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Sivagami's Vow, Volume 1: Paranjothi's Journey: An English Translation of Kalki Krishnamurthy’s Sivagamiyin Sabatham
A masterpiece from a legend, Sivagami’s Vow is an epic tale of love, betrayal, unrequited passion, war and vengeance. In this novel, Kalki takes us on a beautiful journey that traverses from the sandy beaches of Mamallapuram to the lofty hills of Ajanta valley.Emperor Mahendra Pallavan is a great patron of arts, architecture, music, drama and dance. But when Vatapi Emperor Pulakeshin invades south, he proves to the world that he can also be a formidable opponent, employing cunning strategies to fool his enemy.Prince Narasimhan is a passionate young man. Having lost his heart to his childhood friend, the most celebrated Bharatnatyam artist of the South, he is determined to marry her and make her his queen one day.Paranjothi, a brave and naive youth from the Chola kingdom, wants only one thing in his life. That is to join Saint Thirunavukarasar’s ashram and become a scholar worthy enough claim his uncle’s daughter’s hand in marriage. But to do he has to sacrifice his arms and penchant to get into scrapes and fights. Will he be successful?Sivagami, the goddess of art and Pallavas national treasure has claimed a place in the prince’s heart but in the heart of her hearts, she knows that she has a difficult journey ahead. Will her love be fulfilled?Set in the backdrop of half-finished Mamallapuram stone statues, Kalki infuses life into historical characters like Emperor Mahendra Pallavan and his son Emperor Narasimha Pallavan, Paranjothi, Thirunavukarasar, Pulakeshin and many more. From Mamallapuram to Ajanta, we travel with these characters on an unforgettable epic journey.
269 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 15, 2023
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About the author
Kalki Krishnamurthy
256 books896 followersTamil language Novel Writer, Journalist, Poet & Critic late Ramaswamy Aiyer Krishnamurthy also known as ‘Kalki’. He derived his pen name from the suffixes of his wife name Kalyani and his name Krishnamurthy in Tamil form கல்யாணி and கிருஷ்ணமூர்த்தி as Kalki (கல்கி). His name also represents “Kalki avatar”, the tenth and last avatar of the Hindu God Vishnu.
His writings includes over 120 short stories, 10 novelettes, 5 novels, 3 historical romances, editorial and political writings and hundreds of film and music reviews. Krishnamurthy’s witty, incisive comments on politics, literature, music and other forms of art were looked forward to with unceasing interest by readers. He wrote under the pen names of ‘Kalki’, ‘Ra. Ki’, ‘Tamil Theni’, ‘Karnatakam’ and so on.
The success that Krishnamurthy attained in the realm of historical fiction is phenomenal. Sixty years ago, at a time when the literacy level was low and when the English-educated Tamils looked down on writings in Tamil, Kalki’s circulation touched 71,000 copies – the largest for any weekly in the county then – when it serialised his historical novels. Kalki had also the genius to classify the historical and non-historical events, historical and non-historical characters and how much the novel owes to history.
His writings includes over 120 short stories, 10 novelettes, 5 novels, 3 historical romances, editorial and political writings and hundreds of film and music reviews. Krishnamurthy’s witty, incisive comments on politics, literature, music and other forms of art were looked forward to with unceasing interest by readers. He wrote under the pen names of ‘Kalki’, ‘Ra. Ki’, ‘Tamil Theni’, ‘Karnatakam’ and so on.
The success that Krishnamurthy attained in the realm of historical fiction is phenomenal. Sixty years ago, at a time when the literacy level was low and when the English-educated Tamils looked down on writings in Tamil, Kalki’s circulation touched 71,000 copies – the largest for any weekly in the county then – when it serialised his historical novels. Kalki had also the genius to classify the historical and non-historical events, historical and non-historical characters and how much the novel owes to history.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 11, 2025
I planned to read Parthiban's dream last December. When I delved into the books and the order it was meant to be read in, I realized that it would be best to Sivagami's Vow first. I reviewed different English translations and found this to be the best in terms of language and explanations. The other translation I found was Nandini Vijayaraghavan's who used more complex words (just for the sake of using them), I found this version flowing more easily in English and in Tamil if I were to translate it in my head.
This novel drew me in and I was absorbed in the 7th century Pallava kingdom and I was looking up the locations and the temples they mentioned. I highly enjoyed part 1 and will continue to part 2.
The author does a great job of introducing history, weaving a story and drawing the reader into the past.
This novel drew me in and I was absorbed in the 7th century Pallava kingdom and I was looking up the locations and the temples they mentioned. I highly enjoyed part 1 and will continue to part 2.
The author does a great job of introducing history, weaving a story and drawing the reader into the past.
November 23, 2024
It is the best book I have ever read.It is a intresting and adventurous story with a lot of plot twists.This book has my heart always and it made me 😭.I already read the book three times and I would sell my soul to read it again.It is one of the greatest creations of kalki Krishnamurthy sir, I wonder why it is not talked as much as ponnyin Selvan.If you are going to read this book all the best for getting over this book 👍🏻
January 15, 2026
My first tamil historical fiction, excited for the next three books.
Reading the one translated by Nandini vijayaraghavan but I couldn't find it on good reads :(
Reading the one translated by Nandini vijayaraghavan but I couldn't find it on good reads :(
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews