Ponniyin Selvan

Ponniyin Selvan - Son of Ponni (River Kaveri) is a famous 20th-century Tamil historical novel written by Kalki Krishnamurthy. Written in 5 volumes, this narrates the story of Arulmozhivarman (later crowned as Rajaraja Cholan).

Although the story is about the king Rajaraja cholan, who was the second son of Parantaka Chola II, (preceded by Aditya Karikalan, his elder brother and his elder sister Kundavai), but it will be from the point of Vandiyathevan, a charming young man, friend of Prince Aditya Karikalan, who sets out to the Chola land to deliver a message to the King and the Princess from the Crown Prince Aditya Karikalan.

The story starts as the emperor Sundara Chola is ill and bedridden. Aditya Karikalan is the general of the Northern Command and lived in Kanchi and Arulmozhivarman (who would be famous later as Raja Raja Chola I) is in Sri Lanka in battle and their sister Kundavai Piratti lived in Chola royal household at Pazhayarai.

The story is set in motion, when rumor starts that there is a conspiracy against Sundara Chola and his sons by some of the higher officials and by small kings who constitutes The Great Chola Dynasty.

Some of the other important characters in this novel are,

Nandini, whose beauty is said to have the power to influence any man. Who vowed to destroy the Chola dynasty since Aditya Karikalan killed Veerapandyan (who was probably her lover) in a War against Pandiyas. She marries Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar, a 60 year old but a great warrior, who commands next to king in order to destroy the chola kingdom.

Azhwarkadiyan Nambi, a Vaishnavite, who roams around the country challenging Saivaites for debates. He collects information for the Prime Minister, Anirudha Brahmarayar, and is always around Vandiyathevan, rescuing him during trouble.

Poonkuzhali, the boat woman, who later becomes queen of chola dynasty in the period of Madurantaka Uththama Chola, proceeding Rajaraja's regin.

The story mostly revolves around these people in all the 5 parts (Paagam).
Paagam 1 Pudhu Vellam.
Paagam 2 Sulzhar Kaatru.
Paagam 3 Kolai Vaazhal.
Paagam 4 Maani Magudam.
Paagam 5 Thiyaaga Sigaram.
contains almost 343 chapters and of around 2400 pages.

The story ends as Madurantaka Uththama Cholar will be crowned as the king by Arulmozhivarman, all bad and evil plots will be reveled, nandini will go in exile after the death of Prince Aditya Karikalan and Vandiyathevan joins Arulmozhivarman in his adventures.