhi varman #vandhiyathevan #nandhini #kundavai

[ambidextrousarcher]

“தங்கள் சகோதரி தங்களை மிக அவசர காரியமாகப் பார்க்க விரும்புகிறார். தங்களைக் கையோடு அழைத்துக் கொண்டு வருவதாக வாக்களித்து வந்திருக்கிறேன். அதை நிறைவேற்றி வைக்க வேண்டும்" என்று மன்றாடினான்.

"உன் வாக்கை நிறைவேற்றுவதற்காக என் தந்தையின் கட்டளையை மீறச் சொல்கிறாயா?" என்று இளவரசர் கோபமாகக் கேட்டார்.

"அது தங்கள் தந்தையின் கட்டளையில்லை; பழுவேட்டரையரின் கட்டளையல்லவா?" என்றான் வந்தியத்தேவன்.

அதோடு இன்னொன்றும் சொன்னான். "சக்கரவர்த்தியைத் தாங்கள் பார்க்கப் போவதாயிருந்தாலும் சுதந்திரமாகப் பார்க்கப் போவது நல்லதா, பழுவேட்டரையர்களின் சிறையாளியாகப் பார்க்கப் போவது நல்லதா? நான் சொல்கிறேன், கேளுங்கள். தங்களைப் பழுவேட்டரையர்கள் சிறைப்படுத்தியிருக்கிறார்கள் என்ற செய்தி பரவ வேண்டியதுதான். சோழ நாட்டு மக்கள் எல்லோரும் திரண்டு எழுந்து வந்துவிடுவார்கள். தங்களுடைய அருமைத் தாய்நாடு ஒரு பயங்கர ரணகளமாகி விடும். அது நல்லதா என்று எண்ணிப் பாருங்கள்! அப்படிப்பட்ட கேடு சோழ நாட்டுக்கு ஏற்படக் கூடாது என்று தான் கடவுளே அந்தச் சுழற்காற்றை ஏவி விட்டிருக்க வேண்டும். கடவுளின் விருப்பத்துக்கு விரோதமாகத் தாங்கள் சோழ நாட்டில் கலவரத்தை உண்டாக்க விரும்புகிறீர்களா?" என்று கேட்டான் வந்தியத்தேவன்.

Excerpt From

Ponniyin Selvan Anaithu Pagangal (Tamil Edition)

Kalki

This material may be protected by copyright.

Context: Arulmozhi and Vandiyathevan on Poonkuzhali’s boat, before Arulmozhi falls seriously ill. Vandiyathevan is trying to convince Arulmozhi to accompany him to :Pazhayarai instead of going to Thanjavur as. the Pazhuvettarayar’s prisoner.

“Your sister wishes to meet you over a matter of great urgency. I have given her my word that I would lead you to her by hand if need be. My oath must be fulfilled” pleaded he.

“Do you say that for the sake of keeping your word I must disobey my father’s command?” asked the Prince with anger.

“Such is not your father’s command. Is it not the command of the Pazhuvettarayars?” asked Vandiyathevan.

He added another point to his pleas. “Even if the Emperor should meet you, is it better to meet him as a free man or a prisoner of the Pazhuvettarayars? Let me elucidate, listen (to me). The news of the Pazhuvettarayars taking you prisoner would definitely spread. The people of the Chozha country would rise up in revolt. Your cherished motherland would become a battlefield. Spare a thought to whether that is for the better! God himself must have sent the whirlwinds to avert such misfortune to the Chozha country. Do you wish to start a rebellion against divine will in the Chozha country?” asked Vandiyathevan.

Today’s snippet, featuring Vandiyathevan’s rapidly improving skills of persuasion, against Arulmozhi’s determined obedience to his father’s command, so to speak.

Tagging @whippersnappersbookworm @mizutaama @celestesinsight @thereader-radhika @thelekhikawrites @themorguepoet @favcolourrvibgior @willkatfanfromasia @deadloverscity @racoonpaws @harinishivaa @humapkehaikaun

#ponniyin selvan #snippet #vandiyathevan #arulmozhi varman

[thirst4light]

In Memoriam

This is my first try at Vanmozhi Fanfiction. Inspired from the PS 2 movie scene. Planning to do a two part follow-up of this prologue. Let me know what you think!

Prologue

'Tis better to have loved and lost Than never to have loved at all.’ (In Memoriam A. H. H., 27.13-17) 

The sky of Thanjavur was strangely grey on a Vaikasi afternoon as the people waited for their beloved crown prince, Aditha Karikalan, to come home.

Only this time, there was no line of excited girls, wearing their best sarees,  chattering away with their aarti thali on the steps of majestic Thanjavur fort, waiting to catch a glimpse of their handsome  prince.

Instead, a grief-stricken royal family waited patiently. Chakrvarthi and the young prince, Ponniyin Selvan were waiting at the front, while the women of the royal family waited behind.

Slightly behind the royal family, Kodombalur Ilavarasi Vanathi was also waiting along with other royal women, looking over the sea of the people that gathered at the outer court of the fort. Since last night, as the news of the prince’s death spread, people kept coming from all corners of the Cholanadu. 

While Vanathi waited, she thought of everything and nothing.

Such a contrast, Vanathi reflected, looking at the grey sky briefly before her gaze settled on the royal family who were clad in pristine white, a decorum when someone in the family passes away.

As if even the sky was mourning along with this family.

Vanathi’s thoughts got interrupted as people’s clamour suddenly increased, making her focus at the entry gate of the fort.

Finally, Aditha Karikalan had arrived in Thanjavur.

In the city where he grew up. In the city where he belongs.

A long procession of regiment came by foot, closely followed by the prince's beloved horse regiment, waving the chola flag. 

From where she was standing, Vanathi could  see the chariot carrying the prince’s body from a distance, closely flanked by his trusted fighting companions, Manamalyan, Parthibendran and Vanthiyadevan; not leaving their beloved prince’s side, even in death.

As the chariot slowly moved across the crowd, Vanathi could hear muffled cries while some people started to shower flower petals at the chariot, a sign of their last respect to their Ilavarase. A section of the crowd even started to tussle with the guards to touch the chariot and pray.

It took a long time for the guards to clear the way for the chariot to cross the short distance of the entry gate to the steps of the fort. 

When the chariot carrying the prince's body finally stopped in front of the fort stairs, there was a momentary pause among the royal family members. 

As if they could not believe what they were seeing.

The ailing Chakravarty was the first to break down as he could not support his weight anymore. Ponniyin Selvan gripped his father tightly, making sure his father could come down the stairs to meet his beloved elder son.

Raṇi varataṭcaṇai Sembiyan Mahadevi, Rani Vanavan Mahadevi, Iliya Piratti slowly started to walk behind the Chakravarty to meet their nephew, son and brother, Aditha Karikalan, one last time. Vanathi followed them as well, her steps heavy with grief.

As everyone in the family huddled at the front of the chariot and tried to caress the beloved prince’s face, the cries of the Chakravarti and Rani were the most heart-breaking.  Vanathi, who was standing at the end of the chariot, could not take it anymore. She bowed her head, closed her eyes to drown out the sound of cries and desperately put her hands together in prayer.

