#Raja raja chola

[harinishivaa]

Ennavale

Prologue

“Appa,” Rajendra Chozha leaned over his father’s bedside, gently touching Raja Raja Chola, born Arulmozhi Varman. 

“Kanna, are you okay?” the weary, tired voice of Arulmozhi echoed in his son’s ears, his once luminous eyes now matching the dryness of his voice. 

“Appa, do you want water?” asked the now King of the Chozhas, recently coronated by his father, who had gotten a light in his eyes that spoke of leaving the Earth for the heavenly abode. 

“I want my Vanathi, Madhurantaka.”

Rajendra jerked at the name of his mother, feeling nostalgic for her once more, since her passing five years ago. His father had closed off from everyone at the loss of Vanathi, as had Kundavai Athai, and it had been exceedingly difficult to bring them out of their shells. Siriya Annai Lokamadevi had told him that due to the nature of his father’s relationship with his mother, his father grieved by shutting himself away from the world.

He had seen the luminosity on his Amma’s face, and the gentleness that alighted in his father’s eyes when they saw each other. It was as if his father’s very life had returned to him every time his mother came to him. 

His Athai had said that his father had once referred to his mother as uyirin uyir, the life of his life since he was but a young man of twenty. And now, in this moment, the same life seemed to return to his father’s face. 

“En uyiraagiya un ammavai patri naan pesuvadillai, aval illamal eppadi vazhndhen endru theriyavillai, (you mother, who is my very life, is someone I didn’t speak to you about, I do not know how I even lived so far without her). I have troubled her a lot, but she bore my mischief with equanimity, only caring about me, despite my behaviour, despite all that I did. She gave me more than I still think I deserved… maybe, in another life, I will give her all that she deserves, completely,” Arulmozhi said, coherent and calmed, his eyes once more holding the fire of puli magan as he spoke of Vanathi. 

“Appa, you did love all my mothers,” Madhurantaka said, sounding like a child. 

“I did, and I still do. I didn’t love them any less, my child. But Vanathi means different to the whole of Chozha Nadu, because of everything starting from her teens. She even means different to all your mothers, because she accepted everyone calmly as my wives, as her sisters. She often told me, I have become one with them. She is within them; and they are within her. But she is the very start of it, my son. You have always known Vanathi in so many ways, but even you did not know that doe eyed damsel that Kundavai Akka and I knew.” 

His tone was heavy but emotional, talking about the love that he had lived with for the larger portion of his life. 

Rajendra listened to his father talk, weeping in many places, joyous in equally as many, and stunned as his other mothers joined in the storytelling. 

The next day, the Sun of the Cholas had given in and heaved his last breath, the thought of his beloveds and children, of his motherland the very last thing, eternally reunited with his Vanathi, his other wives following him immediately. 

************************

This is my version of VanMozhi (Version 1), a mixture of the book, movies and some history too, along with my insane imagination :p 

Thank you to @thelekhikawrites for the Prologue idea. 

@vibishalakshman @thelekhikawrites @chiyaanvikram @yehsahihai @nspwriteups @rang-lo @thegleamingmoon @dumdaradumdaradum @kovaipaavai @willkatfanfromasia @whippersnappersbookworm @dr-scribbler @hollogramhallucination @arachneofthoughts @thirst4light  Please tag your friends, guys!

#ponniyin selvan #ponniyin selvan 2 #arulmozhi #arulmozhi varman #vanathi #rajendra chola #raja raja chola #kundavai #aditha karikalan #nandini #amarar kalki

[balladedutempsjadis]

This weekend, I watched Ponniyin Selvan, Part 1, an epic Tamil historical film about the early life Arulmozhi Varman, who became Raja Raja Chola, ruler of a vast maritime empire in the 10th century CE, and one of the greatest kings in all of Indian history.

Friends, I LOVED this movie and I’m kind of obsessed right now (and also trying to figure out a way to see Part 2, currently in theaters!) You’ll be seeing all the GIFS I could find on Tumblr :)

The music was epic in Part 1, but part 2 has the song that had me ready to board a tiger-prowed ship and go fight for the glory of Ponniyin Selvan :)

I loved all the characters but honestly my favorite is Arulmozhi Varman; the actor, Jayam Ravi, manages to look kind, regal, and a total badass all at once, and although there are other characters more up my usual alley - specifically Arulmozhi Varman’s brother Aditha, played brilliantly by Vikram, and Aditha’s lost love Nandini, also played brilliantly by Aishwarya Rai Bacchan, and Kundavai (Trisha), the Chola princess with brilliant political acumen, and Vandiyadevan (Karthi), who is a sort of D’Artagnan of the series, still I keep coming back to the charisma of Arulmozhi Varman who doesn’t even appear onscreen until the halfway point :)

#ponniyin selvan #arulmozhi varman #raja raja chola #tamilcinema #tamil nadu #chola dynasty #chola bronzes #Youtube

[chemicalmindedlotus]

Manoranjanaa- VanathiArunmozhi

Splash.

The crashing waves of the sea below captured Kodumbalur Ilavarasi and Arunmozhi Varmar, who were engrossed in its chilly waves, while the flames enraptured the to the heights of the skies, and the duo disappeared amidst the rising waves and blazing flame. Vaanathi was held in Arunmozhi's iron grip, hardened fingers clasped her dripping waist, and her hands rested on his shoulders and she heaved deeply, sharp breaths escaping her lips as his fingers curled and tightened around her body. Arunmozhi Varman felt his body aflame, the very presence of Vaanathi igniting flames of uncontrolled passion in him, while the Ilavarasi felt like the flowing waters of the ocean, enraptured by the piercing waves of ecstasy, her pale, white clothes clinging to her body like the second skin, but she felt Arunmozhi's skin penetrate through her layers, touching the corners of her soul.

"Ponniyin Selvare..." Her rapturous voice played like the most beautiful music ever, in his ears, while a naughty smirk laced across his lips, a flicker of the flame of his intense desire rising in his brown irises, while the water that was dripping from his forehead slipped down his face, falling on Vaanathi's sharp jaw, then drawing through her throat and to her heaving chest.

"I have not even done anything yet, Ilavarase!" Arunmozhi breathed onto her neck, pulling her closer to his chest, her heart in such a close proximity to his that their breathes and heartbeats started to align, thundering against each others's torsos.

His lips pressed slight kisses on her cheeks when the waves went up, and Vaanathi couldn't help but clutch him closer to herself, changing her tone to a pleading one, while the smirk widened on his lips.

He swiftly turned her face towards herself, brushing his lips over her eyelids then to her cheeks, finally resting on her flower-petal like lips, while her eyes widened, hands going round her back, while his other palm caressed her cheeks. Her eyes bore into his, and she finally uttered into his lips, a sharp, precise breath leaving her chest.

Veera Raaja Veera!

An (Amatuer) Attempt to bring the melody of VRV into words!

@harinishivaa @thelekhikawrites @vibishalakshman @ragkee @thirst4light @whippersnappersbookworm Sorryy if I missed anyone!

#ponniyin selvan #arulmozhi #arunmozhi #Vanathi #arulmozhi varman #vanmozhi #rajaraja chola #vrv #veera raja veera

[shikhersimagery]

Inner peace by Shikher's Imagery Via Flickr: There are two places to find inner tranquility and peace: in the lap of nature and in the lap of the one who created nature.

#Brihadisvara Temple #Peruvudaiyar Kovil #UNESCO World Heritage Site #Thanjavur #Tamil Nadu #temple #Shiva #Chola #Rajaraja Chola I #Kunjaramallan Raja Raja Perunthachan #flickr

[shikhers]

Inner peace by Shikher's Imagery Via Flickr: There are two places to find inner tranquility and peace: in the lap of nature and in the lap of the one who created nature.

