பார்த்திபன் கனவு (Parthiban Kanavu): Complete Set

பார்த்திபன் கனவு

by Kalki Krishnamurthy

This novel deals with the attempts of the son of (fictional) Chola king Parthiban, Vikraman, to attain independence from the Pallava ruler, Narasimhavarman.

The Cholas remain vassals of the Pallavas. Parthiban conveys his dream of the Chola dynasty regaining its glory – which he believes is lost since they are no longer the independent rulers of their land – to his young son Vikraman. Parthiban refuses to pay the taxes to the Pallavas and this triggers the Pallavas to wage war against the Cholas. In the resulting war Parthiban is killed. But before he dies, in the battlefield, an enigmatic monk promises to Parthiban that he will make sure that Vikraman fulfills Parthiban's dream. Vikraman grows up and plans his retaliation against Narasimhavarman. But his uncle, Marappa Bhupathi, betrays him and Vikraman is arrested and deported to a far off island by Narasimhavarman.

The narrative moves on to describe how Vikraman comes back longing to meet his mother and the mysterious beauty whom he saw before being deported. To his woe he later discovers that his mother has disappeared and has in fact been kidnapped by members of a savage cult who are known as Kapalikas – a group which believes in human sacrifice. He also comes to know that the beauty he has fallen for, Kundhavi, is none other than the daughter of his sworn enemy, Narasimhavarman.

The novel climaxes with the identity of the monk finally being revealed as Pallava King, Narasimhavarman and establishment of the independent Chola kingdom under Vikraman in Uraiyur. Vikraman marries kundhavi in the final chapter.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Classics, India, Historical, Novels, Indian Literature

368 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1941

About the author

Tamil 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.

Reviews

[Ashish Iyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

My suggestion is first read "sivagamiyin sabatham" then read this novel. It just a sequel to that novel and pre-sequel to "ponniyin selvan". But i read these books in reverse order. Still i enjoyed it.

Parthiban Kanavu brings to life the glory of Tamil civilization. The description of the events cuts across both royal life style and the life style of the common man. The book is really awesome and very very delighting. There are very decent twist and turns you can enjoy reading till end.
The pace in which the story travels is fantastic. Get ready to be transported to the Pallava/ Chola era. Walk the streets of Mamallapuram, get drenched in the rains of the forests, travel on the boats across Cauvery, and see the statesmanship of the Kings. Betrayal, love, suspense, dedication, intelligence, bravery.
Its quite amazing how the author weaves his characters- true and fiction. I can't stop pondering over the fact that today we have such popular novels like lord of the rings, harry potter and game of thrones and amazing on screen adaptations of these too. I imagine how grand it would be if someone got Kalki's writings on screen. Such an enchanting story entwined with real history would be a delight to see on screen!

[Bhargavi Balachandran · Rating 4 out of 5]

I technically have the ability to read Tamil.But even on my best days,i don't think i could manage a page of Tamil prose without making my brain go bonkers.Obviously, i am not proud of this as Tamil is my mother tongue and I have studied it as my second language for a decent period of time.My reading habit started courtesy random books available at home. It is a little surprising that i have to slave over a passage of Tamil when both my parents read quite a bit of Tamil literature and we had tonnes to Tamil novels at home.

I had bought an English translation of "Parthiban's Kanavu",a very famous Tamil historical novel sometime last year and promptly forgot about it.A few days back, i decided to read something different and picked up the book.I must say the book has opened several doors for me.For one,i realized that translations and transliterations cannot do complete justice to the original.The lushness of words and the original import gets lost often times.

Coming back to Parthiban's dream, the Tamil version was translated by a 15 year old girl,Nirupama Raghavan.Commendable effort,i must say.The translation is not lucious enough when it comes to the choice of words,but despite the simplistic writing,the plot keeps you immersed in it at all times.

Parthiban is a Chola king.His empire is heavily marginalized with the Pandiyas,Cheras and Pallavas pressing into his territory from all directions.Pallava ruler,Mamalla Narasimha Chakravarti is the most dominant king in the southern lands and makes all other rulers pay tax to him.Parthiban refuses to pay up and decides to go into a war against the Chakravarti ,knowing very well that his troops are nowhere comparable to the Pallava army.Before marching into the battle ground,Parthiban unveils his dream(Chola kingdom becoming the strongest in the region) to his son ,Vikraman.