Ishvara, may the Ilavarase join you in heaven. And…And give my beloved royal family and the people of Cholanadu the strength to overcome this difficult time.

Vanathi stayed still for a few minutes, hoping the cries had subdued. As she opened her eyes, she knew that her attempt at focusing on praying was futile. 

But she had to try. 

In desperation, her eyes searched for the only face that could give her strength at this moment. 

As her eyes landed on Ponniyin Selvan’s face, Vanathi realized, despite being such a pillar of strength to his father, the young prince could not hold himself together anymore.

His face contorted with unspeakable grief; tears were streaming down his eyes continuously.

Vanathi had endured loss in various forms from a very young age. Her mother’s death, even though she had never met her, had left a deep wound in her childhood. Then her father’s death at Ilankai war, leaving her as an orphan in this cruel world. Then bidding farewell to her only father like figure uncle Periya Velar before every war, not knowing whether he would return alive from them was always tantamount to loss for her….Yet, no pain of these losses compared to the pain of seeing her beloved Ponniyin Selvan grieving at this moment.

Until this point, Vanathi did not realize that she had been crying along with everyone else. But seeing her Ponniyin Selvan break down like this, fresh tears blocked her vision completely. Her heart felt so heavy that for a moment she felt like she could not breathe anymore.

Wiping her tears with pallu, Vanathi took a few deep breaths to calm herself.

As the guards started to move to take the chariot away for cremation, on a whim, Vanathi decided to come at the front of the chariot and touch Ilavarase Aditha Karikalan’s feet, seeking blessings.

An opportunity she never had before.

While she looked at the crown prince’s resting face one last time, Vanathi realized, in death, Aditha Karikalan had finally found his peace.

The peace that he had been searching for a long time.

Tagging my enablers who I have on my profile: @harinishivaa @nspwriteups @balladedutempsjadis @celestesinsight @thelekhikawrites @reeeereeeereeereee @whippersnappersbookworm @sambaridli

Feel free to tag others/reblog if you like :)

#ponniyin selvan #ponniyin selvan 2 #arulmozhi #vanathi #vanmozhi #aditha karikalan #vanthiyathevan #arulmozhi varman #vallavaraiyan vandiyadevan #ponniyin selvan 1 #kundavai #fanfiction #cholas #chola dynasty #nandini #nandini x aditha #chiyaan vikram #jayam ravi #sobhita dhulipala #karthi #trisha

[chemicalmindedlotus]

Manoranjanaa- VanathiArunmozhi

Splash.

The crashing waves of the sea below captured Kodumbalur Ilavarasi and Arunmozhi Varmar, who were engrossed in its chilly waves, while the flames enraptured the to the heights of the skies, and the duo disappeared amidst the rising waves and blazing flame. Vaanathi was held in Arunmozhi's iron grip, hardened fingers clasped her dripping waist, and her hands rested on his shoulders and she heaved deeply, sharp breaths escaping her lips as his fingers curled and tightened around her body. Arunmozhi Varman felt his body aflame, the very presence of Vaanathi igniting flames of uncontrolled passion in him, while the Ilavarasi felt like the flowing waters of the ocean, enraptured by the piercing waves of ecstasy, her pale, white clothes clinging to her body like the second skin, but she felt Arunmozhi's skin penetrate through her layers, touching the corners of her soul.

"Ponniyin Selvare..." Her rapturous voice played like the most beautiful music ever, in his ears, while a naughty smirk laced across his lips, a flicker of the flame of his intense desire rising in his brown irises, while the water that was dripping from his forehead slipped down his face, falling on Vaanathi's sharp jaw, then drawing through her throat and to her heaving chest.

"I have not even done anything yet, Ilavarase!" Arunmozhi breathed onto her neck, pulling her closer to his chest, her heart in such a close proximity to his that their breathes and heartbeats started to align, thundering against each others's torsos.

His lips pressed slight kisses on her cheeks when the waves went up, and Vaanathi couldn't help but clutch him closer to herself, changing her tone to a pleading one, while the smirk widened on his lips.

He swiftly turned her face towards herself, brushing his lips over her eyelids then to her cheeks, finally resting on her flower-petal like lips, while her eyes widened, hands going round her back, while his other palm caressed her cheeks. Her eyes bore into his, and she finally uttered into his lips, a sharp, precise breath leaving her chest.

Veera Raaja Veera!

An (Amatuer) Attempt to bring the melody of VRV into words!

@harinishivaa @thelekhikawrites @vibishalakshman @ragkee @thirst4light @whippersnappersbookworm Sorryy if I missed anyone!

#ponniyin selvan #arulmozhi #arunmozhi #Vanathi #arulmozhi varman #vanmozhi #rajaraja chola #vrv #veera raja veera

[thereader-radhika]

Fanfiction prompt: Someone advises Vanathi to be vary of Kundavai

Does Vanathi know the complete history of Kundavai and Nandini?

When they first met, Kundavai was so jealous of Nandini and called her owl-faced and bullied her. She didn't like her brothers interracting with her. But after Aditha Karikalan left for a battle, she and Nandini became best friends. When Karikalan returned after two years, he observed that Nandini's expensive clothes and jewellery were gifted by Kundavai. Nandini was shy to talk to him as in the old times but he seeked her out and both fell for each other, which angered Kundavai. Even at the end, she considered Nandini a gold-digger who pursued Veera Pandyan and her brother.

Has Vanathi ever imagined the consequences of offending her Kundavai akka in some manner? If she wasn't the Kodumbaloor princess but just another orphan girl like Nandini, she wouldn't have been considered to even dust Arulmozhi's sandals. Kundavai starts dreaming about the lost opportunity to end Chola-Pandya war by conducting Nandini-Aditha Karikalan marriage after she learns that she could have been Veera Pandyan's daughter.

Maybe it is one of the disgruntled girls in Kundavai's retuine who tells Vanathi that her position isn't as enviable as she thinks. How will Vanathi react? Will she find solace in the fact that she is actually a princess with the backing of a powerful clan and doesn't have to worry about hypothetical scenarios?

@harinishivaa @celestesinsight @ambidextrousarcher @whippersnappersbookworm @sampigehoovu @sakhiiii @thelekhikawrites

#ponniyin selvan #ponniyin selvan 2 #nandini #nandhini #kundavai #aditha karikalan #aditya karikalan #vanathi #arulmozhi varman #arulmozhi #vanmozhi #nandini x aditha #nanditha

[dosai-maavu]

if the characters of ponniyin selvan were to be in a modern-day indian high school, what personalities do you think they'd have?

