#Sendhan Amudhan

[vishnavishivaa]

Vaazhkaiyin Niram

As promised, @yehsahihai and I are back, with the entire fic now. It is kind of long, so have fun?

********

Arulmozhi Varman was in a quandry. 

He had been trying to get some time alone with Vanathi, and she had somehow, successfully avoided him at every single turn. Even his patience could end, it seemed like, for each time she avoided him, he felt another chip off the block he called his patience. Why was she avoiding him? He had not even teased her in a while…

Oh maybe that was it?

But… why would that make her avoid him? What had he done?

He knew the feelings he bore for her all too well. He also knew that he had been in denial far too long for her to not have noticed something amiss. What he did not expect was how far Vanathi was willing to go in her love for him.

It was mid-afternoon as Arulmozhi paced his akka’s rooms, with Samudra Kumari and akka watching him with a growing mixture of concern and amusement. 

I mean, I just don’t understand. Why is she doing this? What is she trying to do?”

“Thambi even I don’t know and I almost always know what is in her heart.”

“Illavarase, maybe the Kodumbalur Illavarasi has been in the sun too much. That is why she is acting like this.”

“Samudra Kumari, this is no time for humor” came his akka’s sharp rebuke, making Poonguzhali raise her hands in surrender. 

“Akka?” came the sweet voice of the maddening princess who had robbed him of all his sleep.

“Kanne? What is it?”

“Nothing akka. I couldn’t find you anywhere so I was wondering where you were.”

Kundavai suddenly had an idea, as she addressed Vanathi, asking her, “Kanne, just one question. If the one you love is in love with another, what would you do?”

Vanathi froze for a second before looking towards Arulmozhi who had not let his eyes wander away from her since she stepped in. 

“Why akka, then I would do my best to ensure he won over the one he loves”

Arulmozhi physically felt the need to sit down, as she turned to leave, worrying that he would faint after hearing that. Really he had to stop picking up his kanmani’s habits. Holding his head in his hands, he bemoaned, “Akka, why is my wife like this?”

“You’re not married to her yet thambi!”

“AKKA IN MY HEAD I AM ALREADY MARRIED TO HER!”

He sighed, remembering the amusement on Samudra Kumari’s face and the knowing look his elder sister had gotten. That just reminded him of another incident, engineered by his darling. 

Arulmozhi was excited, having seen his Vanathi walk towards him. 

“Ponniyin Selvare,” her sweet voice, which was like nectar to him, sounded in his ears, filling his being. 

“Kodumbalur Kula Vilakke,” he said, trying hard not to call her, my Kodumbalur Devadhai, instead. 

“Selvare, Poonkuzhali is looking for you. She is waiting by the boat at the banks of Ponni Thai,” she said softly, a tinge of sadness in her eyes, something that did not escape him. What was wrong with his Vanathi? He wanted to cup her cheeks and peer into her eyes, reading through them so that he could first understand, and then wipe away her sadness. He wanted to bring that luminosity he so loved seeing in her eyes. 

“Devi, are you okay?” he asked instead. Samudra Kumari could wait, Vanathi came first. She would understand- this was how she was with Amudhan.

“I am fine, Selvare, why do you ask?”

“It doesn’t seem so to me,” his eyes roved over her face, concerned.His hands itched to tilt her chin up, to look into her eyes and understand and solve all her problems.  He noted the tiredness in her eyes, and he ached at the sight of it. 

“No no Selvare, I am fine. But you must go, Poonkuzhali is waiting for you,” with a departing smile, she slipped away, and he blinked. 

Why was his beloved running away again?

Sighing, he made his way to the banks of Kaveri to meet Samudra Kumari. 

It had turned out that his kanmani had ensured that he and Samudra Kumari could be alone?

For what reason even, he had wondered then. Of course, she was his good friend�� but she would much rather listen to Sendhan sing Thevarams, and he would prefer to be around Vanathi, even with his Akka present. 

“You?” they had both exclaimed upon seeing each other. 

“Illavarase what are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same, Samudra Kumari.”

“Illavarasi Vanathi.. She asked me if I would give her a ride in my boat.”

Arulmozhi frowned at that, trying to understand what his beloved had been thinking. 

“But that doesn’t make sense. She told me you were waiting for me? To talk to me?”

“Talk to you? No Illavarase, I never said anything of the sort.”

Arulmozhi groaned at that, as he sat down on the river banks, head throbbing as he thought of Vanathi’s behaviour in the past few days. His illavarasi had almost continuously avoided looking at him, preferring to engage in conversation with his akka or any other lady in the palace rather than talk to him. There was a pit of anxiety in his stomach as he tried to understand what had happened to the playful, bubbling Vanathi he knew. It was slowly driving him crazy, to be able to see her but never talk to her, to exist in the same sphere as her and still feel like she was miles away from him. Even when she did speak to him it was almost completely formal and clipped, like she was trying to do her best to avoid prolonging their conversations. He had been living with an almost constant dull ache in his heart these days and it was frustrating him to no end that he couldn’t unravel this mystery.

“Oh… oh!”

Poonkuzhali’s voice interrupted his thoughts. He looked at her, confused as to why she looked both exasperated and endeared at once. 

“Ilavarase, I think the Ilavarasi thinks you and I want to be together. It is clear she does not know of your overwhelming love for her.”

Arulmozhi let out another loud groan at that, tipping back fully to sprawl on the riverbanks, uncaring of the numerous small pebbles digging into his skin.

“Why is Vanathi like this? I’ve been trying so hard to express how I feel for her and yet she doesn’t understand. Every time she looks at me, her doe eyes are downcast and her honey like voice is subdued. What do I do to make her believe that I love her?”

“Perhaps Illavarase,” Poonguzhali began, in a matter-of-fact tone, “you could start by telling her all this instead of crying about it in front of Ponni thaaye?”

Since then, he had been trying to get her alone, but she still evaded him,and also continued her setting up attempts.

Arulmozhi was trying to get near Vanathi, wanting to stand near her for the poojai. He felt that her presence around him will keep him successful in gaining the blessings of Durgai Amma. But getting to her seemed to be getting more tiresome. 

Luckily, he had spotted Samudra Kumari near her, and had sent a signal to her requesting her aid, which his doe eyed damsel had misinterpreted,and had artfully pushed Poonkuzhali next to him, instead of standing next to him herself. 

How was he to confess if she would not listen? 

Maybe he should shout it out in front of everyone?

Hmm maybe that’s what he would do… but what if his love got embarrassed? He could not do that to her… Ishvara, he was really sounding like Vanathi now. Love really made people stupid, he thought, unclear whether he meant himself or his beloved.

Which was exactly how he had found himself in his akka’s chambers as she had watched the whole scene at the poojai happen and immediately demanded answers.

“Thambi, what is going on?”, akka had asked, ever straight to the point. “First Vanathi loves you, then you don’t love her, then you like Samudra Kumari, then she likes Sendhan, then you love Vanathi, and now Vanathi is trying to get you and Samudra Kumari together? What are you all doing????”

Poonguzhali, who had until then been silent, said, “Ilaya Piratti, we think the Kodumbalur Illavarasi has had a misunderstanding. She believes that Ponniyin Selvan and I love each other, though I am not sure why. But since then she has been trying to get us together.”

“I am aware”, came Kundavai’s response to which his head shot up.

“What? How?”

“Because thambi, she approached me before the poojai, asking to speak with me alone. And then she went exonerating about how good of a woman Samudra Kumari was, and how she would make a worthy queen for you and how I should accept her and give you two my blessings. I have to admit, she almost convinced me.”

“I… WHAT?”

“Thambi, calm down. I was not convinced fully, because her love for you was visible, and so is yours for her.”

“Akka,” he said, burying his face in his hands. “What do I do?”

“Well, you have to tell her, thambi.”

“How do I do that when your best friend keeps avoiding me?”

Poonkuzhali sighed, standing up.

“Leave it to me.”

“Somehow that just made it worse”, he muttered under his breath as he watched her leave.

Poonkhuzhali really didn’t understand these royals at times. When it was so clear to everyone with eyes that the prince had eyes only for the kodumbalur Illavarasi, why was she the only one who couldn’t see it? She knew that her brief infatuation with him had been clear to many, but that was all it was; an infatuation that had worn off when she realsied her love for Sendhan. But this princess, had been steadfast in trying to push her and the prince together. How can one love so selflessly, she wondered. The princess was willing to sacrifice her love for Ponniyin Selvan because she thought it would make him happy. Those two were really made for each other, she thought. 

She walked down the palace halls, trying to find the princes until she finally spotted her in the garden, sitting on a bench as she stared off into the distance. Taking a deep breath, khuzhali approached her. 

“Illavarasi”, she said bowing to her, as the princess seemed to snap out of her reverie.

“Samudra Kumari! What brings you here?” 

“Devi, I came to find you specifically,” said Poonkuzhali. “I wanted to ask for your thoughts, as Ilaya Piratti told me that you are fantastic at organizing any event.” 

“It’s all Akka’s teaching, Kumari,” Vanathi smiled. “What can I help you with?” 

Truly, thought Poonkhuzhali, she was the most gracious person she had ever met, apart from Ponniyin selvan. It just strengthened her resolve to bring them together. 

“My engagement ceremony, Ilavarasi,” Poonkuzhali said, feeling bad when Vanathi’s face shrunk and eyebrows frowned. 

“Of course, how can I help?” 

Poonkuzhali gave Vanathi details, requesting her help for organizing it, and the Princess did not disappoint. She helped Poonkuzhali organize it in a matter of half an hour. 

“Is there anything else I can help with, Kumari?” Vanathi asked softly. 

“No, thank you Devi. Sendhan and I are very grateful to you.” 

“Sendhan? You are getting engaged to Sendhan!?”

Poonkhuzhali bit her lips to keep from smiling as she said “Of course devi. Did Illavarase not tell you? I am going to marry Sendhan”

Vanathi felt as though the ground had been pulled out from under her feet, as she stared at Samudra Kumari trying to comprehend her words. She was going to marry Sendhan, which mean she was not in love with Ponniyin Selvan. Oh Ishvara, what had she done? 

She had evoked the anger of her Prince by doing such, by setting him up with a woman whose heart was another’s? How will she face him? Maybe she should just avoid him? 

Yes, that’s what she will do. She will avoid him. 

Standing up abruptly she said, “I-I should go meet akka, samudra kumari. Excuse me” Saying so she ran off, determined to avoid the prince at all costs.

*****

How had Samudra Kumari’s confession not helped? 

Vanathi was still avoiding him, extremely skillfully, which did impress him, as much as it exasperated him. He had tried to catch hold of her many times over the past few days but each time she had managed to excuse herself, slipping away to either be by his akka’s side or by his patti’s side or his amma’s side. It had gotten to the point where he was seriously considering if he could somehow climb into Vanathi’s chambers during the night to talk to her. He dismissed the possibility almost immediately knowing that if someone found out both of them would be in deep trouble with his family member, him more than her. 

Should he try and kidnap her instead? Hmm.. what if he kidnapped her after informing his Akka that he was kidnapping her? No that was ridiculous. Plus his akka would never let him hear the end of it. Maybe he could ask Vanthiyathevan………… No, no even worse. The Vanar Kula warrior would immediately go to tell his akka and then he would have to deal with being ribbed by both of them. Terrible idea. He could ask Samudra Kumari to talk to her, but given their last interaction with each other, he had a feeling Vanathi would just flee upon seeing her. 