Vikraman is but a boy at his stage ,but decides to make his father's dream a reality. Parthiban goes into war and gets killed.However,before he dies ,a Shivanadiyar(Shaivite devotee) promises to help Vikraman realise his father's goal.The rest of the story is about how Vikraman realises Parthiban's dream.He is aided in his quest by several people like Ponna,a boatman,his wife,Valli ,Siruthondar and the mystery Shivanadiyar.

Vikrama has a love interest as well-Kuntavi,who is the daughter of the Chakravarti.And a bunch of villains to foil Vikraman's resolve.The main supense aspect is "supposed"to be the identity of Shivanadiyar.However,the narrative gives you enough clues early on to figure out who he is.So that is not exactly too surprising when at the end of 250 pages the Shivanadiyar reveals himself. I have no clue whether the subtelity got lost in the translation or whether Kalki's work is liberal with the clues too.

Its a highly entertaining read that rarely sags and almost every page has something wild and racy happening.People who like stories of kings and conquests will definitely like this.I am a history junkie,so i am not really surprised that i liked the book despite the very ordinary language.But one can't deny the fact that the abridged translation is neat and edited tautly.Overall good read.

[Umesh Kesavan · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those who wish to enjoy Kalki's genius yet do not have the patience for " Ponniyin Selvan" , this is a smart shortcut !

[Girish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Parthiban Kanavu is that book that you start reading as a classic and find a masala movie in it! My first tamil read in sometime and was suitably rewarded for sticking to my long pending list of authors i wanted to read.

The book narrates the story of the mighty Pallava king Narasimhavarman and the story of Vikraman, son of Parthiban the brave-hearted Chozha king. Reduced to a Vassal kingdom, the chozha king Parthiban refuses to pay tax to Pallavas and dies bravely. His dream of establishing an independent Chozha kingdom forms the core of the story.

Dealing with multiple themes from espionage to love story to valor to courage to human sacrifice, this book has explored the South India of past. Spruced with historical references that are almost tongue in cheek, the book is an ambitious effort and would have made an excellent read to follow in a weekly. The Tamil is flowing and words mesmerising at places!

Personal achievement unlocked, not withstanding it happens to be the 2nd book in the Narasimhavarman chronicles which I found out after finishing the book (no impact)

[Roopkumar Balachandran · Rating 4 out of 5]

This the sequel to Sivagamiyin Sabatham, the book is short compared to Sivagamiyin Sabatham and Ponniyin Selvan.

Parthiban is Chola King who is paying tax to Pallava empire. When Narasimha Varman went to war with Pulikesi, Chola king stopped to pay taxes. Narasimha Varman successful return after defeating Pulikesi he summons the Chola king to pay the taxes. But Parthiban who knows his army is not match to Pallavas ask them to wage war. He takes his son Vikraman to his secret room and shows his dreams of free Chola kingdom. Vikraman takes vow that he will fulfill his father's dream.

In the war Parthiban is defeated while on his death he meets a mystic monk (Saivite saint) who promises in helping Vikraman to realize his dream, before the king closes his eyes he comes to know who the monk is.

Years go by Vikraman tries to hoist Chola flag in his kingdom and he gets arrested by his own uncle who is the commander of Chola under Pallava rule. Narasimha Varman gets suggestion from his daughter Kundavi and so he deports Vikraman to an island, before he sets sail he sees a beautiful girl Kundavi in the port, love at first sight. After reaching the island Vikraman becomes the King.

Some years later Vikraman disguises as Gem merchant comes back to Mamallapuram on the way to Uraiur he was ambushed by his uncle and Kabala Bairavar and was saved by a Pallava spy (mystic monk). He gets the horse from the spy and tries to see his mother in Uraiur but he meets with an accident and fell ill gravely.

Did Vikraman saved from the illness? how did Vikraman gets back his kingdom? Who is the Saivite Saint? Who is the Maha Kabala Bairavar? All these are answered in the end.

