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சிவகாமியின் சபதம் #1
சிவகாமியின் சபதம்: பூகம்பம் [Sivakamiyin Sabadham, Part 1 - Bhoogambam]
One of the best Tamil Novel "Sivagamiyin Sabatham" written by Kalki is now available in Kindle digital format. This is Part 1 (Bhookambam ) of novel Sivagamiyin Sabatham (சிவகாமியின் சபதம்)
This novel is best action which brings the 7th century backdrop of various historical events and action. Illustration is given Chittan. The novel created widespread interest in Tamil history. Honour, love and friendship form important themes that run through the course of the novel.
கதை சுருக்கம்:
வாதாபி(இன்றைய கர்நாடகா பகுதி) மன்னன் புலிகேசி , பல்லவ மன்னன் மகேந்திர பல்லவனின் காஞ்சி கோட்டையை கைப்பற்றி பல்லவ சாம்ராஜ்யத்தை தன் கட்டுப்பாட்டுக்குள் கொண்டுவர படையெடுத்து வருகிறான். இதனை சற்றும் எதிர்பார்க்காத மகேந்திர பல்லவன் ஒரு சிறுபடையுடன் கிளம்பி புலிகேசியை வழியிலே இடைமறித்து வைக்கிறான். இதற்கிடையில் புலிகேசியின் அண்ணன் நாகநந்தி என்பவன் ஒற்றனாக காஞ்சி நகரில் இருந்து கொண்டு உளவு பார்த்து புலிகேசி படை தாக்குவதற்கான சரியான நேரத்தை ஓலையில் குறித்து அதை பரஞ்சோதி(கல்வி கற்பதற்காக காஞ்சி வந்தவன்) மூலமாக புலிகேசியிடம் ஒப்
This novel is best action which brings the 7th century backdrop of various historical events and action. Illustration is given Chittan. The novel created widespread interest in Tamil history. Honour, love and friendship form important themes that run through the course of the novel.
கதை சுருக்கம்:
வாதாபி(இன்றைய கர்நாடகா பகுதி) மன்னன் புலிகேசி , பல்லவ மன்னன் மகேந்திர பல்லவனின் காஞ்சி கோட்டையை கைப்பற்றி பல்லவ சாம்ராஜ்யத்தை தன் கட்டுப்பாட்டுக்குள் கொண்டுவர படையெடுத்து வருகிறான். இதனை சற்றும் எதிர்பார்க்காத மகேந்திர பல்லவன் ஒரு சிறுபடையுடன் கிளம்பி புலிகேசியை வழியிலே இடைமறித்து வைக்கிறான். இதற்கிடையில் புலிகேசியின் அண்ணன் நாகநந்தி என்பவன் ஒற்றனாக காஞ்சி நகரில் இருந்து கொண்டு உளவு பார்த்து புலிகேசி படை தாக்குவதற்கான சரியான நேரத்தை ஓலையில் குறித்து அதை பரஞ்சோதி(கல்வி கற்பதற்காக காஞ்சி வந்தவன்) மூலமாக புலிகேசியிடம் ஒப்
303 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1944
178 people are currently reading
586 people want to read
About the author
Kalki Krishnamurthy
297 books894 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 - 30 of 70 reviews
June 14, 2017
What an amazing journey. This story was written in the early 1940′s revolves around the Pallava Dynasty, its kings and foes, the art and culture of the place and times, and of course, the people that made it colourful. The book is very well researched and it is like living in that period.
The first volume takes the reader to Kanchi’s doorsteps. The city was known in ancient days for its forward education and the arts. This glorious city was famous all over Bharata Kanda, and a young Paranjyothi is seen approaching it with a bikshu he met en route, to study and live here.
When he reaches the city, he sees a commotion – the reason being an elephant running amok. Straight at the famous sculptor Aayanar and his danseuse daughter, Sivakami, who were returning from her arangetram that was stopped midway due to the king Mahendra Pallavar having to leave after hearing some urgent news. He flings his spear at the animal, killing it, and thus protecting the father and daughter. This naive, young man is sent on a mission, way before he can start his discipleship under the Aayanar, something which he came to the city for, in the first place.
Under the able leadership of the king, art, music and culture flourish here. There had been no wars in his lifetime. But times are changing, foes are and allies are rethinking their boundaries, with war being imminent. Amid the new developments, the Chakravarthy’s son, Narasimha Mamallar falls for, complicating things further.
Author tried her best to keep the spirit of the original by retaining few tamil words. I’m sure even non Tamils would find this book interesting. Cant wait to start 2nd volume.
The first volume takes the reader to Kanchi’s doorsteps. The city was known in ancient days for its forward education and the arts. This glorious city was famous all over Bharata Kanda, and a young Paranjyothi is seen approaching it with a bikshu he met en route, to study and live here.
When he reaches the city, he sees a commotion – the reason being an elephant running amok. Straight at the famous sculptor Aayanar and his danseuse daughter, Sivakami, who were returning from her arangetram that was stopped midway due to the king Mahendra Pallavar having to leave after hearing some urgent news. He flings his spear at the animal, killing it, and thus protecting the father and daughter. This naive, young man is sent on a mission, way before he can start his discipleship under the Aayanar, something which he came to the city for, in the first place.
Under the able leadership of the king, art, music and culture flourish here. There had been no wars in his lifetime. But times are changing, foes are and allies are rethinking their boundaries, with war being imminent. Amid the new developments, the Chakravarthy’s son, Narasimha Mamallar falls for, complicating things further.
Author tried her best to keep the spirit of the original by retaining few tamil words. I’m sure even non Tamils would find this book interesting. Cant wait to start 2nd volume.