#Brihadisvara Temple #Peruvudaiyar Kovil #UNESCO World Heritage Site #Thanjavur #Tamil Nadu #temple #Shiva #Chola #Rajaraja Chola I #Kunjaramallan Raja Raja Perunthachan #flickr

[big-eater-queen]

As much as I love Sol, I can see why they cut it out of the final movie. But if they’re going to emphasize on the Vandiyadevan/ Kundavai in PS-2, it might... get confusing

#ps-1 #ponniyin selvan #before anyone thinks I've read the novels; i haven't. I only remember the historical raja raja chola and kundavai

[dejahisashmom]

India’s Mysterious Brihadeeswarar Temple Doesn’t Cast a Shadow | Ancient Origins

https://www.ancient-origins.net/weird-facts/brihadeeswarar-temple-shadow-0019766

View On WordPress

#1010 #Brihadeeswarar Temple #Chola Dynasty #Granite #Hindu #India #King Raja Raja Chola I #Tamil Nadu #The Big Temple #Vimanas

[typesoftravelinindia]

#temples in india #temples in tamilnadu #temples of great raja raja cholas #unesco world heritage sites #architectural marvel in India

[praveenmohantamil]

Hey guys, நான் இன்னைக்கு ஒரு பழங்காலத்து ஹிந்து(தமிழ்) கோவில தேடிட்டு இருக்கேன். அந்தக் கோவில் குறைஞ்சது ஆயிரம் வருஷம் பழமையானதா இருக்கலாம். வாங்க, நாம போய் அத பாத்து, அதுல இருந்து நம்மளால என்ன கண்டுபிடிக்க முடியுதுன்னு பாக்கலாம். கொத்தமங்கலம் அப்படின்ற ஊர்ல பாழடைஞ்ச ஒரு கோவில் இருக்குன்னு சில பேர் சொன்னாங்க. இதுல ஒரு beauty என்னனா, இந்த ஊர் google map-லயே இல்ல. மேப்ல இதுக்கு பக்கத்துல இருக்கற காட்டூர் அப்படின்ற ஊர் தான் இருக்கு. So, அந்த கோவில் எங்க இருக்குன்னு கண்டுபிடிக்குறதுக்கு நான் இந்த ஊருக்கு நேர்ல வந்து தேட வேண்டி இருந்துச்சு. Oh! அங்க பாருங்க, ஒரு பெரிய விஷ்ணு சிலை இருக்கு. அங்க பாருங்க, அங்க தான் அந்த பாழடைஞ்ச கோவில் இருக்கு. இது தான் நாம தேடிட்டு இருந்த பழங்காலத்து கோவில். மொதல்ல நான் என்னோட shoe-அ கழட்டிடுறேன், அதுக்கப்பறம் அங்க என்ன இருக்குன்னு நாம போய் பாக்கலாம். வாங்க, நாம இந்த விஷ்ணு சிலைய பாக்கலாம்.

-பிரவீன் மோகன் 

#tamilan #chola dynasty #raja raja cholan #lord vishnu #praveen mohan #praveen mohan tamil #ancient temple #ancient architecture #ancient carvings #hinduism #temple #india #tamilnadu #mysterious temple #historical sites

[zindagi-se-darte-ho]

Interesting Topics to Research On for Bored AF People (desi version)

The Bengal Sultanate

Dominance of taka in Silk Route Trade

Tibetan Buddhism

Chamba Rumal

Pashupati Seal

Zeb-un-nissa Begum

Rasa theory of Natyashastra

Gargi-Yajnavalkya Dialogue

Saraswati (River and Goddess)

