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சிவகாமியின் சபதம் #4
சிவகாமியின் சபதம், பாகம் 4: சிதைந்த கனவு
Kalki is very famous for his historical novel Ponniyin Selvan. He has also written many social novels.
373 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1944
37 people are currently reading
181 people want to read
About the author
Kalki Krishnamurthy
297 books894 followersTamil language Novel Writer, Journalist, Poet & Critic late Ramaswamy Aiyer Krishnamurthy also known as ‘Kalki’. He derived his pen name from the suffixes of his wife name Kalyani and his name Krishnamurthy in Tamil form கல்யாணி and கிருஷ்ணமூர்த்தி as Kalki (கல்கி). His name also represents “Kalki avatar”, the tenth and last avatar of the Hindu God Vishnu.
His writings includes over 120 short stories, 10 novelettes, 5 novels, 3 historical romances, editorial and political writings and hundreds of film and music reviews. Krishnamurthy’s witty, incisive comments on politics, literature, music and other forms of art were looked forward to with unceasing interest by readers. He wrote under the pen names of ‘Kalki’, ‘Ra. Ki’, ‘Tamil Theni’, ‘Karnatakam’ and so on.
The success that Krishnamurthy attained in the realm of historical fiction is phenomenal. Sixty years ago, at a time when the literacy level was low and when the English-educated Tamils looked down on writings in Tamil, Kalki’s circulation touched 71,000 copies – the largest for any weekly in the county then – when it serialised his historical novels. Kalki had also the genius to classify the historical and non-historical events, historical and non-historical characters and how much the novel owes to history.
His writings includes over 120 short stories, 10 novelettes, 5 novels, 3 historical romances, editorial and political writings and hundreds of film and music reviews. Krishnamurthy’s witty, incisive comments on politics, literature, music and other forms of art were looked forward to with unceasing interest by readers. He wrote under the pen names of ‘Kalki’, ‘Ra. Ki’, ‘Tamil Theni’, ‘Karnatakam’ and so on.
The success that Krishnamurthy attained in the realm of historical fiction is phenomenal. Sixty years ago, at a time when the literacy level was low and when the English-educated Tamils looked down on writings in Tamil, Kalki’s circulation touched 71,000 copies – the largest for any weekly in the county then – when it serialised his historical novels. Kalki had also the genius to classify the historical and non-historical events, historical and non-historical characters and how much the novel owes to history.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
August 21, 2017
What a book.
That was one hell of a ride. One of the best series i have ever read. All four books deserved 5 stars. Those who haven't read it please do read it. I cant believed such an amazing journey is over.
That was one hell of a ride. One of the best series i have ever read. All four books deserved 5 stars. Those who haven't read it please do read it. I cant believed such an amazing journey is over.
May 7, 2022
Sivakamiyin Sabadham fictionalizes history so the reader is allowed to live through a particular time that otherwise wouldn’t be possible. Even though a lot of ancient history is about the glorification of war and imperialism, the anti-war discourse throughout this narrative offers some redress to this. Hiuen Tsang’s plea to reconsider the vengeful mindset, and the evolution of Paranjyothi and even Sivakami act as counter-balance to a story that is predominantly about war, revenge, death and destruction.
The character motivations are not always straight forward. For example, Mamallar chooses to fulfill the oath (sabadham), even though Sivakami herself, realizing her error due to her short-sightedness, backs off of her own oath. This shows that these characters have other motives than the ones they lead us to believe. These moments, however, weren’t explored to their full potential. The character development was ultimately lack-lustre. Asides from Naganandi, none of the characters made a lasting impact. Sivakami definitely does have a character arc but it could have been better fleshed out. Also I didn’t appreciate the condescending tone that’s used to describe women in general.
On the whole the political intrigue, the war campaigns and the tactics used, the exploration of morally complex characters makes this a compelling read.
The character motivations are not always straight forward. For example, Mamallar chooses to fulfill the oath (sabadham), even though Sivakami herself, realizing her error due to her short-sightedness, backs off of her own oath. This shows that these characters have other motives than the ones they lead us to believe. These moments, however, weren’t explored to their full potential. The character development was ultimately lack-lustre. Asides from Naganandi, none of the characters made a lasting impact. Sivakami definitely does have a character arc but it could have been better fleshed out. Also I didn’t appreciate the condescending tone that’s used to describe women in general.
On the whole the political intrigue, the war campaigns and the tactics used, the exploration of morally complex characters makes this a compelling read.
July 27, 2018
Love - it can be as calm and stead fast as lake water or as turbulent with peaks and valleys like a ferocious river. Such turbulent love between Sivagami and Mamallar brings more heartbreak to them than pleasure.
Naganandi says his love for Sivagami is only platonic and he worship her dance, but in the 10 years of her residence in Vatapi was within the walls and Sivagami didn't dance after the initial year of her arrest....so much for worshipping her art....
Illogical, unreasonableness of their love and the resulting madness is hard to bear.
Naganandi says his love for Sivagami is only platonic and he worship her dance, but in the 10 years of her residence in Vatapi was within the walls and Sivagami didn't dance after the initial year of her arrest....so much for worshipping her art....
Illogical, unreasonableness of their love and the resulting madness is hard to bear.
July 5, 2018
The scene description is out of the world in all the four volumes. It made me feel that I was going through the streets of the Pallava Kingdom and I was fighting a battle with the mighty Chalukya Dynasty along side the Pallavas.
It is no doubt that Kalki is indeed one of the remarkable Tamil writers.
It is no doubt that Kalki is indeed one of the remarkable Tamil writers.
December 19, 2022
இந்நூல், திரு.கல்கி அவர்களது படைப்புகளில், நான் நீண்ட நாட்களாய் காத்திருப்பு பட்டியலில் வைத்திருந்த ஒன்று.
பொன்னியின் செல்வன் நாவலுக்கு முந்தைய படைப்பாய் வெளிவந்த ஒன்று என்று எங்கையோ கேட்ட ஞாபகம்.
அவ்வடிப்படையில் பார்க்கும்போது இந்நூலில் வலம்வந்த இரண்டு கதாப்பாத்திர பெயர்கள் பொன்னியின் செல்வனில் பயன்படுத்தப்பட்டுள்ளதாய் நான் பார்க்கிறேன். - குந்தவி (குந்தவை என்று பொன்னியின் செல்வனில்) மற்றும் வானமாதேவி.
இவ்வொற்றுமை, ஒருவேளை இரண்டு புனைவுகளையும் ஒப்பிட்டு பார்த்தால், ஏதோ ஓர் புள்ளியில், அவர்கள் வழித்தோன்றலாய், சோழர் குலத்து கதாப்பாத்திரங்களாய் பொன்னியின் செல்வனில் வடித்திருக்கக்கூடுமோ என்றும் தோன்றியது.
அந்த யோசனையை நீட்டிக்காமல், இந்நாவல் தமிழ் சினிமாவின் பல வெற்றிப்படங்களுக்கு எவ்வளவு துணை செய்திருக்கும் அல்லது அப்படங்களின் கதை கருவுக்கு எந்த அளவிற்கு காரணமாய் இருந்திருக்கும் என்று நினைக்கையில் பிரமிப்பாய் இருந்தது. அதுவும் நான் அந்த பார்வையில் யோசிக்க ஆரம்பித்தது நான்காம் பாகத்தில்தான். முதல் மூன்றுக்குள் எத்தனை முத்துக்கள் பொதிந்திருக்குமோ தெரியாது.
அவ்வாறு எனக்குத் தோன்றிய படங்களின் பட்டியல் கீழே:
எவ்விதத்தில் அல்லது தருணத்தில் தோன்றியது என்பதை, வருங்காலத்தில் இப்புத்தகத்தை படிக்கக்கூடியவர்களை மனதில் வைத்து, இலை மறை காய் மறையாய் சொல்ல முயலுகிறேன்.
சிவகாமியின் சபதம் - நீலாம்பரியின் சபதத்திற்கு வழிவகுத்திருக்கலாம் (படையப்பா)
‘பிக்ஷூவின் காதல்’- நம் வசந்தின் காதல் (படம் : பிரியமுடன்)
மாமல்லர் கூறும் செடி-மலர் உவமை - தமிழ் மக்களின் மனம் புரிந்து, மிக நேர்த்தியாக படைக்கப்பட்ட படம் : பூவே உனக்காக.
புலிக்கேசியும் பிக்ஷூவும் உரையாடும் இறுதிக்கட்ட காட்சி - ரங்கா (திரு.ரஜினி காந்த் அவர்கள் நடித்து 1982-ல் வெளிவந்த படம்) திரைப்படத்தின் கரு.
