#parthibendran pallavan

[teaah-art]

Because the Vandiyadevan Comic is doing numbers on Tumblr.

[ambidextrousarcher]

“கிழவருக்குச் சோழ குலத்தாரிடம் எவ்வளவு அபிமானம் என்பது இன்றைக்குத்தான் எனக்குத் தெரிந்தது. இளவரசருக்கு ஆபத்து என்றதும் எப்படித் துடிதுடித்துப் போய் விட்டார்? ஐயா! இளவரசர் தப்பிப் பிழைத்திருக்கக்கூடும் அல்லவா? இறந்துதான் போயிருக்கவேண்டும் என்பது நிச்சயம் இல்லையே?" என்றாள் நந்தினி.

“நிச்சயம் இல்லை; ஆனால் அப்பேர்ப்பட்ட சுழற் காற்றில் கடலில் குதித்தவர் பிழைத்திருப்பது அசாத்தியம்! விதியின் போக்குக்கு நாம் என்ன செய்யமுடியும்?" என்றான் பல்லவன்.

“இதற்கு விதி காரணம் இல்லை; அந்தப் பழையாறை ராட்சஸியின் பேராசைதான் காரணம். தங்களுக்குத் தெரியுமா, ஐயா? குந்தவை தேவிக்குச் சோதிடத்திலும் ரேகை சாஸ்திரத்திலும் அபார நம்பிக்கை. தம்பியின் ஜாதகத்தையும், கைரேகையையும் பார்த்து வைத்துக்கொண்டு அவன் மூன்று உலகையும் ஆளும் சக்கரவர்த்தியாகப் போகிறான் என்று நம்பிக்கை வைத்திருந்தாள். ஐயோ! பாவம்! அந்த அருமைத் தம்பிக்கு இந்த கதி நேர்ந்தது என்று அறியும் போது அவள் எவ்வளவு கஷ்டம் அடைவாள்? அச்சமயம் நான் அவள்கூட இருந்து ஆறுதல் சொல்ல வேண்டும் போலிருக்கிறது!"

இவ்விதம் கூறிய நந்தினியின் குரலில் குதூகலம் தொனித்தது. பல்லவன் ஒருகணம் ஆச்சரியப்பட்டுப் போனான். பிறகு தன் செவிகளில் தான் கோளாறு என்று தீர்மானித்துக் கொண்டான்

“ராணி தாங்கள் எதற்காக ஆறுதல் சொல்லவேண்டும்? அவளுடைய பேராசையினால் நேர்ந்துவிட்ட விபரீதம்தானே இது? அதற்காக அவள் கஷ்டப்பட வேண்டியதுதான்..."

“அது எப்படி ஐயா? அவள் கண்ணில் ஒரு சொட்டுக் கண்ணீர் துளித்தால், நெஞ்சு பதறுகிறவர்கள் சோழ நாட்டில் ஆயிரம் பதினாயிரம் பேர் இருக்கிறார்கள். அவள் சக்கரவர்த்தியின் செல்வப் புதல்வி மூன்று உலகிலும் ஈடு இணையற்ற அழகி!"

“நானும் ஒரு சமயம் அவ்வாறுதான் நினைத்திருந்தேன்! அதாவது, தங்களைப் பார்ப்பதற்கு முன்னால்!"

"என்னைப் பார்த்த பிறகு என்ன நினைக்கிறீர்கள்?"

“குந்தவை தேவியின் அழகு தங்கள் பாதச் சுண்டு விரலின் அழகுக்கு இணையாகாது என்றுதான்."

“இப்போது இப்படித்தான் சொல்வீர்கள். நாளைக்கு அவளைப் பார்த்தால் நான் ஒருத்தி இவ்வுலகில் இருக்கிறேன் என்பதையே மறந்துவிடுவீர்கள்!”

Excerpt From

Ponniyin Selvan Anaithu Pagangal (Tamil Edition)

Kalki

This material may be protected by copyright.

“It is today that I realised how much devotion the old man has to the Chozha clan. How distraught is he the moment he heard that the Prince was in danger? Sir! Isn’t there a chance that the Prince might have survived? It is not certain that he is dead, is it?” asked Nandini.

“It is not certain, but it is improbable that then man who jumped into the sea in the midst of a whirlwind could have survived! What can we do against the course of Fate?” stated the Pallavan.