November 5, 2015
What a thrilling journey!! Hats off to the wonderful author to have thought of and written this jewel. Rich in historical facts, accurate in it's narration; the book nevertheless has a feel of an excellent spy thriller, which incidentally it is, in a way. The characters are brought to life by the sheer mastery of words of the author. It is like living in that period and actually witnessing the events that the author is talking about. A true classic and I am glad that I am embarked on this journey.
What I loved best about this translated version is that it never felt artificial, nor did it feel contrived, which is usually the case when translating from a vernacular Indian language to English. It gave me the same feeling of reading the book in Tamil, which is I believe a very important factor in such books. The history, the culture, the richness of the language was all felt in this translation, without it being too facile either. Kudos to the translator for treading that fine line between maintaining the original cultural aspect while not losing perspective of it being an English translation.
I enjoyed this first part of the journey through this series and can't wait to start the next one. :)
What I loved best about this translated version is that it never felt artificial, nor did it feel contrived, which is usually the case when translating from a vernacular Indian language to English. It gave me the same feeling of reading the book in Tamil, which is I believe a very important factor in such books. The history, the culture, the richness of the language was all felt in this translation, without it being too facile either. Kudos to the translator for treading that fine line between maintaining the original cultural aspect while not losing perspective of it being an English translation.
I enjoyed this first part of the journey through this series and can't wait to start the next one. :)
July 24, 2018
Second time. This time I listened to an audio book.
March 21, 2020
After Ponniyin Selvan, I really didn’t know what to expect, but so far this promises to be a captivating saga. Although the translation leaves a lot to be desired, Kalki’s writing style shined through and quickly lured me in. I am eager to start the next volume.
January 24, 2022
Was a reread. Recognised it as a reread only midway through. Gave a feel of the old Amar Chitra kadhaa. Would have loved to read it with pics. As this is part of an ambitious project a BR with Aparna hopefully will get to volume 2 soon.
June 18, 2023
You can’t really go too wrong with a Kalki novel, but I found myself confused by the myriad of twists and turns in this novel. I should have tried not to understand all the intricacies and just flow with the novel. Perhaps, then, it might have been better.
This edition also had a fair number of typos - Penguin, come on, where were your editors on this book? Sigh.
This edition also had a fair number of typos - Penguin, come on, where were your editors on this book? Sigh.
August 20, 2013
I have read all four volumes of this masterpiece and they are excellent reads. I would like to thank and congratulate Nandini for the outstanding work she has done in translating this novel and at the same time, maintaining the tamil flavour. Very strongly recommended for people who are interedted in Tamil history and literature.
December 26, 2018
I could not take to this book at all. I persisted till about 51% and then I had to abandon it. But it's not Kalki's fault, I think. I loved Kalki's short story collection which I had read earlier. However, the absolutely bad translation made this book insufferable. I just have to wait for a better translation or learn enough Tamil to read the original!
February 12, 2021
சிவகாமியின் சபதம் - பரஞ்சோதி யாத்திரை. Part 1
முதல் தொகுதி வாசகரை காஞ்சியின் அழகிய பிரமாண்டத்திக்கு அழைத்துச் செல்கிறது. இந்த நகரம் பண்டைய நாட்களில் அதன் முன்னோக்கி கல்வி மற்றும் கலைகளுக்காக அறியப்பட்டது.
பரஞ்சோதி, அவரது பயணம், மகேந்திர பல்லவர், நாகநந்தி, சிவகாமி மற்றும் நரசிம்ம பல்லவர் ஆகியோருடனான சந்திப்பு.
முதல் பகுதியை உருவாக்குகிறது.
புலிகேசியின் எதிர்பாராத படையெடுப்புடன் கதைக்களம் தொடங்குகிறது. அவரது வாழ்நாளில் எந்த போர்களும் இல்லை. ஆனால் காலங்கள் மாறிக்கொண்டே இருக்கின்றன, எதிரிகள் மற்றும் நட்பு நாடுகள் தங்கள் எல்லைகளை மறுபரிசீலனை செய்கின்றன, போர் உடனடி நிலையில் உள்ளது. புதிய முன்னேற்றங்களுக்கு மத்தியில், சக்ரவர்த்தியின் மகன் நரசிம்ம மாமல்லர் விழுந்து விஷயங்களை மேலும் சிக்கலாக்குகிறார். மகேந்திர வர்மர் தனது சிறிய மற்றும் மோசமான ஆயுதம் ஏந்திய இராணுவத்துடன் தனது ராஜ்யத்தை பாதுகாக்க வேண்டும்.
இந்த காஞ்சி நகரம் பரதநாட்டியம், சிற்பம் மற்றும் ஓவியம் போன்ற பல்வேறு கலை வடிவங்களில் செழித்தது. பல்லவ மன்னர் மஹிந்திரா வர்மர், மம்மலபுரத்தை சிற்ப மையமாக மாற்ற ஆயனாரை (சிற்பி) நியமித்திருந்தார்.
நரசிம்ம வர்மருக்கும் சிவகாமிக்கும் (அயனரின் மகள்) மற்றொரு இணையான கதை உள்ளது. இருவரும் ஒருவருக்கொருவர் காதலிக்கிறார்கள். மஹிந்திரா வர்மர் தனது இராணுவம் நிலைநிறுத்தப்பட்ட இடத்தை அடைந்தவுடன் முதல் பாகம் முடிவடைகிறது.
The story is just beginning to form..
முதல் தொகுதி வாசகரை காஞ்சியின் அழகிய பிரமாண்டத்திக்கு அழைத்துச் செல்கிறது. இந்த நகரம் பண்டைய நாட்களில் அதன் முன்னோக்கி கல்வி மற்றும் கலைகளுக்காக அறியப்பட்டது.
பரஞ்சோதி, அவரது பயணம், மகேந்திர பல்லவர், நாகநந்தி, சிவகாமி மற்றும் நரசிம்ம பல்லவர் ஆகியோருடனான சந்திப்பு.
முதல் பகுதியை உருவாக்குகிறது.
புலிகேசியின் எதிர்பாராத படையெடுப்புடன் கதைக்களம் தொடங்குகிறது. அவரது வாழ்நாளில் எந்த போர்களும் இல்லை. ஆனால் காலங்கள் மாறிக்கொண்டே இருக்கின்றன, எதிரிகள் மற்றும் நட்பு நாடுகள் தங்கள் எல்லைகளை மறுபரிசீலனை செய்கின்றன, போர் உடனடி நிலையில் உள்ளது. புதிய முன்னேற்றங்களுக்கு மத்தியில், சக்ரவர்த்தியின் மகன் நரசிம்ம மாமல்லர் விழுந்து விஷயங்களை மேலும் சிக்கலாக்குகிறார். மகேந்திர வர்மர் தனது சிறிய மற்றும் மோசமான ஆயுதம் ஏந்திய இராணுவத்துடன் தனது ராஜ்யத்தை பாதுகாக்க வேண்டும்.
இந்த காஞ்சி நகரம் பரதநாட்டியம், சிற்பம் மற்றும் ஓவியம் போன்ற பல்வேறு கலை வடிவங்களில் செழித்தது. பல்லவ மன்னர் மஹிந்திரா வர்மர், மம்மலபுரத்தை சிற்ப மையமாக மாற்ற ஆயனாரை (சிற்பி) நியமித்திருந்தார்.
நரசிம்ம வர்மருக்கும் சிவகாமிக்கும் (அயனரின் மகள்) மற்றொரு இணையான கதை உள்ளது. இருவரும் ஒருவருக்கொருவர் காதலிக்கிறார்கள். மஹிந்திரா வர்மர் தனது இராணுவம் நிலைநிறுத்தப்பட்ட இடத்தை அடைந்தவுடன் முதல் பாகம் முடிவடைகிறது.
The story is just beginning to form..
December 11, 2021
பரஞ்சோதி என்ற இளைஞன் அஜந்தா குகை ஓவியங்களின் காலத்தால் அழியாத வண்ணக் கலவையின் ரகசியத்தை அறிந்து வர சொல்லி பணிக்கப்படுகிறான். தனது யாத்திரையில் அவன் எதிர்கொள்ளும் இடர்ப்பாடுகள் ஒரு பக்கம்.
சிற்பி மகளான சிவகாமி, பல்லவ இளவரசர் நரசிம்ம பல்லவர் காதல் பல்லவ சக்கரவர்த்தி மகேந்திர பல்லவர்க்கு தெரிந்தால் என்ன நடக்குமோ என்ற பதைபதைப்பு ஒரு பக்கம்.
வாதாபி மன்னன் புலிகேசியின் மிகப்பெரிய சைன்யத்துடன் மோதவேண்டிய சூழ்நிலையில் இருக்கும் பல்லவர்களின் சிறுபடை ஒரு பக்கம் என விறுவிறுப்பு குறைவில்லாத முதல் பாகம் இரண்டாம் பாகத்தை படிக்கும் ஆவலை தூண்டியுள்ளது.
சிற்பி மகளான சிவகாமி, பல்லவ இளவரசர் நரசிம்ம பல்லவர் காதல் பல்லவ சக்கரவர்த்தி மகேந்திர பல்லவர்க்கு தெரிந்தால் என்ன நடக்குமோ என்ற பதைபதைப்பு ஒரு பக்கம்.
வாதாபி மன்னன் புலிகேசியின் மிகப்பெரிய சைன்யத்துடன் மோதவேண்டிய சூழ்நிலையில் இருக்கும் பல்லவர்களின் சிறுபடை ஒரு பக்கம் என விறுவிறுப்பு குறைவில்லாத முதல் பாகம் இரண்டாம் பாகத்தை படிக்கும் ஆவலை தூண்டியுள்ளது.
November 18, 2024
gotta be patient with the build-up, but classic kalki. the translation reads like the tamil, but had a couple of typos and could've flowed better at times.
September 14, 2025
When you start Sivakamiyin Sabatham, it's hard not to compare it to Ponniyin Selvan and that's going to make it hard to continue reading at it as this one is not as full of twists and turns as the latter. Sivakamiyin Sabatham is more dense and a literary work of Kalki's that demands an artistic appreciation for paintings, sculpture and dance.
The world of the Pallava kingdom (Kanchi) opens up to us through the eyes of Paranjyoti just as Vanthiyathevan explores the Chozha kingdom. If you find yourself asking if it will get better, it does by the end of the part - all the setup will have a payoff.
The world of the Pallava kingdom (Kanchi) opens up to us through the eyes of Paranjyoti just as Vanthiyathevan explores the Chozha kingdom. If you find yourself asking if it will get better, it does by the end of the part - all the setup will have a payoff.