போர் முடிந்து அரசர் வரும் நகர்வலம் - உண்மை தெரியவரும் தருணம் (‘அவள் ஒரு தொடர்கதை’ படத்தின் ஒரு காட்சி மனதில் நிழலாடியது. வேறு சில தமிழ் படங்களும் இந்த கதையின் இக்காட்சியை கருவாய் கொண்டமைந்திருக்கிறது).
அடுத்து சொல்லப்போகும் படத்திற்கான ஒப்பீடு, கதையின் காட்சியில் இருப்பதை சொல்லிவிட்டால், கதை அம்பலமாகிவிடும். ஆகையால், படத்தை மட்டும் சொல்கிறேன் - ‘சில்லுன்னு ஒரு காதல்’.
கதையின் போக்கு - விண்ணைத்தாண்டி வருவாயா?-வின் போக்கும்கூட. அதில் வரும் ஒரு காட்சிக்கூட, இக்கதையில் வரும் ஒரு காட்சியினை பார்ப்பது போலவே தோன்றியது.
மேற்கூறியவை எல்லாம் (7 படங்கள் எண்ணிக்கையில்), இக்கதையை படித்தப்பின்னரே இயக்குனர்கள் எடுத்திருக்கக்கூடும் என்று சொல்லமுடியாது.
ஒரே மாதிரியான உருவ ஒற்றுமை உடையவர்கள் இருப்பதுபோல், சிந்தனை ஒற்றுமை உடையவர்களால் நடந்திருக்க வாய்ப்பும் அதிகமிருக்கிறது.
எது எப்படியாயினும், ஒரு புத்தகம் நம் சிந்தனைகளை வளம்பெற செய்வதை, மீண்டுமொருமுறை ஒப்புக்கொண்டு விடைப்பெறுவது…
-ரம்யா மனோகரன்
பொன்னியின் செல்வன் நாவலுக்கு முந்தைய படைப்பாய் வெளிவந்த ஒன்று என்று எங்கையோ கேட்ட ஞாபகம்.
அவ்வடிப்படையில் பார்க்கும்போது இந்நூலில் வலம்வந்த இரண்டு கதாப்பாத்திர பெயர்கள் பொன்னியின் செல்வனில் பயன்படுத்தப்பட்டுள்ளதாய் நான் பார்க்கிறேன். - குந்தவி (குந்தவை என்று பொன்னியின் செல்வனில்) மற்றும் வானமாதேவி.
இவ்வொற்றுமை, ஒருவேளை இரண்டு புனைவுகளையும் ஒப்பிட்டு பார்த்தால், ஏதோ ஓர் புள்ளியில், அவர்கள் வழித்தோன்றலாய், சோழர் குலத்து கதாப்பாத்திரங்களாய் பொன்னியின் செல்வனில் வடித்திருக்கக்கூடுமோ என்றும் தோன்றியது.
அந்த யோசனையை நீட்டிக்காமல், இந்நாவல் தமிழ் சினிமாவின் பல வெற்றிப்படங்களுக்கு எவ்வளவு துணை செய்திருக்கும் அல்லது அப்படங்களின் கதை கருவுக்கு எந்த அளவிற்கு காரணமாய் இருந்திருக்கும் என்று நினைக்கையில் பிரமிப்பாய் இருந்தது. அதுவும் நான் அந்த பார்வையில் யோசிக்க ஆரம்பித்தது நான்காம் பாகத்தில்தான். முதல் மூன்றுக்குள் எத்தனை முத்துக்கள் பொதிந்திருக்குமோ தெரியாது.
அவ்வாறு எனக்குத் தோன்றிய படங்களின் பட்டியல் கீழே:
எவ்விதத்தில் அல்லது தருணத்தில் தோன்றியது என்பதை, வருங்காலத்தில் இப்புத்தகத்தை படிக்கக்கூடியவர்களை மனதில் வைத்து, இலை மறை காய் மறையாய் சொல்ல முயலுகிறேன்.
