Olivatharkku Vazhiillai

by Indra Soundar Rajan

இந்தப் பூமியின் பிரதானமான கேள்விகள் இரண்டு தான்! ஒன்று கடவுள் இருக்கிறாரா, இல்லையா? என்பது.... அடுத்தது ஒருவன் இறந்தபின் அவனது உயிர் என்னாகிறது என்பது... உயிரின் பயணம் பற்றி எவ்வளவோ கருத்துக்கள். ஆனால் சிலரது அனுபவங்களோ ரத்தத்தையே உறைய வைக்கும்!

Genres: Thriller, Crime, Fiction, Mystery, Indian Literature

369 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Indra Soundar Rajan was the pen name of P. Soundar Rajan, an Indian Tamil author of short stories, novels, television serials, and screenplays.

Reviews

[Jaanaki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I completed this book yesterday as part of the #discoverindiareadathon for the first prompt. I read it in just two days 🙊.Indra Sounder Rajan‘s books are filled with mystery and intrigue that are always rooted with the supernatural,superstition ,divine stories and traditions of Tamilnadu.He is also a household name in Tamilnadu because many of his books have been adapted as television serials.I am sure most of us would remember watching ,“Vidaatu karuppu” , “Sorna Regai” ,“Rudra Veenai” and “Krishanadaasi” .My husband and me actually binge watched all the episodes of “Vidaathu Karuppu ” ,within a week ,two years back 🙈😁.It was that good ❤️❤️❤️❤️.
I always wanted to read his novels but language was a big drawback for me.Sadly,it takes time for me to read in Tamil.
🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹
I was therefore delighted💃💃 when I saw this translated version of his novel ,"Olivathirku Vazhi Ilai", published by @blaftpublications and translated by Nirmal Rajagopalan,who has done a fabulous job.
The translation was good and has managed to capture the atmosphere of the novel perfectly well ,which rarely happens .The cover is also beautifully designed capturing the essence of the story and the likes of our two dashing heroes Rajendran and Rudrapathy ,really well.
🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹
Thank you @blaftpublications for this translation and I do hope and pray that you translate Indra Sounder Rajan's other novels too,so that many more people like me get a chance to read them.
If you love books like this ,go ahead and get this one .You will not have any regrets .
They have also published Tamil pulp fiction in three parts and I am eager to read those too.

[Sayantan Ghosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blaft Publications, known for their masala-stuffed pulp fiction from the subcontinent, published what’s arguably been my most entertaining read of this year. This ghastly tale of murders and spirit possession involving a damsel in distress, an evil wizard and ancient treasure is a bloody, haunted romp from start to finish. Indra Soundar Rajan whose legendary brand of supernatural thrillers filled with Hitchcock-esque twists and turns has been popular for over thirty years, is in top form here, capturing both the flavour of rural India and mind-bending mystery to great result.

[Sonia Nair · Rating 4 out of 5]

What’s my biggest regret? Not being able to read in my mother tongue Malayalam and also Tamil. I’ve started to realise there are so many good books written in that both languages and not many got translated in English for Bananas like me.

Based on Google, the author of this book is famous for mystery, thriller and supernatural stories in Tamil Nadu. Some of his work was adapted as TV series such as “Vidaatu Karuppu” “Marma Desam” etc

This particular book was called as “Olivathirku Vazhi Illai’ and this was translated by Nirmal Rajagopalan. The translator has done a fabulous job. The translation has captured the atmosphere of the novel which many other translations don’t. While reading you could imagine every scene and which hero and heroin suit for the roles 🤭

The book speaks about the mysterious incidents that’s happening in the village called Aayakudi and how villagers are made to trust the crimes was done by some supernatural forces.

This is a good fast read if you’re in a reading slump. There’s a lot of non stop action, suspense and bloody ride. The Aayakudi Murders is a worth to read if you’re looking for a masala action thriller story.

[Ragavvaaa]

hmmm i have a lot of questions.

1)how did rajamanikam end with the supposed "good" folks who wanted to retrieve the gold and give it to the people? he is super troublesome so why would naicker let him be part of this operation that is done for a noble cause.

2)why did chinna pechi who was under the influence of deenadayalan reveal the entire plan killing 6 more people to thenmozhi

3)how did deenadayalan or naicker know thenmozhi was going to commit suicide near the well and send a brain washed chinna pechi to save her?

4)how did NAICKER APPROVE OF THENMOZHI GETTING KIDNAPPED?

5) during the death of the josiyar and kidnapping of thenmozhi it is shown that they didn't protest much and were under the mind control of the sorcerer so is this novel saying supernatural stuff does exist?

6)how did that whole shenanigan near that haunted hill happen when rudra first met deenadayalan and rajendran? it seems the reason behind all the supernatural stuff was just deenadayalan's mind control so how did he do all that crazy stuff happen at the last minute?

7) sending the letter to the editorial as chinna pechi by deenadayalan just to have an alibi of sorts just seems super unnecessary.

8)WHY DID NAICKER APPROVE THE MURDER OF HIS OWN FUTURE SON IN LAW GANESAN???

these are just some questions i could think from the top of my mind, maybe some of these questions already have answers and i just didn't pay attention reading the book but it just seems like there are a lot of loop holes in this story and a lot of redundancies.

but it was an entertaining read nonetheless.

[Priya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of Marma Desam, a well made mystery series in Tamil and when I saw that the same author has written this book, I just grabbed it. I wish I read this in Tamil, would have enjoyed it more, but the English translation was perfect. It’s perfect more for a Tamil aware audience.

The book features the village of Aayakudi where mysterious things happen that leads to police and reporters getting involved in solving the mystery. The book shows how beautiful superstition can be used to manipulate an entire village.

I felt the ending of the book could have offered more explanations and gotten into a little bit more history. I also felt the character of the inspector needed a bit more shaping up.

But hey, it was an absolutely fun read!

[Miriam Kumaradoss-Hohauser · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was batshit and way fun--suspend all disbelief and strap in for nonstop action and you'll enjoy this bizarre, haunted, and bloody ride. I thought it faltered a bit in the second half, but despite that, The Aayakudi Murders is worth a read if you're looking for some Indian pulp madness.

[P.Rajendiran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent mystery thriller novel

[Saisudha Acharya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so glad publishers like Blaft are supporting translations like these. I like a good pulp fiction book like this and this has a more natural feel to it than a lot of Indian mysteries written in English. The translation stands well on its own and must be even more engaging in Tamil.

Although the end was predictable (which sort of lost it 1 star), I had a tough time putting it down. Quick fun read!

[Rashi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Are you one of those people who used to read vociferously and then life happened and you just couldn't read anymore? I was and maybe still am one of those people. But I devoured this book in one day.

"Am I like Rajendran or like Rudra? Will the ending really be that there are ghosts and spirits?" These were the questions that kept me bothered. As the book ended, I had another very important question: who does wealth belong to?

[Gangalakshmi Prabhakaran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Expected climax but the story is woven in such a way that one cannot keep the book down.
The way he drives the story is typical 'Indira Soundarrajan' style.
Also the small information about 'life after death' in each and every chapter makes one go WOW!

[Dinesh · Rating 1 out of 5]

எங்கெங்கோ சுற்றி எதையெதையோ கதைக்குள் நுழைத்துக் கதையை சுவாரஸ்யமாக கொண்டுப்போவதாக நினைத்து நம்மையும் அவரையும் ஏமாற்றியுள்ளார்.
அமானுஷ்யம் கலந்த திரில் தொடர்களுக்கென அறியப்பட்டவர் இந்த புத்தகம் மூலம் வெகுவாய் ஏமாற்றிவிட்டார்.

[Jagruti · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

It was interesting to read a murder mystery cum supernatural thriller written by a Tamil writer. I felt that the translated version didn't work for me personally, but I am still glad to have read it.

[Sneha Pathak (reader_girl_reader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This is a fun n fast paced read. You do need to suspend your disbelief to a considerable extent to enjoy this one, but a good pulp novel n definitely enjoyable

[Kunal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good pulpy read!!

[Kavi Mg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read. Though the story was bit predictable in the end it was an engrossing read .

[G.k.charan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

As usual, very Good to read Novel from Mr. Indira Soundarajan. Feeling Very satisfied after completing this book. Expecting more books from him

[SHALI IQBAL · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the book. It has a smooth pace from the start, and I was turning the pages in a blink. The characters are well established, and I think a movie could also be made based on it.

[P.Rajendiran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent supernatural mystery thriller novel .suspense maintained till end