Vengaiyin Mainthan which has the word meaning as Tiger's Son, but the real meaning what author meant is Raja Raja Chola's (Comparison to Tiger as Chola dynasty's flag symbol had Tiger depicted in it) Son - Rajendra Chola. This is yet another famous historical Tamil novel written by Akilan - one of the reputed historical writer,novelist and freedom fighter for India.The novel was published in the year 1963.
Author Akilan got the Sahithya Academy Award from Government of India for this charismatic and entertaining historical fiction.The plot revolves around the historical places Tanjai (presently Tanjore in Tamil Nadu),Madurai, Vengi(At present areas around Andhra Pradesh),Kodumbalur (presently around Pudukottai in Tamil Nadu), Eezham or Rohanam(Currently Srilanka), Nagapattinam(sea port of Chola),Kadaram (Presently Indonesia) and so many surrounding places of Tamil Nadu.The hero of the novel is Elango who as per orders of king Rajendra invades Srilanka to restore the glory of Chola by recovering the crown and jewels thus withstanding the respect of entire Chola dynasty. The novel discusses the Srilankan invasion, Ganges expedition, Chalukya Pandiyas Srilankan wars against Cholas. But under Rajendra's reign, Chola got victory against all their enemies. For Raja Raja Chola - if the title suits is Ponniyin Selvan - then for his son Rajendra Chola it is obviously Vengaiyin Mainthan.
Insight On Historical Characters
From the beginning till the end, as usual Hero Elangovel shines through his bravery, will power, stunts, talents, spying, friendship,love,affection. But every hero has his own weakness , so for Elango it is romance and anger which brings some danger to his life though all is well at the end.So this danger starts for Elango when he meets Rohini - the Srilankan princess and falls in love with her. Elango's heroism is captivated by the love shown by Rohini . At the same time, it also puts him into danger as the same love deviates Elango from performing his duty for Chola king Rajendra.
Speaking about the title role - Rajendra Chola 1 definitely puts his presence every now and then through out the story. His daughter Arulmozhi - the character which has patience and ready to sacrifice any thing (even her love for Elango-Rohini's love) really touches the heart of audience. Vallavarayan Vanthiyathevar at his young age was the hero in famous historical novel Ponniyin Selvan, but this novel visualizes him at his older age giving moral support to the king as well as the brave warrior Elango. Other minor good characters are the friends and relations of heroes and heroines of the novel like Mangudi Maran(guard and friend of Elango), Mithirai(friend of Rohini), Ammangai Devi(sister of Arulmozhi or second daughter of Rajendra), Narendran (Vengi prince), Araiyan Raja Rajan, Rajendra's sons Rajadhiraja Chola, Rajendra Chola II, Kodumbalur Periya Velir(Elango's father) etc.
That said about the good characters of the novel, we will have to discuss about the baddies as well. Rohanam forests (presently areas around Srilanka) are the locations where Srilankan King Magindhar and his minister Keerthy resides and plans against Cholas in the initial phase of the novel.Rohini is none other than the daughter of King Magindhar also known as Princess of Rohanam in the story.She has a brother Kasibhan who also joins with Minister Keerthy for the villain side.Elango's friend Veeramallan who initially supports Chola joins hands with Pandiyan king Sundara Pandiyan and his army chief Perumbidugu Mutharayan and plots against Chola king and turns out to be a traitor to his own friend Elango.Other bad characters are Kanthulan (deputy or guard of King Maginthar), army men of Pandiyas and Srilankan etc.
Historical Time Machine
If we had a time machine , then I would have used it to visit Raja Raja Chola and Rajendra Chola and their long lasting Chola dynasty or empire or kingdoms though we have the temples built by them as historical proof till date. Raja Raja Chola's Tanjore Big Temple or Brahadeeswarar temple and Rajendra Chola's Gangai Konda Cholapuram temples and sculptures clearly explains the hard work and effort put by the king,his country men, sculptors, his army men, guards and all the people involved during their reign. Gangai Konda Cholapuram which means Ganges river brought by Cholas by defeating the enemy rulers against Cholas - is considered as the second capital of Chola dynasty after Tanjore.
This historical novel definitely takes you to that historical time period of Rajendra Chola around 1010 AD, triggers the excitement and eager to visit the marvelous temples, places and locations.Since we do not have a working physical time machine, we wont have to worry about it as there is no limit to the imaginary visual time machine built by your mind :)
--Siva...
Author Akilan got the Sahithya Academy Award from Government of India for this charismatic and entertaining historical fiction.The plot revolves around the historical places Tanjai (presently Tanjore in Tamil Nadu),Madurai, Vengi(At present areas around Andhra Pradesh),Kodumbalur (presently around Pudukottai in Tamil Nadu), Eezham or Rohanam(Currently Srilanka), Nagapattinam(sea port of Chola),Kadaram (Presently Indonesia) and so many surrounding places of Tamil Nadu.The hero of the novel is Elango who as per orders of king Rajendra invades Srilanka to restore the glory of Chola by recovering the crown and jewels thus withstanding the respect of entire Chola dynasty. The novel discusses the Srilankan invasion, Ganges expedition, Chalukya Pandiyas Srilankan wars against Cholas. But under Rajendra's reign, Chola got victory against all their enemies. For Raja Raja Chola - if the title suits is Ponniyin Selvan - then for his son Rajendra Chola it is obviously Vengaiyin Mainthan.
Insight On Historical Characters
From the beginning till the end, as usual Hero Elangovel shines through his bravery, will power, stunts, talents, spying, friendship,love,affection. But every hero has his own weakness , so for Elango it is romance and anger which brings some danger to his life though all is well at the end.So this danger starts for Elango when he meets Rohini - the Srilankan princess and falls in love with her. Elango's heroism is captivated by the love shown by Rohini . At the same time, it also puts him into danger as the same love deviates Elango from performing his duty for Chola king Rajendra.
Speaking about the title role - Rajendra Chola 1 definitely puts his presence every now and then through out the story. His daughter Arulmozhi - the character which has patience and ready to sacrifice any thing (even her love for Elango-Rohini's love) really touches the heart of audience. Vallavarayan Vanthiyathevar at his young age was the hero in famous historical novel Ponniyin Selvan, but this novel visualizes him at his older age giving moral support to the king as well as the brave warrior Elango. Other minor good characters are the friends and relations of heroes and heroines of the novel like Mangudi Maran(guard and friend of Elango), Mithirai(friend of Rohini), Ammangai Devi(sister of Arulmozhi or second daughter of Rajendra), Narendran (Vengi prince), Araiyan Raja Rajan, Rajendra's sons Rajadhiraja Chola, Rajendra Chola II, Kodumbalur Periya Velir(Elango's father) etc.That said about the good characters of the novel, we will have to discuss about the baddies as well. Rohanam forests (presently areas around Srilanka) are the locations where Srilankan King Magindhar and his minister Keerthy resides and plans against Cholas in the initial phase of the novel.Rohini is none other than the daughter of King Magindhar also known as Princess of Rohanam in the story.She has a brother Kasibhan who also joins with Minister Keerthy for the villain side.Elango's friend Veeramallan who initially supports Chola joins hands with Pandiyan king Sundara Pandiyan and his army chief Perumbidugu Mutharayan and plots against Chola king and turns out to be a traitor to his own friend Elango.Other bad characters are Kanthulan (deputy or guard of King Maginthar), army men of Pandiyas and Srilankan etc.
Historical Time Machine
If we had a time machine , then I would have used it to visit Raja Raja Chola and Rajendra Chola and their long lasting Chola dynasty or empire or kingdoms though we have the temples built by them as historical proof till date. Raja Raja Chola's Tanjore Big Temple or Brahadeeswarar temple and Rajendra Chola's Gangai Konda Cholapuram temples and sculptures clearly explains the hard work and effort put by the king,his country men, sculptors, his army men, guards and all the people involved during their reign. Gangai Konda Cholapuram which means Ganges river brought by Cholas by defeating the enemy rulers against Cholas - is considered as the second capital of Chola dynasty after Tanjore.This historical novel definitely takes you to that historical time period of Rajendra Chola around 1010 AD, triggers the excitement and eager to visit the marvelous temples, places and locations.Since we do not have a working physical time machine, we wont have to worry about it as there is no limit to the imaginary visual time machine built by your mind :)
--Siva...
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