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Vaadivaasal: The Arena
A story of violence, death and vengeance… by a Gandhian—ASHOKAMITRAN
A gripping graphic adaptation of the modern literary classic by International Booker Prize-nominated author Perumal Murugan and critically acclaimed graphic novelist Appupen
Chellayipuram—famed for hosting the most exhilarating jallikattu contests of strength between man and bull. This year, Pichi, from distant Usilanoor, is here to face the Kaari bull, the zamindar’s pride, both menacing in appearance and undefeated in the bull-taming contest. It’s been two years since his father Ambuli had been gored to death by this same beast. In the billowing dust of the arena, as Pichi grabs hold of the Kaari’s horn in an attempt to make it bow its head, watching the contest from his high perch with narrowing eyes is the zamindar. Will his prize animal—and, by association, the zamindar himself—be finally humbled by this ordinary young man? Vaadivaasal—The Arena is a story of revenge, pride and power.
A gripping graphic adaptation of the modern literary classic by International Booker Prize-nominated author Perumal Murugan and critically acclaimed graphic novelist Appupen
Chellayipuram—famed for hosting the most exhilarating jallikattu contests of strength between man and bull. This year, Pichi, from distant Usilanoor, is here to face the Kaari bull, the zamindar’s pride, both menacing in appearance and undefeated in the bull-taming contest. It’s been two years since his father Ambuli had been gored to death by this same beast. In the billowing dust of the arena, as Pichi grabs hold of the Kaari’s horn in an attempt to make it bow its head, watching the contest from his high perch with narrowing eyes is the zamindar. Will his prize animal—and, by association, the zamindar himself—be finally humbled by this ordinary young man? Vaadivaasal—The Arena is a story of revenge, pride and power.
114 pages, Paperback
Published March 6, 2025
2 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
C.S. Chellappa
110 books61 followersசி.சு. செல்லப்பா (C.S. Chellappa) ஒரு எழுத்தாளர் மற்றும் இலக்கிய விமர்சகர். "எழுத்து" என்ற பத்திரிக்கையினை தொடங்கி நவீன தமிழ் இலக்கிய மறுமலர்ச்சிக்கு வித்திட்டவர் செல்லப்பா.
பல நல்ல எழுத்தாளர்களையும் விமர்சகர்களையும் தன் எழுத்து பத்திரிக்கையின் மூலம் ஊக்குவித்தவர் செல்லப்பா. சிறந்த விமர்சகர்களாகவும், எழுத்தாளர்களாகவும் கருதப்படும் வெங்கட் சாமிநாதன், பிரமீள், ந.முத்துசாமி மற்றும் பல எழுத்தாளர்கள் சி.சு.செல்லப்பாவினால் ஊக்குவிக்கப்பட்டவர்கள். தமிழின் சிறந்த நாவல்களாக கருதப்படும் வாடிவாசல், "சுதந்திர தாகம்" போன்றவற்றை எழுதியவர் செல்லப்பா. காந்தியக் கொள்கைகளில் மிகுந்த பற்றும் ஈடுபாடும் கொண்டவர்.
Cinnamanur Subramaniam Chellappa (Tamil: சி.சு. செல்லப்பா) was a Tamil writer, journalist and Indian independence movement activist.He belonged to the "Manikodi" literary movement along with Pudhumaipithan, Ku Pa Ra, Va. Ramasamy, N. Pichamurthy and A. N. Sivaraman. He also founded Ezhuthu, a literary magazine. His novel Suthanthira Thagam won the Sahitya Akademi Award for 2001
பல நல்ல எழுத்தாளர்களையும் விமர்சகர்களையும் தன் எழுத்து பத்திரிக்கையின் மூலம் ஊக்குவித்தவர் செல்லப்பா. சிறந்த விமர்சகர்களாகவும், எழுத்தாளர்களாகவும் கருதப்படும் வெங்கட் சாமிநாதன், பிரமீள், ந.முத்துசாமி மற்றும் பல எழுத்தாளர்கள் சி.சு.செல்லப்பாவினால் ஊக்குவிக்கப்பட்டவர்கள். தமிழின் சிறந்த நாவல்களாக கருதப்படும் வாடிவாசல், "சுதந்திர தாகம்" போன்றவற்றை எழுதியவர் செல்லப்பா. காந்தியக் கொள்கைகளில் மிகுந்த பற்றும் ஈடுபாடும் கொண்டவர்.
Cinnamanur Subramaniam Chellappa (Tamil: சி.சு. செல்லப்பா) was a Tamil writer, journalist and Indian independence movement activist.He belonged to the "Manikodi" literary movement along with Pudhumaipithan, Ku Pa Ra, Va. Ramasamy, N. Pichamurthy and A. N. Sivaraman. He also founded Ezhuthu, a literary magazine. His novel Suthanthira Thagam won the Sahitya Akademi Award for 2001
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 26, 2025
A gripping tale of man, animal, and ego, intertwined with class struggles and family legacy. The story follows Kaari, a famed bull that is the pride of the Zamindar—the landed elite of rural India. Muscular and unpredictable, Kaari has killed several men and has never been subdued. When a young man, whose father died trying to conquer the beast, steps into the bull arena—"The Vaadivaasal"—he is determined to fulfill his father’s last wish by taming Kaari.