சிவகாமியின் சபதம் - நீலாம்பரியின் சபதத்திற்கு வழிவகுத்திருக்கலாம் (படையப்பா)
‘பிக்ஷூவின் காதல்’- நம் வசந்தின் காதல் (படம் : பிரியமுடன்)
மாமல்லர் கூறும் செடி-மலர் உவமை - தமிழ் மக்களின் மனம் புரிந்து, மிக நேர்த்தியாக படைக்கப்பட்ட படம் : பூவே உனக்காக.
புலிக்கேசியும் பிக்ஷூவும் உரையாடும் இறுதிக்கட்ட காட்சி - ரங்கா (திரு.ரஜினி காந்த் அவர்கள் நடித்து 1982-ல் வெளிவந்த படம்) திரைப்படத்தின் கரு.
போர் முடிந்து அரசர் வரும் நகர்வலம் - உண்மை தெரியவரும் தருணம் (‘அவள் ஒரு தொடர்கதை’ படத்தின் ஒரு காட்சி மனதில் நிழலாடியது. வேறு சில தமிழ் படங்களும் இந்த கதையின் இக்காட்சியை கருவாய் கொண்டமைந்திருக்கிறது).
அடுத்து சொல்லப்போகும் படத்திற்கான ஒப்பீடு, கதையின் காட்சியில் இருப்பதை சொல்லிவிட்டால், கதை அம்பலமாகிவிடும். ஆகையால், படத்தை மட்டும் சொல்கிறேன் - ‘சில்லுன்னு ஒரு காதல்’.
கதையின் போக்கு - விண்ணைத்தாண்டி வருவாயா?-வின் போக்கும்கூட. அதில் வரும் ஒரு காட்சிக்கூட, இக்கதையில் வரும் ஒரு காட்சியினை பார்ப்பது போலவே தோன்றியது.
மேற்கூறியவை எல்லாம் (7 படங்கள் எண்ணிக்கையில்), இக்கதையை படித்தப்பின்னரே இயக்குனர்கள் எடுத்திருக்கக்கூடும் என்று சொல்லமுடியாது.
ஒரே மாதிரியான உருவ ஒற்றுமை உடையவர்கள் இருப்பதுபோல், சிந்தனை ஒற்றுமை உடையவர்களால் நடந்திருக்க வாய்ப்பும் அதிகமிருக்கிறது.
எது எப்படியாயினும், ஒரு புத்தகம் நம் சிந்தனைகளை வளம்பெற செய்வதை, மீண்டுமொருமுறை ஒப்புக்கொண்டு விடைப்பெறுவது…
-ரம்யா மனோகரன்
September 23, 2025
Honestly felt like Kalki edged us for 4 parts without making us cum. The ending was very underwhelming.
The best part of the book was the war scenes, strategies and Mahendra Varman's 4D chess tactics. The rest of the chapters felt like filler and Sivakami portions specifically were a chore to get through.
Kalki's writing makes it tolerable - you never get bored of the poetic descriptions, it stimulates all your senses.
The best part of the book was the war scenes, strategies and Mahendra Varman's 4D chess tactics. The rest of the chapters felt like filler and Sivakami portions specifically were a chore to get through.
Kalki's writing makes it tolerable - you never get bored of the poetic descriptions, it stimulates all your senses.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2015
Magnificent literary work by Kalki. The story is set in the time frame of 600 AD at Kanchipuram, the ancient city of Tamilnadu which was then ruled by Mahendra Varma Pallava, one of the greatest kings. Under his rule, Kanchi was a peaceful city known for its great patronage for arts like sculpting, dancing, painting and also home for highly educated scholars. Mahendra Varmar's crown prince Narasimha Varma (also called as Mamallar due to his unmatched wrestling skills, the current town - Mamallapuram near Chennai is named after this great king) falls in love with Sivakami,daughter of the chief sculptor Aayanar. Meanwhile, Pulikesi, an able and valorous king of Chalukya dynasty hears about the glory of Kanchi and sets his heart to plunder the city. The story further continues on how the enmity unfolds between the Pallava and Chalukya kings on the backdrop of a beautiful love story of Sivakami and Mamallar. The strategies conceived by Mahendra and flawlessly executed by him and his spies to deceive Pulikesi were simply awesome. Sivakami is taken as a captive by Pulikesi and circumstances forces Mamallar to take over the kingdom from his father and he pursues the task of decimating the Chalukya kingdom. Other significant characters are Paranjyothi, the commander of Pallava kingdom, Naganandhi adigal, Shatrughanan and Aayanar.
Another noteworthy aspect in this work is the inclusion of Appar(Thirunavukkarasar), the great saivite saint (one among the nayanmars) and some of the devaram songs.
The translator has done a fantastic job in translating the novel original written in Tamil without losing the spirit of the story.
Overall, an excellent read!
Another noteworthy aspect in this work is the inclusion of Appar(Thirunavukkarasar), the great saivite saint (one among the nayanmars) and some of the devaram songs.
The translator has done a fantastic job in translating the novel original written in Tamil without losing the spirit of the story.
Overall, an excellent read!
January 24, 2023
I still feel Sivagamiyin Sabatham should've been adapted as a movie opposed to Ponniyin Selvan. The war and spy aspects would've been so fascinating to watch. The ending is so beautifully poetic. Although I found the Maammallar - Sivagami sequences at the start of the series to be a bit too long, I can appreciate Kalki's choice of writing those once I finished the series. Going to miss this world :(
October 11, 2023
One of Kalki 's famous historicals set during the Pallava / Chalukya wars .. good translation ..
February 7, 2016
Tamil Classic Sivakamiyin Sabadham is a very widely read and an acclaimed novel. It is set in 700 AD during Mahendra Pallavar and his son Narasimha Pallavar's (Mamallan) times. The raise of Shaivism through the Nayanars - Thirunavukarasar and Siruthondar Sivanadiyar (Paranjyothi's time). The famous Karnatic music keerthana "Vatapi Ganapathim.." was conceived during this age when Paranjyothi the most successful commander removes the Ganapathi idol from the Vatapi fort gates and installs in his home town after decimating Pulikesi's army...undergoes a change of heart after the war and renounces his position and wealth to serve Shiv Bhaktas and embrace spirituality.
The story has complex plots with love, mystery, artistic excellence, spies, murder, love, and portrayal of several historical battle making it a wholesome novel (though with a slighlty melancholic ending). The author has done a commendable job in translating this Kalki's tamil classic to an extremely easy and enjoyable read. A definite page turner.
The story has complex plots with love, mystery, artistic excellence, spies, murder, love, and portrayal of several historical battle making it a wholesome novel (though with a slighlty melancholic ending). The author has done a commendable job in translating this Kalki's tamil classic to an extremely easy and enjoyable read. A definite page turner.
January 23, 2021
wow...!! What a History. this story won my heart and kalki's writing was speechless guys. must read this book. i love the character paranjothi, the friendship between paranjothi and king narashima was quite good and matured. paranjothi became a divine person and our king is loyal to the kingdom and his wife and his love. i like the innocent love of mangayakarasi. Like 'manimegalai' in "ponniyan selvan" sivagami would won the readers heart. ms.sivagami was still ms.sivagami(with tears).
June 21, 2017
The beauty of Sivagami!
What a character potryal! The beauty, innocence, anger, arrogance, stubbornness, need for revenge, need for forgiveness and finally peace... The beautiful mind of Kalki, sketching these amazing characters....
What a character potryal! The beauty, innocence, anger, arrogance, stubbornness, need for revenge, need for forgiveness and finally peace... The beautiful mind of Kalki, sketching these amazing characters....
January 7, 2024
Series Rating 4*
Book 4 Rating - 4.5*
Quick note - Books 3 and 4 are racy, highly engrossing when compared to the first two volumes in this epic historical fiction saga.
Review -
Nine years have passed since Sivakami’s confinement in Chalukyan capital Vatapi, years have flown by in Kanchi and surrounding villages in recovering from Pulikesi’s savage attack and plunder, from a string of drought, famine and then floods; and in Mamallar (the Pallava king) garnering the support of Pandya king & smaller Chola chieftains and amassing a gargantuan army for a counterattack on the Chalukyan capital Vatapi.
Pulikesi is defeated and the city of Vatapi is razed down. Sivakami is liberated and reunited with her sculptor father, Aayanar. Her vow, Mahendra Pallavar’s orders, the honour of the Pallavas are upheld through this massive victory. But what are the costs incurred?
Even when we know how the story will end, it is the journey to a heartbreaking climax & how Kalki crafts it that has us hooked. Like in other volumes, there are many smaller stories, quite like the constructs an intelligent software developer implements for later use or extension. Kalki’s top notch characterisation leaves us wondering who among his characters are real or figments of imagination? In Sivakami, we have an unforgettable protagonist; at times like Sita, sometimes like Draupadi, the range of emotions she experiences and in turn, evokes in us, is mind boggling.