He sat down as he massaged his temples trying to think, as he looked out into the palace courtyard….

Right at Vanathi who sat with his Akka, chattering away like she had not nearly driven him to insanity with her actions. 

He watched her for a second, blinked, and made a decision. Like the tiger he was, he rushed towards them, smirking mildly when he saw Vanathi’s eyes widen. 

“Akka!” 

“Thambi?” Kundavai had a knowing smirk on her face, and had mildly angled herself to ensure Vanathi couldn’t get away that easily. 

“I am sorry to do this to you, but I have to talk to my wife!” he scooped her into his arms, bridal style, and raced across the courtyard, as fast as lightning. 

Vanathi shrieked as she was lifted by him, feeling mortified as he carried her through the palace, burying her head in his chest, praying that no one saw them.   

Arulmozhi didn’t stop until they had reached his chambers, uncaring that anyone could have seen them being so brazen. It would only speed up their marriage after all. He set her down gently, before turning to lock the door and stared at her, his illavarasi who now seemed to praying to the earth to swallow her up. Biting away a grin he asked, “So, Kodumbalur Illavarasi, can we finally talk?”

“Talk? About what, Ponniyin Selvan?”

“You know what about, Devi,” he said softly, taking a step closer.

“No, no, I do not,” she gulped, still staring at the Earth, making him smile softly as he took another step forward. 

“Yes you do. Why have you been avoiding me?” he had crossed a personal boundary, but considering how she had been clutching him when he had held her, he knew she would tell him to move if she wanted that.

“I… I just wanted to give you space with your loved one, or so I thought…”

“Then you should have been around me!”

Vanathi’s eyes snapped up at those words as she tried to search his face for any traces of a joke, or him being another one of her daydreams. But he was right there, evidenced by the fact that he had just carried her throught the palace. 

“Illavarase, this is all highly inappropriate, we shouldn’t be………..” She found herself robbed of all speech as he took another step closer to her. Oh lord, any closer and she was sure he would almost hear the tandavam her heart was doing in her chest. 

She backed away slowly from him, hand reaching blindly for the door behind her hoping to find it’s bolt, but the prince was faster, moving closer to her so she had no option but to startle away from the door. 

“You cannot possibly hope to avoid me forever Vanthi”, he chided her though his voice held no sternness. 

“Illavarase, one only avoids those whom they feel scared of”, came her reply, eliciting a small smile from him.

“And is that why you have been avoiding me?” came the question, much softer than before.

Oh god, they were now circling around a table, each waiting for the other’s next move. Vanathi had heard tales of how the eyes of tigers were often hypnotic, but now standing in front of her illavarase she believed them, for there was no other reason that the world fell away as she looked at him.

Swallowing with difficulty, she replied, “Ayya how can I be scared of you? I was just….”

“Just?” Was he teasing her? Vanathi was suddenly beginning to doubt if all her assumptions about him having no affection for her were false. 

“I had other things to be doing, and I am sure even you did. I did not want to bother you.” 

Arulmozhi stilled at that, before throwing back his head to laugh, loudly until he almost felt tears of mirth gathering in his eyes. He was sure, that his beloved probably thought him mad at that moment but he couldn’t bring himself to stop. 

“Ponniyin Selvare, are you all right?”

Shoulders still shaking, he gasped out, “Vanathi, anbe, has anyone told you that you are a terrible liar?”

Vanathi felt the world cease all movement for a moment as she heard the term “anbe” slip out of his mouth, so effortlessly, so casually, as if it was not the first time he had ever called her that, as if he had been wanting to say it to her for a while. 

“A-anbe?” She stuttered out, cursing the blush that had formed on her cheeks, not realizing how delighted he was to see it. 

“Anbe, Kaadhale, Kanmani, Arasi, Iniyavale, every single term of love is for you, Vanathi,” his voice had turned intimate, his eyes resting on hers, not moving away from her gaze, allowing her to capture his emotions in full force. 

Vanathi suddenly felt faint, as it hit her that she had been wrong, so very wrong. She had been blind to every gaze he had directed at her, every word he had said she had been deaf to, even now she had been the one avoiding him while had been searching for her. She sat down heavily on a chair as she felt herself beginning to lose consciousness, only to be jolted out of it as she felt two very strong, callused hands on her shoulders. 

“Vanathi? Vanathi? Look at me, look at me. Are you ok?” 

She nodded weakly as she focused on his face, now scrunched into an expression of worry, as he looked her up and down to assess her. 

Arulmozhi felt an almost blind panic hit him as he saw Vanathi collapsing onto the chair in front of her, and he reached forward instinctively to hold her. 

“Kaadhale?”

“Vanathi?”, he tried as she seemed not to hear him, causing him to place his hands on her shoulders to ground her. It seemed to work as she focused on him, causing a flood of relief through his system. Making sure she was fine, he turned to fetch her a glass of water, handing it to her, as he noted how much her hands seemed to be shaking. 

“Wait, let me”, he said as he slowly brought the glass to her lips, watching as some of the water spilled down her chin. Making sure she was fine, he leaned down to wipe away the excess water on her face even as he felt his heart pick up pace with her gaze on him. 

Vanathi for her part was doing her best not to shiver at his close proximity, unable to look away from him for even a second as he fussed over her, suffusing her being with warmth. 

Seeming satisfied that there was no immediate threat of her fainting, he moved to cup her face with one hand as his thumb ran lightly over her face. Vanathi froze as she felt his touch so intimately, resisting the urge to simply melt into his arms. 

“You scared me kaadhale.”

“N-Natha,” she mumbled, blinking and blushing when she says that. “I am s-sorry…”

“Don’t be, not for calling me Natha, Swamini,” he whispered. When she flashed wide eyes at him, he cupped her cheek very gently, whispering, “Yes, you are my Swamini, Devi.” 

She looked at him deeply, with luminous eyes, which suddenly filled with tears. 

“You were trying to talk to me.. and I just, I hurt you,” she wept, falling into his arms. 

Arulmozhi immediately pulled her close to him, trying to calm her as he assured her that she had not done any harm to him.

“Shhhhhh anbe. Do not weep like this. You have never hurt me, ever. How can I be hurt by you, hmm?”

She still did not stop crying, every tear that fell feeling like a knife to his heart.  Gently detangling himself from her he knelt down fully in front of her, as he took her hand in his, ignoring the slight gasp she let out. 

“Ponniyin Selvare, what are you-”

“Vanathi, my uyirin uyir, my kanmani, you can never hurt me. You are not just in my heart but also my soul. I wish I could say my heart was mine but the truth is it has become yours long ago. You are in every breath I take and every one of my senses. I have been wanting to say this for far too long now, but there was always something preventing me. And today, I am kneeling before you to tell you I love you. Wholly, truly, irrevocably I love you.”

Vanathi gasped, her hands going to his neck to cup his jaw. 

“Once more, please?” She pleaded. 

“I love you, wholly, truly, irrevocably,” he whispered, tender smile on his face. 

“Swami,” she whispered softly, leaning to tip her forehead to his. “Swami, Swami, I lost my heart to you when we first met at the banks of Ponni Thai. And I only kept losing it over and over to you, every second of every day. I have dreamt so much of you telling me you loved me, that I couldn’t even process it at first. Oh Swami, I can’t express how I love you, but I do. So so so much. To see a smile on your face, I would even sacrifice my life.” 

Arulmozhi vehemently shook his head, bringing one finger over her lips. “Never, ever say that again Vanathi. My life is in you. I cannot survive without you.”

Vanathi laughed as she finally realized what had happened, pressing closer to her Swami as she just looked at him, determined to not miss even a second of possibly the happiest occurrence of her life. Separating from him, she moved to lay a soft kiss on his forehead as she murmured “I love you”, moving down to kiss his eyes as she said the same, then onto his cheeks, stopping only when she reached his lips. Drawing back slightly, she watched as his eyes opened as he looked at her, absolute love spilling out of them as he raised himself slightly to cup her face and slowly meld their lips together.

It felt as though a million butterflies had been released in Arulmozhi’s stomach as he finally kissed those lips he had dreamt of for so long, the smile that threatened to overtake his face making it difficult to keep kissing her like he wanted to. Drawing away only a few millimeteres to breathe he said, “You do know now there is no question of you ever avoiding me?”

Vanathi giggled as he said that, replying, “If avoiding you gets you to be so poetic, Swami, I will gladly do it.”

Arulmozhi too felt a laugh bubbling inside of him as he got up and lifted his arasi in his arms to spin her around even as more laughter spilled forth from her lips, stopping only to press their foreheads together and say, “You are my whole heart Vanathi.”

“And you are my everything, Arase,” she whispered, shyly kissing the corner of his lips, blushing but wanting to shower him with her love.

He kissed her lips over and over, still twirling her, both of them joyous in the colours their life and love took. 

*****

@vibishalakshman @thelekhikawrites @nspwriteups @dumdaradumdaradum @dr-scribbler @willkatfanfromasia @kovaipaavai @celestesinsight @thirst4light @rang-lo @thegleamingmoon @theambidexterousarcher @whippersnappersbookworm @chiyaanvikram @hollogramhallucination @arachneofthoughts @krishna-sahacharini

[dosai-maavu]

if the characters of ponniyin selvan were to be in a modern-day indian high school, what personalities do you think they'd have?

here's my take:

aditha karikalan - 12th grade, the overacheiver, good at everything he does, kinda wild, the sorta person who can get piss drunk the day before but still get a 100 on a test the next day, very respected but unapproachable, is involved in literally every society but is particularly interested in sports and chess

vandiyathevan - 12th grade, charming and friendly, very popular, mischievous, gets into trouble a lot but none of it is serious, students love him, teachers like him too but gotta be strict bc he plays too many pranks, in the literature society

kundavai - 11th grade, also good at everything she does, much friendlier than her brother, respected by both students and teachers, the senior you go to when you got a problem bc she just gives the best advice, not too much into physical activities but amazing at debate, MUN's and quizzes

nandini - 11th grader, quiet, mysterious transfer student who hides her intelligence, the girl who will claim to fail but will actually pass with 99%, competitive, hates losing, always achieves her goals, in the chess, tennis and debate societies, good at all of them

arulmozhi - 9th grade, innocent, sweet and helpful, people usually cannot believe he's aditha's brother, doesn't do as well as his siblings in academics because he already knows he's not interested in it, very creative, is part of all artistic societies, is best at poetry and music

vanathi - 9th grade, shy and a little awkward, isn't really good at socializing but is the most animated one when she's with her friends, is fairly good at academics but her real passion is classical dance, in the dance society, almost always plays krishna in their dances

poonguzhali - 10th grader, the "weird" one, quiet, a little unapproachable and eccentric, she usually scares of people who try to talk to her, to her few friends she is wise and thoughtful, doesn't really enjoy academics or other school activities, loves swimming, is secretly an amazing singer but will not sing for anyone

sendhan amudhan - 10th grader, the teacher's pet but you can't hate him because he is literally a golden retriever, topper-in-training, isn't interested in after school societies but he loves going to the library and reading history books, passionate about social justice, spends his weekends volunteering at various charitable organizations

some headcannons:

kundavai and nandini have a fierce rivalry. they cannot stand it when one of them does better than the other. it's usually entertaining but when things get too intense aditha and vandiyathevan have to restrain them so they don't bite each other's heads off.

no one knows where nandini goes after school. she spends sometime at a flat nearby where she claims her grandparents live, but after that she takes off on her cycle. aditha got very close to finding out once but nandini saw it coming and diverted him to a lake on the outskirts of town.

vanathi and arulmozhi had been in the same class ever since preschool but on the first day of 9th grade, they were separated. vanathi felt terrible about it and spent a whole period crying in the washroom. kundavai heard it and felt sorry for her, so she took her under her wing. kundavai and vanathi develop a very deep, sisterly bond after that. .

aditha appears very confident but he secretly cries every other week in his room because the stress of being perfect gets to him. sometimes, when it gets too much, he sneaks out onto the roof for a smoke. vandiyathevan occasionally joins him with some nicotine gum.

vandiyathevan flirts with every girl around his age, but never with kundavai. this is partly because she's his best friend's sister but majorly because he wants to genuinely impress her and flirting won't work. kundavai for her part feels bad when she sees him flirt with other girls but never her. she reasons that it's probably because she's his best friends sister, but she sometimes wishes he would flirt with her too

[nspwriteups]

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Hello, I am currently in love with Ponniyin Selvan fandom and trying to post my interpretations and imaginations of the characters and story.

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[ambidextrousarcher]

“அப்படியானால் நீ பாடுகிறாயா?" இவ்விதம் இரைந்து கேட்டுவிட்டுச் சேந்தன் அமுதன் உடனே மெல்லிய குரலில், "பூங்குழலி! உன்னைத் தொடர்ந்து இன்னொருவன் வந்து கொண்டிருந்தான். உனக்கு எச்சரிக்கை செய்வதற்காகவே சத்தம் போட்டுப் பாடினேன். அவனுக்கும் உன் அண்ணன் மனைவிக்கும் இன்று சாயங்காலம் ஏதோ இரகசிய சம்பாஷணை நடந்தது. அவன் யார் என்று உனக்குத் தெரியுமா?" என்றான்.”

Excerpt From

Ponniyin Selvan Anaithu Pagangal (Tamil Edition)

Kalki

This material may be protected by copyright.

Context: Sendhan Amudhan follows Poonkuzhali. They have quite a loud argument over singing.

“If so, would you sing?” Asking such in an irate tone, Sendhan Amudhan, immediately after, in a low voice, “Poonkuzhali! Another man was following you. Just to warn you, I sang loudly. Some secret discussion took place between him and your brother’s wife. Do you know who he is?” he asked.

I enjoy Poonkuzhali bonding with Sendhan as well! Sendhan is such a sweet, earnest character.

Back with snippets of the day! Night duty left me exhausted, I was consumed with thoughts of sleep anytime I was free, LOL. Hopefully I am done with it for the near future.

Tagging @mizutaama @whippersnappersbookworm @celestesinsight @harinishivaa @deadloverscity @favcolourrvibgior @racoonpaws @willkatfanfromasia @thereader-radhika @thelekhikawrites @themorguepoet and @humapkehaikaun

Please let me know if I have forgotten anyone! Comment, ask or DM to be part of this list.

[sampigehoovu]

I wonder how Poonguzhali and Sendhan Amudan's relationship progressed, you know? Like how does she adjust to court life? what does she think about suddenly being the queen? she was so adamant about not being captive in the palace like the ladies of court, how does she make being queen her own. how does Sendan also take to being king, and suddenly having two mothers. What does his (adopted) mother think of her son being crowned? I have so many questions cause its literally two people brought up as commoners becoming royalty overnight. What changes do they implement, how do they rule for 14 years? How many children did they have? What about the rest of the court, cause we know the chieftains really run the show after a certain level, without the Pazuvettarayars, does Velar become more powerful? What does he think, cause his relationship with Poonguzhali is already tainted.

[kovaipaavai]

Amaidhiyum Ariyanaiyum

Parakesari Utthama Chozha Chakravarthy had died one day and woken up on the next as the ordinary boy who made a living by making garlands for the lord's feet. For the first day he'd woken up thus , Utthama had thought that he was simply dreaming about happier times from his simpler past on his deathbed and that the illness of mind and body that were wasting away his being had conspired to give him one last reprieve , even as they were stealing away his lifeline.

But the days that followed proved that this was no delirium. He was back to being Amudhan again - the simple and pious Amudhan whose sole ambition was to win Kuzhali's hand. There was no morning court to attend , no ministers to appease and no petitions to dispose of and Amudhan simply loved that.

In this newer, simpler rebirth of his , Amudhan didn't actively try and win Kuzhali's hand. He knew that her heart held another and felt it was a futile excercise to the plant the seeds of his love in a hostile heart. If anything , Kuzhali would only become his when her options were exhausted and what was left of her love was just dying embers of jealousy towards that simple innocent girl who'd managed to enthrone herself as the queen of his nephew's heart. It hadn't turned out well for any of them the last time. Kuzhali had become the queen of the realm , but Arulmozhi was not her king and that fact had continued to torment her through all of his nephew's subsequent and sometimes parallel marriages.

Arunmozhi had just settled down in domestic harmony with Vaanathi when Kuzhali had brought up the Pazhuvoor family's allegiences and the need to secure them for the well being of the throne and family. Fool that he was , he'd beseeched Arunmozhi to offer himself on the marital altar to Panchavan Mahadevi and in his reluctant pursuit of the pazhuvoor suit , his nephew had neglected his pregnant wife.

Vaanathi died of a broken heart in child bed . The royal doctor had ruled post partum disease as the cause but he knew that his lovely niece by law gave up her will to live upon hearing that her husband hadn't turned up or at least sent a word of concern when he'd heard that she'd taken ill. Vaanathi's passing and Kuzhali's hand in it had made him realize that wife was human - a jealous , scheming human who did not want any one else to gain the happiness she'd lost.

He had hoped that Kuzhali would move on as Arunmozhi did , but with every wife Arunmozhi married , Kuzhali became more upset , more disturbed and more cruel. In the life he'd crossed over from Kuzhali had become a living husk of her original self, always looking in to Arunmozhi's domestic life from the outside , wishing to be Arunmozhi's consort than his sole queen.

Amudhan was more than happy to stay away from her in this second chance , if that would leave her as the happy , content and smiling Samudrakumari. He only hoped that she'd take rejection well in this second life for Vaanathi would always reign supreme in his nephew's heart.

A few years ago , in that other life , their ship had caught on fire on one of their voyages and the first thing Arunmozhi had done was to rush to his chambers to grab an ivory box , ignoring the hot flames and falling debris. The ivory box contained letters that Vaanathi had written to him during their brief marriage, his nephew had mentioned later - letters he hadn't replied to but wished he had ; letters that he'd read and re-read in angst , sorrow and longing.

In a rare occurrence Arunmozhi had lamented thus : "En ekkamo , paschathapamo avalai meettu kondu thara povadhillai chitappa. En mandhanin raaniyai niragarithu naattin nalam naadiyathaal enakku meela izhappu thaan micham".

Amudhan really wished for his nephew's happiness this time. The Arunmozhi of this life looked smitten and deeply in love with Vaanathi - full of coy glances , loving smiles and hidden physical affection when the ladies of the royal families pretended to look the other way. He was aware of Kuzhali's affection but was smart enough to keep her at a distance and outside his circle of friendship and influence. He knew his nephew would do well by his niece this time.

His mother looked to be happy as well. He'd had the chance to meet her during Gokulashtami and all that he'd seen was Kundhavai's loving grandmother and a benevolent queen dowager. Her painful gaze at him , seemed to indicate that she was aware of who he was , but he was going to let hidden tigers stay hidden this time around and hope for the best.

Madhuranthaka seemed to be a decent person as well. A life long bachelor that had pulled his weight in governance, his desire to rule seemed to come from a need of acknowledgement than true malice to his cousin and his offsprings. If push came to shove , and Arunmozhi ended up crowning Madhuranthaka , he hoped this one would prefer to stay unmarried and govern rather than be mired into harem politics.

As his thoughts finally met his footsteps , Amudhan couldn't help but ask Kuzhali one more time "Ennidam vandhuvidu kuzhali , ennal unakku oru amaidhiyaana vaazhkaiyai thara mudiyum. Ariyanai vaazhvil amaidhi iraadhu". Thankfully , the kuzhali of this life refused gently equating the life he offered to a doomed and silent graveyard.

As Kuzhali walked away from him and the palace without a second glance , Amudhan hoped that distance and time would help Kuzhali come to terms with the loss of her one sided love and their entire family would fare better for the choice he made this time around.

Note : Given the differences between the book and the movie ,I couldn't help but think of parallel timelines , universes of Ponniyin Selvan where things progressed differently and what would happen if characters from one timeline suddenly transmigrated to the other.

[pazhavoorilayarani]

@poonguzhalii I found your Sendhan!!

[whippersnappersbookworm]

Inaidhal (union)

Character Aesthetics

[Collab with @harinishivaa ]

Kundavai

‘Her aura like an empress born to rule the seven worlds and seas, she was a commanding presence everywhere; desire ravaged many for her, for the beauty who ruled the Chozhas, and yet, the warrior of sky and land won her over by simply being.’

Vandiyathevan

‘He called himself the son of the sky and land, he roamed and fought with swords and spears, a master in everything he did, even charming people; and yet, only the Princess of the Chozhas could steal him away so easily, with just a single glance.’

Arulmolzhi Varman

‘He, the beloved son of Ponni, was a mystery, an enigma, who had every good character known, whose aura was godly, who was like an ideal personification; he found his fortune and love in the maiden of gentleness and chastity, reflecting into her like the Sun does the ocean.’

Vanathi

‘She was peace, modesty, chastity and gentleness, a soothing moon to the eyes of the people, her beauty held serenity, her voice held thousands of golden sparkles, her movement was like nectar to the eyes; she maintained that she was born for the golden Prince, and that it was him she would serve, even if not as his wife; perseverance defines this woman who won the heart of the Sun and accepted and reflected his light with clarity to the world.’

Other Characters

Aditha Karikalan

Poonkuzhali

Sendhan Amudhan

First Chapter coming out Tomorrow !

Give me your honest opinions @thelekhikawrites @vibishalakshman @celestesinsight @nspwriteups @yehsahihai @nirmohi-premika @vijayasena @ambidextrousarcher @dumdaradumdaradum @dr-scribbler @ragkee @rang-lo @kovaipaavai @thirst4light @reeeereeeereeereee @thegleamingmoon @chiyaanvikram @jukti-torko-golpo @willkatfanfromasia @lemonko @rapunzels-stuff

[thegleamingmoon]

Inner me loves VaanMozhi to death! 😍

Still has a Poonguzhali-ish personality and wishes she had the amount of calmness and simplicity that Sendhan Amudhan has in life.

*runs away with an awkward laugh*

#it'scomplicated

[vishnavishivaa]

I am rereading Ponniyin Selvan yet again, and would you like to hear my thoughts? The snippets will come randomly, as I analyze.

[thereader-radhika]

‘I wished to be loved by another,’ she answered. 'But I desire no man’s pity.’

'That I know,’ he said. 'You desired to have the love of the Lord Aragorn. Because he was high and puissant, and you wished to have renown and glory and to be lifted far above the mean things that crawl on the earth. And as a great captain may to a young soldier he seemed to you admirable. For so he is, a lord among men, the greatest that now is. But when he gave you only understanding and pity, then you desired to have nothing, unless a brave death in battle. Look at me, Éowyn!’