here's my take:

aditha karikalan - 12th grade, the overacheiver, good at everything he does, kinda wild, the sorta person who can get piss drunk the day before but still get a 100 on a test the next day, very respected but unapproachable, is involved in literally every society but is particularly interested in sports and chess

vandiyathevan - 12th grade, charming and friendly, very popular, mischievous, gets into trouble a lot but none of it is serious, students love him, teachers like him too but gotta be strict bc he plays too many pranks, in the literature society

kundavai - 11th grade, also good at everything she does, much friendlier than her brother, respected by both students and teachers, the senior you go to when you got a problem bc she just gives the best advice, not too much into physical activities but amazing at debate, MUN's and quizzes

nandini - 11th grader, quiet, mysterious transfer student who hides her intelligence, the girl who will claim to fail but will actually pass with 99%, competitive, hates losing, always achieves her goals, in the chess, tennis and debate societies, good at all of them

arulmozhi - 9th grade, innocent, sweet and helpful, people usually cannot believe he's aditha's brother, doesn't do as well as his siblings in academics because he already knows he's not interested in it, very creative, is part of all artistic societies, is best at poetry and music

vanathi - 9th grade, shy and a little awkward, isn't really good at socializing but is the most animated one when she's with her friends, is fairly good at academics but her real passion is classical dance, in the dance society, almost always plays krishna in their dances

poonguzhali - 10th grader, the "weird" one, quiet, a little unapproachable and eccentric, she usually scares of people who try to talk to her, to her few friends she is wise and thoughtful, doesn't really enjoy academics or other school activities, loves swimming, is secretly an amazing singer but will not sing for anyone

sendhan amudhan - 10th grader, the teacher's pet but you can't hate him because he is literally a golden retriever, topper-in-training, isn't interested in after school societies but he loves going to the library and reading history books, passionate about social justice, spends his weekends volunteering at various charitable organizations

some headcannons:

kundavai and nandini have a fierce rivalry. they cannot stand it when one of them does better than the other. it's usually entertaining but when things get too intense aditha and vandiyathevan have to restrain them so they don't bite each other's heads off.

no one knows where nandini goes after school. she spends sometime at a flat nearby where she claims her grandparents live, but after that she takes off on her cycle. aditha got very close to finding out once but nandini saw it coming and diverted him to a lake on the outskirts of town.

vanathi and arulmozhi had been in the same class ever since preschool but on the first day of 9th grade, they were separated. vanathi felt terrible about it and spent a whole period crying in the washroom. kundavai heard it and felt sorry for her, so she took her under her wing. kundavai and vanathi develop a very deep, sisterly bond after that. .

aditha appears very confident but he secretly cries every other week in his room because the stress of being perfect gets to him. sometimes, when it gets too much, he sneaks out onto the roof for a smoke. vandiyathevan occasionally joins him with some nicotine gum.

vandiyathevan flirts with every girl around his age, but never with kundavai. this is partly because she's his best friend's sister but majorly because he wants to genuinely impress her and flirting won't work. kundavai for her part feels bad when she sees him flirt with other girls but never her. she reasons that it's probably because she's his best friends sister, but she sometimes wishes he would flirt with her too

#aditha karikalan #ponniyin selvan #ponniyin selvan 2 #aishwarya rai #nandini #vandiyathevan #kundavai #poonguzhali #arulmozhi varman #vanathi #sendhan amudhan #aditha karikalan x nandini #parthibendendra pallava #kandamaaran #vandiyathevan x kundavai #arulmozhi varman x poonguzhali #arulmozhi varman x vanathi

[nature-writes29]

An Oath fulfilled |Vanathi × Ponniyin Selvan

      It was a quiet, silent Night. The city of Thanjai was getting ready to sleep. It has been 6 weeks since Sendhan Ammudhan's death. The throne was widowed within a night. With no Chakravarti to rule the place, the whole chola kingdom faced quite a threat from other kingdoms. Everyone knew that Ponniyin Selvan would ascend the throne sooner or later. It was inevitable and everyone knew it. The whole palace had started preparations for the coronation. Everyone seemed to be in the festive mood, exept the person who was about to get coronated.

      Arulmozhi knew that one day he will ascend the throne. At first he didn't even had many problems with it, but now, it seemed impossible for him to do so. 13 years back, when he was to be coronated, he had faced a problem similar to his current one. Vanathi and her her oath.

      He wanted to deny the fact that she had taken the oath, but he just couldn't. He wanted her to stay with him till his last breath. He wanted to hold hands with her even at an old age. He wanted to close his eyes with her face infront of him, giving him the last goodbye, and not the way around. He wanted her.

      Yet, he found himself catching her fall after she fainted between a pooja 1-2 weeks ago. Yet he found himself tending to her high fever. Yet he found himself holding her hair as she vomited like there was no tomorrow. Yet he found himself comforting and cuddling her as she shivered from a non existent cold. Yet he found himself listening to the Vaidya say that she was getting nearer to see Vaikuntha (heaven). Yet he found himself being comforted by his Akka and Vanthyathevan as he cried like a baby after hearing the news.

      Yet he found himself alone in their chambers with her . The night was quite and chill. Arulmozhi was laying beside Vanathi as she slept. His strong hands running through her now weakened and frailed hair. He hated how she looked right now. Her skin was almost sticked to her bones. Her usual bright doe eyes were sulking. Her hair were withered. And what he hated the most was, how sick she looked. He hated seeing her in pain, but he wasn't ready to let her go yet. A bit selfish? Yes. But she was just too precious for him. She was his brain, she was his heart. She was his soul. She was in every breath he took. She was a part of him. Inseparable.

      He was shaken out of his thoughts when he felt her stire beneath him. He quickly but cautiously pulled out his hand from her hair, as if she were a really fragile piece of glass.

      Vanathi slowly opened her eyes. She felt someone was there beside her and looked over. There she saw her husband, her Ponniyin Selvan, her yaanai paagan beside her. He had a serious and... What was it? Sad expression of his face. She knew that he knew, and he knew that she knew. And since today morning she had been feeling that weird feeling far more strongly that it had in many days. She knew that her time was almost finished.

      She looked at him, studying his face. His beautiful face, the same one she had fallen so hard for. But right now, there was something glistening around his eyes and cheeks. Then she understood, he had been crying. For her. Because of her actually.  She felt bad for this.

   "Swami-" Vanathi croaked out. Even slight talking was starting to feel like a big task to her. Arulmozhi quickly grabbed the glass which had her drinking water in it and he slowly made her sit a bit with his other hand, and started to feed her water little by little.

      After she was done drinking, she quitly asked him.

   "Swami.. Why are there tears on your cheeks? She asked in a low voice

   " Tears? -" Arulmozhi hadn't even realized that he had started to cry. He quickly wiped them away but Vanathi stoped him and tried to do it herself.

   "It's actually nothing chellam, I wasn't crying" He started.

   "Swami, I know that I am not actually able to think properly right now, but, I do know when you are sad" She said. He looked at her more intensely after this. What had he done to deserve her?

      "Aay.. Forget it, look what I got you few hours back." He pointed at the table beside her. It was a flock of Kodupul flowers. These flowers had always been the symbol of their love. He had gotten then for her in all of their milestones as a couple, or when he had gotten a bit too romantic.

   "Kodupul? " She smiled a bit saying this. Remembering all those beautiful times. A single tear rolled down her cheek. Arulmozhi was quick to notice it.

      "Kanne, why are you crying? " He asked slowly tilting her head towards his.

   "It's nothing" She said. But she didn't wipe it. She didn't think that she had enough strength remaining for that. Amv took her hands into his own.

   "Tell me, please. Don't hide what you are thinking, please. " He said with plea written all over his face.