Appupen’s black-and-white ink artwork is sublime, vividly capturing the intensity of the bull arena, the emotions of the bull catchers, and the simmering ego clashes between social classes. The bullfighting sequences are masterfully paneled, immersing the reader in the raw energy of the sport—you can almost hear the roars of the crowd and sense the dust in the air. A brilliant story brought to life with stunning illustrations that capture the local nuances and traditions. Fans of Perumal Murugan’s work will also spot subtle nods to his writing, making this a must-read for those who appreciate powerful storytelling and masterful artwork.
Appupen’s black-and-white ink artwork is sublime, vividly capturing the intensity of the bull arena, the emotions of the bull catchers, and the simmering ego clashes between social classes. The bullfighting sequences are masterfully paneled, immersing the reader in the raw energy of the sport—you can almost hear the roars of the crowd and sense the dust in the air. A brilliant story brought to life with stunning illustrations that capture the local nuances and traditions. Fans of Perumal Murugan’s work will also spot subtle nods to his writing, making this a must-read for those who appreciate powerful storytelling and masterful artwork.
February 17, 2025
After a long time, this is a graphic novel from India worth talking about. It's such a gripping read. It's short but packed with so much action and emotion. And the ending hits really really hard. Appupen's illustrations really brought the story to life. The arena teeming with people, every move in the bullfight captured in such detail. Incredible.
February 20, 2025
I love projects like this when regional classics are re-created for a wider audience, and what better new medium than a graphic novel. Having loved Perumal Murugan and Appupen's work individually, I had to see what this first collab was going to look like and it's wonderful. It's a look into jallikattu and how the practice informed what honour, pride and sacrifice meant. What makes this difficult though is that there is no reflection on the ethics of the practice at all, but this isn't the story for it either. The art is absolutely gorgeous, Appupen uses a stylised linocut print look (is that what its called?) which helps brings gravitas to the intensity of the emotions on display.
April 5, 2025
I mean, this was animal abuse (but so was The Sun Also Rises and that was way worse in that respect if memory serves). I'm just excited to be reading a Tamil graphic novel in English. 🥹
In addition, the art was phenomenal and for the most part, I enjoyed the story with the exception of the ending!
In addition, the art was phenomenal and for the most part, I enjoyed the story with the exception of the ending!
April 7, 2025
Why it was picked?
For two of my favorite authors - Appupen and Perumal Murugan
Originally written in Tamil by C.S.Chelappa, this is a translated graphic novel adaptation.
Highlights: Entertainment!
A short and crisp read on Jallikattu.
Raw, intense, animal and man, full of ego, violent, legendary and mythical.
Better than watching a film!
For two of my favorite authors - Appupen and Perumal Murugan
Originally written in Tamil by C.S.Chelappa, this is a translated graphic novel adaptation.
Highlights: Entertainment!
A short and crisp read on Jallikattu.
Raw, intense, animal and man, full of ego, violent, legendary and mythical.
Better than watching a film!
April 21, 2025
3.5 stars
May 8, 2025
Love the artwork!
June 9, 2025
The fight between man and a beast. Very well depicted
Read
February 24, 2025Great work by Appupen on the graphics
February 21, 2025
A graphic novel about the Jallikattu contest.
February 16, 2025
This is a good and quick introduction to Chellappa’s work. But given the limitation of this form itself I believe, could not create the literary tension and dilemmas that reader will go through when they are reading the original work and it’s superb introduction published in Oxford English translation.
June 21, 2025
Si.Su.Chellappa’s Vaadivaasal (The Arena) was a unique experience as I read the graphic adaptation by Perumal Murugan and Appupen immediately after listening to the original narrated by Aanand.
A story of adversity and camaraderie between man and animal as well as man and man, the novel follows the events in and around the vaadivaasal (arena) on the afternoon of the jallikattu (bull taming) game at Chellayipuram, Tamilnadu. The adrenaline-driven narration paints a vivid picture of the bull taming, the cultural significance associated with the festival, and the human emotions at stake. The novel effectively invokes ethical and moral questions around animal rights in connection with traditional practices, community dynamics, blood feud, etc. within the narrative, without delving into discourse even once!
The spare-yet-rich adaptation, aided by Appupen’s austere-yet-effective artwork, resonates with the original’s pithiness and narrative structure.
A story of adversity and camaraderie between man and animal as well as man and man, the novel follows the events in and around the vaadivaasal (arena) on the afternoon of the jallikattu (bull taming) game at Chellayipuram, Tamilnadu. The adrenaline-driven narration paints a vivid picture of the bull taming, the cultural significance associated with the festival, and the human emotions at stake. The novel effectively invokes ethical and moral questions around animal rights in connection with traditional practices, community dynamics, blood feud, etc. within the narrative, without delving into discourse even once!
The spare-yet-rich adaptation, aided by Appupen’s austere-yet-effective artwork, resonates with the original’s pithiness and narrative structure.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews