Some Thoughts After Reading Kalki's Works

 

Kalki R Krishnamurthy wrote Parthiban Kanavu (Parthiban's Dream in translation), the sequel to Sivakamiyin Sabatham (Sivakami's Vow in English) first. Serialized in his magazine in 1941, Parthiban Kanavu was a stupendous success. Sivakamiyin Sabatham was serialized later between 1944-46. It is noteworthy that in Nandini Vijayaraghavan’s translation, Parthiban's Dream saw the light of the day first. And staying faithful to the chronological order, I read the sequel work first.

Sivakami's Vow published by Penguin India, the entire novel is split into four volumes

A page from Parthiban's Dream, the sequel to Sivakami's Vow.
Published by Ratna Books, this book boasts of beautiful, monochromatic illustrations by Gopulu Sir,
a popular cartoonist for many Tamil weekly. These illustrations clearly elevate the reading experience.

Both these novels amply highlight the adverse impact of war, the toll it takes on lives and environment for generations, a much needed reminder in today's world. That religion and politics make a highly inflammable combination is another area of focus. Kalki brought to life the reign of Pallavas, Cholas and Chalukyas, even Cheras and Pandyas, in his works at a time when the Internet didn't exist. His descriptions compelled people to visit or dream about Mamallapuram, Kanchi, Ajanta caves and Badami. Top notch characterization, portrayal of romance with an old world charm, a multitude of twists involving shrewd spies, able military commanders, masquerading kings, valorous common men, many promises to keep - these two works share many similarities between them. However, it one difference between them that stood out for me and will stay with me. Even when we adore our parents for the way they brought us up and mostly agree with their approach, there’s a part of us that refuses to be like them when we become a parent ourselves. We consciously steer away from how they would have thought or acted, vowing to make a change for our children.

At the end of Sivakami's Vow, it's the fate of two star-crossed lovers - Narasimha Pallavar and Sivakami, her unrequited love that leaves us teary eyed. When I finished reading the book last December, I grasped entirely why emperor Narasimha Pallavar did everything he did in Parthiban's Dream, quite unlike his father and predecessor Mahendra Pallavar, to aid the fruition of his dear daughter Kundavai's dream. In getting Kundavai married to her lover Vikraman, may be Narasimha Pallavar healed a little part of his broken self. First as a father who wants his daughter to be happy, and then a dutiful monarch, he won my heart many times over in Parthiban's Dream.