From Sivagamiyin Sabatham the non fictional characters Narasimha Varman and Paranjothi now called Siruthondar reprise their roles. There is addition of Ponnan boat rower and his wife Valli, interesting characters who adds pace of the story. Those who have read Sivagamiyin Sabatham will not like the way the novel is written. The story has lot of twists, mysteries, political back stabbings and also the shrewdness of Narasimha Varman explained in detail. The story has potential to be big novel but the author has rushed in many places.

[Madhupria · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is so much plot and an array of interesting characters in so few pages. I first got to know about Parthiban Kanavu a few years ago when I watched the 1960 Tamil movie by the same name. As soon as I found out that it was a novel, I was eager to find a translated version. This translation however was so full of typos that it makes me think that nobody read it through a second time.

There is an interesting bit of background in the preface about what inspired Kalki to write this novel. This book was written pre-independence and this was apparently a safe way for Kalki to dream of an independent India. Knowing this little tidbit made the reading experience that much more enjoyable. What I loved the most about this story was the husband-wife relationship of Ponnan and Valli and the father-daughter relationship of Narasimha Varman and Kundhavi.

Guess I am going to re-watch the movie!

[Siva Surya · Rating 5 out of 5]

2020-ஆம் ஆண்டில் சிவகாமியின் சபதம் புத்தகம் வாசித்தேன்...வாசித்து முடித்ததும் ஒரு சகாப்தமே முடிந்தது போல் இருந்தது.. அக்கதாபாத்திரங்களோடு மீண்டும் மேற்கொண்டு ஒருமுறையாவது வாழ இயலாதா என்ற வருத்தம் தோன்றி கொண்டேதான் இருந்தது...அவ்வருத்தத்தை இப்புத்தகம் நீக்கியது♥️🙏

[Kalaiselvan selvaraj · Rating 4 out of 5]

மாமல்ல நரசிம்ம பல்லவ சக்கரவர்த்தியின் கீழ்படிந்து கப்பம் கட்ட முடியாது. இனி உறையூரில் புலிக் கொடி பறக்க சுதந்திர மன்னனாக நான் ஆட்சி செய்வேன் என்கிறார் பார்த்திபன்(சோழ மன்னன்). இதை பல்லவ மன்னன் ஏற்க மறுக்கிறான். புரட்டாசி பவுர்ணமி அன்று வெண்ணாற்றங்கரையில் போர் துவங்கியது சோழ மன்னன் தலமையிலான படையில் பத்தாயிரம் வீரர்கள், ஒருவர் கூட பின்வாங்கவும் இல்லை சரணடையவும் இல்லை அனைவரும் போர்களத்திலே மரணமடைந்தார்கள். பார்த்திபன் உயிர்பிரியும் நேரத்தில் சிவனடியார் ஒருவர் அவனை சந்தித்து சோழநாட்டவரின் வீரத்தை புகழ்கிறார் பாத்திபன் சிவனடியாரிடம் தனக்கு ஒரு வரம் தரும்படி வேண்டுகிறார் (தனது மகன் விக்கிரமனை ஒரு வீரமகனாக உருவாக்க வேண்டும் அவன் சுதந்திர சோழ நாட்டின் மன்னனாக ஆட்சி செய்ய வேண்டும்), வேண்டிய வரமளித்த சிவனடியார் அதை எப்படி நிறைவேற்றினார் என்பதே பார்த்திபன் கனவு கதை சுருக்கம்.

பார்த்திபன், அருள்மொழி தேவி, விக்கிரமன், பொன்னன், வள்ளி, மாரப்ப பூபதி, வீரபத்திர ஆச்சாரி, மாமல்ல நரசிம்ம பல்லவ சக்கரவர்த்தி, குந்தவி, மகேந்திர பல்லவன், பல்லவ தளபதி அச்ச��தவர்மன், பல்லவ சேனாதிபதி( சிறுதொண்டர்), மகா கபால பைரவர் (நீலகேசி) என கதை மாந்தர்கள் அனைவரும் வாசிப்பவரை கவர்கிறார்கள் -கலைச்செல்வன் செல்வராஜ்.

[Green Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of Patriotism, love and sacrifice. Parthiban Kanavu is the book every Tamilian should read and to get a glimpse of our glory,our history should be reminded to the people and Amarar Kalki does exactly that. Reading this novel has been a spine chilling experience for me.
This novel deals with the attempts of Vikraman,son of Chola king Parthiban, to attain independence from the Pallava ruler, Narasimhavarman.
The Cholas remain vassals of the Pallavas. Parthiban conveys his dream of the Chola dynasty regaining its glory – which he believes is lost since they are no longer the independent rulers of their land – to his young son Vikraman. Parthiban refuses to pay the taxes to the Pallavas and this triggers the Pallavas to wage war against the Cholas. In the resulting war Parthiban is killed. But before he dies, in the battlefield, an enigmatic monk promises to Parthiban that he will make sure that Vikraman fulfills Parthiban's dream. Vikraman grows up and plans his retaliation against Narasimhavarman. But his uncle, Marappa Bhupathi, betrays him and Vikraman is arrested and deported to a far off island by Narasimhavarman.
The narrative moves on to describe how Vikraman comes back longing to meet his mother and the mysterious beauty whom he saw before being deported. To his woe he later discovers that his mother has disappeared and has in fact been kidnapped by members of a savage cult who are known as Kapalikas – a group which believes in human sacrifice. He also comes to know that the beauty he has fallen for, Kundhavi, is none other than the daughter of his sworn enemy, Narasimhavarman.
The final parts of the story is about finding out the real identity of the monk and how the dream of King Parthiban came true after 300 years...

[Ujjwala Singhania · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first historical fiction by Kalki ji on the Pallava and Chola dynasties. After this there are two series - Sivagamiyin Sabatham and Ponniyin Selvan, respectively.

This book is an abridged version of Kalkiji's original writing and translated in English by a fifteen-year old girl. After first couple of pages I forgot that the translation was done by a kid, the work was that good and the story that engaging. I was hooked and completed the book almost in one evening.

The book takes us through the tussle between the four major dynasties that ruled South India and particularly the rivalry between the Pallavas and the Cholas. The Cholas rule the vassals of the Chakravati Pallavas and Pratibhan, the king of Chola's wants to see the day when they can be free of their servitude and be an independent ruler of their kingdom boxed from all sides.

It is a beautiful story of love, betrayal, intrigue, valor and some promises taking the readers through the beautiful and verdant lands of the Kaveri.

[GS Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intrigue, suspense, romance, valor, courage, villainy, revenge, envy, loyalty, all showcased within a intricate story filled with unexpected twists and turns makes this an excellent historical romance, told with all of Kalki's trademark ability. Perhaps that a fuller and more measured treatment of the story - a la Ponniyin Selvan - would have been more satisfying...but then again, you can't have everything. A gripping page turner!

[jananee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh such an exciting sequel of Sivagamiyin Sabatham. Time just flies in Kalki's novel. You travel with the characters for year, you see their birth, their childhood, their adolescent, their love, their entire life as if it is your own. I can't define by words. I feel proud to be a tamizhian, born on the same land these great people have lived. RESPECT.LOVE.

[Shobana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sequel to Sivagamiyin Sabadham. However I finished this earlier. Now the urge to visit mahabalipuram is even stronger. Vikrama chozhan's love for Kundavi has been crafted very beautifully.. A must read..

[Gowtham Mahalingam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great to know this history with non-fictional incidents and characters. This is will the great book if any read this before "Ponniyin Selvan". If you get into this after PS, you will feel very normal as this won't fascinate in wy as PS did. Strictly IMO. :)

As a whole, Worth the read

[Shakthivanilla Saraboji]

The author did not hurt both pallavas and chozhas... A fairy tale ending perhaps... Good but I would have been interested if it had had some bitter truths, when you plot for a throne.

[Thangaprakash Sengodan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many thanks to Kalki for bringing me the habit of reading books!!. When I was pursuing my Master's degree (2003) at Government College of Technology, Coimbatore, it was happened to read Kalki's "PARTHIBAN KANAVU" (thanks for my room-mate a good reader then), ofcourse I started the novel by 7.10 pm as a short time pass until the dinner 7.30 pm. But I was trapped by his writing and I lost my dinner that night and finally put down the book after 12.00. I never thought of reading a full book before, but it had happened by his fascinating narrating of the story. I could visualize the scenes, characters ofcourse every instants delivered in the book and hailed by the surprise almost in every page. Immediately I bought his other books, ponniyin selvan and sivagamiyin sabatham they are astounded then I switched to similar kind of novels and grew frantic in reading. I always believe "A good book can change your life". I don't want to review these three books (Parthiban Kanavu, Sivagamiyin Sabatham and Ponniyin Selvan)because these three books are such an extraordinary and scarcely exceptionally written in Tamil.

[Wiki · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5)
தமிழில் எல்லோரும் படிக்கவேண்டிய புத்தகங்கள் என்னவென்று யாரை கேட்டாலும் முதலில் சொல்லும் பெயர் கல்கி. தனிப்பட்ட முறையில் பிரபலமான மற்றும் அதிகம் பரிந்துரைக்கப்பட்ட புத்தகங்கள் எனக்கு படிக்க விருப்பம் கிடையாது, நண்பன் நச்சரித்ததால் கல்கியின் அணைத்து படைப்புகளும் வாங்கினேன். படிக்க வேண்டிய வரிசை என்று கூறி முதலில் சிவகாமியின் சபதம் சொன்னான். நான் புத்தகம் வெளியான ஆண்டின் வரிசையில் படித்தேன் (non linear) முறையில் படிப்பதும் நன்றாக இருக்கும் என்று எண்ணி.
.
பார்த்திபன் கனவு பொறுத்த வரை நிறைய கசப்பான அனுபவம் இருந்தது (என்னுடைய கருத்து ) ஏற்றத் தாழ்வு கொண்ட காலகட்டத்தில் மன்னர்களின் கதைகளை இப்போது படிக்க மிகவும் சிரமமாக உள்ளது. கல்கியின் உலக கட்டமைப்பும், பாத்திரங்களின் வடிவமைப்பும் மிகவும் அருமையாக இருந்தது. சொல்லப் போனால் "பொன்னனின் சாமர்த்தியம் " என்றுதான் புத்தகத்தின் தலைப்பை வைத்திருக்க வேண்டும். அப்படிப்பட்ட பாத்திரம் பொன்னுக்கு, மற்றபடி பார்த்திபன், நரசிம்ம சக்கரவர்த்தி, குந்தவை, விக்ரமன் எல்லாம் எனக்கு துணை கதாபாத்திரம் போலவே இருந்தது, அதுவே எனக்கு மிகவும் பிடித்து இருந்தது.

[Arulmozhivarman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first of the trilogy of Kalki's historical magnum opuses, 'Parthiban Kanavu' boasts the richness of the Tamil Nadu and its people during the reign of Chola and Pallava dynasties. Written in a simple and lucid style without compromising the parlance of the language, this book is the best starter for anyone new to Tamil historical fictions.
Though the story is simple, Kalki has interwoven the plot with everything the reader can dream for: beauty, harmony, gallantry, romance, satire, shock, horror, suspense,sensation, thrill, rivalry, fame, sacrifice and morale. The characterization is brilliant and the plot cleverly synergizes historical events and creativity to portray a brilliant story.
A good not-to-be-missed book especially if you are a novice in historical fictions considering the limited number of pages!!

[Silver · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm going to be generous with my stars here and give this one 5 shining stars. But that doesn't mean it isn't good. It is; Just not Kalki's best. Still it is one of the better historical novels you can find in tamil. It is not long or as well-written as his other two masterpieces and I remember finishing it in hours. I have a definite soft spot for it since it is the first ever novel I read. Before that I just stuck with newspapers, magazines, etc. I should thank my dad for introducing me into the wonderful world of novels. Although now, he seems to be regretting that since he can't get me to stop reading. Heehee.

[Venkat Krishnan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gave me a new experience..Yes this is the of any stuff that i read in my own native language...""TAMIL""..I take pride of my self that I successfully started my first book in Tamil..
A sense of pride flows through my veins to say myself TAMIZAN.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I have already heared some great things about AMARAR KALKI....I used to see many great people whom I Inspire took Kalki as Inspiration..After reading this book I came to know the reason..

[Sudharsan srinivasan · Rating 4 out of 5]

well penned Tamil classic by kalki. The characterisation was too good. The flow of story seems to be guessing but with that mystery saivite monk thrill and suspense has been cleverly maintained by author. The pace of the story is as good as watching a movie. we can't time travel but if want to meet pallava and chola kings one can travel in parthiban kanavu. so overall PARTHIBAN KANAVU - parthiban kanavilirundhu meezhvadhu sulabam alla...adhan thaakam vazhnaal muzhuvadhum thodarum!!

[Prasanna Venkataraman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good historical novel to read.. It will be best, when you take it after reading Sivagamiyin sabatham. This is more or less like a sequel to Sivagamiyin Sabatham. Definitely we ll get inspired to visit Mahabalipuram after reading this combo...

[Chiththarthan Nagarajan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm glad that I read this book after completing Sivagamyun Sabatham. I missed Narasimha Varman more than anything. I am happy to read about cholas after long time.

This book is must read for the lovers of Sivagamyun Sabatham.

Kalki never fails to amuse me.

[Ganesh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written, easy to read book, but feels like a dress rehearsal to Ponniyin Selvan

[Anantha Narayanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a saga... Written in 1944, still is a beautiful epic... The first history-fiction in Tamil

Listened to the podcast of Deepika Arun (www.facebook.com/kadhaiosai/). It was awesome.

[S. Suresh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A review of Parthiban Kanavu in English is located right below the review in Tamil.

பார்த்திபன் கனவு கல்கி அவர்கள் எழுதிய முதல் சரித்திரப் புனை கதை. காலவரிசையில் முதலாவதாக சிவகாமியின் சபதம். அடுத்ததாக பார்த்திபன் கனவு. கடைசியாக பொன்னியின் செல்வன். சிவகாமியின் சபதத்தில் நாம் பார்த்த நரசிம்மவர்மன் இந்தக் கதையில் நரசிம்மப் பல்லவ சக்ரவாதியாக தமிழகமெங்கும் ஆட்சி புரிகிறார். சோழ சிற்றரசின் ராஜா பார்த்திபன் பல்லவ ராஜ்யத்துக்கு கப்பம் கட்டுவதை நிறுத்தியதை அடுத்து நடக்கும் போரில் பார்த்திபன் உயிரிழக்கிறான். சோழ நாட்டின் சுதந்திரத்தையும், மேம்பாடையும் எண்ணிக் கனவு காணும் பார்த்திபன் இறக்கும் தருவாயில் தன்னுடைய மகன் விக்ரமனை ஒரு வீரனாக வளர்க்க சிவனடியார் ஒருவரிடம் வரம் கேட்கிறான். அந்தச் சிவனடியார் உண்மையில் யார் என்பது கதையின் இறுதியில் கல்கி வாசகர்களுக்குத் தெரியப்படுத்துகிறார்.

மூன்று பாகத்தில் உள்ள இந்தக் கதையின் இறுதி பாகத்தில் உள்ள விறுவிறுப்பு பார்த்திபன் கனவை எத்தனை முறை படித்தாலும் மீண்டும் மீண்டும் உணராமல் இருக்க முடியாது. அதற்குக் காரணம் கல்கி அவர்களின் பேர்பெற்ற எழுத்துத்திறமையே. ஓடக்காரன் பொன்னன், அவனுடைய மனைவி வள்ளி, பார்த்திபனின் மகன் விக்ரமன், நரசிம்மரின் மகள் குந்தவி தேவி, கோழையும் துரோகியுமான மாரப்ப பூபதி, போன்ற அற்புதக் கதா பாத்திரங்களுடன் பார்த்திபன் கனவு படிப்பதற்கு மிகச் சிறந்த நாவல். சிவகாமியின் சபதத்தில் நாம் பார்த்த பல்லவ சேனாதிபதி பரஞ்சோதி சிறுத்தொண்டராக இந்தக் கதையில் வருகிறார். சிவகாமியின் சபதத்தில் எனக்கு நரசிம்மவர்மரிடம் பற்றுதல் ஏற்படவில்லை; அந்தக் குறையை கல்கி பார்த்திபன் கனவில் நிவர்த்தி செய்துள்ளார்.

Parthiban Kanavu is the first historical fiction Kalki wrote. Chronologically, Sivagamiyin Sabadam comes first, followed by Parthiban Kanavu and finally, the undisputed masterpiece, Ponniyin Selvan. The young Narasimhan we meet in Sivagamiyin Sabadam rules Tamil Nadu as the much more endearing Pallava emperor Narasimhavarmar in this story. Seeking independence from Pallava rule, Chola king Parthiban loses his life in a war with the powerful Pallava army. Just before dying, he seeks a wish from a saintly person that his son Vikraman be brought up as a brave warrior. Kalki reveals to us who this saintly person is later in the story.