December 16, 2012
This is a brilliant adaptation from the tamil version by Nandini. The four volumes that covers love, deception, and drama has been re-produced in its entirety by the author from the Tamil version. This by no means is an easy task. The book depicts a tumultuous relationship between two lovers torn apart by their social status and very nicely weaved in the context of history. Nandini has done a fantastic job of translating the same without losing one bit essence. This book is a good read who is interested in classic tamil literature but cannot read the same because of language barrier. Must read in my opinion
June 11, 2016
The only reason I picked this up is because it's part of Kalki's popular triumvirate (Ponniyin Selvan, Sivakamiyin Sabadham and Parthiban Kanavu). I loved Ponniyin Selvan. But somehow this one was a bit of a letdown. Maybe I've outgrown the style and prose or maybe it's all very similar to the structure of Ponniyin - I couldn't read beyond 44%, half of which was actually just a plodding-on. Bit the bullet and bade it adieu.
I might still be open to listening to the Tamil version on an audiobook though. Still searching for one - there's a 3 CD pack on Amazon that looks like the real deal, but need to check before I buy it.
I might still be open to listening to the Tamil version on an audiobook though. Still searching for one - there's a 3 CD pack on Amazon that looks like the real deal, but need to check before I buy it.
May 15, 2021
The best hisfic I have ever read! Eager to savour the other segments ✨
Loved Sivakami & Narasimha’s scenes! And, the cliffhanger in the climax that topples our mindset throughout the book!
A must-read!
Kalki is Kalki for a reason! 😇
Loved Sivakami & Narasimha’s scenes! And, the cliffhanger in the climax that topples our mindset throughout the book!
A must-read!
Kalki is Kalki for a reason! 😇
May 17, 2015
This is a faithful translation of the original book, and still keeps the flavor of written Tamil. Should set the standard for a long while.
May 14, 2015
I paced through the book because history and romance. I do not want it to end though. Good that there are three more books in this series.
June 24, 2015
Can't wait to complete the rest 3 parts. What a lovely read?
June 19, 2023
Story 4/5
Translation 3/5
Translation 3/5
August 26, 2025
my rating: 1/5
hello, beautiful people of goodreads! today we're going to talk about one of my least favorite books:
SIVAKAMIYIN SABADHAM (ss) aka KALKIYIN KOZHAPPAM.
listen, i had high expectations for this book, because nandini vijayaraghavan (translator) and sriram v (historian and writer; wrote the foreword for part 1) both stated that they think that this book is MUCH, MUCH BETTER than ponniyin selvan (ps). they shared their childhood memories and their fav scenes with the readers, and mrs. vijayaraghavan's passion for translating this story clearly showed. she took a lot of effort and i appreciate that.
what i DON'T appreciate is the book itself.
i don't know what it was that made me feel like this, but i felt like the book was very badly written, and i got so sick of it that i didn't read the final part (tho i looked at the plot in wikipedia, and it disappointed me very much). and it was all because of the characters, who go through NO character development AT ALL.
every good writer knows that the characters don't revolve around the plot, the plot revolves around the characters. it is because of the characters' decisions and choices that the story moves forward - hell, it's the only way we even GET a story. for example: if kaikeyi never used the two boons that she got from dashrath the way she did, then ram would never have gone on exile with sita and lakshman. and if lakshman had never cut off shurpnaka's nose, then ravan would never have kidnapped sita and the war between him and ram would never have happened.
now keep this in mind as we proceed with the review.
ss has 5 main characters:
1. SIVAKAMI (dancer; pallava citizen; female lead/"heroine")
2. NARASIMHA VARMA PALLAVAR aka MAMALLAR (pallava prince; male lead/"hero")
3. PARANJYOTHI (commander of pallava army)
4. SATYASREYA PULIKESI (chalukya king; villain 1)
5. NAGANANDI ADIGAL (mysterious monk; villain 2)
the whole problem with the book lies with these characters (except naganandi, the only character worth reading about in this book and for whom i gave 0.5 stars). at the beginning of the story, sivakami is a beautiful dancer, mamallar is the angry jiang cheng without any of jc's redeeming qualities, paranjyothi is a rustic youth, and pulikesi is the cruel villain. at the end of the story, sivakami is still the beautiful dancer, mamallar is still the angry jiang cheng without any of jc's redeeming qualities, paranjyothi is still the rustic youth, and pulikesi is still the cruel villain. there is NO change AT ALL in their personalities.
let's look at them one by one.
first, paranjyothi. the first mc that we are introduced to. the entire first part is about him (it was literally titled "Paranjyothi's Journey"). he spends his childhood brawling with the other kids in his village like a delinquent (toman vibes anyone?) until he turns 18 and decides that he should do something with his life that doesn't involve brawling. so he goes to the pallava kingdom (paranjyothi grew up in chola nadu) to the monastery of the great saivite monk, thirunavukkarasar. he never reaches the monastery, cuz he meets naganandi along the way and saves a couple of people from a mad elephant.
who were those people? sivakami and her dad.
the entire first part is about him going around to every place imaginable in the south and meeting a dude called vajrabahu (surprise surprise, it's the pallava king) and we are reintroduced to him after an EIGHT MONTH timeskip when we are told that he became the commander of the pallava army AND mamallar's new bestie. WHAAAAAT?!?! come on, kalki! i wanna see this guy kick ass in the battlefield! and i wanna see how this guy became friends with mamallar so easily! (i wonder if it would've been like how vanthiyathevan met arulmozhivarman)
and then there's the fact that after the first part, paranjyothi becomes a side character who only exists as the token "hero friend" and does not contribute to the story at all. WHY?!?! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU KALKI?!?!
speaking of heroes...
next up is mamallar. as i said before, he's the angry jiang cheng without any of his redeeming qualities. throughout the story, he's either itching to fight in the war or he's madly in love with sivakami. neither of which is particularly wonderful to read.
sometimes, when i was reading the book, i felt like mxtx learnt how not to write jiang cheng from mamallar. because he's just so ANGSTY. like an ultra-stereotypical man. at the start of the book, he was bearable but towards the end, he lost all personality and was simply angry at each and every thing. *sighs*
see, i haven't even written much about him cuz there's nothing about him to write about!
next we have pulikesi, the big, evil Bad Guy. the ruler of the chalukya kingdom, pulikesi is cruel and hates art FOR NO REASON. don't get me wrong, guys. by all means, write a guy who is cruel and hates art. but give him a backstory. why does he hate art so much? was it an event from his past? and was he kinder person in his childhood? if so, what made him the cold, unfeeling person he is today? (think jin guangyao and the darkling: these villains were made, not born)
pulikesi, too, is very one-dimensional. but the thing is, he's been like that since the time he was first introduced. we can excuse pulikesi's characterization, cuz at that time, cruel villains were much more popular than well thought-out villains. (i don't why they're still carrying on with that trend... it's so much interesting to see villains like the darkling and jin guangyao than a stereotype like voldemort or sauron, for example)
and finally we have sivakami. the most horribly written character i have ever seen.
the translator and mr. sriram were singing praises of sivakami in the first part, so i naturally thought there was something to be seen about her. something incredible. however, i was sorely disappointed.
kalki describes sivakami in almost every chapter in the following way:
Ah, Sivakami. The beauty of beauties, the dancer of dancers. The Queen of Dance. Even Thirunavukkarasar was moved to tears by her performance. She is truly the epitome of dance. The way she dances is so spectacular, she must have been taught by the gods themselves. There is no way you cannot be swept into her performances. Her skill deserves to be applauded. There is none more talented than her in the field of dance. She is the God of Dance. If you cannot appreciate her skill as a dancer, then there's something wrong with you. And did I mention she's a dancer?
i kid you not. this is how sivakami is talked about. it's either her dance or how she eMboDieS tHe sPiriT oF tHaMizHaGaM.
this description is good! there's nothing wrong with writing descriptions like this! but it would work BETTER if sivakami was just a random character. but this book is literally all about her. so we reeeeeeally need a bit more personality here, kalki.
but this is not the only problem with sivakami. it's the fact that she acts like a dumb, toxic BITCH. i think people who like this book just like dumb, bitchy, useless women, cuz there's no way anyone could like sivakami otherwise.
sivakami is so air-headed. like who in their right mind would try to jump into a river when the same river is going through a raging tsunami? looks like her dad's choice of letting her grow up in the forest without anyone other than him to talk to was a parenting mistake. then there's the way she treats mamallar. this is the man she fell in love with as a child, this is the man she wants to spend the rest of her life with. and she treats him like mud.
when mamallar makes a move on her, she doesn't reciprocate even though she "loves him with all her heart". at first, it just seemed like she was playing hard to get, but then it just turned out to be toxic and problematic. and then there's her inner monologue/dilemma:
sivakami: mamallar doesn't love me, i'm so SAD *sobs*
also sivakami: this bikshu (monk) says that mamallar doesn't love me, ofc i'm going to believe some sussy monk with obvious ulterior motives over the man i literally grew up with- OH MY GOD, is he talking to paranjyothi?!?! the AUDACITY- i knew he didn't like me, ugh, men are disgusting-
yup. this is her.
and lastly, there's this weird complex that she has. she and her father acknowledge that they're part of the commoners, the civilians, but when sivakami finally does something that contributes to her reputation (standing up for the pallava citizens pulikesi captured), she refuses to do the one thing she can to save them: dance. all she had to do was dance in the streets, and she's immediately like "no i'm too high and mighty for this" for no reason. maybe it was a cultural thing, but it really seemed like sivakami was saying, "i'm superior to you, you are inferior" when she was always like "i'm a commoner".
so in conclusion: don't waste your time and money on this. read ps instead. or stream nerdy by purple kiss so that you can preserve your braincells. bye~!
hello, beautiful people of goodreads! today we're going to talk about one of my least favorite books:
SIVAKAMIYIN SABADHAM (ss) aka KALKIYIN KOZHAPPAM.
listen, i had high expectations for this book, because nandini vijayaraghavan (translator) and sriram v (historian and writer; wrote the foreword for part 1) both stated that they think that this book is MUCH, MUCH BETTER than ponniyin selvan (ps). they shared their childhood memories and their fav scenes with the readers, and mrs. vijayaraghavan's passion for translating this story clearly showed. she took a lot of effort and i appreciate that.
what i DON'T appreciate is the book itself.
i don't know what it was that made me feel like this, but i felt like the book was very badly written, and i got so sick of it that i didn't read the final part (tho i looked at the plot in wikipedia, and it disappointed me very much). and it was all because of the characters, who go through NO character development AT ALL.
every good writer knows that the characters don't revolve around the plot, the plot revolves around the characters. it is because of the characters' decisions and choices that the story moves forward - hell, it's the only way we even GET a story. for example: if kaikeyi never used the two boons that she got from dashrath the way she did, then ram would never have gone on exile with sita and lakshman. and if lakshman had never cut off shurpnaka's nose, then ravan would never have kidnapped sita and the war between him and ram would never have happened.
now keep this in mind as we proceed with the review.
ss has 5 main characters:
1. SIVAKAMI (dancer; pallava citizen; female lead/"heroine")
2. NARASIMHA VARMA PALLAVAR aka MAMALLAR (pallava prince; male lead/"hero")
3. PARANJYOTHI (commander of pallava army)
4. SATYASREYA PULIKESI (chalukya king; villain 1)
5. NAGANANDI ADIGAL (mysterious monk; villain 2)
the whole problem with the book lies with these characters (except naganandi, the only character worth reading about in this book and for whom i gave 0.5 stars). at the beginning of the story, sivakami is a beautiful dancer, mamallar is the angry jiang cheng without any of jc's redeeming qualities, paranjyothi is a rustic youth, and pulikesi is the cruel villain. at the end of the story, sivakami is still the beautiful dancer, mamallar is still the angry jiang cheng without any of jc's redeeming qualities, paranjyothi is still the rustic youth, and pulikesi is still the cruel villain. there is NO change AT ALL in their personalities.
let's look at them one by one.
first, paranjyothi. the first mc that we are introduced to. the entire first part is about him (it was literally titled "Paranjyothi's Journey"). he spends his childhood brawling with the other kids in his village like a delinquent (toman vibes anyone?) until he turns 18 and decides that he should do something with his life that doesn't involve brawling. so he goes to the pallava kingdom (paranjyothi grew up in chola nadu) to the monastery of the great saivite monk, thirunavukkarasar. he never reaches the monastery, cuz he meets naganandi along the way and saves a couple of people from a mad elephant.
who were those people? sivakami and her dad.
the entire first part is about him going around to every place imaginable in the south and meeting a dude called vajrabahu (surprise surprise, it's the pallava king) and we are reintroduced to him after an EIGHT MONTH timeskip when we are told that he became the commander of the pallava army AND mamallar's new bestie. WHAAAAAT?!?! come on, kalki! i wanna see this guy kick ass in the battlefield! and i wanna see how this guy became friends with mamallar so easily! (i wonder if it would've been like how vanthiyathevan met arulmozhivarman)
and then there's the fact that after the first part, paranjyothi becomes a side character who only exists as the token "hero friend" and does not contribute to the story at all. WHY?!?! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU KALKI?!?!
speaking of heroes...
next up is mamallar. as i said before, he's the angry jiang cheng without any of his redeeming qualities. throughout the story, he's either itching to fight in the war or he's madly in love with sivakami. neither of which is particularly wonderful to read.
sometimes, when i was reading the book, i felt like mxtx learnt how not to write jiang cheng from mamallar. because he's just so ANGSTY. like an ultra-stereotypical man. at the start of the book, he was bearable but towards the end, he lost all personality and was simply angry at each and every thing. *sighs*
see, i haven't even written much about him cuz there's nothing about him to write about!
next we have pulikesi, the big, evil Bad Guy. the ruler of the chalukya kingdom, pulikesi is cruel and hates art FOR NO REASON. don't get me wrong, guys. by all means, write a guy who is cruel and hates art. but give him a backstory. why does he hate art so much? was it an event from his past? and was he kinder person in his childhood? if so, what made him the cold, unfeeling person he is today? (think jin guangyao and the darkling: these villains were made, not born)
pulikesi, too, is very one-dimensional. but the thing is, he's been like that since the time he was first introduced. we can excuse pulikesi's characterization, cuz at that time, cruel villains were much more popular than well thought-out villains. (i don't why they're still carrying on with that trend... it's so much interesting to see villains like the darkling and jin guangyao than a stereotype like voldemort or sauron, for example)
and finally we have sivakami. the most horribly written character i have ever seen.
the translator and mr. sriram were singing praises of sivakami in the first part, so i naturally thought there was something to be seen about her. something incredible. however, i was sorely disappointed.
kalki describes sivakami in almost every chapter in the following way:
Ah, Sivakami. The beauty of beauties, the dancer of dancers. The Queen of Dance. Even Thirunavukkarasar was moved to tears by her performance. She is truly the epitome of dance. The way she dances is so spectacular, she must have been taught by the gods themselves. There is no way you cannot be swept into her performances. Her skill deserves to be applauded. There is none more talented than her in the field of dance. She is the God of Dance. If you cannot appreciate her skill as a dancer, then there's something wrong with you. And did I mention she's a dancer?
i kid you not. this is how sivakami is talked about. it's either her dance or how she eMboDieS tHe sPiriT oF tHaMizHaGaM.
this description is good! there's nothing wrong with writing descriptions like this! but it would work BETTER if sivakami was just a random character. but this book is literally all about her. so we reeeeeeally need a bit more personality here, kalki.
but this is not the only problem with sivakami. it's the fact that she acts like a dumb, toxic BITCH. i think people who like this book just like dumb, bitchy, useless women, cuz there's no way anyone could like sivakami otherwise.
sivakami is so air-headed. like who in their right mind would try to jump into a river when the same river is going through a raging tsunami? looks like her dad's choice of letting her grow up in the forest without anyone other than him to talk to was a parenting mistake. then there's the way she treats mamallar. this is the man she fell in love with as a child, this is the man she wants to spend the rest of her life with. and she treats him like mud.
when mamallar makes a move on her, she doesn't reciprocate even though she "loves him with all her heart". at first, it just seemed like she was playing hard to get, but then it just turned out to be toxic and problematic. and then there's her inner monologue/dilemma:
sivakami: mamallar doesn't love me, i'm so SAD *sobs*
also sivakami: this bikshu (monk) says that mamallar doesn't love me, ofc i'm going to believe some sussy monk with obvious ulterior motives over the man i literally grew up with- OH MY GOD, is he talking to paranjyothi?!?! the AUDACITY- i knew he didn't like me, ugh, men are disgusting-
yup. this is her.
and lastly, there's this weird complex that she has. she and her father acknowledge that they're part of the commoners, the civilians, but when sivakami finally does something that contributes to her reputation (standing up for the pallava citizens pulikesi captured), she refuses to do the one thing she can to save them: dance. all she had to do was dance in the streets, and she's immediately like "no i'm too high and mighty for this" for no reason. maybe it was a cultural thing, but it really seemed like sivakami was saying, "i'm superior to you, you are inferior" when she was always like "i'm a commoner".
so in conclusion: don't waste your time and money on this. read ps instead. or stream nerdy by purple kiss so that you can preserve your braincells. bye~!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2025
I started Sivakamiyin Sabadham (SS) after reading all the Ponniyin Selvan. And guess what, Sivakamiyin Sabadham was also fun read!
We are following the adventures of our young hero Paranjothi who goes to Kanchi, which is reigned by Mahendravarman of Pallavas, to learn. The book starts with Paranjothi meeting with an enigmatic Buddhist sadhu Naganandi and entering the Kanchi fort. Inside the fort, he accidentally saves Sivakami and her father from a rutting elephant. They were returning from the debut dance of Sivakami in front of the king, which was disrupted by the arrival of a shocking news. The prince Narasimhavarman is also a major part of the story (with whom Sivakami is in a romantic relation). The rest of the book follows the journeys, literally and emotionally, undertaken by each of the characters and their motivations. First I thought the book would be more about Sivakami, but all the above mentioned characters have crucial roles. I am yet to learn about what the vow of Sivakami is. However, this is a minor digression.
The story is thoroughly engrossing! It puts forwards the tough dilemmas each of the characters face due to the shocking evolution of events around them and how they internalize and react to it. There is no evil villain character outright, but the villain himself is the product of his circumstances. One common thread I find interesting throughout the book is the conflict between the duties and desires. It tests the characters and their beliefs. This is reflected in the choices they make.
For me another interesting thing to note was the similarity between Vandiyathevan (of PS) and Paranjothi. Both gutsy young adults eager to prove themselves who find themselves in the middle of chaos. Both learning the ways of war and valor. I think Paranjothi could've a prototype for Vandiyathevan for Kalki.
Would recommend!
We are following the adventures of our young hero Paranjothi who goes to Kanchi, which is reigned by Mahendravarman of Pallavas, to learn. The book starts with Paranjothi meeting with an enigmatic Buddhist sadhu Naganandi and entering the Kanchi fort. Inside the fort, he accidentally saves Sivakami and her father from a rutting elephant. They were returning from the debut dance of Sivakami in front of the king, which was disrupted by the arrival of a shocking news. The prince Narasimhavarman is also a major part of the story (with whom Sivakami is in a romantic relation). The rest of the book follows the journeys, literally and emotionally, undertaken by each of the characters and their motivations. First I thought the book would be more about Sivakami, but all the above mentioned characters have crucial roles. I am yet to learn about what the vow of Sivakami is. However, this is a minor digression.
The story is thoroughly engrossing! It puts forwards the tough dilemmas each of the characters face due to the shocking evolution of events around them and how they internalize and react to it. There is no evil villain character outright, but the villain himself is the product of his circumstances. One common thread I find interesting throughout the book is the conflict between the duties and desires. It tests the characters and their beliefs. This is reflected in the choices they make.
For me another interesting thing to note was the similarity between Vandiyathevan (of PS) and Paranjothi. Both gutsy young adults eager to prove themselves who find themselves in the middle of chaos. Both learning the ways of war and valor. I think Paranjothi could've a prototype for Vandiyathevan for Kalki.
Would recommend!
June 14, 2024
തമിഴ് നാടിൻറെ ചരിത്രവും കലയും,യുദ്ധവീര്യവും ഉൾപ്പെടുത്തി കൽക്കി കൃഷ്ണമൂർത്തി എഴുതിയ വളരെ പ്രശസ്തമായ നോവൽ ആണ് ശിവകാമിയുടെ ശപഥം രണ്ടു ഭാഗങ്ങൾ ആയിട്ടാണ് ഈ നോവൽ.
കാഞ്ചി നഗരം ഭരിച്ചിരുന്ന പല്ലവരാജാവായ മഹേന്ദ്രവര്മനും ,മകൻ നരസിംഹനും ,കാഞ്ചിനഗരത്തിൽ വിദ്യ തേടിയെത്തുന്�� പരംജ്യോതിയും ,നിഗൂഢതകൾ നിറഞ്ഞ ബുദ്ധസന്യാസി നാഗനന്ദിയും,ശില്പകലയെ പ്രണയിക്കുന്ന ശില്പി അയനരും ,അദ്ദേഹത്തിൻറെ മകൾ നൃത്തകി ശിവകാമിയും അങ്ങനെ മനസ്സിൽ നിൽക്കുന്ന ഒരുപാടു നല്ല കഥാപാത്രങ്ങൾ ഈ നോവലിൻറെ ഭാഗമാണ്. അതെല്ലാം വളരെ ഭംഗിയായിട്ടു കഥാകാരൻ അവതരിപ്പിച്ചിട്ടും ഉണ്ട്
കാഞ്ചി നഗരത്തെ ചാലൂക്യ രാജാവായ പുലികേശി ആക്രമിക്കുകയും അതിനെ തൻറെ യുദ്ധ തന്ത്രവും മിടുക്കും കൊണ്ട് പല്ലവരാജാവും മകൻ നരസിംഹനും നടത്തുന്ന ചെറുത്തു നിൽപ്പുമാണ് ശിവകാമിയുടെ ശപഥം ഭാഗം 1 പറയുന്നത്
യുദ്ധത്തിൻറ്റെ ബാക്കി എന്ത് സംഭവിക്കുന്നു എന്നറിയാനും,ശിവകാമിയുടെ പ്രണയം എന്താകുമോ എന്നറിയാനും അടുത്ത ഭാഗം ഉടനെ വായിക്കാൻ തുടങ്ങണം
കാഞ്ചി നഗരം ഭരിച്ചിരുന്ന പല്ലവരാജാവായ മഹേന്ദ്രവര്മനും ,മകൻ നരസിംഹനും ,കാഞ്ചിനഗരത്തിൽ വിദ്യ തേടിയെത്തുന്�� പരംജ്യോതിയും ,നിഗൂഢതകൾ നിറഞ്ഞ ബുദ്ധസന്യാസി നാഗനന്ദിയും,ശില്പകലയെ പ്രണയിക്കുന്ന ശില്പി അയനരും ,അദ്ദേഹത്തിൻറെ മകൾ നൃത്തകി ശിവകാമിയും അങ്ങനെ മനസ്സിൽ നിൽക്കുന്ന ഒരുപാടു നല്ല കഥാപാത്രങ്ങൾ ഈ നോവലിൻറെ ഭാഗമാണ്. അതെല്ലാം വളരെ ഭംഗിയായിട്ടു കഥാകാരൻ അവതരിപ്പിച്ചിട്ടും ഉണ്ട്
