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Songstress of Srivilliputtur
Aandal – one name that carries many identities.
Was she just a prodigious girl who was deified by virtue of her devotion or was she an incarnation of a goddess who had come to this Earth to redefine the concept of bhakti?
Many questions surround this mystic songstress whose penance and desires were immortalised in beautiful Tamil verses, the most famous of which are the 30 poems that have inspired millions, called the Tiruppavai.
How could these verses inspire month-long events in many temples across the land?
What is their crux, and what do they tell us?
What could have prompted Aandal to write these simple yet profound poems that would one day cross all boundaries and merge love and devotion?
This book is an attempt to answer these questions by blending fictitious tales and legends with the stories that have been passed down through generations!
Was she just a prodigious girl who was deified by virtue of her devotion or was she an incarnation of a goddess who had come to this Earth to redefine the concept of bhakti?
Many questions surround this mystic songstress whose penance and desires were immortalised in beautiful Tamil verses, the most famous of which are the 30 poems that have inspired millions, called the Tiruppavai.
How could these verses inspire month-long events in many temples across the land?
What is their crux, and what do they tell us?
What could have prompted Aandal to write these simple yet profound poems that would one day cross all boundaries and merge love and devotion?
This book is an attempt to answer these questions by blending fictitious tales and legends with the stories that have been passed down through generations!
245 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 14, 2023
1 person is currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
Dhivya Balaji
19 books19 followersDhivya Balaji is an author, editor, and the founder of Precis Penning Literary Services.
She is the author of 'Aspen Leaves: By The Quake of a Word' - an anthology of short stories across three genres, and 'Songstress of Srivilliputtur' - a mythological fiction work built based on one of the most revered mythical figures of South India, Aandal.
An engineer-turned-writer, her favourite genres include mythological fiction, technical and legal procedural thrillers, YA fiction, and well-written dramas.
She has also edited more than a hundred books across a variety of genres including poetry, romantic fiction, historical fiction, mythological fiction, and non-fiction.
She is the author of 'Aspen Leaves: By The Quake of a Word' - an anthology of short stories across three genres, and 'Songstress of Srivilliputtur' - a mythological fiction work built based on one of the most revered mythical figures of South India, Aandal.
An engineer-turned-writer, her favourite genres include mythological fiction, technical and legal procedural thrillers, YA fiction, and well-written dramas.
She has also edited more than a hundred books across a variety of genres including poetry, romantic fiction, historical fiction, mythological fiction, and non-fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 6, 2023
I absolutely loved the idea of storifying Aandal's life and devotion through such imaginative storytelling. Dhivya Balaji has woven magic with her evocative words. Be it describing the scenery or Kodhai's emotions, Dhivya has done a great job of crafting some moving imagery with her words.
There were so many truth bombs throughout the story that I have highlighted them. Through this heartwarming story of love, devotion, and attaining salvation, we learn a lot about life and its various nuances.
It is important to know the tales behind our mythology and cultural practices. I am sure many would be able to understand Tiruppavai better with Dhivya Balaji's elaborate breakdown of each Pasuram.
Kudos to her for creating such phenomenal work and taking the effort to bring her imagination to life through this book.
There were so many truth bombs throughout the story that I have highlighted them. Through this heartwarming story of love, devotion, and attaining salvation, we learn a lot about life and its various nuances.
It is important to know the tales behind our mythology and cultural practices. I am sure many would be able to understand Tiruppavai better with Dhivya Balaji's elaborate breakdown of each Pasuram.
Kudos to her for creating such phenomenal work and taking the effort to bring her imagination to life through this book.
February 16, 2023
Songstress of Srivilliputtur is one of the best books that I had ever read. I first want to thank author Dhivya Balaji for having written such a beautiful book. The language is fantastic. The narrative style is excellent. I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of the book for this is my favorite genre.
From the moment, the little Kodhai listens to the divine tale of the Lord to the precious moment in which she gets merged with Lord Krishna as Goddess Aandal has been narrated so wonderfully.
As a little child, Kodhai grows up listening to the sacred tales of Sriman Narayanan. She worships the Lord with utmost devotion and unconditional love. She looks upon him as a companion, as a dear friend, as a well wisher and as a spouse. Although, she was physically present at Puduvai, a part of her was merged with the Lord at Aayarpadi.
The sacred bond that Aandal shared with Sri Krishna is written so marvelously that the readers get carried away to Puduvai and travel along with Aandal.
The author also enlightens the readers with various Pasurams in Tamil and also provides the meaning for the same in English. I was also blessed to read the Vaaranam Aayiram. I wish and I pray that we too are blessed to get a glimpse of Bhakti that Sri Aandal has towards Lord Krishna.
