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The Queen of Jasmine Country
Tonight, under this arena of starlight, I take up my stylus and press it by the glow of a clay lantern into dry palmyra leaves. It is on this night that I dedicate myself - to my self, to who I truly am, to what is invincible and without bondage of time, that predates me, that will outlive me.
Ninth century. In Puduvai, a small town in what we now know as Tamil Nadu, young Kodhai is taught to read and to write by her adoptive father, a garland-weaving poet. As she discovers the power of words, she also realizes that the undying longing for a great love that she has been nursing within her - one that does not suppress her desire for freedom - is likely to remain unfulfilled. Then, she hears of a vow that she can undertake that might summon it to her.
In deepest winter, the sixteen-year-old begins praying for a divinely sensual love - not knowing that her words will themselves become prayers, and echo through the centuries to come.
Rich with the echoes of classical poetry, in The Queen of Jasmine Country, Sharanya Manivannan imagines the life of the devotional poet Andal, whose sublime and erotic verses remain beloved and controversial to this day.
Ninth century. In Puduvai, a small town in what we now know as Tamil Nadu, young Kodhai is taught to read and to write by her adoptive father, a garland-weaving poet. As she discovers the power of words, she also realizes that the undying longing for a great love that she has been nursing within her - one that does not suppress her desire for freedom - is likely to remain unfulfilled. Then, she hears of a vow that she can undertake that might summon it to her.
In deepest winter, the sixteen-year-old begins praying for a divinely sensual love - not knowing that her words will themselves become prayers, and echo through the centuries to come.
Rich with the echoes of classical poetry, in The Queen of Jasmine Country, Sharanya Manivannan imagines the life of the devotional poet Andal, whose sublime and erotic verses remain beloved and controversial to this day.
156 pages, Hardcover
Published October 25, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
August 29, 2025
3.7 Stars
One Liner: Beautiful but not for everyone
This is a retelling of the story of Andal and her immense love for Vishnu, which moved him so much that he came down to marry her. Not surprising since Andal is said to be an incarnation of Bhudevi (earth). Andal wrote two poetic works, Tiruppavai (something people recite and listen to even today during Margasiram month, which comes in December) and Nachiyar Tirumoli. Both works are an expression of her love for Vishnu, a love so overwhelming, divine, and powerful that it blends physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual yearning to create a tangible force of nature. We celebrate her wedding to Vishnu as Godha Kalyanam. It’s an annual event in temples in the South.
The title does not indicate the contents, so it was a surprise to realize the book was about Andal! Right away, I knew I would read this despite my wariness with retellings. Something about the blurb’s lyrical style called to me.
Backstory
Andal (also called Godhai or Kodhai) was found under the tulsi plant and adopted by Periyalvar, a poet and a Vaishnavite priest (under the patronage of Pandya king Srimara Srivallabha of Madurai, according to the author). She became one of the twelve Alvars (the only woman on the list) and was later revered as a goddess.
As a child, Godhai had a habit of wearing the garlands meant to decorate Vishnu’s murti in the temple. She would try them on and replace the garlands in the basket her father took to the temple early morning. One day, he saw her hair strand in the garland and was angry at her. Warning her not to touch the garlands, he used fresh ones to adorn the murti. However, the garlands wouldn’t stay on it. When the priest continued to try, Vishnu spoke from the murti and said he would allow only those garlands that Godhai wore before him. He didn’t want any other. Her devotion was so pure that he wanted to wear them with pride. I remember being 7 or 8 when I first heard of this (or maybe even younger). It awed me then, and it fills my heart with hope and light now.
The book starts with a short author’s note (which includes some of the above details). Andal in the book is a teenager (16), a young woman deeply in love with a deva.
“The seventh form (of tulasi) is as consort, a goddess in the guise of a plant, incarnated to remind the householder of the holiness of the very dirt that keeps him rooted.”
The book is very much a feminist retelling with a recurring theme of how men have built a cage around women and tightened the rules, which led to frustration and suffocation. Kodhai yearns to break free of this. In fact, she refuses to step into a cage and wants nothing to do with a human mate.
The author uses cowgirls as a metaphor for gopikas (Krishna’s friends) and as a symbol of freedom; something Kodhai doesn’t have (though her position is better than other girls of her age).
Sensuality is the core of the book. Not surprising since it is an exploration of Andal’s love for Vishnu/ Krishna/ Narayana. The emotions and yearnings are not timid, hesitant, or uncertain. They are bold, determined, and demanding, even when she spirals into despair when her wait stretches too long!
The writing is lyrical, musical, and has a surreal vibe. This style is not for everyone, especially since it dips into stream-of-consciousness-style narration at times. The first-person voice of Kodhai is strong yet vulnerable. But it also requires patience and a basic knowledge of the original story and the Hindu framework it belongs to. You should know what bhakti means and how it transcends various planes to correctly understand Kodhai’s yearning for her deva. Otherwise, the book will be reduced to nothing more than an itch of a horny teenager.
At the same time, the book doesn’t delve deep into many aspects since the focus is much on sensuality. This may not work for some readers.
I wouldn’t recommend it to global readers, though it seems the author tries to explain the story to them.
To summarize, The Queen of Jasmine Country is a lyrical retelling of Andal’s bhakti and yearning for Vishnu. The abrupt ending is apt for the plot, leaving readers with a plethora of emotions and thoughts.
One Liner: Beautiful but not for everyone
This is a retelling of the story of Andal and her immense love for Vishnu, which moved him so much that he came down to marry her. Not surprising since Andal is said to be an incarnation of Bhudevi (earth). Andal wrote two poetic works, Tiruppavai (something people recite and listen to even today during Margasiram month, which comes in December) and Nachiyar Tirumoli. Both works are an expression of her love for Vishnu, a love so overwhelming, divine, and powerful that it blends physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual yearning to create a tangible force of nature. We celebrate her wedding to Vishnu as Godha Kalyanam. It’s an annual event in temples in the South.
The title does not indicate the contents, so it was a surprise to realize the book was about Andal! Right away, I knew I would read this despite my wariness with retellings. Something about the blurb’s lyrical style called to me.
Backstory
Andal (also called Godhai or Kodhai) was found under the tulsi plant and adopted by Periyalvar, a poet and a Vaishnavite priest (under the patronage of Pandya king Srimara Srivallabha of Madurai, according to the author). She became one of the twelve Alvars (the only woman on the list) and was later revered as a goddess.
As a child, Godhai had a habit of wearing the garlands meant to decorate Vishnu’s murti in the temple. She would try them on and replace the garlands in the basket her father took to the temple early morning. One day, he saw her hair strand in the garland and was angry at her. Warning her not to touch the garlands, he used fresh ones to adorn the murti. However, the garlands wouldn’t stay on it. When the priest continued to try, Vishnu spoke from the murti and said he would allow only those garlands that Godhai wore before him. He didn’t want any other. Her devotion was so pure that he wanted to wear them with pride. I remember being 7 or 8 when I first heard of this (or maybe even younger). It awed me then, and it fills my heart with hope and light now.
The book starts with a short author’s note (which includes some of the above details). Andal in the book is a teenager (16), a young woman deeply in love with a deva.
“The seventh form (of tulasi) is as consort, a goddess in the guise of a plant, incarnated to remind the householder of the holiness of the very dirt that keeps him rooted.”
The book is very much a feminist retelling with a recurring theme of how men have built a cage around women and tightened the rules, which led to frustration and suffocation. Kodhai yearns to break free of this. In fact, she refuses to step into a cage and wants nothing to do with a human mate.
The author uses cowgirls as a metaphor for gopikas (Krishna’s friends) and as a symbol of freedom; something Kodhai doesn’t have (though her position is better than other girls of her age).
Sensuality is the core of the book. Not surprising since it is an exploration of Andal’s love for Vishnu/ Krishna/ Narayana. The emotions and yearnings are not timid, hesitant, or uncertain. They are bold, determined, and demanding, even when she spirals into despair when her wait stretches too long!
The writing is lyrical, musical, and has a surreal vibe. This style is not for everyone, especially since it dips into stream-of-consciousness-style narration at times. The first-person voice of Kodhai is strong yet vulnerable. But it also requires patience and a basic knowledge of the original story and the Hindu framework it belongs to. You should know what bhakti means and how it transcends various planes to correctly understand Kodhai’s yearning for her deva. Otherwise, the book will be reduced to nothing more than an itch of a horny teenager.
At the same time, the book doesn’t delve deep into many aspects since the focus is much on sensuality. This may not work for some readers.
I wouldn’t recommend it to global readers, though it seems the author tries to explain the story to them.
To summarize, The Queen of Jasmine Country is a lyrical retelling of Andal’s bhakti and yearning for Vishnu. The abrupt ending is apt for the plot, leaving readers with a plethora of emotions and thoughts.
December 29, 2018
Rating:4.7/*****
The honey of devotion with its sweetness of mystical love enthrall your senses and enraptures your heart in the trance of sublime ecstasy.
The book maps the life journey of 9th century poetess Kodhai, one of the twelve Alvars saints who composed poems in praise of the Almighty.During the medieval period, Kodhai was found in the Tulsai groove by the garland weaver poet Vishnuchittan who later became her adopted father.A lovely relation of love,reverence,devotion and mutual understanding evolves between the parent and the child.Transcend into the enigmatic world witnessing the growing up years of Andal,festivity celebrating the blossoming of a girl into a woman,feel the heart aches of a young lover and unquenched thirst of many hearts.
A beautiful rendition by the author.The lyrical prose overflowing with an alluring amalgamation of history, literature,mythology,art and devotion.It gives the reader a peek into society of those times,the class difference,the various paths of preaching,the societal norms and rituals practiced by different ethnic groups.The writing echoed with a young girl's yearnings and her virgin love for the Lord which surpassed all boundaries.
I fell in love over and over again with the Andal's unadulterated love for the Ranganathan,Vishnuchittan's faith,the premise and enchanting verses. I want to thank the writer for the amazing piece.I will recommend the book to every core reader who love to read books related to spirituality.
The honey of devotion with its sweetness of mystical love enthrall your senses and enraptures your heart in the trance of sublime ecstasy.
The book maps the life journey of 9th century poetess Kodhai, one of the twelve Alvars saints who composed poems in praise of the Almighty.During the medieval period, Kodhai was found in the Tulsai groove by the garland weaver poet Vishnuchittan who later became her adopted father.A lovely relation of love,reverence,devotion and mutual understanding evolves between the parent and the child.Transcend into the enigmatic world witnessing the growing up years of Andal,festivity celebrating the blossoming of a girl into a woman,feel the heart aches of a young lover and unquenched thirst of many hearts.
A beautiful rendition by the author.The lyrical prose overflowing with an alluring amalgamation of history, literature,mythology,art and devotion.It gives the reader a peek into society of those times,the class difference,the various paths of preaching,the societal norms and rituals practiced by different ethnic groups.The writing echoed with a young girl's yearnings and her virgin love for the Lord which surpassed all boundaries.
I fell in love over and over again with the Andal's unadulterated love for the Ranganathan,Vishnuchittan's faith,the premise and enchanting verses. I want to thank the writer for the amazing piece.I will recommend the book to every core reader who love to read books related to spirituality.
February 19, 2019
This was a truly engaging book for me from the very beginning and the author does justice to the humane side of Andal. I loved the almost lyrical words of the author and it was almost as if Andal herself wrote some lines.
This book brings back many nostalgic feelings from my childhood. She uses some typical tamil words like 'thinnai' and I was instantly transported to my father's hometown .
In some places I felt the author was caught between trying to explain the lingua to the global audience and appealing to the audience who know and speak Tamil.
This book thought a mythology based fiction also talks about social issues like caste and women improvement. Kodhai's honest musings about these issues were some of my most favourite lines in the book.
"Some women have wider cages than others . Yet I felt my boundaries all the time . "
It was a very short book and when it ended I was left with a feeling of sadness and love for the complex and complicated person who is kodhai.
This book brings back many nostalgic feelings from my childhood. She uses some typical tamil words like 'thinnai' and I was instantly transported to my father's hometown .
In some places I felt the author was caught between trying to explain the lingua to the global audience and appealing to the audience who know and speak Tamil.
This book thought a mythology based fiction also talks about social issues like caste and women improvement. Kodhai's honest musings about these issues were some of my most favourite lines in the book.
"Some women have wider cages than others . Yet I felt my boundaries all the time . "
It was a very short book and when it ended I was left with a feeling of sadness and love for the complex and complicated person who is kodhai.
January 14, 2019
This book is centered on the fictional life and times of a young girl Kodhai whose lineage is unknown and grows with much love and affection in the family of Vishnuchittan, a court poet and a devotee of Lord Vishnu. It follows her journey from Kodhai as a growing up girl who questions the world around her and seeks a place for herself to becoming Andal whose compositions to Lord Vishnu are sung to this day. She is the only female ‘Alvar’ or poet saints of South India (‘Alvars’ wrote songs of devotion to Lord Vishnu and believed him to be the ‘supreme being).
Told in Kodhai’s words, The Queen of Jasmine Country is half fable and parts myth and fiction. Kodhai herself is impetuous, independent and very aware of the place of women: she sees in in the situation of her mother (of whom we don’t get to know more) and the fates of the friends around her.
I found myself immersed in the feel of the words: there is so much power and depth in the words strung together, like a garland, each word chosen with care and which are full of depth and rich meaning. Soaking in the words and feel of the emotions of the book, I found that I wanted to linger on with the pages and not rush in...
Told in Kodhai’s words, The Queen of Jasmine Country is half fable and parts myth and fiction. Kodhai herself is impetuous, independent and very aware of the place of women: she sees in in the situation of her mother (of whom we don’t get to know more) and the fates of the friends around her.
I found myself immersed in the feel of the words: there is so much power and depth in the words strung together, like a garland, each word chosen with care and which are full of depth and rich meaning. Soaking in the words and feel of the emotions of the book, I found that I wanted to linger on with the pages and not rush in...
January 3, 2019
This book!!!
This book is love!!!
The more I talk, the less it seems…
The moment I read the first page I was already certain of a few things: This would become one of my all-time favorites and I’d talk about it like crazy. It wouldn’t only leave me to covet for more, but also devastated and heartbroken but also sobbing like a little child.
Well, those things came true, even way earlier than I had initially anticipated. I was about 60% percent when I was first devasted, when Kodhai’s faith in a month-long vow to the Goddess Katyayani: The Paavai Nombu, to seek a fine husband starts to shake. The end, the end broke me! In the best and worst way possible. The emotions piled up and up and up until all I was able to feel was deep longing!!!
This book was just so beautiful! So, so damn beautiful! Sharanya Manivannan definitely has a way with words, she is truly a lyrical writer and I loved how this story was written: pure poetry to my soul. It evoked feelings in me that were profound, melancholic and I was longing for something…
What I loved the most was how she managed to convey Kodhai and her love and longing for Lord Vishnu though. Even though she never went into detail; it was still palpable in every single word. I felt like I was the Andal, her sentiments were mine… and that struck me straight in the feels.
Sharanya absolutely nailed the feeling of the story – plus, the characters were just so expressive, especially Kodhai- the divine poetess, Andal. I was overwhelmed by the intensity of feeling this story was able to elicit…
This book is in itself poetical with a lot of mythological facts and with so many details in so short a book. You wouldn’t want the story to end. And yet the end is the ultimate Nirvana
So, yeah, in summation: READ THIS BOOK! I cannot recommend the book ‘The Queen of Jasmine Country’ enough.
This book is love!!!
The more I talk, the less it seems…
The moment I read the first page I was already certain of a few things: This would become one of my all-time favorites and I’d talk about it like crazy. It wouldn’t only leave me to covet for more, but also devastated and heartbroken but also sobbing like a little child.
Well, those things came true, even way earlier than I had initially anticipated. I was about 60% percent when I was first devasted, when Kodhai’s faith in a month-long vow to the Goddess Katyayani: The Paavai Nombu, to seek a fine husband starts to shake. The end, the end broke me! In the best and worst way possible. The emotions piled up and up and up until all I was able to feel was deep longing!!!
This book was just so beautiful! So, so damn beautiful! Sharanya Manivannan definitely has a way with words, she is truly a lyrical writer and I loved how this story was written: pure poetry to my soul. It evoked feelings in me that were profound, melancholic and I was longing for something…
What I loved the most was how she managed to convey Kodhai and her love and longing for Lord Vishnu though. Even though she never went into detail; it was still palpable in every single word. I felt like I was the Andal, her sentiments were mine… and that struck me straight in the feels.
Sharanya absolutely nailed the feeling of the story – plus, the characters were just so expressive, especially Kodhai- the divine poetess, Andal. I was overwhelmed by the intensity of feeling this story was able to elicit…
This book is in itself poetical with a lot of mythological facts and with so many details in so short a book. You wouldn’t want the story to end. And yet the end is the ultimate Nirvana
So, yeah, in summation: READ THIS BOOK! I cannot recommend the book ‘The Queen of Jasmine Country’ enough.
August 24, 2021
This was book six out of the twenty-one in 2021.
Really, this book is the essence of Indian beauty. When I was reading this book, I could literally feel the lush ambiance and jasmine nights that were described in this book. The different characters and the way the authors utilized a very iconic female writer who was immortalized as a Goddess to share her views on Indian womanhood in a patriarchal society.
I really commend her writing style and this work of art. Kodhai soon became a huge part of my life during this book, and I stalled finishing this book for so long because I wanted to hold on to it forever. One of my favorite passages in literature is the chapter where Kodhai muses away about marriage. I really resonated with a lot of Kodhai's words and really felt her yearning for the Lord. How do you really settle for another man when you're in love with the Penultimate? And even despite everything, she still persisted into getting her love.
I loved the ending as well. The author did not take the religious interpretation, and she left it open with a bittersweet ending left to be interpreted for the author. In the Queen of Jasmine Country, Kodhai is not a goddess but she is a regular girl with her own yearnings and needs that are stubbed by her family and traditions. I want to think she reached her Lord through her Bhakti, but of course, it's open to interpretation.
I really don't want to give too much information because this is a book that must be experienced in all of its beauty rather than described. It's like a glistening jewel- even if you describe it, until you have seen its glean, you will not understand its value.
Truly an exquisite classic.
Really, this book is the essence of Indian beauty. When I was reading this book, I could literally feel the lush ambiance and jasmine nights that were described in this book. The different characters and the way the authors utilized a very iconic female writer who was immortalized as a Goddess to share her views on Indian womanhood in a patriarchal society.
I really commend her writing style and this work of art. Kodhai soon became a huge part of my life during this book, and I stalled finishing this book for so long because I wanted to hold on to it forever. One of my favorite passages in literature is the chapter where Kodhai muses away about marriage. I really resonated with a lot of Kodhai's words and really felt her yearning for the Lord. How do you really settle for another man when you're in love with the Penultimate? And even despite everything, she still persisted into getting her love.
I loved the ending as well. The author did not take the religious interpretation, and she left it open with a bittersweet ending left to be interpreted for the author. In the Queen of Jasmine Country, Kodhai is not a goddess but she is a regular girl with her own yearnings and needs that are stubbed by her family and traditions. I want to think she reached her Lord through her Bhakti, but of course, it's open to interpretation.
I really don't want to give too much information because this is a book that must be experienced in all of its beauty rather than described. It's like a glistening jewel- even if you describe it, until you have seen its glean, you will not understand its value.
Truly an exquisite classic.
October 3, 2022
Packed into less than 150 pages is the story of Kodhai who was found in a Tulasi grove in the home of an ardent Vishnu disciple (a God in Hindu mythology)
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Kodhai’s character was every bit intriguing and i couldn’t put down the book as I wanted to find out more about how her story would pan out. And through the pages I learnt more about Kodhai and I enjoyed the many variants of her personality.
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The book highlights many Hindu traditions and has glowing descriptions of many rituals. I also was reading a few interviews by the author and learnt that she was a poet and I think the lyrical writing reflects that. But I also think that a reader who doesn’t have any idea of the Hindu religion might find it difficult to relate
-
Kodhai’s character was every bit intriguing and i couldn’t put down the book as I wanted to find out more about how her story would pan out. And through the pages I learnt more about Kodhai and I enjoyed the many variants of her personality.
-
The book highlights many Hindu traditions and has glowing descriptions of many rituals. I also was reading a few interviews by the author and learnt that she was a poet and I think the lyrical writing reflects that. But I also think that a reader who doesn’t have any idea of the Hindu religion might find it difficult to relate
February 9, 2019
From all the good reviews I actually thought I would enjoy reading this book.
Writing mythology isn't that easy as it spans across time.
Aandal is living beyond time and I am pretty sure she must have been one terrific, incredible and inspiring person.
But reading this book I didn't feel that way about the protagonist.
Most part of the book appeared vague and superficial.
Writing mythology isn't that easy as it spans across time.
Aandal is living beyond time and I am pretty sure she must have been one terrific, incredible and inspiring person.
But reading this book I didn't feel that way about the protagonist.
Most part of the book appeared vague and superficial.
June 16, 2020
I have to start this review with a heartfelt thanks to a lost friend, who had presented this book to me, after a lot of thought clearly, for my birthday. We used to have long conversations about sexuality, accepting desires, the relevance of monogamy or the traditional institute of marriage, poetry, feminism, history, among many things. So I can imagine why he picked this book for me to read, since this fictional retelling of the life of the south Indian devotional poet Andal, touches upon many of these subjects.
I really enjoyed reading this book. If you’re a fan of books with prose that sound like poetry, then this might be one for you. It is also a short book of just 156 pages, and I was able to finish it in a single sitting.
All the description about Kodhai’s desires, or the rituals she partakes in to find her life partner, or her love for words and poetry were simply breath taking. I could picture myself in that age, in that setting of the jungle, where people lived simply and loved deeply.
I’d like to read more of Sharanya’s books now – she has a collection of poems and a collection of short stories, and the description of both sound very interesting. Glad to have read an Indian author whose work I enjoyed after such a long time :)
I really enjoyed reading this book. If you’re a fan of books with prose that sound like poetry, then this might be one for you. It is also a short book of just 156 pages, and I was able to finish it in a single sitting.
All the description about Kodhai’s desires, or the rituals she partakes in to find her life partner, or her love for words and poetry were simply breath taking. I could picture myself in that age, in that setting of the jungle, where people lived simply and loved deeply.
I’d like to read more of Sharanya’s books now – she has a collection of poems and a collection of short stories, and the description of both sound very interesting. Glad to have read an Indian author whose work I enjoyed after such a long time :)
March 12, 2019
Absolutely brilliant narrations. The words were so beautifully weaved that I had totally immersed myself in the story.
The scenes are very beautifully described and is very lyrical to read and also very honest.
The scenes are very beautifully described and is very lyrical to read and also very honest.
October 3, 2019
Actual rating: 3.25 stars
In luxe prose that has the trappings of poetry, Sharanya Manivannan in The Queen of Jasmine Country reimagines the life of the young Kodhai and how she came to become the devotional poet Andal who is counted amongst the twelve Alvars. Mannivannan strips Andal of her divine status, instead, rendering her as a young girl seeking freedom not afforded to women of her time and smouldering with an unfulfilled desire.
Kodhai is found by her parents, Vishnuchittan and Arali, in a tulasi grove, where she is abandoned by whoever birthed her. It’s as if Vishnuchittan’s protracted prayers for a child are finally answered and he showers her with unmatched adoration. In a society where women remain uneducated, he even teaches her the letters. Kodhai embraces the written word and makes it her own, like a parched traveler in a desert hungrily laps up the water when he finds an oasis, composing poetry in praise of Lord Vishnu, which is sensual and saturated with carnal desire.
It is not easy to find a groom for Kodhai, as she idealizes Vishnu but looks for a human counterpart. As she withers with frustration and sees the folly in wanting the unattainable, we see a woman’s internal struggle to reconcile the life of the soul to the life of the body, when both come with their own requirements and must coincide somewhere.
Kodhai’s awareness of the limitations of being a woman in general and of being a Brahmin woman expected to follow certain mores of her caste specifically constituted some of my favourite parts of the novella. Imbued with sensuousness, the book is an appreciable effort to bring to life Andal, who is sure to remind you of Mira.
In luxe prose that has the trappings of poetry, Sharanya Manivannan in The Queen of Jasmine Country reimagines the life of the young Kodhai and how she came to become the devotional poet Andal who is counted amongst the twelve Alvars. Mannivannan strips Andal of her divine status, instead, rendering her as a young girl seeking freedom not afforded to women of her time and smouldering with an unfulfilled desire.
Kodhai is found by her parents, Vishnuchittan and Arali, in a tulasi grove, where she is abandoned by whoever birthed her. It’s as if Vishnuchittan’s protracted prayers for a child are finally answered and he showers her with unmatched adoration. In a society where women remain uneducated, he even teaches her the letters. Kodhai embraces the written word and makes it her own, like a parched traveler in a desert hungrily laps up the water when he finds an oasis, composing poetry in praise of Lord Vishnu, which is sensual and saturated with carnal desire.
It is not easy to find a groom for Kodhai, as she idealizes Vishnu but looks for a human counterpart. As she withers with frustration and sees the folly in wanting the unattainable, we see a woman’s internal struggle to reconcile the life of the soul to the life of the body, when both come with their own requirements and must coincide somewhere.
Kodhai’s awareness of the limitations of being a woman in general and of being a Brahmin woman expected to follow certain mores of her caste specifically constituted some of my favourite parts of the novella. Imbued with sensuousness, the book is an appreciable effort to bring to life Andal, who is sure to remind you of Mira.
July 6, 2019
Of the 12 Alwars she is the only female.
Of the 12 Alwars she is the only one who attained Divinity.
The Queen Of Jasmine Country is the story of Kodhai, Kodhai who became Andal.
The language is drenched in sensuality and if you know anything about Kodhai's love for Krishna, you will feel that that's just the way it should be.
Let me confess. I am a Tamilian who cannot read the language fluently. Thanks to paati and my Amma, Tamizh stories are not completely lost to me. But with passing years, I feel this lack of fluency more achingly and have compromised by beginning to read translations of Tamil works. This book makes me want to not just read but also learn #Tiruppavai and understand it.
Kodhai's love is not one of stolen glances or drawing kolams on the sand with the toes. She unabashedly seeks, no, demands Krishna as her lover and will settle for nothing less. Your senses will tingle when you read this book. The lyrical prose, the sensory images, the depth of raw feeling will scathe you, just like the scathing tattoos of the conch and discus that Kodhai brands on her shoulders.
The book is a beautiful amalgam of legend, mythology and imagination- much like the garlands woven with Tulsi, Jasmine, davanam and oleander- all intertwined for a heady assault on the senses.
However much I love a book, I am not a reader who intentionally goes for seconds. But this book, I have not had enough of this book.
Of the 12 Alwars she is the only one who attained Divinity.
The Queen Of Jasmine Country is the story of Kodhai, Kodhai who became Andal.
The language is drenched in sensuality and if you know anything about Kodhai's love for Krishna, you will feel that that's just the way it should be.
Let me confess. I am a Tamilian who cannot read the language fluently. Thanks to paati and my Amma, Tamizh stories are not completely lost to me. But with passing years, I feel this lack of fluency more achingly and have compromised by beginning to read translations of Tamil works. This book makes me want to not just read but also learn #Tiruppavai and understand it.
Kodhai's love is not one of stolen glances or drawing kolams on the sand with the toes. She unabashedly seeks, no, demands Krishna as her lover and will settle for nothing less. Your senses will tingle when you read this book. The lyrical prose, the sensory images, the depth of raw feeling will scathe you, just like the scathing tattoos of the conch and discus that Kodhai brands on her shoulders.
The book is a beautiful amalgam of legend, mythology and imagination- much like the garlands woven with Tulsi, Jasmine, davanam and oleander- all intertwined for a heady assault on the senses.
However much I love a book, I am not a reader who intentionally goes for seconds. But this book, I have not had enough of this book.
March 27, 2020
"Tonight, under this arena of starlight, I take up my stylus and press it by the glow of a clay lantern into dry palmyra leaves. It is on this night that I dedicate myself - to my self, to who I truly am, to what is invincible and without bondage of time, that predates me, that will outlive me."
RATING: 4/5
While narrating the rebel life of Kodhai, now known as Andal, Manivannan credibly gives birth to a luminous feminist hagiography. Andal's the sole woman among the twelve Alvars, the Tamil poet-saints of South India who espoused devotion towards Vishnu through their songs. She is also deemed as a goddess, by divine marriage, an honour not accorded to the other Alvars.
A girl of uncertain parentage, Kodhai was adopted by Vishnuchittan, poet and ardent worshipper of Vishnu, as an infant. Growing up, she is soon cognizant of the restrictive societal status of women. Impetuous and driven, it isn't an acceptable fate for her. Kodhai longs to escape the cold shackles of inevitable marriage. In fact, she would rather fully consecrate all her being, her entire life, to Lord Vishnu, whatever it may take.
By deftly weaving fable, fact, and fiction, Manivannan has written a mythopoetic bildungsroman of startling beauty. The sensual prose is lush and sublime, filled with divine ecstasy and longing. A book that rewards patient reading, it can get a tad overwritten at times but you will get used to it. A wonderful experience.
RATING: 4/5
While narrating the rebel life of Kodhai, now known as Andal, Manivannan credibly gives birth to a luminous feminist hagiography. Andal's the sole woman among the twelve Alvars, the Tamil poet-saints of South India who espoused devotion towards Vishnu through their songs. She is also deemed as a goddess, by divine marriage, an honour not accorded to the other Alvars.
A girl of uncertain parentage, Kodhai was adopted by Vishnuchittan, poet and ardent worshipper of Vishnu, as an infant. Growing up, she is soon cognizant of the restrictive societal status of women. Impetuous and driven, it isn't an acceptable fate for her. Kodhai longs to escape the cold shackles of inevitable marriage. In fact, she would rather fully consecrate all her being, her entire life, to Lord Vishnu, whatever it may take.
By deftly weaving fable, fact, and fiction, Manivannan has written a mythopoetic bildungsroman of startling beauty. The sensual prose is lush and sublime, filled with divine ecstasy and longing. A book that rewards patient reading, it can get a tad overwritten at times but you will get used to it. A wonderful experience.
June 5, 2019
This book is about a lot of things and from what I perceived it's about devotion, womanhood, desire, sexuality, faith, mythology, religion, societal customs and so much more .
The story follows journey of an orphaned girl and how she becomes a woman who wants to understand the world around her and wants to be loved and how she devotes her self to finding love on her own terms.
I really loved how vividly nature was intercalated in the story . All that landscape with different flora was very serene.
I'm in no place to judge a book which deals with topics such as how much devotion a person can exuberate towards a deity as I'm more of an atheist so I couldn't critique this book from that angle and there certain issues which were beyond my comprehension too .
The book has a lot of details about Hindu Gods and their tales and festivals celebrated across India in their honour.
The writing style of the author is something which amazed me a lot because it's so fluid and mesmerizing, it makes me want to pick up more of her works because I couldn't guess where she was going to take the story next
The story follows journey of an orphaned girl and how she becomes a woman who wants to understand the world around her and wants to be loved and how she devotes her self to finding love on her own terms.
I really loved how vividly nature was intercalated in the story . All that landscape with different flora was very serene.
I'm in no place to judge a book which deals with topics such as how much devotion a person can exuberate towards a deity as I'm more of an atheist so I couldn't critique this book from that angle and there certain issues which were beyond my comprehension too .
The book has a lot of details about Hindu Gods and their tales and festivals celebrated across India in their honour.
The writing style of the author is something which amazed me a lot because it's so fluid and mesmerizing, it makes me want to pick up more of her works because I couldn't guess where she was going to take the story next
March 23, 2022
I could not quite get into this book. It portrays the life of 9th century Tamil poetess Andal or Kodhai as she is called in the book. Andal was a devotional poet, a devotee of Visnu who was deeply in love with Visnu and yearned to be his consort. Her verses as far as I gather are more erotic than devotional. The narrative was very flowery , so flowery in fact that deciphering the meaning of the long sentences and quaint words put me off to sleep at times. I couldn't quite grasp the spirit of Andal, her love, her sorrows or her distress. As it is a very short book I could finish it .
January 22, 2019
The queen of jasmine Country
A book which starts from depth of the Lord & ends with it's very essence. On a strange note, it proves a simple fact that humans have no power over nature, any creation of god, nor God himself. Calling forth from the swindling depths of the heart - unchecked for the bellied eyes. The poetic composition compiled in such a way, it betrays the crude example which has been set for known proses.
The reader will come across different worlds & live within them. I had a similar experience while reading this. Wherein on one hand, the author takes us to the 9th century amongst the kings & dynasties - to the days when poets lived. On the other, to the modern day society when she questions the liberty of women & the very foundation of the patriarchal society where the males are always given preference & dominance over women.
The readers get deeply immersed in the rich texture, vivid quality, the riveting language accompanied with prolific writing style woven along with a contemporary touch which flows with ruthless tapestry. The most remarkable aspect being the smooth yet terrific poetic verses which often renders the reader helpless & speechless at the same time. Given the fact that the entire premise goes in perfect transition with the amount of research incorporated which enabled in crafting such a magnanimous piece of art. For writing such a marvellous piece, is worth commendable, truly one-of-a-kind.
The moment I laid my eyes on the cover I fell in love with it. The portrayal of jasmine flowers has been enriched thoroughly making it look attractive.
Title is catchy, unique & grabs the attention of the readers.
Story is set in the 9th century where a young lady named Kodhai is taught to read & write by her adoptive father, a garland-weaving poet. Kodhai describes her entire story in prayers by serving her Lord Vishnu ( one of Gods of Trinity) in a small town called Puduvai, modern day Tamil Nadu. As she discovers the power of words, she also discovers there lies within her is a vast undying unrequited great love which throngs for freedom - which remains unfulfilled for a long time. The story further traces to the journey lying ahead of her where she goes upto any extent - praying to obtain the divinely sensual love. Her words themselve becoming prayers & will echoe through centuries to come. And finally the book describes how the central protagonist, kodhai becomes Andal, a poet whose sublime & erotic verses remain beloved to this day time immemorial.
I loved the part how she sacrifices her very existence, her body & other worldly pleasures to attain divinity. It describes a simple basic fact that nothing is permanent, not even man. We're all transient creatures & a day shall come when every living being will submerge under the depth of earth's mantle, get cremated & turned into ashes to be one with the five primordial elements.
'My lord of a thousand names gives & gives. The fame of his giving crosses all boundaries. I cannot praise anyone else, cannot say to some paltry thing in this world : "Your hand is as bounteous as the rain. Your shoulders are as strong as the mountain." I cannot tell such barefaced lies.'
'For many years, for thousands of years, for hundreds of millions of years, may the red feet of the Lord of of sapphire hue be protected... May the praising of Narayana last a very long time.'
'Tonight, under this arena of starlight, I take up my stylus & press it by the flow of a clay lantern into dry palmyra leaves. It is on this night that I dedicate myself - to my self, to who I truly am to what is invincible & without bondage of time, that predates me, that will outlive me.'
What's the biggest gift for a reader? It's reading a book which makes his life meaningful & worth living.
And what's the toughest task for a reader? It's giving an insight on such a
work, which should equally & substantially justify it.
I'm glad that I've picked this book to read!In short, I can summarise by saying, I'm deeply moved & profoundly impressed with the level of work, the depth & quality of the rich language presented in the book. This is moving, nothing short of a phenomenal work of art. I've read similar works like Poonachi - the story of a black goat by perumal murugan & the poison of love by KR meera.
This amazing book is worth every minute of your life. It's worth every moment. Statistically, in terms of rich language this is one of the greatest book I've read so far. The way it has been written. It can't be described just by mere words. Words fall short when you're talking about a book which is not only powerful; but at the same time - it's compelling, moving & life changing. It becomes very difficult to write a short insight & highlight the significant points of such a book.
Characterisation is well done. Sequential analysis is well accomplished. Narration is exquisite. Language is surreal, subtle, simply powerful enough to knock your minds off. A must read book which relishes & lingers for a lifetime. One which touches the deepest recess of your soul, chagrines with powerful epiphany, a harmony which tunes into your heart which play like a euphony in an euphoria.
A book worth recommending, life changing & powerful enough to live by!
A book which starts from depth of the Lord & ends with it's very essence. On a strange note, it proves a simple fact that humans have no power over nature, any creation of god, nor God himself. Calling forth from the swindling depths of the heart - unchecked for the bellied eyes. The poetic composition compiled in such a way, it betrays the crude example which has been set for known proses.
The reader will come across different worlds & live within them. I had a similar experience while reading this. Wherein on one hand, the author takes us to the 9th century amongst the kings & dynasties - to the days when poets lived. On the other, to the modern day society when she questions the liberty of women & the very foundation of the patriarchal society where the males are always given preference & dominance over women.
The readers get deeply immersed in the rich texture, vivid quality, the riveting language accompanied with prolific writing style woven along with a contemporary touch which flows with ruthless tapestry. The most remarkable aspect being the smooth yet terrific poetic verses which often renders the reader helpless & speechless at the same time. Given the fact that the entire premise goes in perfect transition with the amount of research incorporated which enabled in crafting such a magnanimous piece of art. For writing such a marvellous piece, is worth commendable, truly one-of-a-kind.
The moment I laid my eyes on the cover I fell in love with it. The portrayal of jasmine flowers has been enriched thoroughly making it look attractive.
Title is catchy, unique & grabs the attention of the readers.
Story is set in the 9th century where a young lady named Kodhai is taught to read & write by her adoptive father, a garland-weaving poet. Kodhai describes her entire story in prayers by serving her Lord Vishnu ( one of Gods of Trinity) in a small town called Puduvai, modern day Tamil Nadu. As she discovers the power of words, she also discovers there lies within her is a vast undying unrequited great love which throngs for freedom - which remains unfulfilled for a long time. The story further traces to the journey lying ahead of her where she goes upto any extent - praying to obtain the divinely sensual love. Her words themselve becoming prayers & will echoe through centuries to come. And finally the book describes how the central protagonist, kodhai becomes Andal, a poet whose sublime & erotic verses remain beloved to this day time immemorial.
I loved the part how she sacrifices her very existence, her body & other worldly pleasures to attain divinity. It describes a simple basic fact that nothing is permanent, not even man. We're all transient creatures & a day shall come when every living being will submerge under the depth of earth's mantle, get cremated & turned into ashes to be one with the five primordial elements.
'My lord of a thousand names gives & gives. The fame of his giving crosses all boundaries. I cannot praise anyone else, cannot say to some paltry thing in this world : "Your hand is as bounteous as the rain. Your shoulders are as strong as the mountain." I cannot tell such barefaced lies.'
'For many years, for thousands of years, for hundreds of millions of years, may the red feet of the Lord of of sapphire hue be protected... May the praising of Narayana last a very long time.'
'Tonight, under this arena of starlight, I take up my stylus & press it by the flow of a clay lantern into dry palmyra leaves. It is on this night that I dedicate myself - to my self, to who I truly am to what is invincible & without bondage of time, that predates me, that will outlive me.'
What's the biggest gift for a reader? It's reading a book which makes his life meaningful & worth living.
And what's the toughest task for a reader? It's giving an insight on such a
work, which should equally & substantially justify it.
I'm glad that I've picked this book to read!In short, I can summarise by saying, I'm deeply moved & profoundly impressed with the level of work, the depth & quality of the rich language presented in the book. This is moving, nothing short of a phenomenal work of art. I've read similar works like Poonachi - the story of a black goat by perumal murugan & the poison of love by KR meera.
This amazing book is worth every minute of your life. It's worth every moment. Statistically, in terms of rich language this is one of the greatest book I've read so far. The way it has been written. It can't be described just by mere words. Words fall short when you're talking about a book which is not only powerful; but at the same time - it's compelling, moving & life changing. It becomes very difficult to write a short insight & highlight the significant points of such a book.
Characterisation is well done. Sequential analysis is well accomplished. Narration is exquisite. Language is surreal, subtle, simply powerful enough to knock your minds off. A must read book which relishes & lingers for a lifetime. One which touches the deepest recess of your soul, chagrines with powerful epiphany, a harmony which tunes into your heart which play like a euphony in an euphoria.
A book worth recommending, life changing & powerful enough to live by!
March 30, 2021
JUST THIS IS JUST I CANNOT RN
May 12, 2021
A fictionalised account of the Tamil goddess-poet Andal, the book takes a look at how she, an orphan found in a tulasi grove, grew up idolising Vishnu. As she approaches marriageable age, she craves and pines for her god, and hopes to meet someone as magnificent as Vishnu himself.
Of course, when you’re trying to fictionalise a poet, language is an important part of it and the author delivers beautifully. But what shines even more is how masterfully the author sketches Andal as a feminist, asking questions about what it takes to be a woman with agency even in the 9th century, but above all, the personification of the hopes and dreams of a lonely young woman.
Of course, when you’re trying to fictionalise a poet, language is an important part of it and the author delivers beautifully. But what shines even more is how masterfully the author sketches Andal as a feminist, asking questions about what it takes to be a woman with agency even in the 9th century, but above all, the personification of the hopes and dreams of a lonely young woman.
February 12, 2019
I’d been wary of Indian writing ever since I’d partly read a book (partly, because I couldn’t bring myself to finishing it) by a wildly popular Indian author, only to end up finding the writing insipid, at best. It wasn’t that the story was awful, it was just that the language and the treatment of the characters were real turn offs. So, I’d decided to keep to my Attwoods, Frys, Christies, Kings and Rowlings.
It wasn’t until I’d gone to The Hindu Lit for Life 2019 that everything had changed. Thanks to my friend Aditi’s suggestion, I’d gone to attend a panel called “The Literature of Myth” and that’s when I fell in love. I fell in love with what I’d witnessed: the most prolific and genuinely the most intelligent speeches/responses that anyone had given across any panel that day. And those beautiful words came from the one and only Sharanya Manivannan, the Goddess behind the Queen of the Jasmine Country.
Before the panel discussion could end, I’d made up my mind. “If she speaks this beautifully, I can’t imagine how wonderfully she’d write.” And boy was I right! The Queen of Jasmine Country was a treat from the beginning to the end.
Sharanya imagines Kodhai’s life before she became the celebrated devotional poet-saint Andal. She writes in the first person and you can’t help but see that there is a little bit of Sharanya herself in her Kodhai. The sheer amount of research that has probably gone into writing this is definitely humongous. You get to learn a great deal about a lot of things, from the different kinds of Tulasi plants like Rama, Vana, Krishna and Karpoor Tulasis, to the names of Goddesses like Nappinai. Right from the get go, you notice how poetry informs her prose. You can’t help but lose yourself in the magical realism of her words. She weaves history and fantasy seamlessly. Every page has something endearing – a line, a word, a phrase, something that touches you, caresses you or tugs at your heartstrings. The more you read about Sharanya’s description of 9th Century Tamilagam, the more clearly can you picture it. You can almost breathe in the pollution-free air. The seasons, the lakes, the groves, the flora, the fauna and everything else she describes feel so tangible, and that’s quite a feat, especially when her writing transports you out of the hustle and bustle of the modern day life.
The relationships and friendships in this book are honest. The portrayal of a loving father who, despite being limited by traditions, still wants to give his daughter a fair chance at life, and that of a wise friend who serves as an inspiration and a mentor, are definite highlights. There has to be a special mention made about the Author’s Note at the end of the book. It was super informative and more importantly, it gave us so much more of what we crave by the end of the book.
The best part of The Queen of Jasmine Country, according to me, is the sprinkling of strong feminist ideas, here and there, throughout the story. These powerful lines of equality and feminism are like candy to a sweet-tooth. They are to be savored. And you will savor them, because they aren't lines that you can read just once and move on to the next. You will go back to them, reread them to your heart’s content. I could quote some, but to reveal these lines here would be a great injustice. The beauty lies in discovering them in Kodhai’s own voice, when Sharanya weaves them into the story, as she creates the perfect marriage between the events in Kodhai’s life and her thoughts. She has written a feminist story invoking themes of social justice, without stripping Kodhai of her truth, her history, keeping in mind the time she lived in.
No matter how much I praise the gorgeously rich language in this book, it would still be an understatement. When I finished the book, I couldn’t let it go. I hugged it to sleep. This book has single-handedly restored my faith in Indian writing. And for that, I shall forever be grateful to Sharanya.
It wasn’t until I’d gone to The Hindu Lit for Life 2019 that everything had changed. Thanks to my friend Aditi’s suggestion, I’d gone to attend a panel called “The Literature of Myth” and that’s when I fell in love. I fell in love with what I’d witnessed: the most prolific and genuinely the most intelligent speeches/responses that anyone had given across any panel that day. And those beautiful words came from the one and only Sharanya Manivannan, the Goddess behind the Queen of the Jasmine Country.
Before the panel discussion could end, I’d made up my mind. “If she speaks this beautifully, I can’t imagine how wonderfully she’d write.” And boy was I right! The Queen of Jasmine Country was a treat from the beginning to the end.
Sharanya imagines Kodhai’s life before she became the celebrated devotional poet-saint Andal. She writes in the first person and you can’t help but see that there is a little bit of Sharanya herself in her Kodhai. The sheer amount of research that has probably gone into writing this is definitely humongous. You get to learn a great deal about a lot of things, from the different kinds of Tulasi plants like Rama, Vana, Krishna and Karpoor Tulasis, to the names of Goddesses like Nappinai. Right from the get go, you notice how poetry informs her prose. You can’t help but lose yourself in the magical realism of her words. She weaves history and fantasy seamlessly. Every page has something endearing – a line, a word, a phrase, something that touches you, caresses you or tugs at your heartstrings. The more you read about Sharanya’s description of 9th Century Tamilagam, the more clearly can you picture it. You can almost breathe in the pollution-free air. The seasons, the lakes, the groves, the flora, the fauna and everything else she describes feel so tangible, and that’s quite a feat, especially when her writing transports you out of the hustle and bustle of the modern day life.
The relationships and friendships in this book are honest. The portrayal of a loving father who, despite being limited by traditions, still wants to give his daughter a fair chance at life, and that of a wise friend who serves as an inspiration and a mentor, are definite highlights. There has to be a special mention made about the Author’s Note at the end of the book. It was super informative and more importantly, it gave us so much more of what we crave by the end of the book.
The best part of The Queen of Jasmine Country, according to me, is the sprinkling of strong feminist ideas, here and there, throughout the story. These powerful lines of equality and feminism are like candy to a sweet-tooth. They are to be savored. And you will savor them, because they aren't lines that you can read just once and move on to the next. You will go back to them, reread them to your heart’s content. I could quote some, but to reveal these lines here would be a great injustice. The beauty lies in discovering them in Kodhai’s own voice, when Sharanya weaves them into the story, as she creates the perfect marriage between the events in Kodhai’s life and her thoughts. She has written a feminist story invoking themes of social justice, without stripping Kodhai of her truth, her history, keeping in mind the time she lived in.
No matter how much I praise the gorgeously rich language in this book, it would still be an understatement. When I finished the book, I couldn’t let it go. I hugged it to sleep. This book has single-handedly restored my faith in Indian writing. And for that, I shall forever be grateful to Sharanya.
August 8, 2022
In an unpardonable state of ignorance, I had not known about the Tamil female poet Andal till I read this book. Though she would later be known as Andal and join the exalted ranks of the 12 Alvar saint-poets of South India - the only female to do so, and a local goddess through her marriage to the divine, an honour accorded to none of the other Alvars; in this book Sharanya Manivannan writes a fictional account of her early life as Kodhai, the adopted daughter of Periyalvar, another famous bhakti poet of the era.
Through Kodhai the author creates a remarkable coming-of-age tale, of budding womanhood, along with all its shy desires and passions. Kodhai yearns for an independent identity that goes beyond being just a wife or a mother, and her devotion to Krishna, one whom she imagines first as a friend and later a lover, is one route to find her agency. For women in the ninth century there were little alternatives to a life of drudgery following marriage. As Katherine Young notes:
As a young girl, Kodhai grows up hearing stories of Vishnu from her pious father and faithful Vishnu devotee. For her, Vishnu - usually in the form of Krishna - is less a divine entity, and more a playmate. When she reaches puberty and starts considering marriage, as per the customs of the era, she yearns for a man who brings her as much love and peace as Krishna. She wants a romance to rival the romance between Nappinai (another name for Radha) and Krishna. Through her devotion to Vishnu, she finds more than faith - she also finds acceptance to live life on her own terms, breaking free of the patriarchal and societal expectations from her gender.
Nappinai and Krishna's lore is also used as a theme for unconventional bonds of love. Just as Nappinai and Krishna were never formally married but shared a tender affection for each other, Kodhai's love for her lord and her desire for him is just as natural and valid. Similarly though her foster parents are not her biological parents, the feelings of care and responsibility between them are as pure as any between a child and their parents. There are other women too, whose love cannot be fulfilled in a strictly caste-based society; but love requires no one's permission or justification to survive and thrive.
Though a work of hagiography, Kodhai's character is less divine and more a teenage girl with a spirit that outshines everyone else. In this book she shines more than a goddess, she shines as an Indian feminist icon, and I love that!
“There are no homes with rooms large enough for the wingspan of a woman like me, and so no one will ask me to enter his.”
Through Kodhai the author creates a remarkable coming-of-age tale, of budding womanhood, along with all its shy desires and passions. Kodhai yearns for an independent identity that goes beyond being just a wife or a mother, and her devotion to Krishna, one whom she imagines first as a friend and later a lover, is one route to find her agency. For women in the ninth century there were little alternatives to a life of drudgery following marriage. As Katherine Young notes:
What Andal and other women poets did by living the way they did was to negotiate a space within a marriage-dominated society and made at least some sections of society make room for them"
As a young girl, Kodhai grows up hearing stories of Vishnu from her pious father and faithful Vishnu devotee. For her, Vishnu - usually in the form of Krishna - is less a divine entity, and more a playmate. When she reaches puberty and starts considering marriage, as per the customs of the era, she yearns for a man who brings her as much love and peace as Krishna. She wants a romance to rival the romance between Nappinai (another name for Radha) and Krishna. Through her devotion to Vishnu, she finds more than faith - she also finds acceptance to live life on her own terms, breaking free of the patriarchal and societal expectations from her gender.
Nappinai and Krishna's lore is also used as a theme for unconventional bonds of love. Just as Nappinai and Krishna were never formally married but shared a tender affection for each other, Kodhai's love for her lord and her desire for him is just as natural and valid. Similarly though her foster parents are not her biological parents, the feelings of care and responsibility between them are as pure as any between a child and their parents. There are other women too, whose love cannot be fulfilled in a strictly caste-based society; but love requires no one's permission or justification to survive and thrive.
Though a work of hagiography, Kodhai's character is less divine and more a teenage girl with a spirit that outshines everyone else. In this book she shines more than a goddess, she shines as an Indian feminist icon, and I love that!
January 1, 2019
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I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Let us first take a look at the beautiful oh-so-beautiful cover of this book. When the book finally arrived at my place, I couldn't help but stare at it in awe. And it's a hardcover! And well, hardcovers are always so pretty. I think this is my first purple book ever!
Anyway, moving on to the book. In her book, The Queen of Jasmine Country Sharanya Manivannan brings alive the divine poetess, Andal whose sublime and erotic verses remain beloved and controversial to this day. Yet, her portrayal of the devotional poetess as a teenager is amazing, tying history, literature and devotion hand in hand.
The book gives us information about Kodhai and her life, how she was discovered by her parents, what kind of a life she led with her family and so on. Filled with emotions and feelings, the book starts every new chapter is a new faze and I could not help but think how amazing the writing style of this author is! This is Manivannan's first work of fiction, I believe (I read it somewhere but now I cannot remember where so that I can confirm) and it is just marvelous! Her words describe feelings in a surreal way. Her style makes me want to not stop reading whatever. I really wanted to finish this book as soon as possible so that I could devour it again some time later.
