The Tiger Throne: Kalki’s Ponniyin Selvan Retold

by Preetha Rajah Kannan

The Chola kingdom needs a strong ruler and the Tiger Throne a new master.

Rival factions stake their claim to the Chola throne as a power struggle ensues with Emperor Sundara Chola’s failing health.

The air is thick with political intrigue. On one side stands Prince Madurandaka, supported by the ruthless Pazluvur chieftains. On the other is Prince Arulmozlivarman, the future Raja Raja Chola, one of the greatest emperors in Indian history. The Pazluvur chieftains take the emperor hostage and civil war looms over the Chola kingdom.

History and fiction merge to weave a story of vengeance and romance, disguised princes and beautiful princesses, secret passages and dark dungeons, evil sorcerers and master spies…

Who will emerge victorious in this dangerous and thrilling game to seize the throne?

Preetha Rajah Kannan has written five books on Indian mythology, edited a translation of the Telugu Navagraha Purana and contributed to several newspapers and magazines. A homemaker and mother to two sons, she lives in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.

909 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 10, 2022

About the author

My earliest recollection of Ponniyin Selvan is of five hardbound volumes standing tall in Amma’s book collection. To my eternal regret, the convent-educated-English-speaking me had my nose too deeply in English novels to explore one of the greatest Tamil novels ever written.

The years passed and I stepped into the courtyard of Thanjavur’s ‘Big Temple’ for the first time. I froze: the towering gopuram drew my eyes like a magnet and automatically lifted my head towards the evening-sun-splashed sky. The immense lingam in the sanctum thrilled my soul with its stark, truly ‘God-sized’ grandeur. And so, I came to Raja Raja Chola, the emperor who had the audacity to think big and build on this vast scale.

The brilliant Ramasamy Aiyar Krishnamurthi, or Kalki, immortalized Raja Raja Chola as Ponniyin Selvan, packing his masterpiece with dashing warriors and beautiful princesses, secret passages and dark dungeons, sorcerers and spies, vengeance and romance, shipwrecks and quicksand, leopards and assassins … in 2000 odd pages of roller-coaster excitement.

Dear readers, I give you Ponniyin Selvan as an 800-page, one-volume treat: The Tiger Throne. I have tried to give you a compact version, suited to todays’ ‘fast’ world, while retaining the body and soul of Kalki’s work and remaining true to the original in every way.
As always, I hope you will pass on the story to your children and grandchildren: for this is not just a book. It is a record of our glorious history and culture … it parts the veil of centuries to give us a glimpse of our roots and the rich lives of our ancestors.

Happy reading to you all!

Reviews

[Abhishek Ganguly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning Masterpiece

Preetha has achieved what no other author who tried to translate Ponniyin Selvan could till date, that's to maintain the essence of the original Tamil Novel. Absolutely loved reading this book, I am just halfway through but till now it's completely engrossing.

[Harsh Agrawal]

Those unaware, this book is a retelling of Shri Kalki Krishnamurthy ji’s magnum opus, Ponniyin Selvan. Ponniyin Selvan is considered to be one of the best books, Tamil literature has ever produced. You can read more about the book and its significance by a simple google search.
I actually requested a copy of the book, The Tiger throne from the Publisher, way back in September. When it originally released. And planned on writing a review for just this version. But then I wanted a question answered that that actually was the best option to know about the story of Arulmozhli Varman and others. Well, I decided to answer it by doing the research myself.

Let's compare our options first, shall we?
The obvious one is the original novels written by Shri Kalki Krishnamurthy, which was published in a serialised manner in the 1950’s. Well , if you can read and understand Tamil, why did you even click on this link? Go read. There is no other option for you. (Fun Fact, I was actually convinced to learn Tamil in 2019, just to read Ponniyin Selvan, after reading this. )
Well, if you can’t read Tamil, well tough luck, but no worries, there are SEVERAL Direct Translations of Ponniyin Selvan. Translations by Mr CV Karthik Narayanan , the translations I personally read during my research by Ms. Pavithra Srinivasan (Please note that only 4 Volumes are available of these translations , due to the untimely demise of Pavithra Ji) , the most commonly read English Translation of the Ponniyin sevan , by Mr Varoletti Rengaswamy (my friend Ashish actually reviewed this translation) . You can go with any of these translations if you want to read the books in as much detail as possible.
Now lets get to Mani Ratnam’s version of Ponniyin Selvan. Granted only the first of his two movies has been released, which cover about the three books of Kalki’s work. And I will admit , despite the god-awful music by Rehman, the movie is not half-bad. And if you are not the bookish type, I might actually recommend you go watch it. Mani Ratnam actually goes beyond Kalki’s vision and changes quite a lot of things. In both good and bad ways, I will not delve on these, as it will give away the plot. The best thing about the movie, is without a doubt Aishwarya Rai Bacchan as Nandini. If you already have read the books, you can watch the movie for recreational purposes. However, do not watch the movie if you can read a book, but just don’t want to invest to much time in the 5 volumes. The Tiger Throne solves just that problem for readers. Here’s my review of the book:
Author: Preetha Rajah Kannan. (Original serialised story written by Kalki Krishnamurthy Ji)
Publisher: Jaico Publishing House
Genre: Historical Fiction based on real events
No of Pages: 675
MRP: 799