Set in three parts, the third section is a riveting page turner, a tribute to the masterful writing ability of Kalki. Parthiban Kanavu has many endearing characters, Ponnan & his wife Valli, Parthiban’s son Vikraman, Narasimhar’s daughter Kundavi, cowardly traitor Marappa Boopathi and the inimitable Siruththondar – who comes as Pallava Army General Paranjothi in Sivagamiyin Sabadam. Parthiban Kanavu is a must read for all Kalki fans, especially those who cherish his historical novels.

[Arunram A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parthiban Kanavu (PK) is a fast paced thriller right from the beginning to end!

I had read this earlier in 2001 or 2002. And, forgot most of the plot by now when I started reading. It can be considered as a sequel to the "Sivakamiyin Sabadham" (SS). The heros of SS - "Narasimha Pallavan" and "Paranjothi @ Siruthondar" play important roles here in PK as well.

The story revolves around Vikrama Cholan, Narasimha Pallavan, his daughter Kundavi, Marappan (Vikraman's uncle), a rower family on the banks of cauvery - Ponnan and Valli and the suspense characters of Sivanadiyar and Kabala Bairavan.

The story starts with the dream and tragic death of Parthiban, Vikraman's plan and attempt to dethrone Pallava base from Uraiyur. The events after Vikraman's meeting as a prisoner in front of Mamallan sets up the base for the rest of the story.

Unlike Ponniyin Selvan or Sivakamiyin Sabadham, this one is a relatively short novel. Can be completed in 2 or 3 sittings, though I read it in bits-and-pieces whenever time permitted. I completed reading the entire novel in my mobile phone MotoG, from Project Madurai site. Project Madurai contains a huge lot of Tamil literary works. www.projectmadurai.org

[Srinivasan Balakumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

The tamil historical novel by Kalki Krishnamoorthy tells about the love between estranged Chola prince Vikraman with Pallava princes and daughter of Narasimhavarma Pallva, Kundhavi. Vikraman's father Parthiban, a heir of the almost extinct Chola empire is defeated in the war by Narasimha varma. In his death bed, he requests a saivite monk to take care of his young son and guide him to recover the lost fame and rule. The monk-in-disguise is non other than the Emperor Narasimha varma. The rest of the story tells how he trains the young man before giving his daughter as a bride to him and the country he owned to make him an independent ruler.

The epic-story teller, Kalki has marked this novel also with unforgettable stamp of authority over knowledge of Tamil and imagination.

[Shakir Shakiel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to say I was disappointed with this novel. Its nowhere close to its previous part - Sivakamiyin Sabatham which was a brilliant masterpiece. The main protagonist of this novel - Vikraman has absolutely no clue of what he is doing, let it be his ambition to accomplish his father's dream or his lady love.

But the suspense of who the main character of the novel will make you tread slowly. The last 50 pages leaves you somewhat satisfied as there is more action and twists involved. One thing is for sure. By the end of these two novels one would start having immense respect to NarasimmhaVarma Pallava.

[Priya Venkat · Rating 5 out of 5]

இது கல்கி கிருஷ்ணமூர்த்தி அவர்களால் கல்கி இதழில் தொடராக எழுதி வெளியான புகழ் பெற்ற வரலாற்றுப் புதினமாகும். இது பின்னர் நூலாக வெளிவந்தது. இச்சரித்திரக் கதையில் பார்த்திபன் எனும் சோழ அரசனின் கனவு அவரின் புத்திரன் மூலம் எவ்வாறு நிறைவேறுகின்றது என்பது அழகாகக் கூறப்பட்டுள்ளது. நரசிம்ம பல்லவன், சிறுத்தொண்டர் என்கின்ற பரஞ்சோதி போன்ற வரலாற்றுப் பாத்திரங்கள் இக்கதையில் வருகின்றனர். கல்கியின் மற்றொறு புதினமான சிவகாமியின் சபதத்தில் வரும் பல கதாபாத்திரங்கள் பார்த்திபன் கனவிலும் தொடர்வதை காணலாம்.