And Éowyn looked at Faramir long and steadily; and Faramir said: 'Do not scorn pity that is the gift of a gentle heart, Éowyn! But I do not offer you my pity. For you are a lady high and valiant and have yourself won renown that shall not be forgotten; and you are a lady beautiful, I deem, beyond even the words of the Elven-tongue to tell. And I love you. Once I pitied your sorrow. But now, were you sorrowless, without fear or any lack, were you the blissful Queen of Gondor, still I would love you. Éowyn, do you not love me?’

Then the heart of Éowyn changed, or else at last she understood it. And suddenly her winter passed, and the sun shone on her.

‘I stand in Minas Anor, the Tower of the Sun,’ she said; ‘and behold the Shadow has departed! I will be a shieldmaiden no longer, nor vie with the great Riders, nor take joy only in the songs of slaying. I will be a healer, and love all things that grow and are not barren.’ And again she looked at Faramir. 'No longer do I desire to be a queen,’ she said.

Then Faramir laughed merrily. 'That is well,’ he said; 'for I am not a king. Yet I will wed with the White Lady of Rohan, if it be her will. And if she will, then let us cross the River and in happier days let us dwell in fair Ithilien and there make a garden. All things will grow with joy there, if the White Lady comes.’

- J.R.R. Tolkien. "The Steward and the King”, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.

@celestesinsight 's Post about Senthan and Poonguzhali reminded me of Aragon-Arwen-Eowyn-Faramir situation from The Lord of the Rings. 

“Why must you fall into despair? There is no rule, after all, that reserves the glory of kingship for those of royal blood. Many men hailing from simple families - yes, like you! - have established mighty empires by dint of their valourous exploits and risen to become great kings! Take an oath today, like me! Vow to establish an empire, in great Bharatham or upon foreign lands that lie across the sea. I shall never leave your side. I will be with you forever!” cried Poonguzhali.

“I was not born for such exploits, Poonguzhali. I have little desire to swing a sword or go to war. Why, I have no wish to bring harm to the smallest of god’s creatures! My heart craves for neither crown nor throne. I only long to spend my days singing the praises of holy Siva Peruman and His revered devotees.” Amudhan’s face grew sad. “My desire to wed you is akin to a cripple longing for wild honey from the combs on a tree. Poonguzhali, there is little point in asking you to stay. Pray, leave. Do not tarry until I recover!”

Even though love for Poonguzhali was a major part of Sendhan Amudhan's character, but he wouldn't change himself for her. He was ready to leave his tranquil life and travel the seas on her boat. He had no intention of changing her personality. He knew all about her flaws, her jealousy, her wish to become queen, her crush on Arul Mozhi, but nothing affected his love for her. But at the same time, he wouldn't change himself too for her sake. He could have promised her kingdoms, but he didn't. Because he knew he didn't want that life and he wouldn't give her any false hopes. He wanted her to accept him, Sendhan Amudhan, as he was.

I am so in love with this character. Sendhan Amudhan and his devotion and selfless love was what Poonguzhali needed in her life after losing Mandakini.

[nspwriteups]

Songs I will dedicate to PS couples:

Kun x VT - Pachai Nirame - Alaipayuthe (movie)

AMV x Vanu - Kana Kangiren - Ananda Thandavam (movie) or Kadai Kannaley - Bhoomi (movie)

Nandini x Aditha - Ye Kya Hua - Tera Mera Pyaar (album )

Tell me ur thoughts & esp what song u will dedicate for Poonguzhali x Sendhan Amudhan

@ramcharanobsessed @dumdaradumdaradum @vibishalakshman @thatacademic @hollogramhallucination @kovaipaavai @rang-lo. @willkatfanfromasia @thelekhikawrites @thegleamingmoon @deafeningflowercat @yehsahihai @whippersnappersbookworm @itsfookingloosah @gemsmusings. @chiyaanvikram @elvenladysakura. @matka-kulfi. @madatdisney. @bumblebeeskywalker @vahnithedreamer @nkarti @dosai-maavu @utterlynotperfect @winter-birds @happy-bookworm @tumbledout @anabanana4115

[ambidextrousarcher]

Snippets as I see it: Putting the snippet under a read more, it is fairly long for this exercise.

Tagging @whippersnappersbookworm @celestesinsight @mizutaama @thereader-radhika @harinishivaa and @thelekhikawrites

Comment or drop a text if you want to be added/removed from the tag list!

Feat: Sendhan Amudhan’s sass at its finest. (I know he’s a fictional character, but I still enjoy him.)

Context: Kundavai and Vanathi visit the underground prison to free the Pazhayarai healer’s son and glean knowledge of Vandiyathevan’s whereabouts from him. They find the aforementioned man already freed by Nandini, Sendhan Amudhan imprisoned instead, and they ask him of the happenings. He is narrating the good news the traitor who betrayed Vandiyathevan and spoke ill of Poonkuzhali gave him, citing it as the reason he did not kill the other man.

“அது என்ன அவ்வளவு நல்ல சமாசாரம், அப்பா?”

“என்னுடைய நண்பன் வந்தியத்தேவனுடனேதான் இவன் கோடிக்கரைக்குப் போனான். அங்கே இந்தச் சண்டாளன் என் சிநேகிதனுக்குத் துரோகம் செய்து பழுவூர் ஆட்களிடம் பிடித்துக் கொடுத்துவிடப் பார்த்தான். அது முடியவில்லை...”

“முடியவில்லையா? அப்படியானால் அந்த ஒற்றன் தப்பித்துக் கொண்டு விட்டானா?" என்று வானதியும் குந்தவையும் ஒரே குரலில் ஆர்வத்துடன் கேட்டார்கள். இதைத் தெரிந்து கொள்ளத்தானே அவர்கள் இந்தப் பாதாளச் சிறைக்குள்ளே வந்தது!