കാഞ്ചി നഗരത്തെ ചാലൂക്യ രാജാവായ പുലികേശി ആക്രമിക്കുകയും അതിനെ തൻറെ യുദ്ധ തന്ത്രവും മിടുക്കും കൊണ്ട് പല്ലവരാജാവും മകൻ നരസിംഹനും നടത്തുന്ന ചെറുത്തു നിൽപ്പുമാണ് ശിവകാമിയുടെ ശപഥം ഭാഗം 1 പറയുന്നത്
യുദ്ധത്തിൻറ്റെ ബാക്കി എന്ത് സംഭവിക്കുന്നു എന്നറിയാനും,ശിവകാമിയുടെ പ്രണയം എന്താകുമോ എന്നറിയാനും അടുത്ത ഭാഗം ഉടനെ വായിക്കാൻ തുടങ്ങണം
February 1, 2021
An English translation of one of the greatest Tamil novels ever written. Kalki is a master story teller and Pavithra's translation makes sure none of the nuance is lost in the language. A spy-thriller set in 7th century Kanchipuram. War is brimming between the two major empires of the day, the Pallavas and the Chalukyas.
A young scholar traveling to Kanchipuram to complete his studies finds himself unwittingly caught in a web of lies, intrigue and politics. A young dancer deeply in love with the crown prince. The crowd prince himself is torn between his duty to the country and the dancer who he is head over heels in love with.
Oh, the ending! The twist in the tale left my jaw scraping the floor.
A young scholar traveling to Kanchipuram to complete his studies finds himself unwittingly caught in a web of lies, intrigue and politics. A young dancer deeply in love with the crown prince. The crowd prince himself is torn between his duty to the country and the dancer who he is head over heels in love with.
Oh, the ending! The twist in the tale left my jaw scraping the floor.
October 27, 2022
I was curious to read this book having completed Kalki's Ponniyin Selvan. This book tells story of pallava kings (Mahendra and Narasimha pallava) while overlaying the roles of Sivakamini who is the best dancer of the kingdom and the star Paranjyothi (who is similar to vanthiyadevan).
This book was good (Not as great as Ponniyin Selvan) and goes into praising the king for his foresight in all too predictable fashion but overall the story was still great and quick read to get a glimpse of things in 6th-7th century A.D.
This book was good (Not as great as Ponniyin Selvan) and goes into praising the king for his foresight in all too predictable fashion but overall the story was still great and quick read to get a glimpse of things in 6th-7th century A.D.
October 18, 2022
Reading this after a really long time. I almost forgot the plot and how things happen. Glad that I'm re-reading this book. Lots of things happen and Kalki being Kalki weaves a good drama with various characters and some characters who we don't know much about yet. The sense of mystery surrounding Naganandhi adigal and the way Mahendra Pallava tackles situations shows his brilliance. Looking forward to digging more deeper now.
January 25, 2025
This is typical Kalki fare - brave young men, beautiful women, beloved royalty, espionage, and banter.
I've had Paranjyothi's Journey spoiled for me because I read Periya Puranam last year. Strange how a book written by an author in the 1900s can be spoiled by a book written by a totally different author in 1100s.
The translation is simplistic and to the point, but it does capture some of the essence of the original.
I've had Paranjyothi's Journey spoiled for me because I read Periya Puranam last year. Strange how a book written by an author in the 1900s can be spoiled by a book written by a totally different author in 1100s.
The translation is simplistic and to the point, but it does capture some of the essence of the original.
May 16, 2021
A territory that prepares for war. A young man and his love and another young man and his search for knowledge are the three themes in this part of the story. The book describes everything in great detail and descriptions bring the world of Pallavas into the imagination very easily. A great start to the series.
April 25, 2021
A great read. Interestingly engaging
I read this trilogy in ponniyin selvan > parthiban kanavu > sivagamiyin sabatham order
Try to read parthiban kanavu after sivagamiyin sabhatham to avoid spoilers.
Kalki is occupying my thought process and my vocabulary nowadays
I read this trilogy in ponniyin selvan > parthiban kanavu > sivagamiyin sabatham order
Try to read parthiban kanavu after sivagamiyin sabhatham to avoid spoilers.
Kalki is occupying my thought process and my vocabulary nowadays
October 6, 2025
Good start for the big series, with twists and turns. Tells story of Pallavas, who ruled before Cholas. Really good rendition of Bharatanatyam. Backstory for the timeless Mahabalipuram stone sculptures. Can't wait to read the entire story.
December 19, 2020
Excellent & Enthralling experience. Thoroughly enjoyed the Novel.
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