Rudraveena

Atman-Brahman Relation and Mahavakyas

70's Bollywood fashion

Paintings of Raja Ravi Varma

Dhrupad

History of Chai/Cha

Mother Goddess Mohenjo Daro

Chanakya

Prakrit Language

Baro-Bhuiyan

Chicankari

Brajabuli

Tantra

Shipton–Tilman Nanda Devi expeditions

Banaras

Annamalaiyar Temple

Chola Dynasty

Pala Empire

Terracotta Temples of Bengal

#desiblr #desi #desi tag #desi tumblr #desiposting #desi humor #being desi #desi academia #nerd stuff #school #desi history #pop culture #bollywood songs #hindustani classical music #the nerd speaks #trust me this works #best way to start the day

[thereader-radhika]

V Venkayya, the scholar who rediscovered ‘Ponniyin Selvan’ Raja Raja Chola

In the early 20th century, the name of the king who built the big temple of Thanjavur was not known; some believed it was built by Karikala Chola, who lived in the Sangam age, around 1,000 years before Raja Raja . . . (Read the full article by clicking on the title)

Venkayya's handwriting

As an author and editor, Kalki was aware of the role of literature and archeological studies. He acknowledged it through Aditha Karikalan's words in the Ponniyin Selvan.

No, Parthiba, no. We've never heard of a dynasty that lasts forever. Even the Ikshvaku dynasty to which Rama belonged, came to an end. The Rashtrakutas made their appearance in order to defeat the Chalukyas. It’s natural for kingdoms to reach their heights sometimes and eat dust at others. Some kingdoms attain great prosperity, then disappear without a trace. Just look at my ancestors! Karikala Valavan, Killi Valavan and other Chozha kings like them lived a good life and achieved fame. But what do we know of them now? We know their names only because there were poets who sang in praise of them. We do not even know whether what the poets sang was true, or whether they were so drunk that they sang whatever came to mind. But these architectural masterpieces that Mahendrar and Mamallar created will remind people of their greatness for thousands of years. Compared to them, what have you or I achieved? We killed thousands of men in battle, we made rivers of blood flow. What else have we done to perpetuate our names?

@willkatfanfromasia @celestesinsight @favcolourrvibgior @harinishivaa @sakhiiii @ambidextrousarcher @sampigehoovu @balladedutempsjadis @whippersnappersbookworm

#ponniyin selvan #ponniyin selvan 2 #aditha karikalan #aditya karikalan #kundavai #arul mozhi #arulmozhi varman #arunmozhi varman #rajaraja chola #chola dynasty #vallavaraiyan vandiyadevan #vanthiyathevan

[harinishivaa]

Uyirudan Kalandha Kaadhale (Trailer)

“I think marriage is the best choice in this situation. A woman’s Maangalya Bhagyam will protect our Shekaran,” said Sembiyan Madevi, her face glowing with a unique power, as if even Divinity was on her side. 

Arulmozhi felt his stomach sink, knowing what was coming, but also understanding their points of view. 

****

“Akka, nothing has really changed… other than an official engagement. Ponniyin Selvar does not want to look at me even… why should he be miserable because he is unfortunately tied in marriage with me?” lamented Vanathi. 

****

What was this?

Arulmozhi frowned, trying to ignore the sadness that had erupted in the pit of his stomach. Vanathi was going to Pazhayarai, and he had not known? How was it… Oh no, what had he done?

****

Vanathi startled when she heard her soon-to-be husband call out to her. 

What was he doing outside her chambers?

“Selvare, thaangala?” (Selvare, you are here?)

“Vanathi…” he looked almost defeated, and she felt her heart hurt. He should never look like that, not if she could help it. 

****

Arulmozhi was shocked at the vehemence he had heard. Was this what his Vanathi had been dealing with?

He knew he was not showing his love, but the poison that others had spewed had caused him to go into delusion- how did Vanathi even stand the sight of him?

****

Was this her beloved saying all this?

Did he really.. Did he really?

“Swami,” she interrupted him, blushing when she saw the shock and joy that danced on his face as warring emotions. She continued, determined, “Swami, I do not blame you. You are, after all, the Prince born to rule the world. How can you just trust anyone like that?”

****

“Vanathi, if there is anyone on this Earth who deserves love, it is you. You are my Fortune, you are my life’s meaning, and my heart’s beat. Anbe, will you give me another chance?”

************************

@vibishalakshman @thelekhikawrites @nspwriteups @whippersnappersbookworm @thirst4light @kovaipaavai @rang-lo @ambidextrousarcher @willkatfanfromasia @dr-scribbler @hollogramhallucination @chiyaanvikram @thegleamingmoon @dumdaradumdaradum @arachneofthoughts @celestesinsight Please tag your friends too!

#ponniyin selvan #ponniyin selvan 2 #arulmozhi #vanathi #vanmozhi #kundavai #vanthiyathevan #aditha karikalan #raja raja chola

[subuthetitan]

Alright, i know this isn’t the kinda post one would expect on my page, but hear me out.

The poster right here is of the Tamil movie that’s releasing tomorrow, “Ponniyin Selvan”. Ponniyin selvan loosely translates to ‘River Cauvery’s son’, and this film is based on the 70 year old, 5 volume novel of Kalki.

Let me explain why this story is so dear to Tamil people, and why Indians should celebrate it just as much as they do the epics such as Ramayana and Mahabharat;

The author of this novel, Ramaswamy Krishnamurthy alias Kalki, was an Indian freedom fighter, who went to jail a few times. This novel, according to him, was a way of reminding Indians that they have a history of their own. Mind you, this is after 200 years of colonialism.

This spectacular novel is based on the Kingdom of the Cholas, and is set in the 9th century which was the peak of the Chola Empire. The story can be classified as a historic fiction, as some of the main characters are fictionalised or even completely made up in order to appease the “outsiders” that is us.

‘Ponniyin selvan’, or the Son of cauvery, is the name given to King Raja Raja Chola I. He has two siblings, Aditya Karikalan, who is the Crown Prince, and his elder sister, Kunthavai (Koon-da-vy) who is the princess of the Chola Empire and basically controlled everything. Their dad, Sundara Chola is the emperor of the Chola Empire but is bed ridden during the time of the story. All the characters I mentioned till now are real people, who have been mentioned in carvings and historic artifacts preserved till this day, but the characters I’m about to write about next are fictionalised characters by Kalki. One might think, since the title of the novel is “Ponniyin Selvan”, it only makes sense that Raja Raja Chola is the main character, but NOH. The main character, the character who travels and whom we travel with, is Vanthiyathevan (Vun-diya-devan). It is important to know that Vanthiyathevan isn’t entirely fictionalised, he is also mentioned in history, but not till the extent of the description given in the novel. Last but not the Least, my personal favourite, Nandini. She invented the word supervillain. I’m serious, the more you read about her, the more you grow to hate and like her at the same time. She’s such an incredibly written character that at times it’s so unbelievable that she’s not actually real. Her thirst for vengeance and power is what sets the course of this entire story.

Now let me give you a brief intro to this story (and try not to spoil anything eee)

Aditya Karikalan (The Crown Prince) sends his good friend and trusted messenger, Vanthiyathevan, to deliver two letters to two members of his family. His father Sundara Chola, and his sister Kunthavai. He also sends him on a mission, to find out what and who is conspiring against him in his homeland, while he’s fighting wars up north.

This journey of Vanthiyathevan, is met with a lot of hurdles and he also meets a lot of people who help him with his tasks such as his old friend Kandhamara, whom Vanthiyathevan previously fought in a battle with, Nambi, who is a staunch believer of Vaishnavism and an absolute mastermind, often wears metaphorical masks around certain people, Chendan Amudhan, who is…an interesting character (that feeling when u really wanna say something but don’t wanna spoil). What forms the plot of the story is How Vanthiyathevan delivers these messages? What is conspiring against Aditya Karikalan? Who is Nandini, and why does she want revenge?

Ok i know that was a bad summary, but i literally could not say anything without spoiling stuff.

So the main reason why I wanted to post about this was because I feel every Indian should know about the rich history of our country and the Chola Empire, which ruled the entirety of India at one point. So I urge all of you to read some background in wikipedia and watch the movie cuz its a pretty damn good story.

Fin.

#ponniyin selvan #aditya karikalan #vanthiyathevan #nandini #ps 1 release #rajaraja chola #ponniyin selvan cholas are coming #aishwariya rai bachchan #mani ratnam #kalki #tamil

[dr-scribbler]

Trinity - The Men of Ponniyin Selvan

Vanthiyathevan:

He is funny, he is charismatic, he is a soft soul who fights for his loved ones, he is a warrior who make sure to defeat enemies so that his prince win. He is a wandarer bt with an aim, he wanders for love, he wanders for passion, he wanders for a reson to live, he wanders to achieve his Princes goal.

Just like his name he is attractive, restless, determined and much more.

To Aditha Karikalan he is the best friend he ever known, he is the best warrior he had ever fought along in the war.

To ArunMozhi he is teh best brother-in-law he could ever find, best humanitarian he had seen, and a best man.

To Kundhavai he is her lover, her husband, her heart.

Aditha Karikalan

The crown prince of Choa desam, the ferocious lion tiger who preyed on his enemies, he roared like a lion on the battlefield making his enemies run away. The young tiger whose life was filled with many wounds and scars but yet fought as a king.

Would he be different if his white flower chose him? Would he still be restless if his love had not been abolished from the land? Would he still be dead if his love touched his heart with her hands instead of a sword?

The death that caused a turn in history, the death that made Ponniyin Selvan into 'Raja Raja Chozhan'

ArunMozhi Varma aka Ponniyin Selvan aka Raja Raja Chozhan

The 'Kutti Puli' of Chozha desam, the most generous, righteous of them all. He is the favorite person of Cholzha Desam. The lovely younger brother of Princess Kundhavai and Aditha. The prince who never meant to be a king, the king who rose to achieve the greatest, the king who soared through the sea to capture the kingdoms, the king who roared enough to be heard all through.

He is kind, he is charming, he is lovable, he is the Prince, and at last, he is the King. What more can you ask in a person and one that captured the heart of the Kadambur princess and held her hand in marriage.

With him started the golden era of the Chola kingdom.

#tamil #ponniyin selvan #chola #nandhini #karthi #vandiyadevan #trisha kundhavai #arulmozhi #poonguzhali #nandini x aditha #aditya karikalan #adithakarikalan #arunmozhi varman #arunmozhi #rajaraja chola #kingdom #chozha #trinity #vanthiyathevan #vanathi

[shikhersimagery]

Sky in reverence by Shikher's Imagery Via Flickr: No matter how mighty and grand the temple was envisaged, the entrance to the ‘garbh grih’, like any other temple, was kept low enough for even the emperor to bow before he sought blessings from his deity. Brihadisvara temple, also known as Peruvudaiyar Kovil or Rajarajeswaram, was built under the reign of Raja Raja Chola I between 1003 and 1010 CE.

#Brihadisvara Temple #Peruvudaiyar Kovil #UNESCO World Heritage Site #Thanjavur #Tamil Nadu #temple #Shiva #Chola #Rajaraja Chola I #Kunjaramallan Raja Raja Perunthachan #flickr

[shikhers]

Sky in reverence by Shikher's Imagery Via Flickr: No matter how mighty and grand the temple was envisaged, the entrance to the ‘garbh grih’, like any other temple, was kept low enough for even the emperor to bow before he sought blessings from his deity. Brihadisvara temple, also known as Peruvudaiyar Kovil or Rajarajeswaram, was built under the reign of Raja Raja Chola I between 1003 and 1010 CE.

#Brihadisvara Temple #Peruvudaiyar Kovil #UNESCO World Heritage Site #Thanjavur #Tamil Nadu #temple #Shiva #Chola #Rajaraja Chola I #Kunjaramallan Raja Raja Perunthachan #flickr