The Tiger Throne is not a word-for-word translation of the original epic. This book is a more condensed version of the entire story, all 5 volumes of the book, in one 700 page book. Without loosing the essence of the original story.

PLOT
Ponniyin Selvan, written by Indian author Kalki Krishnamurthy, is a historical fiction novel set in the 10th century Chola Dynasty of Tamil Nadu. The story follows the journey of a young prince named Arulmozhi varman, who is destined to become the next Chola king.
The story begins with the setting of the emperor Sundara Chozha being ill and bedridden. Aditha Karikalan is the chief of the Northern Command troops residing in Kanchi, Arulmozhi Varman in Sri Lanka for a battle, and their sister Kundavai Piratti lived in Chola royal household at Pazhayari and where the story leads with the introduction of Vallavarayan Vandiyathevan, a charming young warrior was supposed to be the prince of the Vana clan in the Chozha dynasty and friend of Aditha Karikalan who was the crowned Prince of Chozha kingdom as he is the elder son of Sundara Chozhan.
Continue reading here: https://www.keetabikeeda.in/post/kalk...

[Astha Vyas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a retelling of the great novel “Ponniyin Selvan” written by Kalki, who was the pioneer in Tamil literature. Ponniyin Selvan is considered to be one of the best books written in Tamil. Ofcourse, recently there is a buzz around the country and even those who earlier didn’t know about the book are now interested because of it being adapted into a two part film by Maniratnam.

Full disclosure: I haven’t read the translation of the original novel but I can’t wait to explore it after reading this retelling by Preetha.

It is a saga about the fight for the throne of the great Chola empire set in tenth century after Sundara Chola falls ill. The crown princes, Karikalan and Arulmozhi are considered the rightful heir but there is a conspiracy to capture the throne and crown Madhuranthaka. Amidst all of this chaos, there are Pandyas who are plotting against Cholas. There is politics, betrayal, war, friendship and there is revenge of Nandini, who in my opinion was a spectacular character.

This book isn’t the word by word translation but a retelling, which brings fresh take on the historical fiction. It’s concise and as I have been told by my friends who have read Ponniyin Selvan, it keeps the core of the original. Even though the book is some 671 pages long, it is still fast paced and utterly captivating. There is so much drama packed into the book that it doesn’t feel long at all.

My favourite part, this book is filled with strong female characters, like Nandini who is brave, intelligent, shrewd and quick witted. Kundhavai who is the political mastermind and genius would win you over. Special mentions to Vanathi and Poonguzhali who are almost opposites in their approach but philanthropic in their love towards the Prince.

The plot is very well constructed, given the fact that this 671 pager is actually being tightened from the original which has five volumes. However, never at a given point you feel that you have missed something which in itself is commendable. Ofcourse, the book will lack a few details here and there due the sheer volume of the original text but that’s something you can easily overlook. Overall, I would say that this book is a very well crafted retelling of an epic novel. Language is simple and will keep you connected with the narration and plot.

I would definitely recommend this book to all historical fiction lovers who do not know Tamil and also to those who do not have time to read the entire translation.

[Livre_monde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kalki's Ponniyin Selvan (meaning the son of Ponni) is one of those few classic Historical Fiction novels praised for generations. Originally written in Tamil language and published in 1955 as a five-volume book ( 2210 pages), this is one of the greatest novels in the Tamil language, which has been translated into several other languages and adapted on screen too. 


The Tiger Throne by Preetha Rajah Kannan is an English translation and a shorter version (less than 700 pages) of the original Tamil book. The story revolves around political conspiracy, courage, loyalty, love, lust, and betrayal. The translated narration is simple and has an element of intrigue that keeps the reader glued for hours. Each character is brilliant, and one can easily visualize each scene.  Despite not having read the original book, one can still get the feel of the original story, which has made the hola kings immortal in history. That's the brilliance of Preetha Rajah Kannan, who strives to retain the story's originality. 