“Fate is not the reason for this, instead it is the greed of the demoness in Pazhayarai that is the reason. Did you know, sir? Kundavai Devi has an abundance of belief in astrology and palmistry. She believed on seeing her younger brother’s horoscope and the creases on his palms that he would be an Emperor ruling the three worlds. Alas! Poor woman! How much grief will befall her when she will come to know of the dire straits her cherished brother perished in? I feel like I should be there with her at that time to offer words of consolation!”

When Nandini pronounced thus, her voice was filled with excitement. The Pallavan was astonished for a moment. Afterwards, he decided that the fault lay in his hearing.

“My Queen! Why should you offer words of consolation? Hasn’t this dire occurrence happened because of her greed? For that, she should suffer…”

“How could that be so, sir? If a single tear splashes from her eyes, the hearts of tens and thousands of people in the Chozha country quiver. She is the Emperor’s adored daughter, a beauty with no equal in the three worlds!”

“I too thought so at a point of time! That is, before I met you!”

“What did you think after meeting me?”

“That Kundavai Devi’s beauty is not even equal to the beauty of your littlest toe.”

And so we see Parthibendran in all his creepy glory. Names truly don’t match the character of those who bear it sometimes, like in his case.

He’s also exhibiting a severe case of selective blindness and deafness, as do most men who are graced by Nandini’s presence. Is lust truly so powerful?

In another note, Nandini does seem a little surprised at the depth of Periya Pazhuvettarayar’s regard for the Chozha siblings, particularly Arulmozhi in this case. I wouldn’t blame her, what with the man calling Kundavai a demoness and such.

And Nandini, as usual, is a compelling character, who seems to almost gloat at Arulmozhi’s “death” I think that would not have been the case had she truly gotten to know him, however.

Today’s snippet! Tagging the usual list: @whippersnappersbookworm @mizutaama @celestesinsight @thereader-radhika @thelekhikawrites @themorguepoet @willkatfanfromasia @harinishivaa @deadloverscity @favcolourrvibgior @racoonpaws

[thereader-radhika]

Nappinnai in Ponniyin Selvan

Krishna-Nappinnai cult was prominent in Tamil-speaking areas of South India in the seventh to tenth centuries. Nappinnai can be considered a mix of Satya of Ashtabharya and Radha. This cult is the prototype of the later Radha-Krishna cult in the North. She features prominently in the poetry of Alwars (Vaishnavite poet saints) as the worldly wife of Krishna as different from the divine consorts of Lord Vishnu.

In Tamil poetry, Nappinnai is the daughter of Yashoda’s brother Kumbakan. She grew up with Krishna and Balarama and Krishna marries her by taming seven bulls in a public tournament. Nappinnai is featured in non-Hindu sources too. For example, in Jivaka Chintamani composed by the Jain saint Tirutakkatevar, a King is told that he shouldn't hesitate to marry a lower class woman because Tirumal himself is married to cowherdess Nappinnai.

Krishna Mandapam at Mahabalipuram

Krishnan lifting Govardhana, Balarama on the right side, consoling an old couple. Nappinnai on the left side gazing at him admiringly, holding the hands of his sister Subhadra.

Aditha Karikalan, Thirukkoilur Malayaman and Parthibendra Pallavan spend their night in this complex near the iconic Shore Temple, at the end of Book 1. The young princes discuss about sculptures and poetry, which Parthibendran finds distasteful. Malayaman leaves them to watch villu pattu in the Pancha ratha complex and it is here that Karikalan narrates the story of his heartbreak. Now it is a closed structure, but originally it was an open air bas relief. The mandapam enclosing it was constructed only in the 16th century, during Vijayanagara period.

An entire chapter (Achchiyar Kuravai) of Silappathikaram is about Nappinnai playing Kuravai dance with Krishan and Balaraman. Manimekalai (Sangham epic, not PS character) too mentions this dance. When Vanthiyathevan gives Aditha Karikalan's letter to Kundavai, Kundavai's retinue is seen dancing to this, singing about various asuras trying to kill Krishnan.

When Karikalan goes to Kadambur, there too we see the preparations for the Kuravai.

While having a heart to heart conversation (as much as someone like Nandini can open her heart), Nandini tells Manimegalai about her hallucinations. According to her, when we love or hate someone intensely, we can see and feel them even in their absence.

This is something Nandini made up for her consolation, because Nappinnai is never seperated from Krishna. In fact, it said that Vishnu left his divine wives and descended from his seat to be Nappinnai's beloved.

You parted from the eternal Great Flower [Lakshmi] and from the Lady Earth, became a youth, and then united in marriage with the shoulders of the cowherd Pinnai.

In Kuravai Koothu, women sing that Krishna avoids Lakshmi because he is so enamored by Nappinnai. 

Is Pinnai of bangled arms so beautiful that He who had won great reputation by measuring the universe, would not look at Lakshmi dwelling in his own breast ?

It is to this Nappinnai that Andal prays to give her an opportunity to get one with Krishna, as her other attempts to wake him up were futile.

Nandini must have heard of the North Indian narratives about viraha unmadini (driven mad by seperation) Radha which were in their infancy then. Nappinnai didn't have the habit of seeing hallucinations - it is Nandini who has mental health issues.

This connection also shows Nandini's guilt about her life's circumstances though they were beyond her control. When Vanthiyathevan tells her that her Krishnan is still waiting for her, she replies that she doesn't deserve it. After marrying Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar, Nandini is never shown praying earnestly - either she is lying about different prayers and austerities or she is using devotion to avoid questions.

Edit: After writing the original post, I thought I will read Thirumangai Alwar's poems because his poetry is specifically mentioned in the chapter which shows Karikalan, Parthibendran and Malayaman going to the port to oversee the loading for goods for Arulmozhi's army. Look what I found:

Pinnai's forehead is a gleaming crescent moon  So long ago in battle he subdued seven bulls for her hand And now he owns beautiful Kanchi which is surrounded by beautiful cool ponds of waters Where the sovereign of Pallavas who have the sharp blood stained sword in his hands Who owns a drum with a bitter mouth And the Conch with the roar of the sea Pays his obeisance to his Lord.

(The poem says that the poet's god is the Lord of Kanchi who is worshipped by the Pallava King. The rest are the descriptions of the the god and the king. In PS, crown prince Karikalan is ruling from Kanchi with Parthipendra Pallavan as his vasal)

Very subtle 🤣🤣

Are you even real, Maya Kanna?

@willkatfanfromasia @sowlspace @vibishalakshman @harinishivaa @thelekhikawrites @hollogramhallucination @thegleamingmoon @whippersnappersbookworm @nspwriteups @jukti-torko-golpo @arachneofthoughts @thirst4light

[sampigehoovu]

the lovers of aditha karikalan

Aditha, who I think is a perfect 10th century hero and the many people who might have encountered him.

the courtesan of Kanchi

The first time she had laid eyes on the crown prince, had been when he entered the city; seated on a white horse, hair tied into a half bun at the base of skull, armour engraved with tigers*. She had thrown flowers too; everyone was excited to see the crown prince, he was even more handsome in person.

The second time had been during a particularly cruel monsoon storm, when the Palar** was expected to break its banks any day.

The sky was grey, rain poured down in relentless sheets and Karikalan had been at the forefront of evacuating villages along with his soldiers into higher ground. He had found himself, along with his grandfather and friend, Parthibendra Pallavan at her doorstep.

He had addressed her, in a deep baritone that had her stunned for a second, “Devi, we apologise for the sudden intrusion but my companions and I find ourselves in need of shelter. We began our journey to the city too late.”

She bowed her head, suddenly shy in the presence of this towering man, “You are welcome to stay as long as you require Ilavarase.”

He had nodded his thanks, and followed her servants to the rooms that they had always kept for unexpected guests. They had left, early the next morning and she had watched him ride away from the balcony.

For a few nights after, she was haunted by dreams of running into a man in the rain. Both of them soaked to the bone under a tree in some forest,

his body against hers,

gasps of pleasure as he thrust into her,

his face buried in her neck, arms around her hips,

her nails running down a powerful back.

The next time he came around, he was unconscious. Parthibendran had carried him away from a distance battlefield, where he had collapsed after landing the final blow of victory. He had his head on her lap while the physician had closed his wounds, his anguished screams muffled into her thighs as she held his arms down.

“I suggest he stays here for a few days, until the fever subsides,” the physician had said.

They spoke, for the first time at length while she had helped with his bandages, and he had laughed his booming laugh, looking at her with eyes that sparkled with so much mirth that her breath left her for a moment.

For weeks after, gifts flowed into her house; precious gems, exotic perfumes, soft silks.

He came by frequently too, late into the night, ‘to listen to her sweet music to calm his nerves.’

To look, to listen, to speak, never to touch.

But he knew he was trapping her in his charms.

That half smirk when she won a game against him,

The way he caressed the veena which he played while she sang,

The fire in his eyes when she wore a gift he had sent.

The hitch in his breath, when she broke the rule once and had run her hand down his muscled arm while handing him the tamboola.

It was monsoon again, when they started playing new games. He had come by, drenched in the rain, having helped with the flood evacuations. She had pulled the armour off him, kissing away the droplets of water that were making their way down his body. Her hands on his powerful thighs, her mouth on the dip of his hip bones.

Hands in her hair, moans filling her ears.

She was pressed into the bed before she knew it, his mouth on her breasts, counting her ribs, biting into her waist, leaving marks on her thighs.

Thunder and lightning raged outside as she rose and fell in ecstasy.

She had languidly licked salty sweat off his shoulders and neck.

The last time she saw him, was the night his brother had disappeared.

He was agitated, his nightmares never ending, she had held him, soothed him.

News of the younger prince’s drowning had taken him from the warmth of her arms, to the cold embrace of death.

She refused to remember his nightmares, his anguished screams for his long-lost lover, the depths of despair of a man who chipped away at his own soul with each life he took.

She refused to remember the crown prince, dripping with ambition, unrestrained in his fury and straining at the noose of administrative bureaucracy.  

She would remember her lover. His warm golden skin, gentle caressed by the sun.

His long hair that tangled with hers too often.

His calloused fingers that held spears with the same confidence with which he held her. His strong chest pressed into her, as she strained her hips in search of the beautiful friction of their bodies. 

His body as much as weapon as his sword.

His kisses executed the same way he went about decimating the enemy.

His tongue, whip sharp and capable of leaving her a moaning mess in the matter of minutes. Aditha Karikalan, who loved with the same intensity with which he went to war.

---------------------------------------------------------

*the costume designers of Ponniyin Selvan mentioned how they put tigers for Karikalan and elephants for Arunmozhi, so much thought has gone into these details.

**I do not know if this river floods, or how close it is to Kanchi but this is fiction so I have suspended some of my own disbelief.

[teaah-art]

This is a teaser! Chew on it while I work on more visually appealing PS content

[teaah-art]

Come, look at my silly Ponniyin Selvan conspiracy theory.

Text in ALT available

[ambidextrousarcher]

“ஆகவே சுழிக்காற்றின் அபாயத்தைக் காட்டிலும் சுற்றிலும் ஒன்றும் பார்க்க முடியாமலிருப்பதுதான் அதிக அபாயம்" என்று அம்மரக்கலத் தலைவன் கூறினான்.

இது இளவரசருக்குத் தெரிந்த விஷயந்தான். ஆகவே அவர் அத்தனைக் காற்றிலும் மழையிலும் கப்பலின் ஓரமாக நின்று கொண்டு தன் கூரிய கண்களின் பார்வையை நாலாபுறமும் செலுத்திக் கொண்டிருந்தார். மின்னல் மின்னிய போதெல்லாம் அவருடைய கண்கள் அதிவேகமாகச் சுழன்று சுற்றுப்புறமெங்கும் உற்றுப் பார்த்தன. அவருடைய உள்ளம் எப்படித் தத்தளித்துக் கொண்டிருந்தது என்பதைச் சொல்லி முடியாது. தன் அருமைத் தமக்கை அனுப்பிய தூதன் முரட்டு அராபியர்களிடமும், கொலைகார மந்திரவாதிகளிடமும் அகப்பட்டுக் கொண்டிருக்கிறான். அது போதாது என்று இந்தச் சுழிக்காற்று வேறு வந்து சேர்ந்தது. ஒருவேளை அவ்வீர வாலிபன் ஏறியுள்ள கப்பலைக் கண்டுபிடிக்க முடியாமலே போய்விடுமோ? கண்டுபிடித்தாலும், அவனை உயிரோடு காண்பது சாத்தியமா? கலபதி அஞ்சுவதுபோல் அவன் ஏறியிருக்கும் கப்பல் மேல் நம் கப்பல் மோதி இரண்டும் கடலில் மூழ்கினால் வேடிக்கையாகத்தானிருக்கும்! ஆனால் தந்தையிடம் சொல்லவேண்டிய செய்தியைச் சொல்லுவது யார்? பார்த்திபேந்திரனிடம் அந்தக் குடும்ப இரகசியத்தைக் கூறுவது இயலாத காரியம். கூறினால் அந்தப் பல்லவனுக்கு அது கேலியாயிருக்கும்; அதன் முக்கியத்துவத்தை அவன் உணரமாட்டான். இதுகாறும் இளவரசர் செய்ய எண்ணிய காரியம் எதிலும் தோல்வியடைந்ததில்லை. இப்போது தோல்வி ஏற்பட்டுவிடுமோ? - இல்லை, ஒருநாளும் இல்லை. பொன்னியின் செல்வனுக்குத் தீங்கு நேருவதையோ, தோல்வி ஏற்படுவதையோ சமுத்திர ராஜன் பார்த்துக் கொண்டிருக்கமாட்டான்!”

