Want to read an interesting and short retelling of the popular novel Ponniyin Selvan? Want to travel along the path of its hero Vandhiyathevan covering 100 spots with helpful google map links to guide you? Ponniyin Selvan Route Map is the book you need to read!
The book is written by Tamil Labs, the pen name of an unabashed Kalki and Bharathi fan, who writes threads on Twitter about Tamil literature, temples and culture.
In fact, this book is based on the threads written by him on Ponniyin Selvan’s characters, plots, places, cuisines and historical tidbits.
Anyone who’s read the popular Tamil novel Ponniyin Selvan, would have surely thought about taking a journey on the trail of its jubilant hero – Vandhiyathevan. Loyal fans wouldn’t even call this a journey, they’d consider it a pilgrimage to cover the Chola lands where events from the novel take place.
But do these locations from the 10th century exist even today? Yes, they do! And the trail is filled with scenic spots, marvelous architecture and grand temples.
This Ponniyin Selvan trail has become quite popular, with multiple tourist companies organising this as a heritage tour package. One popular Tamil magazine charges upto ₹18,000 per person for organizing a 3 day trip from Chennai.
But this really need not be such an expensive affair in the 21st century, as most of the locations mentioned in the book are a few Google Searches away.
This book documents 100+ locations mentioned in the novel, along with the Google Map Links so that you may plan your own road trips or family outings, thus saving you exorbitant costs from companies who’re trying to encash your love for Ponniyin Selvan. The sheer magnitude of the novel – with 5 volumes and 2400+ pages, can throw some people off guard.
This book delightfully retells the entire story as Kalki envisioned it, with dialogues and descriptions, but in a much shorter book (two hours reading time), taking a few creative liberties with the plot. Consider this book as an earnest and short retelling of Ponniyin Selvan, plus as a reference manual for the locations mentioned in the novel. The fact that it got the recognition of scholars, historians, journalists, authors and even movie stars (including Karthi who played the role of Vandhiyathevan in the film adaptation) speaks for its credibility and interest quotient.
Are you ready to travel into the mesmerizing world of Kalki, be awestruck by the magnanimity of the characters and maybe shed a teardrop admiring their sacrifices?
Tamil Labs has taken the trouble to condense the 5 part magnum opus of Kalki Krishnamurthy into an easily consumable guide book.
Today, Ponniyin Selvan-2 releases on theatres worldwide.
If you'd like to read a delightful and short retelling of the entire novel with dialogues, description and a helpful chronology, buy "Ponniyin Selvan Route Map" available at a discounted price of Rs.99 on Amazon."வீர… pic.twitter.com/29YFiv57qI
— Tamil Labs 2.0 (@labstamil) April 28, 2023
Click here to subscribe to The Commune on Telegram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.