   "It's just... I was thinking of all our memories which are tied with this flower." She said. Her tone was getting lower and lower. He smiled at the thought. She continued. But it was evident that talking was getting harder for her. Yet she wasn't stopping. It seemed like she sense that this was going to be it.

   "How many times you bought these for me... One time you even climbed a tree right? Just to give me these before our wedding. Our every single moment was tied with this flower in one way or another. Till now. It was great wasn't it? " She said while looking at him. More tears were forming under her eyes.

   "Haan- wait- was great? Dear, we are going to have those moments again. We just have to wait till your sickness goes away! Look! you are improving! There is no need to say anything like this Chellam! " He said. Vanathi smiled sadly at this statement.

   "Natha, I think we both know that I don't have much time left-"

   "Don't say anything like that! You are going to recover. I know it!" Amv interrupted her.

   "Natha, there is a thin line between what we want and the facts-"

   "Vanu-"

   "No! Let me finish. I have been wanting to tell you this Swami from a few days. I heard what the Vaidhya said. And I am also feeling myself slipping away. Initially I was scared of the very thought of leaving you. I want to stay with you for an eternity. I really do. B-"

   "You can Vanathi, You can! Please listen to me,-" He took her hand in both of his palms "-I can't live without you! I want to listen to your laughter, I want to see your eyes in mine, I want to hold hands with you like this, I just... Just want you Chellam! " His voice croaked at the last word. Why was this happening to them, why was this happening to her! Why does parmeshawara opt to take the bestest of people first along with them! Why?

      "Swami, pleased don't make this difficult for me, I also don't want to die, but it is fate swami, fate! And I have also taken the oath-"

   "To hell with your oath! I don't care about your oath Vanathi! I. Just. Care. About. You!! And the very thought of you- yo- not-" He fully broke down. His head bended down in defeat and rested on their hands. He wasn't able to comprehend this fact. He knew that she was telling the truth, but it. was. just. too. much!

    Vanathi's heart broke down seeing this. She didn't wanted to die, but she knew that her life was going to be short the day she took the oath. So she had excepted this fact long ago, and used to cherish every single moment she had with him. Today morning when her Akka had visited her ( she used to be there in the morning and he used to be there for her at night time. ) she was also holding back her tears. Vanthyatevan had also been there and he was already in the crying state.

   "Swami.. " She gently kept her free palm on his cheeks, forcing him to look at her.

   "We can't do anything about the oath, and I knew that this day was going to come. But now, I will have to take my leave-" She said breaking down a bit herself. Arulmozhi quickly stoped her by placing one of his hand on her mouth.

   "Please don't say anything like this Vanathi. Please. We are supposed to get old together! And what about Madhu! He needs a mother. We were supposed to see his marriage together! When he first goes to battle, when he will be crowned the next prince, when he will become the chakravarti, whe were supposed to see all this together Priye! " After listening to this Vanathi grabbed his hand pulled it down. And said quietly.

   "Do you really think that I will leave you that easily Swami? I will always stand with you, whether I am there or not. I will always look for your back, be there with you. And in the end we will meet again right? I will always wait for you Natha" She said with a weak smile. Arulmozhi just looked at her. Impressed by how greatly she was handling it.

      He then took her completely in his arms so that one of her hand rested on his heart and his on her shoulders. One of both their arms were interlocked together. They were looking at each other. Comfortable in their positions.

      He was comforted by the fact that she will at last be free of all of her pains. All he wanted now was for her to be happy. He quickly pecked her and looked at her with an expression which can only depict love, sadness, excepted fact, and adoration.

   "I love and will always love you my Vanu" He said just after giving her a deep kiss.

      This was all she wanted to hear. This is what made her heart free of every burden, worry and questions she was carrying. Her family will be okay. She will meet him again in few decades and she was sure about it.

   "I love you, My Yaanai Paagan.. " She said in a soft voice. She knew she only had a few moments left. All of her energy was drained.

      He looked at her peaceful expression as she closed her eyes. Her last thought being of him. The last thing she saw, was him. Her last breath was of his name. Her heart beated for the last time with only him in it. She was his, and she will always be his. For an eternity.

      He stared at her lifeless body. Tears building up in his throat. His Vanu, his Kadhal, his Chellam, his Kadambur illavarasi was gone. He held her more closely. He bought her shoulders close to him and kissed her forehead.

   "Vanu, you not only did just leave me, but you also took my peace, my love, my brain, my heart, the half of me, my soul with you Kanne. You took a big part of me with you chellam, you did. " He said hugging her close. She had left him to deal with this world alone, without her love, without her enchanting doe eyes, without her laughter, without.... Her. He had no one now to come home back too. She had taken his life away along with her.

_Epilogue_

Kundavai came rushing into the room after hearing the noises. Only to find the scene which shattered her heart beyond anything. Vanthyatevan came rushing behind her, just in time to catch her as she fell down crying. Her sweet best friend, her thozhi, his maya kanan had left them.

The night was filled with cries as Amv's other 2 wives were crying too. They also loved their Akka. Madhu's cries were the loudest, as he had lost his mother at the tender age of 12.

Arulmozhi didn't make any sound, but his grief made the loudest sound. He and his Akka, after some time, we're only starting into the abyss. Vanthyatevan was trying to console Kundavai but Arulmozhi had no one.

He was the one who had given fire to her. The whole country was in awe and shock... For the queen had completed her oath, but at the cost of her life. After persistent requests from his Akka, he did proceed with the coronation. He did it 'cause he knew that this is what his Vanathi wanted. His other queen sat on the throne with him, but in his heart, Vanathi was the only queen he ever lived for.

•••••~•••••~•••••~•••••~•••••~•••••~•••••

( A/N )

Ha ha ha, I made you all cry, didn't I? This is the longest OS I have written standing at 2300+ words. And of course, the saddest on also. I started writing this yesterday instead of studying for my Marathi exam. (It went well), and here I am completing this. Please tell me your thought on this. I hope that you guys liked this one shot. Instances mentioned are from the book. If any confusion let me know! :)

Any suggestions and feedback appreciated.

If you want to read more from my works, visit my wattpad page. Same Id name.

∆ Requests Accepted ∆

_ All work is original. Do not copy _

( I usually do not mention anyone unless it's an request, but, I want to hear your feedback :) and I got some of your id's from a fellow writter. And I won't tell who, but they told me to tag people, so it reaches to more ps lovers. )

@nspwriteups @thelekhikawrites @dr-scribbler @kovaipaavai @dosai-maavu @matka-kulfi @curiousgalacticsoul @harinishivaa @chiyaanvikram @celestesinsight @thegleamingmoon @ragkee @inlovewithfictionalbeings @voidsteffy @whippersnappersbookworm @hollogramhallucination @thereader-radhika @sowlspace  @favcolourrvibgior @ponniyin-selvan @ponniyinselvann-blog

please tell me I made you cry :)

#vanathi #ponniyin selvan #arulmozhi #arulmozhi varman #kundavai #love #ps2 #vallavarayan vanthyathevan #ps1 #book #death #sad #jayam ravi #shobita dhulipala #major character death #miss #cry #trisha #chola #raj raj chola #rajendra chola

[yehsahihai]

things I will not be over anytime soon

#ponniyin selvan #Arulmozhi Varman #vanathi #desiblr #desi post #vanmozhi #Ponniyin Selvan 2 #veera raja veera

[nspwriteups]

His Idol - Arulmozhi x Vanathi fic

A/N: my Vanathi spends a lot of time in her dreamworld and my Arulmozhi is a student at Vanthiyathevan's school of flirting😂

@thatacademic got me so excited I just had to write and post this as soon as got the idea

Inspired from 'Temple' fic by @rang-lo🖤

Everyone gathered at the sanctum of the Durgai temple were immersed in thoughts of devotion to Goddess Kali, welfare of the kingdom or praying for their loved ones. Well, everyone except Vanathi. Try as she might,she was not able to concentrate on praying to Kali Amma for not more than a few minutes. How can she when she is painfully aware of the presence of her yaanai paagan right behind her - the person who has stolen her heart and her mind and is refusing to give it back.She was not able to take her eyes off him when they were walking side by side on the streets greeting the people, when they were travelling on the elephant and certainly not now when they are standing so close that she was sure if she were to move he would notice.

But will he? He only smiled at her when they locked eyes at earlier times, he was pretty much oblivious to her gazing at him at other times. As much as he was oblivious to Kundavai's other companions desperately trying to seek his attention. Surely he would be praying to Kali Amma now, with his eyes closed and wouldn't even notice her looking at him one more time?

Emboldened by her own convictions, Vanathi scanned the crowd, majority of them had their eyes closed, others had their gaze trained upon the Goddess statue, lips silently chanting prayers.The pandit was loudly chanting hymns and doing aarti. Slowly she turned her head, very slightly that it cannot even be called a movement. Her eyes first landed on her Ilavarase's elbows, slowly trailing up to see his forearms, golden bangles, palms folded together, his face, his....eyes...opened and focused....on her.

This was the least she expected to happen so she found it almost impossible to break eye contact with him. He looked at her fondly with a small smile etched on his lips. She found herself returning the smile and slowly turned back, praying for the crowd to disperse already so she can run back to her chambers and melt in embarrassment.

The aarti was completed and now the pandit was handing out the prasad. Still, Vanathi could feel a pair of eyes at her back and looking back she wondered how long he had been gazing at her.

"Ponniyin Selvare, what are you doing?" She couldn't help but whisper

"Looking at my idol" he whispered back

"But the idol of Kali is over there"

"My idol is right here, next to me"

Her eyes widened at the remark, glancing at her yaanai paagan who was now grinning at her. Such honeyed words..where did he learn to talk like that?

"Ilavarase, when did you become such a tease?"

He tried to suppress his laughter, disguising it as a cough " You can thank Vanthiyathevan for it"

Of course, she should have guessed it. The Vana Clan prince and the Chola prince has been thick as thieves ever since their first meeting, so of course Vanthiyathevan would impart his expert knowledge to his newfound friend.

They remained quiet for some time.

"Vanathi" her heart skipped a beat when she heard her given name being uttered with so much care. " Can we meet after this? In the garden? Preferably without my Akka hovering over us and analysing our each word and reaction?"

She took a sharp intake of breath. A secret rendezvous? Behind Akka's back? How intriguing!

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her uyir thozi glancing at their direction. It was like Kundavai could sense they were talking about her. How was she going to evade her smart Akka? What would distract her? Or better yet who?

Vallavaraiyan Vanthiyathevan. Yes, who else is more qualified to distract her Akka than the charming and loyal prince who has already won Kundavai's heart with his " uyir ungalodayathu Devi" .

'Kamsa Mama' Vanathi thought 'You have to do one more favour for this Maya Kannan'

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

@vibishalakshman @hollogramhallucination @kovaipaavai @willkatfanfromasia. @thegleamingmoon @deafeningflowercat @thelekhikawrites @dumdaradumdaradum @whippersnappersbookworm @yehsahihai @theperfectidiot20 @itsfookingloosah Would love to hear your opinions 🥰

#ponniyin selvan #aditha karikalan #vanathi #arulmozhi #kundavai #ponniyin selvan 2 #nandini #vanthiyathevan #arulmozhi varman #Vanmozhi

[khushireadsandrambles]

Veera Raja Veera..!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ilavarasar Arulmozhi Varman had crowned the Prince Madhuranthakan Dev, and now was the time for the entertainment. The Princesses from the small Kingdoms of the Chozha Naadu came together with small lightened lamp in their palms, and the singers around them strung the strings of Veena and Yazh.

Kaaneero neer kaan,

Sozha Vetri vaal ondrai Kaaneero...

O azhagiye poovae,

Selludhiyo, malaridu po sagi...

(Are you not seeing it?

Can you not see the victorious Chozha sword?

O beautiful flower,

Will you not garland him, o friend?)

Their movements were slow, going with the beautiful Raaga and voices of the singers.

Veera Raja Veera

Soora theera soora

Veezha sozha veera

Seerar gnyaalam vaazha

Vaarai vaagai soora

(O royal warrior!

O brave and strong one.

Invincible Chozha warrior

May the world prosper

Hail to your victory!)

Sundara Chozha's chest swelled with pride when the Kathaakaars (storytellers) dressed as his ancestors and acted their tales of bravery outt. From Karikala Valava hoisting flag at Imaiya Malai to Vijayalaya Chozha's incomparable battle prowess, everything made his chest swell with pride.

Thoduvor pagai porai

nadugal serkkum veera

maara kaadhal maara

Poovor engum theera

Paavor pottrum veera

(Those who dare to oppose you,

you send them to their graves

O angel of undying love

Lovely damsels yearn for you.

We sing your glory, o brave one!)

Vandiyadevan remembered the day when a drunk Adithan confessed that he chopped of Veerapandiya's head. A nostalgic smile washed over his which soon turned sad smile. Kundhavai's eyes roamed towards Vandiyadevan and she frowned slightly at his sad smile, while Arulmozhi's eyes secretly tried to find Vanathi who was mssing.

Udaivaal araithaanga

Paruvol puvithaanga

Vaalava emai aala

varuvaai kala era

Aayiram vezham pola

Porkkalam serum sozha

Vendha Raja Raja!

Vaarai vaagai Soora!!

(A sword on your waist,

carrying the world on your shoulders

come and rule us

Board your ships!

Enter the battlefield like

Thousand charging elephants!

O Lord! King of King! Come,

Hail to your victory!)

The dancing male dressed as Chozha soldier soon returned dressed as Adithya Karikalan and gave him a proper tribute. The young soldeir made to look like Karikala was so similar that it immediately brought Vanavan Mahadevi and Sundara Chozha to tears.

The Dancing men soon dispersed and were replaced with females. The familiar voice of the female made Arulmozhi whip her head towards the arena, where he saw a beautiful damsel dressed in pretty white saree and golden jewellery sang and danced.

Viraliyar gaanam paada

Kanigaiyar nadanam aada

Paavaiyar kulavai poda

Parithear sagadam aada

(Royal maidens sing

and women dances

Singers sing in celebration

Horse chariots move in harmony.)