From the moment, the little Kodhai listens to the divine tale of the Lord to the precious moment in which she gets merged with Lord Krishna as Goddess Aandal has been narrated so wonderfully.
As a little child, Kodhai grows up listening to the sacred tales of Sriman Narayanan. She worships the Lord with utmost devotion and unconditional love. She looks upon him as a companion, as a dear friend, as a well wisher and as a spouse. Although, she was physically present at Puduvai, a part of her was merged with the Lord at Aayarpadi.
The sacred bond that Aandal shared with Sri Krishna is written so marvelously that the readers get carried away to Puduvai and travel along with Aandal.
The author also enlightens the readers with various Pasurams in Tamil and also provides the meaning for the same in English. I was also blessed to read the Vaaranam Aayiram. I wish and I pray that we too are blessed to get a glimpse of Bhakti that Sri Aandal has towards Lord Krishna.
February 8, 2023
Congratulations to the author for coming up with such wonderful book. Using her imagination, the author has beautifully narrated the tremendous amount of love that Andal possessed in her heart for Lord Vishnu. She has wonderfully explained each Pasuram which will help the readers easily understand Tirupavai. Overall, a lovely read.
May 12, 2023
A fascinating tale of a little girl, Kodhai, and her transformation to Aandal
Most of us, I think down south, have grown up listening to stories of Aandal and how she had decided to wed Lord Narayana himself. I fondly recollected my Paati telling me stories of Aandal and other folk lores. Reading Dhivya's book took me back in time. I was again a little girl, listening with rapt attention as Paati would wave her hands around and tell stories. Written in a lyrical way, her prose almost seemed poetic. While reading, I could visualize Kodhai singing, dreaming of her Lord, weaving garlands. It was mesmerising. Have never read this kind of mythological fiction book ever. And, of course, Dhivya's superlative writing makes reading that much more engaging. Loved the translated versions in the end. Left to myself, I would have never attempted to read the Tamil versions. It was a clever thing to do, I felt. I wish her all the best. Looking forward to more of her work.
Most of us, I think down south, have grown up listening to stories of Aandal and how she had decided to wed Lord Narayana himself. I fondly recollected my Paati telling me stories of Aandal and other folk lores. Reading Dhivya's book took me back in time. I was again a little girl, listening with rapt attention as Paati would wave her hands around and tell stories. Written in a lyrical way, her prose almost seemed poetic. While reading, I could visualize Kodhai singing, dreaming of her Lord, weaving garlands. It was mesmerising. Have never read this kind of mythological fiction book ever. And, of course, Dhivya's superlative writing makes reading that much more engaging. Loved the translated versions in the end. Left to myself, I would have never attempted to read the Tamil versions. It was a clever thing to do, I felt. I wish her all the best. Looking forward to more of her work.
April 27, 2023
It was a happy, soul-touching read of a story that has been passed down through generations, and yet, subtly transformed with fictional license.
Aandal or Kodhai, as she was known before she became one with Ranganathar of Srirangam, is a simple girl who had grown up a Vishnu devotee. Her father has inculcated that love for the Lord that he possessed himself, always knowing that she was special based on the circumstances of her mysterious birth. As the story goes, she invites all the maidens to partake in the Krishna vrat for the month of Margazhi in her quest to be one with the Lord. And she has taken it a step forward with desire for ruling by his side, unlike the devotees of her time who wanted to serve Him. This is her story, told in Ms Balaji's beautiful words as she interprets Kodhai's Thiruppavai, a set of poems composed by her in her journey.
The beauty of this work lies in its simplicity. The themes of beloved Krishna tales and Gopika pranks He pulls highlights the experiences of Kodhai. Breezy, and yet soul-touching read.
Aandal or Kodhai, as she was known before she became one with Ranganathar of Srirangam, is a simple girl who had grown up a Vishnu devotee. Her father has inculcated that love for the Lord that he possessed himself, always knowing that she was special based on the circumstances of her mysterious birth. As the story goes, she invites all the maidens to partake in the Krishna vrat for the month of Margazhi in her quest to be one with the Lord. And she has taken it a step forward with desire for ruling by his side, unlike the devotees of her time who wanted to serve Him. This is her story, told in Ms Balaji's beautiful words as she interprets Kodhai's Thiruppavai, a set of poems composed by her in her journey.
The beauty of this work lies in its simplicity. The themes of beloved Krishna tales and Gopika pranks He pulls highlights the experiences of Kodhai. Breezy, and yet soul-touching read.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews