It is really heartening to know that the present generation reads historical fiction and that too in the vernacular. Very few youngsters now know about Kalki and his masterpieces. When I read Ponniyin Selvan I remember it being an exhilarating experience. I felt privy to every character in the novel. I roamed the hills and dales with Vanthiyathevan, delighted in the repartee between him and Nandini, enjoyed Alvaarkkadian’s skirmishes, was awed by periya pazhuvettaraiyar; the list is endless. I have carried memories of this novel all my life. Sivakamiyin Sabatham had an equally powerful impact on me.  The characterization of Nagananthi adigal is fascinating. He left me mesmerized for a long time. The only other character that meets this halfway is the Egyptian Arbaces in The Last Days of Pompeii. There is an uncanny resemblance between the two characters.

Ponniyin Selvan was staged as a play sometime back, by Koothupattarai I think. I wonder how they were able to pack this epic within the confines of three hours. Unfortunately, I missed the event. The other good news that I read about this novel is that it is being translated into English right now. Am curious to see how it has turned out.