 

From the plot perspective, the story revolves around a charming, brave young man, Vandhiya Devan, who sets out across the Chola land to deliver a message from the Crowned Prince, Aditya Karikalan, to the emperor Sundara Chola, and Princess Kundathai. The story shuttles between Vandhiya Devan's travels in Chola country and the young Prince Arulmozhi's travels in Sri Lanka. The narrative further deals with attempts by his sister Kundavai to bring back Arulmozhi to establish political peace in a land seemingly beset with unrest and civil war plotted by vassals and petty chieftains. Amid the political conspiracy, the crown prince Aditya Karikalan is invited for a peace talk, but the story takes an unexpected turn when he is killed. 


Overall, this book is a must-read if you have not read the original Tamil version yet. It gives a glimpse of a kingdom and a society that might have existed during the original times when the Chola dynasty ruled Tamil Nadu. Although written many decades ago, the story is intriguing and would interest historical fiction fans even today.

[RITU MAHESHWARI · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Tiger Throne by Preetha Rajah Kannan is a retelling of Ponniyin Selvan that originally ran in five volumes. Preetha condensed the story into one book, which still clocks in at over 700 pages. Despite its size, I was able to finish it within five days, indicating that the book was engaging and kept my interest. Even when I wasn't reading, I found myself thinking about the story.

Ponniyin Selvan by Kalki is a historical novel about Raja Raja Chola, a powerful Tamil king of the Chola dynasty who ruled over southern India. The book portrays Raja Raja's early life as Arulmozli and the events leading up to his coronation. Since I don't have all the information about the original epic novel or Preetha Rajah Kannan's creative liberties, it's difficult to say how much she deviated from the original in her retelling, The Tiger Throne. Therefore, I will focus on The Tiger Throne without making comparisons to the original.

The Tiger Throne by Preetha Rajah Kannan begins with turmoil in the Chola kingdom over the issue of succession. Many chieftains are scheming and plotting to determine who will succeed the current Chola ruler, Sundara Chola. The story is told through the eyes of the protagonist, Vandhiya Devan. Vandhiya is a mighty and witty warrior who is also the best friend of the crown prince, Aditya Karikalan.

As the story unfolds, we see Vandhiya Devan navigate the treacherous political landscape of the Chola kingdom. He is a clever and resourceful warrior who is able to escape tight spots and display his fighting and life-saving skills. Despite his prowess in battle, Vandhiya also has his own flaws and weaknesses, such as a fear of water, poor swimming skills and tends to act impulsively without thinking through the consequences of his actions. This rashness adds an element of unpredictability and excitement to the story, as it leads Vandhiya to problems or conflicts and those around him. Despite these shortcomings, the author has crafted Vandhiya's character in a way that makes him likable and relatable. The princess Kundavai, sister of Aditya Karikalan and Arulmozli, is also drawn to Vandhiya's moral values of friendship and loyalty.
The Tiger Throne is primarily about the exploits of Vandhiya Devan and the political challenges within the Chola dynasty. While other characters are introduced and play important roles, the story is told primarily from Vandhiya Devan's perspective. Each character has their own distinct story and purpose, and together they drive the narrative forward.

I would like to highlight the strong and respectful portrayal of women characters in this historical fiction. They are not depicted as weak or needing constant protection or instruction, and are not treated as objects for satisfaction or revenge. This stands in contrast to the common portrayal of women in many historical fictions.


The story features several love triangles and romantic interests, which may tempt the reader to try to predict who will end up with whom. However, the author has managed to maintain a surprising balance and focus on the main storyline, ensuring that the love stories do not overshadow the main plot. This allows the reader to remain focused on the main story without getting bogged down in the love interests.

The book is full of drama, rescue scenes, and espionage, all shrouded in mystery. The mysteries are layered like the peels of an onion, with one mystery leading to another. It adds a sense of complexity and depth to the story. The author sheds light on some of the mysteries, but even after reading the entire book, some of the mysteries remain unsolved. I didn’t like the way the author left the mystery unsolved, refused to give proper answers to questions and left things unexplained. This lack of resolution may have been intentional, as it allows readers to imagine and come to their own conclusions.


I would recommend The Tiger Throne by Preetha Rajah Kannan for its exciting adventure and spy elements, as well as its well-developed characters. The book offers a thrilling and engaging reading experience, with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader engaged.