That the differences between royalty and his subjects are insurmountable, the duties & burdens a king carries in his heart are heavier than the crown he wears, that a minor lapse in one's judgment can cost a lot, that disaster is assured when religion interferes with politics, how love, loyalty and morality are repeatedly put to litmus test in a world full of malice & betrayal and so much more are portrayed in resplendent glory in this epic historical fiction work.
To write about kingdoms in the South of India with such vivacity, is a marvelous feat. An enticing journey of kings, monks, artists, military commanders & spies, ordinary subjects, spanning from Ajanta caves to Mahabalipuram, I thoroughly enjoyed reading.
Book 4 Rating - 4.5*
Quick note - Books 3 and 4 are racy, highly engrossing when compared to the first two volumes in this epic historical fiction saga.
Review -
Nine years have passed since Sivakami’s confinement in Chalukyan capital Vatapi, years have flown by in Kanchi and surrounding villages in recovering from Pulikesi’s savage attack and plunder, from a string of drought, famine and then floods; and in Mamallar (the Pallava king) garnering the support of Pandya king & smaller Chola chieftains and amassing a gargantuan army for a counterattack on the Chalukyan capital Vatapi.
Pulikesi is defeated and the city of Vatapi is razed down. Sivakami is liberated and reunited with her sculptor father, Aayanar. Her vow, Mahendra Pallavar’s orders, the honour of the Pallavas are upheld through this massive victory. But what are the costs incurred?
Even when we know how the story will end, it is the journey to a heartbreaking climax & how Kalki crafts it that has us hooked. Like in other volumes, there are many smaller stories, quite like the constructs an intelligent software developer implements for later use or extension. Kalki’s top notch characterisation leaves us wondering who among his characters are real or figments of imagination? In Sivakami, we have an unforgettable protagonist; at times like Sita, sometimes like Draupadi, the range of emotions she experiences and in turn, evokes in us, is mind boggling.
That the differences between royalty and his subjects are insurmountable, the duties & burdens a king carries in his heart are heavier than the crown he wears, that a minor lapse in one's judgment can cost a lot, that disaster is assured when religion interferes with politics, how love, loyalty and morality are repeatedly put to litmus test in a world full of malice & betrayal and so much more are portrayed in resplendent glory in this epic historical fiction work.
To write about kingdoms in the South of India with such vivacity, is a marvelous feat. An enticing journey of kings, monks, artists, military commanders & spies, ordinary subjects, spanning from Ajanta caves to Mahabalipuram, I thoroughly enjoyed reading.
April 26, 2022
பாகம் 3 க்கு பின் 9 ஆண்டுகள் கழித்து நடக்கும் சம்பவங்களில் தொடங்குகிறது 4 ஆம் பாகம்.
சிவகாமி தேவிக்கு காலத்தினால் ஏற்படும் மனமாற்றம்,
மாமல்லரின் வாழ்க்கை மாற்றம்,
பிஷீவின் ஆள்மாறாட்டம், போரினால் பரஞ்சோதியாரின் மனமாற்றம் என பல விதமான மாற்றங்கள் ஏமாற்றங்களுடன் கதை விருவிருப்பாகச் செல்கிறது.
சிறை எடுத்துச் செல்லப் பட்ட சிவகாமி தேவி மீட்கப்பட்டாரா?
அவர் சபதம் நிறைவேற்றப்பட்டதா?
மாமல்லருடனனான அவரின் காதல் கைகூடியதா?
என்ற பல கேள்விகளுக்கும் பதில் தெளிவாக அந்த கால நியதிகளுக்குட்பட்ட விதமாக கதை நிறைவு செய்யப்பட்டு இருக்கிறது.
போர் காட்சிகளும், ராஜதந்திரங்களும் விருவிருப்பான கல்கியின் நடையில் இருக்கின்றன. கதையின் முடிவு அந்த காலத்திற்கு ஏற்றதாகவும், கதைக்கு ஏற்றதாகவும் இருந்தாலும் மனதிற்கு ஏற்றதாக இல்லாமல் மனபாரத்துடனே புத்தகத்தை மூட வைக்கிறார் கல்கி.
March 6, 2021
Volume 4 of this Sivagamiyin sabadham series is all about the Pallava ruler gathering his forces and battling the Chalukya ruler Pulikesin. Kalki materialsed all his expertise in writing the battle preparation and making this novel interesting. Authors portrayal of characters like Narashima varma, Paranjothi, Gundotharan was very interesting.
The love portions were again boring in this volume.
I never really understood why there was a romance portion with the pandya prince and chola princess.
The previous volumes mentioned about chola King parthiban. There is even parthiban kanavu written after events of sivagamiyin sabatham. I wonder why this volume has no mention about him.
The love portions were again boring in this volume.
I never really understood why there was a romance portion with the pandya prince and chola princess.
The previous volumes mentioned about chola King parthiban. There is even parthiban kanavu written after events of sivagamiyin sabatham. I wonder why this volume has no mention about him.
June 30, 2025
The first half of Part 4 was utter crap - two new characters were introduced, given a few chapters, and then never mentioned again until the last chapter (these two are relevant to Tamil history and culture, but had absolutely nothing to do in this book other than have a weird romance subplot).
The second half was action-paced, a lot of things that were built up over three books end up happening. I'm not sure if Kalki intended the parallels to Sita in Lanka with Sivakami in Vatapi, but it was executed pretty decently.
I liked the ending - it's grim and realistic while also holding a seed of hope within.
The second half was action-paced, a lot of things that were built up over three books end up happening. I'm not sure if Kalki intended the parallels to Sita in Lanka with Sivakami in Vatapi, but it was executed pretty decently.
I liked the ending - it's grim and realistic while also holding a seed of hope within.
September 23, 2025
Times when love and honour formed the very fabric of society. Series takes its time to build its characters, various kingdoms, and romances, but once it does, it really flows by in the second half. The clashes between kingdoms were perfectly mirrored by (and sometimes even led by) the conflicts within each character, with Sivakami’s arc at the center of it all.
June 6, 2021
Another Kalki masterpiece!!!
October 24, 2023
Leaves you with an unknown longing and deep sorrow.
January 15, 2024
Loved the conclusion. I wish there is more about what happened to Paranjyothi after he went back.
August 2, 2020
Finished the four volume translation of the Tamil Epic “Sivakamiyin Sabadham “.
It is beyond insignificant persons like me to comment on this classic work of 1944 by Kalki Krishnamurthy. It is a novel based on historic events in the 7th century.
I am not fortunate to enjoy the novel in its original Tamil language but read the excellent translation by Nandini Vijayaraghavan.
The novel is extremely visual and the language is like a multi hued colour applied on an immense canvas. The plot is complex - Romance, Religion, Spies, Wars , Political intrigues - and moves at a fast pace. Action and dialogues constantly keep you riveted. The characters are strong and well fleshed out and come across very human.
I had a great time reading this epic . I did a couple of things as I was reading -
1. I imagined one Tamil actor for each of the main characters and that added to the visualisation impact . Shivaji Ganeshan , Nambiar, K R Vijaya , Savitri , Nagesh , Shiv Kumar all elected themselves . I , therefore, had a strong personality and face to each character . Now a extravaganza was playing in my mind !!
2. I started googling the historic maps and pictures of temples & sculptures mentioned in the novel. Mahabalipuram , Chidambaram, Ajantha caves and do on . This gave me a feel of reality and flow of events .
Overall , this experience is definitely one of the highlights of this year for me .
A must read .
It is beyond insignificant persons like me to comment on this classic work of 1944 by Kalki Krishnamurthy. It is a novel based on historic events in the 7th century.
I am not fortunate to enjoy the novel in its original Tamil language but read the excellent translation by Nandini Vijayaraghavan.
The novel is extremely visual and the language is like a multi hued colour applied on an immense canvas. The plot is complex - Romance, Religion, Spies, Wars , Political intrigues - and moves at a fast pace. Action and dialogues constantly keep you riveted. The characters are strong and well fleshed out and come across very human.
I had a great time reading this epic . I did a couple of things as I was reading -
1. I imagined one Tamil actor for each of the main characters and that added to the visualisation impact . Shivaji Ganeshan , Nambiar, K R Vijaya , Savitri , Nagesh , Shiv Kumar all elected themselves . I , therefore, had a strong personality and face to each character . Now a extravaganza was playing in my mind !!
2. I started googling the historic maps and pictures of temples & sculptures mentioned in the novel. Mahabalipuram , Chidambaram, Ajantha caves and do on . This gave me a feel of reality and flow of events .
Overall , this experience is definitely one of the highlights of this year for me .
A must read .
May 29, 2020
Final part of the series
- Philosophical contemplation and transformation depicted through each character
- Description of war and its effects on society and people's emotions
- How war is perceived by different characters (Paranjyothi, Sivakami, Mamallar)
- Covered a bit on Siruthondar era
- Love, friendship (between royal clans, king and Chief or Army), commitment (to one another, to vows, to country), jealousy and insecurities in friendship
P.S.: Having read Ponniyin Selvan and Parthiban Kanavu, my expectations were really high. But nevertheless, definitely a must read for those who like historical fiction. To be read in Tamil if they can read and understand the language.
- Philosophical contemplation and transformation depicted through each character
- Description of war and its effects on society and people's emotions
- How war is perceived by different characters (Paranjyothi, Sivakami, Mamallar)
- Covered a bit on Siruthondar era
- Love, friendship (between royal clans, king and Chief or Army), commitment (to one another, to vows, to country), jealousy and insecurities in friendship
P.S.: Having read Ponniyin Selvan and Parthiban Kanavu, my expectations were really high. But nevertheless, definitely a must read for those who like historical fiction. To be read in Tamil if they can read and understand the language.
October 13, 2021
மிக அருமை
ஒவ்வொரு கதாப்பாத்திரத்துக்கும் அருமையான முடிவை தந்துள்ளார் கல்கி..... முழுவதுமாக என்னை மாமல்லரின் காலத்திற்கே கூட்டிக்கொண்டு போய்விட்டார்...... போர் எல்லாம் கண்முண்ணே நடந்தது போல் இருந்தது.....
ஆனால் முடிவில் கமலிக்கு மகேந்திர பல்லவர் மீது உள்ள கோபத்தை என்னால் புரிந்துகொள்ள முடியவில்லை......
ஒவ்வொரு கதாப்பாத்திரத்துக்கும் அருமையான முடிவை தந்துள்ளார் கல்கி..... முழுவதுமாக என்னை மாமல்லரின் காலத்திற்கே கூட்டிக்கொண்டு போய்விட்டார்...... போர் எல்லாம் கண்முண்ணே நடந்தது போல் இருந்தது.....
ஆனால் முடிவில் கமலிக்கு மகேந்திர பல்லவர் மீது உள்ள கோபத்தை என்னால் புரிந்துகொள்ள முடியவில்லை......
December 26, 2019
Well written, enjoyed reading
The author took back us to South India 1300 yrs ago, felt we are safe now, poor people were massacred for greed of the kings, avenging one and another.
The protagonist was pitiable at the end, The lady should have been anticipated earlier.
Amazed to learn about " Vatapi Ganapathi" surely would plan visit temple in Tiruchenkattankudi.
The author took back us to South India 1300 yrs ago, felt we are safe now, poor people were massacred for greed of the kings, avenging one and another.
The protagonist was pitiable at the end, The lady should have been anticipated earlier.
Amazed to learn about " Vatapi Ganapathi" surely would plan visit temple in Tiruchenkattankudi.
July 18, 2020
Great tamil novel
This a great historical fiction.
Sivagami turns from modest to heroic women.
The art of dance she possessed is narrated well.
Other characters like paranjothi, Buddhist monk stole heart towards the end.
It requires patience as the Pace of the book is up in 3,4 and down 1,2 parts. overall it's a fine package.
This a great historical fiction.
Sivagami turns from modest to heroic women.
The art of dance she possessed is narrated well.
Other characters like paranjothi, Buddhist monk stole heart towards the end.
It requires patience as the Pace of the book is up in 3,4 and down 1,2 parts. overall it's a fine package.
August 21, 2019
Good read
Good read to read about victory, integrity, anger, sad, disappointment and many other such feelings.
Great read in all these 4 volume.
Good read to read about victory, integrity, anger, sad, disappointment and many other such feelings.
Great read in all these 4 volume.
June 19, 2021
Thalaivan thaal..
Finally, this book leaves us with tears and pain.
Loved Vanamadevi character.
Finally, this book leaves us with tears and pain.
Loved Vanamadevi character.
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