Excerpt From

Ponniyin Selvan Anaithu Pagangal (Tamil Edition)

Kalki

This material may be protected by copyright.

Context: This snippet starts as a part of a conversation between Arulmozhi and the captain of the ship Parthibendran has brought to Srilanka, which Arulmozhi has boarded and is pursuing Vandiyathevan’s doomed ship in.

“Hence, more dangerous than the whirlwinds is that it would not be possible to see anything around,” said the ship’s captain.

This was something the Prince was already aware of. Therefore, he trained his sharp gaze through the heavy winds and rains in all four directions. Whenever lightning flashed, his eyes scanned the surrounding areas quickly. It would be impossible to express how much his heart suffered. The messenger sent by his beloved sister floundered among brutish Arab men and murderous magicians. As if that wasn’t enough, these whirlwinds too had struck. Is there a chance they would not be able to find the ship the brave young man had boarded? Even if he is found, would it be possible to see him alive? As the captain fears if our ship collides with the ship he is on and both the ships drown, that would be a joke indeed! However, who will then convey what has to be told to Father? Telling Parthibendran those family secrets is an impossible task. If he is told, it would be a matter of mockery for the Pallavan; he would not understand its importance.Till now, the Prince had not encountered failure in whatever task he has undertaken. Would he face failure now? No, never. The King of the Seas would not idly watch misfortune or failure befall Ponniyin Selvan!

Today’s snippet, thankfully on time!

Arulmozhi’s side of the Arulmozhi and Vandiyathevan dynamic!

I find it interesting that while on one hand, he definitely thinks that “Ponni” is a human woman, Arulmozhi deliberately attaches supernatural meaning to the identity of Ponniyin Selvan, the son of Ponni, which is a very human thing to do, an emotional thing to do.

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

[ambidextrousarcher]

நந்தினி! சற்று முன் என் காதில் விழுந்தது உண்மையா? இந்தப் பல்லவன் என்ன சொன்னான்? பொன்னியின் செல்வனைக் கடல் கொண்டு விட்டதாகச் சொன்னான் அல்லவா? அந்த வீரகுமாரன் சின்னஞ்சிறு குழந்தையாயிருந்தபோது இந்தக் கைகளால் அவனைத் தூக்கித் தோளில் வைத்துக்கொண்டு மகிழ்ந்தேன். இதே கைகளினால்தான் அவனைச் சிறைப்பிடித்துக் கொண்டு வரும்படியான கட்டளையில் முத்திரை வைத்தேன். ஐயோ! சோழ நாடு என்னைப் பற்றி என்ன நினைக்கும்?" என்று பழுவேட்டரையர் தலையில் அடித்துக் கொண்டார். வயிரம் பாய்ந்த அந்த வீரக் கிழவர் அவ்விதம் மனம் கலங்கிப் புலம்பியதை அதுவரையில் நந்தினி பார்த்ததில்லை; யாருமே கண்டதில்லை.”

Excerpt From

Ponniyin Selvan Anaithu Pagangal (Tamil Edition)

Kalki

This material may be protected by copyright.

Context: Pazhuvettarayar faints after Parthibendran tells him news of Arulmozhi’s supposed death. After Nandini arouses him, this happens:

“Nandini! Are the words I heard a short while ago true? What did this Pallavan say? Did he not say that the sea has carried away Ponniyin Selvan? When that brave young man was a very young child, I delighted in lifting him with these hands and carrying him on my shoulders. With these same hands I stamped the royal seal on the order to imprison him. Alas! What will the Chozha country think of me?” saying so, Pazhuvettarayar hit himself on his head. Till then, Nandini had not seen the old man possessed of an adamantine will distraught and mumbling so; no one had seen him so before.

Playing Devil’s advocate here, but how much of the above outburst is due to concern for Arulmozhi? How much of it can be attributed to fear of repercussion?

He does seem concerned for the young Prince, sincerely, but equally he also seems very concerned about the repercussions he might face.

But, to be absolutely honest, my initial reaction at this paragraph was startled laughter. Like, this man had literally signed an arrest warrant against the child he is waxing poetic about. It’s probably not to arrest him in truth, but that was my unfiltered first thought.

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

[thereader-radhika]

The Curious Case of Parthivendran

The Battle of Parthivendrans

When Parthibendra Pallavan meets the Pazhavoor family, Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar introduces him as "Parthibendran who took the head of Veera Pandyan". Nandini, whose whole life was upturned by this event, treats this as a joke. Embarassed by Pazhuvettaraiyar's behaviour and impressed by Nandini's looks, Parthipendran refuses to take any credit for that achievement.

This tongue in cheek exchange is actually a reference to the historical Parthivendravarman, who was none other than Aditha Karikalan himself. Many of his inscriptions call him Parthivendran, Parthivendra Adityavarman, Parthivendradhipativarman, Parthivendra Adittaparumar, Parthivendradivarman, etc.

[thereader-radhika]

Nandini - Karikalan World Tour

Aditha Karikalan tells Parthipendra Pallavan and chieftains that he wants to go to distant places and conquer them. Nandini tells Vanthiyathevan that she prefers wandering in the same places on a magic horse rather than even going to the heaven.

Nandini: No. I don’t wish to go to Heaven. There’s a desert in the Pandya country with a few barren rocks in the middle of it, where not even grass or weeds grow. There are some caves there. At one time Digambara Jains stayed in them and performed penance, but now only snakes and jackals live there.

We don't know who told her about this particular desert. It could have been Alvarkadiyan too, but he says that he told her about Alvar stories, pasurams and Vaishnavite pilgrimage sites. Moreover, he hates Jains. The person who sends Vanthiyathevan to a place full of such jain rock caves (but not the same as the one Nandini said) is Aditha Karikalan himself.

Jains had made artificial caves around the temple and built catacombs in them. Digambara Jains used to sit in these manmade caves and perform penance. Later, the temple was renovated by the Chozha king and rebuilt in granite. However, the surrounding catacombs formed a wall around it. . . . Vandiyathevan met Eesana Siva Bhattar at the temple as Aditha Karikalar had told him to do. Bhattar told him to wait in the Jain catacomb.

Nandini: If I could get a flying horse, I would go to that desert and then fly to the island of Lanka. I believe there are high mountains in Lanka and dense forests which cover them. Herds of elephants roam around in the distant islands, the way herds of buffaloes wander around in the Chozha country. I want to see them all.

Karikalan: We shall then leave for Lanka and gather a huge army and leave for countries like Java, Srivijaya, Sumatra, Burma and Malaya.

All these were places with different species of Asian elephants, named Elephas maximus maximus, E. m. indicus (our Indian elephant), E. m.sumatranus.

Nandini: They say that from the beginning of time, there have been mountains perennially covered with snow at the centre of the world [Himalayas, specifically Mount Meru was considered "bhoo-madhya", the centre of the world]. They glisten like silver when the sun rises. I want to go on a flying horse to see those hilltops.

Karikalan: Parthibendran and I will meet at the estuary of Ganges River. Then we will join forces and go further north. One of my forbears, my namesake, Karikala Valavan, went up the Himalayas and hoisted the Tiger Flag in the one of the peaks the mountain range . . . With the help of my sword, with the help of my soldiers I’ll become the Emperor of the territory north of River Krishna.

Nandini: Further away there are deserts . . .filled with white sand that feels like burning fire by day. I want to go to all those places. Further away, the sea water freezes so hard because of the intense cold, that men and animals can walk over it. I want to go to all those places on my flying horse.

Karikalan: We shall hoist our Chozha flag in these places and then go to Arabia, Persia, Egypt and Rome.

We can see two important differences in their words that show their gender - class difference.

As Karikalan is a man and a prince, going to these places is just a matter of logistics for him. He wants to establish Chola supremacy in those places. For Nandini, it is possible only through magic. Even in her dreams, she can imagine accomplishing this only by traveling on a flying horse.

Karikalan just mentions the names and none of his listeners enquire about these places. They all are similarly educated and knowledgeable. But Nandini doesn't know many names, except Lanka. It is the long descriptions that she remembers.

It is obvious that someone told her about all these places. Who else could have been it? Perhaps he even promised to take her with him ☹️

I want to go there 👉🏻