[Padmajha [PJ] Me and My Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

A couple of weeks back, I decided to start reading Kalki's Ponniyin Selvan. The colossal work by Kalki is one of his best-loved loved works and a popular one too!
Just when I had started I received this book and was very much intrigued as to how that 5 volumed series could be condensed into a 600+ paged version.
Ponniyin Selvan is filled with political intrigue, conspiracy, betrayal, revenge, and all the kinds of stuff that make a novel a page-turner! The two rival groups fighting for the throne is the crux of the story but the way it is told is captivating. Not only the events but also the sceneries-beauty of mother nature, the description of the characters everything will make everything looks like it is happening right in front of our eyes. Such is the writing skill of the Late Kalki.
Kalki takes you through a journey filled with Princes and beautiful princesses, scheming magicians, and spies all of which are tastefully woven around in plenty of emotions ranging from anger, love, betrayal, rage hatred.
As I mentioned earlier, this novel is something that you cannot put down. Even the few chapters that I am through in the Tamil version are page-turners. I had to pull myself from the book so that I could attend to the other chores!
That being the case, I was not sure how much of this thrill and description would have been penned but I started reading this with an open mind.
Translation of a highly popular book is no easy task and the author has done a commendable job recreating this one.
Since this is a condensed version, some parts have been shortened but the author has managed to keep alive the suspense and thrill. Even though the description is shorter than the original Tamil version, not much will be missed when considering the story's point of view. The descriptions do bring alive the scene and the characters and deliver the essence of the story.
The author has also ensured that the characters maintain their appeal and charm. The depth and weightage for each character have been preserved.
The translation is excellent and the language is simple to follow. The story flows seamlessly except in some places and this thing seems very minor which can be easily ignored.
The cover is beautiful and very apt for the title.
In all, a very captivating re-telling of the classic that is a boon for people who want to read this version but is not well-versed in reading Tamil. It is not a word-for-word translation but a good translation of the masterpiece.
A highly recommended book that all historical fiction buffs would love to read.

[Murshidha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Assalamu Alaikum 😊, 'Character is inherited from one's parents at birth. It is changed by environment and experience.'- extracts from the book

Book📗: 'The Tiger Throne' (Kalki's Ponniyin Selvan) by Preetha Rajah Throne

Genre 📸: Historical Fiction

Swipe left 👈 for ONE MINUTE REVIEW
___
Overall Ratings 🌟 : 4.8 / 5
Pages📚: 673
Language : Easy and Elegant
Safemark 💫 : 5 / 5
___
⚔ Chera, Chola and Pandya are the three dynasties or Muvendars, that ruled the ancient Tamil country called Tamilakam. With the base of these dynasities and rulers on the 10th century, Kalki had framed a fictional story called Ponniyin Selvan which had been started publishing on 1950s as a series. Till date the series had been praised and read world wide.

⚔ Twisted and cunning politics spread through the air of Chola kingdom for the succession due to the Emperor Sundara Chola's failing health. Pazluvar and some Chieftains support Madurabdaka and others support Prince Arulmozli. History and fiction combinesly gives us a story of Twists, vengence, love, hidden motives, spies, secret passages, evil socerers and much more.

⚔ Vanthiyadevan rocked along the story with his truthfulness, cunningness and escapes, his combo with Azhvarkadiyan is deadly and humourous. I heard people say that there no Ponniyin Selvan without Nandini. The way her character is build up is mesmerizing. Arulmozli/Raja Raja Chola is an epitome of a just and caring person. There are many characters, if you are person not used to it, you have to refer the chapters. There is a bunch of Twists and revelations that would shock you. Book is quite descent except the war related things(minorly mentioned) and simple English, so suitable for ages 12+.

⚔'Turks, Mughals and Arabs are ready to invade this land; their faith encourages them to destroy our temples' was mentioned in the book,  I personally oppose this line, as Islam faith don't encourage this!. Hands off to the author for summing up a 2000+ pages into 673 pages, I believe that she had covered up most of the important events. She had also mentioned Tamil events in the right way. If you are a person who thinks PS is big, i would strongly recommend this book.

Part 1(A new tide)- Fast paced and on point
Part 2(The Whirlwind)- Plot was moving quite slow
Part 3(The Killer sword)- Realiziation and change in decisions yet a medium paced plot
Part 4(The Crown)- New unexpected incidents with a change of heart
Part 5(The Renunciation)- Massive finale with a justified ending.

[Rehana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my highly anticipated books of 2022 since it is a retelling of the Tamil literature "Ponniyin Selvan" written by Kalki. This book is a fine balance between mythology and historical fiction.

The story is about choosing the next Emperor when Sundara Chola falls ill. The crown prince, Karikalan and his brother, Arulmozhi Varman, are the rightful heir to the throne. But the chieftains plan to capture the throne with Madhuranthaka and crown him the next king. Meanwhile, the Pandyas are plotting against the Cholas and are determined to destroy the kingdom. Nandhini wants revenge from the Chola family for the injustice caused to her. So she weaves her own web to trap the Cholas.

Vandhiya Devan- Karikalan's best friend, works as a spy and carries messages across the seas to save the Chola family. He falls for Kundavai- Karikalan's sister, the mastermind of the Chola kingdom working in the background. Who will finally ascend the throne? Will the Cholas be able to identify their enemies and defeat them?

