The mere mention of the name ‘Kalki’ is enough to send most old-time Tamil readers on a nostalgia trip. Kalki is a name that stirs up memories of kingdoms and the saga of war, patriotism, love and loyalty that went into the creation and demise of those kingdoms in the Chola dynasty period in South India.
Those who have read Kalki’s novels would instantly embark on a nostalgic trip to the scenes depicted by Kalki at the mere mention of his name. I am one of those who had the opportunity to read some of his novels. I love his unique way of making us visualize events in our minds.
The beauty of nature and the fertile and colorful landscape, the thoughts that flow in strategic minds, the expression of emotions and feelings that run through the characters are shown in clear detail. The vivid descriptions of each scene, whether it is the preparation for war or a meeting between two people in love, their conversations, the place and the atmosphere and everything is very well crafted in his words. The inimitable style and skillful handling of situations and characters in his novels leave us in awe of this rare ability.
For many decades Kalki novels were the craze for Tamil readers about half a century ago. To name a few, Kalki’s masterpieces were serialized in Tamil magazines Andnda Vikatan and later Kalki.
My favorite is Kalki’s ‘Parthiban Kanavu’, which later became a good movie. This is the story of Chola king Parthiban’s dream to re-establish the Chola kingdom which was in the clutches of Pallava king Narasimhavarman. Parthiban expresses his dream to his son Vikraman, who was very young and is later killed. A monk swears to Parthiban that he will make Vikraman fulfill his dream. Vikraman after he grows up and falls in love with a beauty under mysterious circumstances; then he fulfills his father’s dream of an Independent Chola with Uraiyur as Capital.
In the intervening period follows a series of gripping incidents depicting extraordinary courage, deception, loyalty, suspense, and mystery. The monk’s identity is revealed in the thrilling climax. One can’t help but marvel at the strong characterization, sequence of events, and suspense throughout the novel with such lucidity that it simply transports us back to that time.
Kalki, whose real name is R.Krishnamurthi, is known to the large Tamil reader population as a well-known novelist who wrote both historical and social novels. But he has to give credence to his novels, short stories, travelogues, biographies and essays that contribute to all types of Tamil literature.
He has brought a breath of fresh air to the Tamil literary scene with his ability to infuse our social life and the culture of our country into his characters and events, with realism. He had the gift of writing a natural humor that flowed through his writings, making readers enjoy his writings and read them again and again. Being a patriot himself, he was able to portray the patriotic fervor in his characters.
The novels of Kalki Thiaga Boomi, Magudapathi, Apalayin Kannir, Alasi Osai, Devakiyin Kanavan, Kalvanin Kadhali, etc. and many more appeared as serial stories and were later published as books. It will not be an exaggeration to say that Kalki was the pioneer of Tamil historical novels.
vasantha
I have been an avid reader of Tamil novels and stories and most types of Tamil literature. I had the opportunity to read and enjoy the works of legendary writers from the Tamil literary scene of the 1960s and 1970s. I have enjoyed the variety of style, themes, representation of society and culture and the narration of different authors from the reader’s point of view. You can download and read ‘Parthiban Kanavu’ now from Sangapalagai.com.