Kundhavai smiled widely and looked at Vanavan Mahadevi and Sembiyan Mahadevi and they too smiled in return. Arulmozhi felt glances at him but he pointedly ignored them, all while looking at Vanathi who danced like the celestial nymphs of Swarga Loka.

Alaimel Kathirai Pola

Vilangidum aruma deva

Padaiyani Perumai saattra

Pulavargal thamizhum theera

(Like the rising sun over dappled waters

You shine O Lord!

When singing praises of your army

Poets struggle to find words.)

Vanathi immersed herself in singing, Kundhavai's training finally fruiting when everyone was enchanted by this innocent and courteous Princess of Kodumbalur. Even Poonguzhali was spellbounded.

Kadalmel puyalai pola

Kalangal virainthu paaya

Vannalai seeratta

Thenpulam eengum veera

(Like the blustery wind skimming the sea

Ypur ships sped across the choppy waters

Blowy waves caress you

Charge south, O valiant warrior!)

Vanathi twirled around when her eyes locked with Arulmozhi, and with a outstretched hand towards his direction, she stopped. While evryone thought it was a dance pose, only he knew that she was again lost in his amethyst eyes like she always did. One of the other dancers noticed this and purposely bumped into her, with intention to waken up her, and she succeed.

Kootraagil Sel, Kaatraagi sel

Sara sara sara saravena

velmazhai than Peidhida

Para para para paravena

paayattum paaimaaram

(Be assertive, go like a wind

to rain arrows

let's sail the ship faster)

The soldiers returned behind the twirling damsels, now the naayagan dressed as Arulmozhi Varman. Madhuranthakan shared a smile with Arulmozhi Varman.

Malavargal veeram kanna

Samuthiram veruvi pogum

Uruviya vaalai kandu

Piraimadhi naani pogum

(To witness the bravery of warriors

the sea becomes scared of

when he pulls out the sword

The Moon will shy away)

Vanathi twirled around the naayagan, all of her fluid movements making everyone a fan of her. Kundhavai smiled proudly. While the other girls were also great, Vanathi was always the most talented.

Ethirigal uthiram serndhu

Kuthikadal vannamaagum

Udhirndhidum pagaivar thegam

kadalukku annamaagum

(The blood of enemies

Makes the sea change its color

the bodies of enemies become food

for the creatures in the ocean)

Arulmozhi perked up with an idea as he stood up from his throne and went towards his father. Upon hearing, Sundara Chozha smiled widely and gave Arulmozhi his blessings. Vandiyadevan moved to get up but he denied.

Pulimagan veeram kandu

pagaikkulam sithari odum

saramazhai peithal kandu

kadalalai karaikku odum

(After witnessing the bravery of Chozha tiger

The enemies run away

After witnessing the rain of arrows

The sea waves runs to seashore)

Adada perum veera

edada thodi vaalai

thodada sara maalai

adhuda pagaivorai..

(O such bravery

take your sword

make garlands

kill your enemies)

Vanathi was so immersed in the dance that she didn't saw a majestic elephant making its way towards them. The others dancers did and stepped away after noticing the mahout. Soon he reached Vanathi and the huge shadow that loomed over her made her tun away. Vanathi smiled when she saw the face of Mahout.

En Thamizh vaazhga vaazhga

veera sozham vaazhga

natramizh vaazhga vaazhga

nallore dhesam vaazhga!

The elephant moved his trunk, and not breaking their eye contact, Vanathi stepped on the Trunk. Elephant rose it's trunk higher and higher, while Arulmozhi outstretched his hand for Vanathi to hold. Everyone stood up from their seats watching in awe as she held his hand, and stepped in the small chariot that was made on the Elephant.

"Yaanai Paaga."

He couldn't help but smile when she put her hand on his left shoulder.

————————

@vibishalakshman @thatacademic @hollogramhallucination @kovaipaavai @rang-lo @willkatfanfromasia I desperately need a feedbackkk!!!

#ponniyin selvan #arulmozhi #desi culture #vanathi #arulmozhi varman #fanfic #veera raja veera #vanathiarulmozhi

[balladedutempsjadis]

Ponniyin Selvan (The Book vs. Movie edition)

I've just today finished the five volumes of Kalki Krishnamurthy's epic historical novel Ponniyin Selvan, which was the basis for the two-movie series of the same name which I ADORED after I watched the first movie for the first time a couple of weeks ago. And ... I have some thoughts on the books and on the adaptation of the books. First of all, some general thoughts about the books:

I really wish I could read this in the original Tamil. In my understanding, these books are a beloved modern classic of Tamil literature, and the English translation, though perfectly fine and serviceable in terms of explicating the plot, rarely has memorable language.

Perhaps this is a function of the translation, or a different literary tradition, or the author's style (and I'll never really know which), but there is a lot of stuff that I can best describe as static. Actions and events are often described after they occur so as a reader, I felt distanced from what was going on in several scenes.

There are a LOT of coincidences (the entire Sembian Amuthan plotline is heavily based on coincidences) and repetition.

Even if I didn't know this was serialized, I would have guessed because of the repetition mentioned above, frequent flashbacks, and the padding out of some of the scenes. This isn't necessarily a bad thing (it reminds me of Dickens' novels, which I happen to be quite fond of) but it's definitely a hallmark of the novels.

I felt sometimes that Kalki was having a bit of a struggle with the historical characters having to do what they did in history versus his fictional characters like Nandini being able to do what they wanted. So sometimes I felt the characterizations were a bit lacking (and I definitely skipped some of Sembian Mahadevi's musings, SORRY!)

Now for the differences between the books and film versions (SPOILERS FOR THE BOOKS AND BOTH FILMS BELOW).

In general, with one exception I'll talk about later, I think the scriptwriters did an amazing job of adapting this immense series to film. In fact, for a number of things, I think they improved the pacing of the narrative and cut out extraneous stuff that detracted from the momentum of the main story - these were things that may have worked in a serialized novel but would have drowned even a gigantic six hour film series. All that follows is just my opinion, of course!

First of all, a fair number of characters were just cut out of the story, which I thought tightened up the narrative. (For example, Manimeghalai was completely unnecessary IMO for the story to proceed and she really detracted from the scene between Aditha Karikalan and Nandini when Karikalan dies; the intensity of that scene would have suffered from having anyone else observe it.) Poonghuzhali's brother and father (her sister-in-law Rakkamal is still there but not related) are gone in the film version. And that's all fine, I think it would have made things more confusing and I don't even think a tv series would have been able to use ALL these characters. (Also, I think I like that Poonghzhali seems more stable in the movie.)

I also liked that they cut out the astrologer. I thought the book relied way too heavily on the astrologer's predictions and while that may have been an accurate portrayal of 10th century Chola society, it also removed the jeopardy from the characters. If Arulmozhi Varman's sister would be confident that nothing terrible could happen to him because of the lines on his palm, then it was really hard to generate suspense about him within the story. (I mean obviously as readers/moviegoers we might know that he became Rajaraja Chola and therefore survived the assassination attempts, but his contemporaries and the fictional characters in-universe didn't know that he would end up being a great king.)

For me, it was more powerful to see how much the kingdom mourned him and his family mourned him than to have his sister shrug and be like "oh well, the stars don't say he dies so he's probably alive." And the way that they mourned him also helped develop their characters (To be fair, I also can't figure out what Kalki believed re:astrology either, because occasionally the author's voice is very skeptical about the astrologer as well.)

More controversially, I think they were right to cut out the whole Senthan Amuthan storyline about being the real son of Sembian Mahadevi and the previous king etc. etc. The hidden identity heir business was just way too melodramatic for me even in the book, and I don't think it would have worked at all for me in the movies. I mean, SA doesn't really even have much characterization in the book anyway (he's there a lot and helps out when he can but other than the fact that he loves Poonguzhali and has a nice voice, I couldn't tell you much about him.) Plus that would necessitate that Fake!Madhurantaka be Nandini's twin etc. and that would also have not been believable.

Now ... onto the main characters books vs. movie:

Aditha Karikalan: I honestly liked him much more in the movies than in the books. He was the tragic hero of the movie, with a clear arc, and Vikram brought oodles of charisma to his role. But in the books, he was a lot more opaque to me (his love for Nandini is not his focus - so he maybe falls in love with Manimegalai? - and that moment where he chooses to die isn't as crystal clear.) Also, Book!Aditha is a bit of an asshole towards all of his friends, frankly, which movie Aditha is not.

His chief faults in the movie are that he's ruled by his emotions (which is both why he sins against Nandini by beheading an unarmed man - Veera Pandyan - in a fit of rage that Nandini is pleading for his life AND why he tries to atone for that sin by committing suicide, which of course doesn't actually solve anything and in fact embroils innocent people like Vandiyathevan in a horrible situation).I still think he wouldn't have made a good king, not least because he would not listen to ANYONE'S advice, whether that someone was his grandfather, his friend, or his brother or his sister.

Book!Aditha might have made a better King - he actually goes to Kadambur not just to see Nandini, but partly in order to find out and allay the different Chola clans and possibly cement one of their loyalties by marriage to MM, so I thought that made for an interesting contrast. Even in the books, though, Kalki compares how the people mourned Aditha (as a great warrior whose absence threatened their kingdom's survival) and how they mourned Arulmozhi when he was believed to be dead (as a beloved son/brother even if they didn't know him personally.) The book (and movie though to a lesser degree because it's so preoccupied with Nandini/Aditha) has a lot to say about power and responsibility (so there are constant contrasts between not just Aditha and Arulmozhi but between the Pazhuvettarayar brothers and Arulmozhi - for example, over whether the Chola kingdom should supply the army in Elangai or whether they should live off the land. AMV is much more farsighted and knows how important it is to not make a conquered populace feel subjugated because they will rebel.)

Nandini: I feel like she was a lot more fleshed out in the film than Book!Nandini, and as she and Aditha were the emotional focal point of the movies, it makes more sense. Her motivations seemed clearer to me, and I also appreciated that we actually found out what happened to her, and she didn't just disappear off the page. I also liked, as mentioned above, that they didn't bother with the False!Madhuranthakan who was actually Nandini's twin etc. I liked that they fleshed out the love story between her and Aditha and gave Kundavai a role and also showed how it was Aditha's impulsive declaration that she would be THE Chola Queen that directly led to Nandini - who had done nothing wrong - being unceremoniously bundled off to wherever. (Would I also have liked a little more of how Aditha reacted to his family's banishment of Nandini? I think I would. Like we got a little bit of that in PS1 when he blames Kundavai for being jealous but not much more than that?)

Kundavai was very awesome in both book and film, but she had a lot less to do in the second movie. As I mentioned above, I loved that she actually believed her beloved younger brother to be dead so we got to see her reaction compared to Aditha's. (Aditha basically goes into beast mode and is like “I can fight whoever to avenge my little brother” and Kundavai is, as usual, a lot more rational even in the depths of grief.) I also really liked that brief scene the film gave us with all three siblings together which was a nice addition to the story. I felt there were not very many differences between Book! and Movie!Kundavai - although the book definitely played up her influence over her younger brother a bit more. She is the mirror to Nandini and maybe Nandini would have been like Kundavai if she had not had such struggles in her early life? I do like that in both books and movie, the female characters are so strong (I mean, well-characterized) and different from one another.

Vandiyadevan is just a great character! His resemblance to D'Artagnan was even stronger in the books (he had time for even more adventures) and his verbal sparring with Nambi was great and nicely translated to screen, I thought. I did think his presence in Kadambur and his (partial) witnessing of Aditha's death and aftermath was handled with more pace and worked better for me in the film (again, no Manimegalai was a great decision. And the picnic that Nandini goes on with Aditha and Vandiyadevan and MM and others (I think?) It was late at night when I was reading and I was like WTF so I might be misremembering it) dilutes the Aditha/Nandini meeting a lot. Anyway, back to Vandiyadevan - still sooooo charming. I loved Karthi in this role and am going to watch Kaatru Velliyadai (although I understand he's very different in that one!) sometime this week. But I found Book!Vandiyadevan lovely as well. I think his character translated perfectly from book to screen.

Arulmozhi Varman - I thought the books would focus more on him than they did, given that he's the title character. And I was a little surprised that he still wasn't the main focus of the books (though there's more focus on him in the later volumes), but there were some nice little character moments that I wish could have come into the movie. (Though there were a couple of things in the movie that I also really liked which showed his character beautifully.)

I read Kalki's afterword about how the pivotal scene in all of the books is Arulmozhi Varman's sacrifice of his crown, because that is an amazing thing for any ruler to do, to voluntarily give up his own power and step back. The books talk about the Chola ancestor Sibi, who was willing to give up his own life to protect a pigeon from an eagle because the pigeon was under his protection. I believe we are meant to understand Arulmozhi's sacrifice in a similar light. He is all about protecting the realm, even if it means sacrificing his own ambitions and that makes him Sibi's worthy heir. (In the Mahabharata, Arjuna is the peerless warrior prince, but his brother Yudhishtira is the Dharmaraja - the best of all; and I think we are meant to see echoes of Arjuna (and his son Abhimanyu, alone in the midst of his enemies) in Aditha and echoes of Yudhishtira in Arulmozhi.)

The books and the movie handle this immense sacrifice a little differently; in the book, we get a lot more motivation for that action: AMV is steeped in the history of the Singhalese kingdom and horrified by how bloody their succession battles were (he references fathers killing sons and vice versa more than once) and he is super clear that he doesn't want to bring that mess to the Chola kingdom or cause a civil war or anything like that. But there are two more elements as well, that I mostly got from the book: he truly loves Vanathi and she has sworn an oath that she doesn't want to be empress, so he can't have both Vanathi and the throne (but it's also a political decision, since if he's King, and marries Vanathi, then he'll be seen as privileging her clan above all others unless he marries a bunch of other girls as well). I also genuinely think he also wants to go hang out with Vandiyadevan and have adventures (while also doing the necessary jobs of fighting pirates and expanding trade and all that other stuff.)

The movies don't make that explanation as explicit, but there is this golden thread of self-sacrifice that runs through Arulmozhi's scenes in the movies as well: first of all, he refuses to take the throne of Elangai, though it is offered to him by the monks who crowned all the kings of the island. (This happens in both the books and the movie, but the books make this a more political decision - AMV says Elangai is too small for the scope of his vision, and that he doesn't want it to look like he's setting up a parallel second kingdom to the Cholas in opposition to his brother - whereas in the movies, it is clearly a matter of dharma. And the movie really sells that.)

Then Arulmozhi jumps into a stormy sea to swim to a ship full of people who want to kill him, in order to save Vandiyadevan. (I mean also some breathtaking confidence in himself that he and Vandiyadevan by themselves can defeat the Pandya rebels. He definitely does not lack for confidence :)) I cannot believe I actually forgot about this and had to come back and edit this post.I guess I am too used for Arulmozhi being awesome for this even to register on the scale?

The third self-sacrifice is when Arulmozhi is recovering from his life-threatening fever amidst the Buddhist monks at Nagapattinam. In the movie, somehow the Pandya assassins find out he's there and rile up the crowd which threatens to destroy the monastery which they claim is hiding their beloved prince from them. Although AMV is encouraged to slip away to escape the Pandya assassins, he refuses to repay his hosts by allowing their monastery to be destroyed. So he goes out to face the crowd, despite knowing that he's putting his life in danger by doing this. In the movie, he makes a choice to reveal himself and once again we see that Arulmozhi will always privilege the good of the people under his protection (the people of Elangai, Vandiyadevan, the monks, and ultimately the whole populace of the Chola Kingdom) over his own desires, and even his own life if need be. Over and over again, he shows himself to be the true heir of Sibi. (I also thought the elephant-goad plot was REALLY well done in the movie; even knowing obviously that AMV survived this, I was SO tense during that entire sequence. The book version just wasn’t as tense. Anyway …) So in the movie we keep seeing WHY Arulmozhi will be the great king he becomes but also why he will not take the crown at the end - and by not taking it, he makes himself all the more worthy of it.

In the book, in contrast, he leaves the monastery because there's about to be a devastating cyclone and it's not safe there any more. His disguise is revealed against his will by Rakammal hailing him as the prince; he's not given any choice in the matter. And he has very good and valid reasons for not wanting to reveal who he is which are also an excellent lead-up to his giving up the throne. Book!Arulmozhi wants to avoid a civil war over the succession at all possible costs. And he knows the public is fickle and easily swayed (there’s a whole subplot about there are rumors that HE had Vandiyadevan kill Aditha Karikalan so he - AMV - could be crowned, which only one character says in the film and everyone ELSE is like “Arulmozhi would NEVER!” But in the books more people seem like they are could be swayed by that thought - and giving up the throne to his father’s cousin is one spectacular way to give the lie to those rumors. And here’s also me, getting so angry on behalf of a fictional /historical character ;))

I think the movie version and the book version of this event both work really well for their respective media in terms of establishing who this man is, and what his character is, which lead up to his ultimate sacrifice.

The last sacrifice is, of course, that he give up the kingdom that *everyone* wants him to have. I think in both the books and the films, it's clear that the weird succession situation from his great-uncle Gandaraditha's day (where the throne when to the younger brothers of the king, and then to Sundara Chola - AMV's father - Gandarathia's nephew - rather than to Gandaraditha's own son) was bound to create a locus for discontent and coups egged on by the enemies of the Chola Kingdom. And that internecine strife is, from Kundavai's and AMV's perspective, what killed their brother and even put AMV in line to the throne at all. (They don't know all the backstory about Nandini and Aditha's guilt and his essential suicide. Also, I think it’s an interesting contrast between Aditha Karikalan who offers to give up the throne - once to the council of plotters where he says he’d do it if he had an army to go get himself another kingdom, and once when he proposes to Nandini that they just run off together. Arulmozhi had his chance at a kingdom won by force of arms - Elangai - and said no, and when he gives up the throne at the end of the books/movies it’s for love of the country he was expected to rule, not for love of an individual.)

The one thing I wish the movies had done was flesh out the Kundavai/Vandiyadevan and Vanathi/Arulmozhi connections. The actors did a lovely job with what they were given just from facial expressions and eyes (Vandiyadevan looks hopeless in love in the course of a single conversation when he's dressed as Krishna's uncle) and I bought into Vanathi and Arulmozhi's love for each other with nothing more than him reading her message in PS1 and a couple of times they looked at each other (so much love for Jayam Ravi and Shobita Dhulipala's facial expressions which sold the connection), but IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE FOR BOTH THESE COUPLES TO HAVE A CONVERSATION! But I realize I've seen a couple of Mani Ratnam's Hindi films (Dil Se, and Raavan - though I really want to watch the Tamil version of that) and he does doomed romance very adroitly. (Although from reading the plots of his several other films, apparently he also does do happy endings sometimes and I sort of wish we could have shifted the focus from Nandini/Aditha A LITTLE BIT to maybe just get a tiny conversation between these two other couples the I also loved. But at least I got some crumbs in terms of the full videos of the songs of "Veera Raja Veera" (for AMV/Vanathi) and "Aga Naga" (for Kundavai/Vandiyadevan. (FYI, the Veera Raja Veera video song is super hot - Rajaraja Chola is looking at his beloved while she dances as though she is an extremely tasty snack he can't wait to sample :P)

ALSO, if anyone wants to make PS3 with these actors I WOULD LOVE YOU FOREVER. In my head, it would be about Vandiyadevan doing wild stuff and flirting with EVERYBODY while Arunmozhi Varman sort of sighs and goes along with him to try and exercise some control over him* because Kundavai will kill him if anything happens to her boo, and they keep getting embroiled in weirder stuff and getting hit on the head (Vandiyadevan) and chilling out looking at Buddhist cave art and talking to elephants (AMV) and Kundavai just sits back and continues to run the kingdom (because she knows that AMV will not let anything happen to her boo). And of course, Nambi would be keeping an eye on both of them as well. Meanwhile, Vanathi is doing lots of dancing and going on some of the art tours with her husband, and also hanging out with Kundavai and rolling their eyes over their husbands. That would be totally fine!

*one of the things I loved in the books was that Vandiyadevan is influenced by Arulmozhi to be more truthful and upstanding, while Arulmozhi gets more devious after he meets Vandiyadevan. I feel this dynamic (along with the real-life bromance of Karthi and Jayam Ravi - every interview I've seen with them is the two of them having a great time!) would be AWESOME.

OK, this is insanely LONG again but I really enjoyed the novels and the movies - each medium enhanced the other for me, and in my head, the version of Ponniyin Selvan is what takes the parts I liked the best in movies and film. So Movie!Aditha and Movie!Nandini, BOTH the Vandiyadevans, Kundavais, Arulmozhi Varmans and Vanathis live in my heart :D

And I've also acquired Anirudh Kanisetti's Lords of the Deccan (which is more about the Cholas' predecessors and opponents like the Rashtrakutas and the Chalukyas) and Kamini Dandapani's Rajaraja Chola, which is about Ponniyin Selvan (but also about his predecessors and successors.)

#ponniyin selvan #Ponniyin Selvan 2 #aditha karikalan #arulmozhi varman #kundavai #vandiyadevan #vanathi #aishwarya rai bachchan #vikram #trisha #jayam ravi #shobita dhulipala #mani ratnam