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Ayyappacharitham
Paperback
About the author
V. Madhavan Nair 'Mali'
20 books40 followersV. Madhavan Nair (Dec 6, 1915 – July 2, 1994) who is popularly known as ‘Mali’ was a master storyteller who wrote more than 50 books, including 40, for children. His style of narration was so simple and beautiful that his books like ‘Circus’, ‘Kishkindha’, ‘Jantustan’, ‘Mali Ramayanam’, ‘Mali Bharatham’ have delighted entire generations.
Mali wrote several books and articles for adults as well. His play “Iravikkutty Pillai’ played to a capacity audience in Madras. His work Karnashapatham, is the most successful Kathakali play written in the 20th century with more than 5000 stage performances during Mali's lifetime.
Mali was a tennis champion and a high jump record holder also. He was serving in the All India Radio for many years and he was the Station Director at the time of his retirement. He was also the editor of National Book Trust. He died on July 2, 1994
Mali wrote several books and articles for adults as well. His play “Iravikkutty Pillai’ played to a capacity audience in Madras. His work Karnashapatham, is the most successful Kathakali play written in the 20th century with more than 5000 stage performances during Mali's lifetime.
Mali was a tennis champion and a high jump record holder also. He was serving in the All India Radio for many years and he was the Station Director at the time of his retirement. He was also the editor of National Book Trust. He died on July 2, 1994
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September 23, 2024
“Swamiye Sharanam! Sharanam Ayyappa!”
Seriously, this book will make you feel like sitting on the grandmother’s lap, listening a great saga. This small book contains just 117 pages, but don’t judge this book by its volume. It will make a great impact on the reader after finishing the book. Its also a quick read. I have completed it by just two sittings.
You must have known about the Sabarimala temple of Kerala. Lakhs of devotees use to visit this temple to have a darshan of lord Ayyappa here. Any devotee must maintain penance for 41 days before visiting the temple! The author started writing this book soon after returning home from the Sabarimala temple.
Lord Ayyappa is an incarnation of Dharma Shasta, the god who was born to both Hari and Hara. The first incarnation of him was Manikanta, the adopted son of king Rajasekhara, who was destined to slay the demoness Mahishi, the sister of the great demon Mahishasura. This saga tells how the Sabarimala temple was built.
But after many days, the Sabarimala temple was destroyed by Udayanan, the great marauder who killed the temple priest. After that, Jayanta, the son of the temple priest resolved to avenge the destruction of the temple and the murder of his father. There another saga begins. A princess of Mandalam was kidnapped by Udayanan, who was later rescued by Jayanta and they married to each other. Their son was Ayyappa, who was destined to be the Commander of Pandalam army. Then Ayyappa allied with many kings and warriors and defeated Udayanan. Udayanan was killed in this battle. At last, after rebuilding the Sabarimala temple, Ayyappa merged into the main idol of the temple.
The author did not participate on the debates that whether Ayyappa was a mythological or historical character. But there are many paranormal incidents in this story. But as we know, the perennial sagas which are told to generations by generations create gaps in many places, that gaps are filled with paranormal incidents from time to time. Anyone, who is interested in history or mythology, must read this. This book has many beautiful pictures also, which are the cherry on the top.
Seriously, this book will make you feel like sitting on the grandmother’s lap, listening a great saga. This small book contains just 117 pages, but don’t judge this book by its volume. It will make a great impact on the reader after finishing the book. Its also a quick read. I have completed it by just two sittings.
You must have known about the Sabarimala temple of Kerala. Lakhs of devotees use to visit this temple to have a darshan of lord Ayyappa here. Any devotee must maintain penance for 41 days before visiting the temple! The author started writing this book soon after returning home from the Sabarimala temple.
Lord Ayyappa is an incarnation of Dharma Shasta, the god who was born to both Hari and Hara. The first incarnation of him was Manikanta, the adopted son of king Rajasekhara, who was destined to slay the demoness Mahishi, the sister of the great demon Mahishasura. This saga tells how the Sabarimala temple was built.
But after many days, the Sabarimala temple was destroyed by Udayanan, the great marauder who killed the temple priest. After that, Jayanta, the son of the temple priest resolved to avenge the destruction of the temple and the murder of his father. There another saga begins. A princess of Mandalam was kidnapped by Udayanan, who was later rescued by Jayanta and they married to each other. Their son was Ayyappa, who was destined to be the Commander of Pandalam army. Then Ayyappa allied with many kings and warriors and defeated Udayanan. Udayanan was killed in this battle. At last, after rebuilding the Sabarimala temple, Ayyappa merged into the main idol of the temple.
The author did not participate on the debates that whether Ayyappa was a mythological or historical character. But there are many paranormal incidents in this story. But as we know, the perennial sagas which are told to generations by generations create gaps in many places, that gaps are filled with paranormal incidents from time to time. Anyone, who is interested in history or mythology, must read this. This book has many beautiful pictures also, which are the cherry on the top.
Displaying 1 of 1 review