I consider this book a concise and translated version of the original text rather than a retelling, as the book maintains the original work's core throughout.
Though the book is over 670 pages, it is very fast-paced and engrossing.
The translation is accurate.

My favourite (female) characters in the book:

NANDHINI: Brave, fierce and intelligent and willing to do anything to achieve her goal. She remains unfazed by the criticisms against her and works only towards her motive.

POONGUZHALI: a strong young lady, fearless sailor, the ocean princess. Loves the prince wholeheartedly without any expectations. Doesn't take a step back when surrounded by evil men. Ready to plunge a dagger into anyone who wants to harm her family and the Cholas.

KUNDHAVAI: the mastermind behind the Chola kingdom. Even the Emperor and her brothers listen to her and obey her commands.

VANATHI: All she knew was her love for the prince even before she knew he was one. Though she was always timid, she was willing to meet any danger face-to-face when it came to protecting his life.

My review: 5/5

Recommending this to all historical fiction lovers.

[Ishu Sriram · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Tiger throne:-Kalkis's Ponniyean Selvan retold...yes, it is the story of Kalki which is retold by the author...
I felt refreshed again with all chapters of the book. I m a big fan of Ponniyean selvan's book which is the first Tamil novel I read...but this book makes me flow with the characters and story...

The book is about the chola kingdom is in danger where the Emperor Sundara Chola is not feeling well, so the next king to the crown which is already announced by the kingdom is Karikalan but due to some political issues and vengeance some of the kingdoms of Chola choose prince Madurandaka, they support him...what the exact plan of them??? is Karikalan and Arulmozhivaraman break those struggle and achieve their throne...or they ll be defeated by pazhuvur chieftains...

Another big inspiration of the story is they gave very respect to the women in the kingdom...Senjimahadevi, kundavi, Nandhini,vanathi, poozungali, manimekalai....everyone plays their character very fabulous....throughout the journey of ponniyean selvan we feel all sorts of emotions around us...love, friendship, betrayal, revenge, brotherhood, enmity, anger, fear, pride, depression...everything they carry...

Very much happy to get the same emotions again while reading this book. often I used to say my friends(in another language) this awesome book....now I'll recommend this book for easy flow and understanding.
Great work from the author....thank you for the awesome one.

[Meera Nair · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Chola dynasty is said to be one of the longest dynasties in the world. This Tamilian empire saw a great many victories under the reign of several kings. To retell the story of one such warrior is a feat like no other.

Preetha Rajah Kannan achieves this with the utmost dedication to narrating the legacy of Arulmozhi Varman. The Tiger Throne is a historical fiction that will hold you in its sway from start to finish.

I absolutely love reading Indian historical books. Something about getting to see how the monarchs of the land once lived, the challenges they faced, and the environment in which they were raised – all of it is so intriguing to me.

The Tiger Monarch is a retelling of Shri Kalki Krishnamurthy’s Ponniyin Selvan. If the original text is narrated anything like this tome, I can see why it holds its own in the history of Tamil literature.

To be frank, Preetha Kannan’s book intimidated me a lot in the beginning. At 650+ pages long, it is quite a time investment.

Moreover, there are a lot of names and details to remember from the beginning. But trust me, with a little patience, the whole reading experience becomes worth it! I gradually found myself flipping past each page with the wide-eyed wonder of a child.

The author’s writing style is dramatic and vibrant, paying just as much attention to the... Read the rest of the review on my blog.

[Dalbir Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ponniyin Selvan is regarded as one of the greatest novels of Tamil literature. The fan-following for the series, which was published weekly in Kalki, was such that it elevated the magazine circulation to reach a figure of 71,366 copies –a vast readership in a newly independent India. Later in 1956, it integrated into five volumes - more than 2000 pages.

The author gave Ponniyin Selvan as a 673-page, one-volume treat suitable to the "'fast' world today while retaining the body and soul of Kalki's work.

The story is set in the late 10th century, during the reign of Parataka Chola II, popularly known as 'Sundara' Chola due to his good looks. It is based on quasi-historical events that took place at the end of Sundara Chola's reign, when a war of succession broke out.

It is divided into 5 parts: A New Tide, The Whirlwind, The Killer Sword, The Crown and Renunciation.The Cholas, The Pazluvur clan, The Kadambur clan, The Kodumbalur clan, Nd The Pandian conspirators are the main characters of this amazing book.

Who will emerge victorious in this dangerous and thrilling game to seize the throne?

Preetha Rajah Kannan has written five books on Indian mythology, edited a translation of the Telugu Navagraha Purana and contributed to several newspapers and magazines. A homemaker and mother to two sons, she lives in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.

After reading this, I can only say two words: MUST READ!

[Shardha · Rating 4 out of 5]

🏹 The book is compact version of Kalki's "Ponniyin Selvan" which is five hard bound volume Tamil novel. This is one volume book by author, suited for the fast paced today's world. It is not just a book, it is a record of our glorious history and culture, that we're constantly ignoring. The book begins with the introduction of different characters of book, it is divided into 5 parts.

🏹Vallavarya Vandhiya Devan, who is brave descendant of Vallam Kings, was on a mission to deliver the two letters of Prince Aditya Karikalam, the emperor's eldest son and supreme commander of Chola's northern army. One letter is for his father, the emperor and the other is for princess Kundavai, his sister. Prince Aditya has heard whispers of treachery in the highest circles of government. Vandhiya Devan was on misson with his spear, sword, armor and courage in his heart. During his mission, he came to know about many people of kingdom and the great conspiracy.

🏹The Chola empire was close to defeating its enemies and reaching the pinnacle of glory. But now a greater danger of internal struggle for power loomed over it. The chieftains were planning to crown Prince Madurandaka on the Tiger Throne.The language of book is easy to read and understand. The book describes all events in short simple way that keep the reader hooked till the end. The title of the book is quite apt as the whole plot revolves around it. I would recommend this book if you like to explore mythology genre by this amazing book.

[Saranya Raghavan · Rating 5 out of 5]

🔸The tiger throne by Preetha Rajah Kannan is a retold of the infamous Ponniyin selvan by Kalki Krishnamurthy originally written in Tamil in the 1950's period.

🔹It is a story about who is going to claim the throne of the Chola empire after Sundara Chola. On one side of it stands Prince Madurandhaga backed by pazhuvur chiefs and on the other side Crown prince Aditya karikalan and his younger brother the future Raja Raja cholan Arulmozhivarman, who turned out to become the greatest ruler of history.

🔸Vandhiya Devan a trustworthy friend of karikalan came to the kingdom as a messenger to help them. What are they up to? Who is going to win this political battle? is the remaining story for you guys to grab before you watch the movie.

👉My two cents:-

🔸The cover page of the book is marvelous and attractive as it is a perfect read for a retold that one can't put down and never loses its grip till the end. The language is lucid and the narration is perfect.

🔹The author has done a great job by maintaining the essence of the original version of the Tamil novel. I wonder how she amazingly shortened five parts into a single 675 pages book. That's a remarkable achievement thing by her. It's a must-read for everyone who loves to read historical classics.

[Avidd_Readerr · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the fictional work "The Tiger Throne: Kalki's Ponniyin Selvan Retold," the Chola Empire's post-emperor Sundara Chola power struggle is discussed. Prince Madurandaka is positioned on one side, backed by the brutal Pazluvur chieftains. The future Raja Raja Chola, one of the greatest rulers in Indian history, Prince Arulmozlivarman, appears on the opposite side. And the rebellion over the Chola Dynasty results from this struggle for dominance. This book is the retold version of the original epic, the real one is also available in English, and this version is for those who want to read this epic in pace and in a very short time. Before watching the movie, I read the book, which really helped me understand the finer details that I might have otherwise missed. I think I don’t have any need to describe the story to you, if I did it the reading community will hang me for this offence. Preetha has succeeded in maintaining the spirit of the original Tamil novel, something that no other author who attempted to translate Ponniyin Selvan has been able to do too far. Wonderful experience reading this book.

[Krishna Kumar · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Tiger Throne by Preetha Rajah Kannan.

It's the retold story of Tamil literature evergreen Kalki's ponniyin Selvan in a modern language.

This book is all about the mighty king Arulmozlivarman (Ponnyin Selvan/Raja Raja cholan) He is one of the greatest emperors in Indian History. He was also one of the kindest person to rule the kingdom. He has done many good things for his kingdom's people. He conquered many places and ruled them very well. The Tanjore big temple was also built by him.

This book talks about how he came to the throne. What are the struggles and sacrifices he had gone through? Who are all his enemies and friends? What are the places he had conquered and many others that were written in this book?

I already read the Tamil version of ponniyin Selvan. This book mostly covered all the incidents from that original version You can tell it's a compressed version of the original ponniyin Selvan. The original Tamil version contains five Volumes but this is only one.

I loved this book. If you like to read about something in Indian mythology. Go for it. You will love it. Happy reading.

[ROSHNI SATHYADAS · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Tiger Throne is Kalki’s Ponniyin Selvan Retold by Preetha Rajah Kannan. The book is a short version of the original.

This is the story of the Chola empire. Who will ascend the Tiger Throne after Sundara Chola? Will the internal and external conspiracies succeed in sabotaging the scenario?

Despite being loaded with characters, places, events and circumstances, the narration was never confusing and is organised. It was crisp and to the point, and served the purpose beautifully.

The most interesting thing that I felt about the book is that there was not a single person whom I inclined to after the read, and an unbiased conclusion can be arrived at. It is interesting when the reader is not given a chance to take sides. I felt that it is because the storytelling is so realistic. There is no biased stand, which I think is a difficult state to achieve when writing a story, esp. historical fiction and that too when retelling a much-celebrated classic.

The visual narration is such a commendable feature of the book. The read is a complete pack of everything; love, revenge, power, suspense, magic, politics, religion and many more.
A must-read.

[Rishma Bora · Rating 5 out of 5]

A retelling of the original novel " Ponniyin Selvan" written in Tamil, "The Tiger Throne" is is presented to us beautifuly by Preetah Rajah Kannan.

Set in the tenth century, the book narrates the saga of the clash for the throne of the Chola Dynasty after the reigning King health worsens. The crowned princes were the rightful heir but internal politics and conspiracy threatens to capture the throne. The book is a fast forward saga of drama, politics, war, betrayal and revenge. The original version has five volumes but it's really commendable for an author to wrap everything in one without losing the essence of the original.

With a great narrative and fast paced plot, the book is really captivating. Although a huge book of about 600+ pages, it doesn't get boring at any point and managed to keep my interest till the end. "Ponniyin Selvan" is considered one of the best works of Tamil literature and is being recently adapted into a film. So for people who don't understand the original script and wants to read before watching the movie can go for this book.

[Avanija Sundaramurti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking for a book that could give me a flavour of the original tamil magnum opus without being ponderous and winding and this book does that well. I wanted to know about Ponniyin Selvan after i watched the movie but since I cannot read Tamil i had to find an English translation or retelling. I would not usually give a book with such a simple writing style four stars but i think given the task at hand - translating/retelling the 2400 page Ponniyin Selvan saga in a 900 page book - the author has done a great job and earned the stars. It couldnt have been easy to take Kalki's ornate writing and condense it. Indira Neelamegham's translation - available for free online - is the translation that is most faithful to Kalki's style is what i've heard, but for what i wanted this condensed retelling was sufficient.
Read this book if you are interested in the story that inspired the movie and want to understand all the different sub-plots and a bit more about the characters.

[Swati · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review by Swati Mathur...must read
What would you expect from any historical novel? Something that captures the details of the time period as accurately as possible for authenticity, including social norms, manners, customs, and traditions and the author of this book has exactly done the same. l loved the setting and plot of the book as it is authentic and real. The description of each character is so accurate that it makes you feel part of the era. Historical fiction books resonate with me especially because they give me the chance to immerse myself in another time.

The book is quite thick, it has 688 pages but I can assure you that once you start reading you will be completely hooked. Reading this book is a complete pleasure which will soak you in greatest of imagination that is magnificent and splendid. I truly loved it and would advice each one of you to read this to enjoy and learn about our glorious history.

[GenevieveAudrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

2 months later, and I've finished it!
Interesting indeed.

The prose was easy enough to follow. Although, sometimes, the writing style itself left me kinda confused because it seemed rather convoluted.
The characters were larger than life (I kept seeing the characters from the movie in my head 😁).

An entertaining read that got rather draggy towards the end. It could have been completed at least 200 pages earlier if the men just got their acts together and said what needed to be said instead of just keeping all the secrets unnecessarily to "safe face" 🙄

The character I least liked was Sundara Chola the crybaby emperor.
My favorite character was Kundavai. Forget Karikalan, Arulmozhi & Madurakanda.... Kundavai should have been crowned at the get-go!

But then we wouldn't have had a Ponniyin Selvan epic to read, so I guess alls well that ends well 😆

[Shruthi Inkit writings · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Tiger Throne: Kalki’s Ponniyin Selvan Retold is fiction that talks about the power struggle in the Chola Empire after the emperor Sundara Chola's time.


On one side stands Prince Madurandaka, supported by the ruthless Pazluvur chieftains. On the other is Prince Arulmozlivarman, the future Raja Raja Chola, one of the greatest emperors in Indian history. And this fight for power leads to civil war over the Chola Empire.


Fiction has much more impact when it mixes with history. The power of kings, emperors, vengeance, Battle, kings and queens ,other human emotions we face among other factors are also clearly visible in this book. Translation is made in such a way that it creates the curiosity and interest for what happens next in the plot.

[Aastha Goel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is a historical fiction that revolves around the Chola kingdom and the Raja Raja Chola also known as Ponniyin Selvan.
It also revolves around people who are related to the kingdom in some way or the other.

The story is about a legend on which a movie was made this year.

The story takes you into the world of kings, queens, war, valour, splendid architecture, love stories etc.