“ஆம், அம்மணி! என் நண்பன் தப்பித்துக்கொண்டு போய்விட்டான். பூங்குழலி அவனை இரவில் படகில் ஏற்றிக்கொண்டு கடலில் இலங்கைத் தீவுக்குச் சென்றுவிட்டாளாம். தேடிப் போனவர்கள் ஏமாந்தார்கள். இந்தப் பாதகனும் ஏமாந்தான்!”

பெண்மணிகள் இருவரும் ஒருவரையொருவர் பார்த்துக் கொண்டார்கள். அவர்களுடைய உள்ளத்தில் ததும்பிய மகிழ்ச்சியை அவர்களுடைய முக மலர்கள் வெளியிட்டன.

குந்தவை சேந்தன் அமுதனைப்பார்த்து, "அப்பனே! ஒற்றன் ஒருவன் தப்பித்துக் கொண்டது பற்றி நீ இவ்வளவு சந்தோஷப்படுகிறாயே? உன்னைச் சிறையில் வைத்திருப்பது சரிதான்!" என்றாள்.

“தாயே! அந்தக் குற்றத்துக்காக என்னைச் சிறையில் போடுவது சரியானால், உங்கள் இருவரையும்கூட எனக்குப் பக்கத்து அறையில் போட வேண்டுமே!" என்றான்.

பெண்மணிகள் இருவரும் நகைத்தார்கள். இருளடைந்த அந்தப் பாதாளச் சிறையில், சேந்தன் அமுதனுடைய பாட்டு எவ்வளவு விசித்திரமாயிருந்ததோ, அப்படி அவர்களுடைய சிரிப்பும் அபூர்வமாக ஒலித்தது.

Excerpt From

Ponniyin Selvan Anaithu Pagangal (Tamil Edition)

Kalki

“What spectacular news was it, sir (that you pardoned so great a crime?)”

“He (the Pazhayarai healer’s son) had truly gone to Kodikkarai with my friend Vandiyathevan. There, this quarrelsome man had betrayed my friend and tried to lead the Pazhuvur men. However, he could not do so…”

“He could not do so, is it? In that case, has the spy escaped?” asked Vanathi and Kundavai in a chorus. After all, they had arrived at the prison for the purpose of ascertaining this as it was!

“Yes, my lady! My friend escaped. It is said that Poonkuzhali ferried him by boat at night to the isles of Srilanka. Those that went looking for them were fooled. This traitor was fooled as well!”

The two ladies looked at each other. The gladness filling their hearts bloomed on their faces.

Kundavai, her gaze on Sendhan Amudhan, said, “Sir! You are showing such happiness that a spy escaped, are you not? it is indeed for the right that you are imprisoned!”

“My Lady! if it is indeed right that I am imprisoned for that crime, then the two of you must also be imprisoned in the cells next to mine!” riposted he.

Both ladies laughed. Their laughter was as alien as Sendhan Amudhan”s melodious singing in the deep darkness of the underground prison.

Sendhan Amudhan, my man, you are hiding quite a lot of sass behind that innocent face, are you not? Score!

[rasnak2]

Genuine question. Does PS1 and fanfiction go together? Or is it better left out without? I wanna know opinions. I mean, idk why I took this long to hype about it, considering I saw the movie a year ago and read the book years ago... but.

I mean, having read the books before watching the movie, there were a few scenes I would've loved to watch on screen that I missed but apart from that, You hear no complains from me.

The cinematography?

The screen presence of each and every one?

The way they held their characters and pulled it off?

The Kundavai-Nandhini face-off?

Nandhini in genral? Those expressions and manipulations?

Kundavai and her political wits?

Vandhiyathevan and his... everything! I mean, that man is awesome!

Nambi... oh man Nambi, would've loved to see him more cuz he's just a very fun character to see

Adithya Karikalan? No words

Arunmozhi? Waiting for part 2

Poonguzhali? I WANT TO SEE HER MORE!!!!

Honestly would've loved to see more from the rebels too. Ravidasan tho... *chef's kiss*

Also, I need more Sendhan Amudhan. Where are the scenes man!

My god the Pazhuvettarayars...

Not to mention the bromances and romances that are going on in the side... *I am looking at you Vandhiyatheva*

[tamlindudley]

Nandhini is not real! She was purely fictional, as was Sendhan Amudhan and his plot in the books! The other royalties were real tho like AK, AMV, Kundavai, Madurantakan, also VT! Think of Kalki's PS as a fanfiction of Chola empire with OCs added here and there for the spice and drama!

my history loving sister shitted on film!ps so much I almost cried, Tamil book readers what is history and what is fiction in the book 😭 why is my sister saying Nandini was real😭

Update : after 2 hours she asked why wasnt kundavai made the crown princess of she is the oldest and ended was Kalki himself was confused bro my brain is not braining WHAT IS REAL AND WHAT IS NOT REAL???

[writingrightendings]

Poonguzhali X Arulmozhi

I think Kalki didn't know how much of a good thing he was creating with Poonguzhali's character and when he kicked off the Samudra Kumari x Ponniyin Selvan romance (specially in book 2!); and my grouse with the books is that they could easily have ended up together but they didn't (for historical accuracy).

So I've written out an alternate ending on ao3 for this couple I love (also featuring our favs Vandiyadevan and Sendhan Amudhan).

My only quibble with Kalki’s masterpiece was that I longed for a happy ending for Arulmozhi Varman and Poonguzhali. This is a story for those like me, that rewrites certain events from Book Three, Chapter 42, onwards to explore what Arulmozhi Varman’s attraction to Poonguzhali and the latter’s devotion to the Prince could have led to.... SANGAMAM on AO3