The only reason why I would not suggest this book to others would be that the person needs to be a constant reader to make head and tail of books like this. Often readers who are just beginning do not like reading in the way Manivannan has portrayed her work, majorly because of their lack of understanding of the context. Nonetheless, I can see this book receiving an award or two in the near future.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Let us first take a look at the beautiful oh-so-beautiful cover of this book. When the book finally arrived at my place, I couldn't help but stare at it in awe. And it's a hardcover! And well, hardcovers are always so pretty. I think this is my first purple book ever!
Anyway, moving on to the book. In her book, The Queen of Jasmine Country Sharanya Manivannan brings alive the divine poetess, Andal whose sublime and erotic verses remain beloved and controversial to this day. Yet, her portrayal of the devotional poetess as a teenager is amazing, tying history, literature and devotion hand in hand.
The book gives us information about Kodhai and her life, how she was discovered by her parents, what kind of a life she led with her family and so on. Filled with emotions and feelings, the book starts every new chapter is a new faze and I could not help but think how amazing the writing style of this author is! This is Manivannan's first work of fiction, I believe (I read it somewhere but now I cannot remember where so that I can confirm) and it is just marvelous! Her words describe feelings in a surreal way. Her style makes me want to not stop reading whatever. I really wanted to finish this book as soon as possible so that I could devour it again some time later.
The only reason why I would not suggest this book to others would be that the person needs to be a constant reader to make head and tail of books like this. Often readers who are just beginning do not like reading in the way Manivannan has portrayed her work, majorly because of their lack of understanding of the context. Nonetheless, I can see this book receiving an award or two in the near future.
November 11, 2019
The book was longlisted for JCB Prize. Reason behind for choosing this particular book is its synopsis and the title of course, find it attractive.
It's a story of Kodhai a adopted daughter of garland weaving poet. She also inherited her poetic entity from her father Vishnichittan. Young Kodhai craves a man comparable to her God. In the hope of finding him, she observes the Pavai Nombu vow. But her prayers go unanswered and her desires slowly give way to frustration. She also desires for freedom which she knows that is not possible in her society.
So does she finally find her love? Does she compromise with her freedom?What she decides to do with her life?
So I started to read this Novella with lot of interest.And from the very first page, very first para, very first line, it amazed me by its honey dipped poetic language. Honestly I had to go through the first few pages twice to realise and feel the inner meaning of every bit of words.
Truly this book is riched with the echoes of Classical Poetry.
But, (yes But I never thought while reading starting pages, that I have to use "but" for this book in my "ThoughtSharing") when it comes to the plot of the story or story telling style or synchronisation, it dissapoint me .
Agenda of the story is good what author wants to tell but plot is a weak stroke by her for me .
Story is purely based on some local rituals, cultures of Southern part of India in Hindu religion and I am not concern about this particular mythological part, and so failed to make connection with the plot. Even I didn't like the closure of the story too. ( If I wanna ignore that mythological part).
But If anyone wants to cherish an excellent version of poetic language in a story form, then it would be a good book to dive in .
#bookreview
#thequeenofjasminecountry
#SharanyaManivannan
It's a story of Kodhai a adopted daughter of garland weaving poet. She also inherited her poetic entity from her father Vishnichittan. Young Kodhai craves a man comparable to her God. In the hope of finding him, she observes the Pavai Nombu vow. But her prayers go unanswered and her desires slowly give way to frustration. She also desires for freedom which she knows that is not possible in her society.
So does she finally find her love? Does she compromise with her freedom?What she decides to do with her life?
So I started to read this Novella with lot of interest.And from the very first page, very first para, very first line, it amazed me by its honey dipped poetic language. Honestly I had to go through the first few pages twice to realise and feel the inner meaning of every bit of words.
Truly this book is riched with the echoes of Classical Poetry.
But, (yes But I never thought while reading starting pages, that I have to use "but" for this book in my "ThoughtSharing") when it comes to the plot of the story or story telling style or synchronisation, it dissapoint me .
Agenda of the story is good what author wants to tell but plot is a weak stroke by her for me .
Story is purely based on some local rituals, cultures of Southern part of India in Hindu religion and I am not concern about this particular mythological part, and so failed to make connection with the plot. Even I didn't like the closure of the story too. ( If I wanna ignore that mythological part).
But If anyone wants to cherish an excellent version of poetic language in a story form, then it would be a good book to dive in .
#bookreview
#thequeenofjasminecountry
#SharanyaManivannan
December 22, 2023
**Edited Review 2023**: Upped rating to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, having come to appreciate the religious aspects of this book quite a lot more than I did previously.
I expected more of a conventional fictionalised biography; this blew me away. The deep-running links between sex, religious ecstasy and visions/trances. Andal's religious worship - the sort described here, union with God, is profoundly exhibitionist... in every sense of the word. It’s overt, fervent, fanatical; it breaks taboos.
I love the feminist themes that Manivannan’s woven into this book through the eyes of a 9th-century village girl. The book deals with sexual desire (albeit with God), the power of writing to convey spirituality, and a girl who was never destined for marriage like the rest of her village, who lived and breathes divine fervour.
Andal must have been radical indeed for the time and place she was born into, which comes across powerfully in the text. But I also feel like I’m missing a lot of context, never having read Andal’s poems and not being particularly religious or especially familiar with Hinduism, mysticism, or anything of that ilk. The rich descriptions of the landscape support the full, lush flavour of Khodai’s burgeoning sexuality, femininity iand spirituality, of her growth into something purer than herself. Manivannan paints vivid pictures of 9th-century Tamil Nadu in language that makes Andal’s inner world and her outer world come to fragrant, teeming life on the page.
I expected more of a conventional fictionalised biography; this blew me away. The deep-running links between sex, religious ecstasy and visions/trances. Andal's religious worship - the sort described here, union with God, is profoundly exhibitionist... in every sense of the word. It’s overt, fervent, fanatical; it breaks taboos.
I love the feminist themes that Manivannan’s woven into this book through the eyes of a 9th-century village girl. The book deals with sexual desire (albeit with God), the power of writing to convey spirituality, and a girl who was never destined for marriage like the rest of her village, who lived and breathes divine fervour.
Andal must have been radical indeed for the time and place she was born into, which comes across powerfully in the text. But I also feel like I’m missing a lot of context, never having read Andal’s poems and not being particularly religious or especially familiar with Hinduism, mysticism, or anything of that ilk. The rich descriptions of the landscape support the full, lush flavour of Khodai’s burgeoning sexuality, femininity iand spirituality, of her growth into something purer than herself. Manivannan paints vivid pictures of 9th-century Tamil Nadu in language that makes Andal’s inner world and her outer world come to fragrant, teeming life on the page.
January 20, 2019
"Tonight, under this arena of starlight, I take up my stylus and press it by the glow of a clay lantern into dry Palmyra leaves."
Name- The Queen of Jasmine Country
Written by- Sharanya Manivannan
Published by- HarperCollins
Pages- 138
Review-
Andal's words etched by her stylus in a dry Palmyra leaves made her immortal and she "remains exalted and worshipped, if not cherished, to this day." But Sharanya Manivannan does not speak of the woman Andal, she speaks of Kodhai. Kodhai who grew up to become Andal. Kodhai was found deserted among the tulsai groves when she was a baby. Her exotic mother and father, the renowned poet Vishnuchittan claimed her as their own. Kodhai, meaning "garland" brought meaning to their lives and happiness into their household.
Manivannan's words itself is sufficient to make this book worth remembering. Her soothing words, her poetic descriptions of Kodhai's life is mesmerising. Most importantly Kodhai's unfathomable love and desire for Lord Vishnu would never have been so poignant without her poetic verses and personal style.
I loved how the author didn't rely only on the famous biographies available on Andal's life but made Kodhai her own character. Kodhai belongs to Manivannan. Her life, her longing, her love, her beliefs and her faith has been brought to life by the author's stylus which will remain etched in a reader's heart and mind forever.
Name- The Queen of Jasmine Country
Written by- Sharanya Manivannan
Published by- HarperCollins
Pages- 138
Review-
Andal's words etched by her stylus in a dry Palmyra leaves made her immortal and she "remains exalted and worshipped, if not cherished, to this day." But Sharanya Manivannan does not speak of the woman Andal, she speaks of Kodhai. Kodhai who grew up to become Andal. Kodhai was found deserted among the tulsai groves when she was a baby. Her exotic mother and father, the renowned poet Vishnuchittan claimed her as their own. Kodhai, meaning "garland" brought meaning to their lives and happiness into their household.
Manivannan's words itself is sufficient to make this book worth remembering. Her soothing words, her poetic descriptions of Kodhai's life is mesmerising. Most importantly Kodhai's unfathomable love and desire for Lord Vishnu would never have been so poignant without her poetic verses and personal style.
I loved how the author didn't rely only on the famous biographies available on Andal's life but made Kodhai her own character. Kodhai belongs to Manivannan. Her life, her longing, her love, her beliefs and her faith has been brought to life by the author's stylus which will remain etched in a reader's heart and mind forever.
May 6, 2024
I've grown up hearing Thiruppavai being chanted by people during Marghazi in temples across Tamil Nadu and so, Andal and her poetry are not new to me. This made me very intrigued about this book - how would the author have imagined Andal to be as a young, Kodhai growing up in Madurai?
Sharanya Manivannan strikes a good balance between historical fact and imagined fiction. It was pure joy reading about the imagined surroundings, dreams, secret desires, and thoughts of Kodhai. In certain places, "The Queen of Jasmine Country" seemed like a feminist retelling of Kodhai's childhood to me. Her thoughts on caste discrimination, the envy she felt towards those from other castes who had more freedom, and her sense of curtailment due to her gender - these were a joy to read! Even though I am not a fan of poetry, this lyrical book gave me so much pleasure to read, although some of the descriptions were too flowery for my tastes. I wished this novella was much longer than it actually was!
Sharanya Manivannan strikes a good balance between historical fact and imagined fiction. It was pure joy reading about the imagined surroundings, dreams, secret desires, and thoughts of Kodhai. In certain places, "The Queen of Jasmine Country" seemed like a feminist retelling of Kodhai's childhood to me. Her thoughts on caste discrimination, the envy she felt towards those from other castes who had more freedom, and her sense of curtailment due to her gender - these were a joy to read! Even though I am not a fan of poetry, this lyrical book gave me so much pleasure to read, although some of the descriptions were too flowery for my tastes. I wished this novella was much longer than it actually was!
May 16, 2020
This book is not for everyone. Obviously, there's a section of readers that love it, and then there's a section that I belong to, that's just confused.
The book is vague, incomplete and it almost feels like it's written in a language that I can't understand.
I was just plain confused at the end of this one.
The book is vague, incomplete and it almost feels like it's written in a language that I can't understand.
I was just plain confused at the end of this one.
March 30, 2019
Disclaimer: few words of this review belong to the Tamil language.
I can still hear the clash of tiny cymbals and lilting voices raised in praise of The Lord as I turn the last pages of this book. I smell the air of Tamil Nadu as it was then : Madurai, Tamilagam, in the grips of the Pandya Kingdom. I can see Andal in her village of Pudhuvai grow into a woman, the village of huts and thinnais and damp pathways with rice flour kolams. As it was then, as it is now.
The prose is flowery and fragrant, almost poetic. The landscape is so familiar that it almost resonates with the feeling of home. Our protagonist, beautiful in her joy, her anguish. Unfortunately, I felt in some instances that the poetry eclipsed the progress of the actual tale but a part of me also thinks this was intentional, working Andal's poetry into the tale itself. Regardless, this book evokes a feeling of home with the familiar settings of cows and temples and thinnais. As it was then, as it is now.
4 Stars 🌟
I can still hear the clash of tiny cymbals and lilting voices raised in praise of The Lord as I turn the last pages of this book. I smell the air of Tamil Nadu as it was then : Madurai, Tamilagam, in the grips of the Pandya Kingdom. I can see Andal in her village of Pudhuvai grow into a woman, the village of huts and thinnais and damp pathways with rice flour kolams. As it was then, as it is now.
The prose is flowery and fragrant, almost poetic. The landscape is so familiar that it almost resonates with the feeling of home. Our protagonist, beautiful in her joy, her anguish. Unfortunately, I felt in some instances that the poetry eclipsed the progress of the actual tale but a part of me also thinks this was intentional, working Andal's poetry into the tale itself. Regardless, this book evokes a feeling of home with the familiar settings of cows and temples and thinnais. As it was then, as it is now.
4 Stars 🌟
April 17, 2019
Loved reading this so much. Stellar writing!
February 4, 2019
#2019 #YearInBooks Book 12
They say not to judge a book by its cover but there's something quite alluring about book covers without a doubt. Some books catch my eye just by their cover and this was one such. And my friend gifted it to me on our first meeting! That just makes it a bonus.
The blurb promises a tale rich with echoes of classical poetry and I think it delivers. The poetic prose has allure, and it just adds a further level of beauty to the novel. The story itself is about a poetess and her love for the Lord, who was abandon as a baby but found by Vishnuchittan & Arali, how her childhood and the surrounding aura of spirituality made a mark on her life itself. And how this is brought to the reader is quite lovely.
I enjoyed reading about Vishnuchittan and his customs and how his poetry won over royalty. This book in a way talks about traditions and expectations of women that perhaps still continue to exist, about fears. At some places I thought, this feels so familiar with current day of some women for sure (even though I would like to think that that's changing towards a positive direction). I liked how Kodhai is portrayed as well.
I did think the language could have been a little less poetic. At times it felt a bit heavier than necessary. I don't say it's a point against the author's style but it might have helped. The lore behind the poet is quite extensive I believe, so I would have liked to know more about the characters and their lives but the book is a short one split over chapters of varying sizes. But I must say, overall, I did like the book.
They say not to judge a book by its cover but there's something quite alluring about book covers without a doubt. Some books catch my eye just by their cover and this was one such. And my friend gifted it to me on our first meeting! That just makes it a bonus.
The blurb promises a tale rich with echoes of classical poetry and I think it delivers. The poetic prose has allure, and it just adds a further level of beauty to the novel. The story itself is about a poetess and her love for the Lord, who was abandon as a baby but found by Vishnuchittan & Arali, how her childhood and the surrounding aura of spirituality made a mark on her life itself. And how this is brought to the reader is quite lovely.
I enjoyed reading about Vishnuchittan and his customs and how his poetry won over royalty. This book in a way talks about traditions and expectations of women that perhaps still continue to exist, about fears. At some places I thought, this feels so familiar with current day of some women for sure (even though I would like to think that that's changing towards a positive direction). I liked how Kodhai is portrayed as well.
I did think the language could have been a little less poetic. At times it felt a bit heavier than necessary. I don't say it's a point against the author's style but it might have helped. The lore behind the poet is quite extensive I believe, so I would have liked to know more about the characters and their lives but the book is a short one split over chapters of varying sizes. But I must say, overall, I did like the book.
September 6, 2019
I am very happy to come up with my another review of the book which is damn close to my heart "The Queen Of Jasmine Country" by Sharanya Manivannan💜😍
This story had happened in one of the small village named "Pudhuvai"in the state Tamilnadu,where our artistic beauty Kodhai was born. She was adopted by a garland weaver poet who found her in his tulsi grove. She was brought up by their new parents with an unconditional love. Kodhai was taught by her father Vishnuchittan to read and write. She developed her poetic skills and wrote poems in the name of Lord Vishnu. As we all know she was the only female poetess among the 12 alwars. Kodhai had grown up searching for her freedom in many ways and longed for pure love. She took the Paavai Nombu vow that could help find her eternal love that brought her close to the lord.
My voice:
This book is a pure bliss💕 I just haven't read any book like this before😍.Truly a heartwarming fantastic read. The protagonist of this story was Kodhai who was eventually called as "Andal".The poetess narrates her own life story with us in her poetic words.
Most of the scenes was like a real visual treat because of the author's graceful writing. Every page is painted with words poetically. Each and every character was extremely well developed and described. Phenomenal writing by the author that made the characters extremely real.
Mesmerising narration that could capture every single soul.I was and i am in so love with this purple book cover that i badly wanted to read this beauty in the first place. Every reader will be emotional hooked up while reading this magic.
This book could melt your heart in a way that will definitely make you long for more of it.
I love to give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐.75 rating!!
Recommended 💯👍
This story had happened in one of the small village named "Pudhuvai"in the state Tamilnadu,where our artistic beauty Kodhai was born. She was adopted by a garland weaver poet who found her in his tulsi grove. She was brought up by their new parents with an unconditional love. Kodhai was taught by her father Vishnuchittan to read and write. She developed her poetic skills and wrote poems in the name of Lord Vishnu. As we all know she was the only female poetess among the 12 alwars. Kodhai had grown up searching for her freedom in many ways and longed for pure love. She took the Paavai Nombu vow that could help find her eternal love that brought her close to the lord.
My voice:
This book is a pure bliss💕 I just haven't read any book like this before😍.Truly a heartwarming fantastic read. The protagonist of this story was Kodhai who was eventually called as "Andal".The poetess narrates her own life story with us in her poetic words.
Most of the scenes was like a real visual treat because of the author's graceful writing. Every page is painted with words poetically. Each and every character was extremely well developed and described. Phenomenal writing by the author that made the characters extremely real.
Mesmerising narration that could capture every single soul.I was and i am in so love with this purple book cover that i badly wanted to read this beauty in the first place. Every reader will be emotional hooked up while reading this magic.
This book could melt your heart in a way that will definitely make you long for more of it.
I love to give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐.75 rating!!
Recommended 💯👍
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