The story is so captivating that you will get lost in its pages and will not be able to put it down without finishing it.

Love, hate, politics, death, revenge etc can be seen in the book.

It is intriguing, beautiful and at the same time it is a magical story.

The cover page is mesmerizing and apt.

Simple language has been used and the choice of words is remarkable.

Overall it is worth reading.

[Priyaranjan Mohan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is a historical fiction that revolves around the chola Kingdom. The book has everything political rivalry, romance , friendship and vengeance which makes this book a good read. The book is wonderfully written, story is engaging and cover page of the book is apt to the story. The story is awesome, the character development and use is unreal. Every character moderation and reasoning is spot on. Every character has something to contribute. The book is a perfect length though close to 700 pages not a single line is wasted. Every possible loose end is tied up. The language of the book is simple and easy to understand. For the first time in my life I wish I could give an author more than 5 star. Looking forward for more such reads.

[Manisha G · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚 Rating: 4.4/5️⃣

| BOOK REVIEW | - 🍁 The Book, The Tiger Throne by Preetha Rajah Kannan, is A Non Fiction Read. The Book is Kalki's Ponniyin Selvan Retold Version.
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🍁 The original story is in Tamil Language.

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🍁 The author has written the story by Translating in a very Lucid Language. The story is engaging from start till the end. The characters are portrayed wonderfully by the Author.
🍂

🍁 The Author has written the Book after Researching very well. Each and Everything is written in a Manner so That Everyone can Understand Everything Easily.
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🍁 The Language of the Book is Lucid. The Writing Style of the Book is Slow - Paced. The Cover and The Title of the Book are An Absolutely Appropriate.
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🍁 The Book is a Must Read For Those Who Like to Read Unusual Read.
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| PERSONAL INSIGHT | - 🌸 The Book is A Bit Boring to Read. If Someone Likes to Read Historical Fiction, Then Only The Book is A Good Pick for Him/Her.

[Pranav Iyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am deeply grateful for the existence of this English translation of such a glorious Tamil epic.

I wanted to delve into the story before the release of part 2 of the movie franchise, and I was profoundly moved to discover the depth and complexities that the movie completely overlooked. My grandmother was a devoted fan of the original Tamil series, and as someone who cannot read Tamil, this edition has been a true blessing. I also appreciate how effortlessly Preetha summarizes this monumental story in such a condensed format.

[Samata · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book tells a tale of political rivalry, romance, and vengeance all woven into an intriguing story. It combines history and fiction to transport the readers into an era of beautiful princesses, disguised princes, and the plotting of evil magicians and master spies. This is a must-read book for people who love a fictional account of historic events and I give it 4.5/5.

Full Review: https://www.indiacafe24.com/book-revi...

[Books You and Me · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a standalone compressed version of Kalki's mythological series Ponniyin Selvan. It is the fight of 2 princes Karikalan and Arulmozhi for the crown. It has revenge, betrayal, murder, wars and everything a mythological reader looks for.

Written in a lucid language, this is a fast paced read inspite of the number of pages. Raja Raja Chola's story is one of a kind with all the anecdotes attached.

[Kiran K Adharapuram · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Tiger throne is a perfect amalgamation of politics and conspiracies with the motive to attain the throne between the two rival groups: Madurandakan backed by Nandini, Ambalavan, and Kaalanthakan (Pazluvur Clan) Vs Ponniyin Selvan backed by his siblings Karikalan and Kundavai, children of Sundara Chola.

Every character in the plot plays a vital role and gives us a perfect inspiration to take from the characters they display and also throws a serious message on stratagem throughout the play. Many encounters between those characters will leave you to spell bourn and will offer you a visual screenplay by reading the lines in the book and make you addicted till its completion.

The author Smt. Preetha Rajah Kannan fulfilled my dream of making this literation available to the world of non-Tamil readers and to adore our heritage, culture, and bygone kingdoms. Spelbound writing of English retelling of "Ponniyin Selvan" is an exemplary tribute to venerable storyteller Shri Kalki Krishnamurthy. Crystal clear vocabulary, tactful storytelling, elegant flow, and many more plus to count as author accolades in this book. Read the book before you watch the movie for both PS-I & PS-II, "The Tiger Throne" has more to offer than the movie.

வாழ்க தமிழ்
வளர்க தமிழ்

-kiran-

[Lostcurrently · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book got me hooked from beginning to the end. Never knew I would enjoy reading an Indian literature book. I am grateful to the Author for translating it to English. This book is going to be one of my favorite books.

[DarkAng3L · Rating 5 out of 5]

670 pages full of conspiracies that looms over Chola Kingdom - a Brutal 5 stars !

From the very first pages, the story, the plot has been weaved in such way that you will simply be entangled till the end - unstoppable reading !