Sambaridli

'Yedha kose pralayavilapamidhe Ooprinapinadhe Swapnam cheriginade Raktham sattuva chedirinade Oka rajyamu koolinade Yudhame cheyaka origane'

The lyrics man🛐

I just can't get enough of the PS fics here. Godd they are so beautifully written.

1 - THE FISH WHO CASTS THE NET

Coconut trees lined the roads of Vizhinjam and the open view of the green sea merged with the blue sky on the distant horizon. The streets were filled with merchants and noisy customers. Bhaskaran and Ravidasan enjoyed their holiday. It isn't everyday that they get such an opportunity to leave the salai and wander in the town or harbour.

They felt really tired and decided to get ilaneer from a man who was selling them under a Banyan tree opposite the salai. The friendly cheerful man took two tender coconuts, cut off the top and handed it over to them. His movements betrayed a particular stiffness. Maybe he is new to the trade or not used to this sort of manual labour.

"Chatta, ask your friend to day-dream after finishing his ilaneer". The vendor's words woke him up from his thoughts. Bhaskaran observed that he hasn't seen him around this place. The ilaneer seller admited that he is new to this place and trade and is trying to eke out a living here.

So that's it. The seller enquired about their names, specialisations and complained about the troubles of his job.

"What is your name, anna?"

"Veeran. Bhaskara, what are you planning to do after you complete your studies?"

Bhaskaran explained his plans in detail. He will go to Manyakheta and study more mathematics. Then he will go to Nalanda.

"Why do you want to go to the northern countries?"

"Knowledge has no boundaries".

"There are thousands of learned men in Nalanda. Who will care about one more guy? Why don't you go to the nearby Pandya country?"

Bhaskaran and Ravidasan looked each other and laughed. Everyone knew that Pandya king Rajasimhan had run away to after getting beaten by Cholas. Ravidasan's blood used to boil when he first arrived here and everyone talked about it. But what can a normal man like him do? In the course of time, he too has learned to laugh about it. The ilaneer seller noticed the change in his expression.

"Ummmm? Do you too think that going to the Pandya country is beneath you?"

"Get lost idiot! Who told you that Pandya country doesn't have educated men? Haven't you heard about the great sangams?"

For some reason, the vendor looked really proud of his ignorance. But he shrugged his shoulders and declared that there is no Pandya country anymore because no one even knows what happened to the runaway king. Then he started another argument with Bhaskaran.

"Isn't running away better than sure death? Ravi annan can explain it better than me. He has studied Arthashastram".

"Yes, there is no shame in strategic retreat."

Bhaskaran gave a few coins to the ilaneer vendor. He put the coins in a satchel and returned the change. He asked Ravidasan if he will stay back and help him as he is struggling to do this job alone. Ravidasan wanted to tease him that it will be easier if he concentrates on his job instead of talking incessantly but his curiosity was killing him. Moreover, he offered sufficient payment for his troubles.

Another batch of students from rasayana and kalari batches approached them. Among them was Udayan, a prince of Anuradhapura. Ravidasan knew about his real identity only because he was one of his examiners in the entrance examination. In Kanthallur, he walked among the students and the common people as another man.

"Raviyanna, have you too started selling coconuts? Did you fail in the examinations?"

"Dei, dei, don't be too oversmart".

His employer enjoyed his banter with the juniors and enquired about their future plans. Ravidasan sensed that he had some special interest in Udayan who seemed oblivious to his intentions. Didn't he say that he is new to the job? Can't he be a spy? He sent them away quickly without further chit-chat. He tried to pry out the ilaneer seller's family details and history but he evaded his questions.

"Thambi, I will tell you a secret. I heard your countrymen have plans to resurrect the old rule. Don't tell this to anyone. You know, I go to different places and meet different people with these ilaneer."

"Good for them, I guess. Where is my money?"

He wrapped up his belongings and gave a small gold coin to Ravidasan. Though he protested that he doesn't have enough money to return the change, the vendor insisted that he keep it.

"Would you like a job in the Pandya kingdom? I can put you in touch with the relevant people, maybe even the king if you are lucky".

"Why don't you get a job for yourself if you are friends with the king?"

"He gave me this job."

"I knew it". Ravidasan grabbed the ilaneer seller from behind and dragged him to the back of the banyan tree. "So you are not an ilaneer seller who happened to hear things, are you? You are a spy who pretends to be an ilaneer seller."

"I know that you noticed. That's why I asked only you to stay back. Tell me this, would you like to have a job in the Pandya country?'

"What job? Collecting tax for Parantaka Cholan?"

"Isn't that a good job?"

What! Is this the Pandya king's plan? Maybe he can ask him in person if he takes this opportunity.

"What should I do?"

"Go to the Pazhaya Maligai of Nanjinattu Pillai on the next Friday at midnight. Show this coin and say that I sent you. Remember my name - Veeran'.

He freed himself from Ravidasan's grip and walked away. @willkatfanfromasia @harinishivaa @favcolourvibgior @sampigehoovu @sambaridli @celestesinsight @sakhiiii @whippersnappersbookworm

This is ilaneer -



I really want to share the story of me absolutely falling in love with ponniyin selvan.

It was 29th sept and i had my last exam on 30th and as usual did not prepare anything. Instead of worrying about my exam me and my frnd were making a plan of what to do after the exam cause everyone else had some or the other plan on their hand. I watched the ps1 trailer but i wasn't interested enough to go on the first day itself. We thought lets go to some random movie but later idk why but i felt like going to this movie only.(i love history) After my exam was done i asked my frnd if she will come to ps1 she said yes and even though my exam went very bad i went home and booked tickets for the evening show. There were no balcony seats left and its hard to watch the film from the down rows yet we booked the tickets. God i fell in love with that film. Though it was bit hard to watch its dubbed version after listening to the songs in tamil it was nice only(except the neck pain). I will never forget the woman who spoiled the mandakini entry for me.

I thought that the first 2 parts were made into one film and the rest in the 2nd part(dumb ik).so I started reading from the part where the movie ended and i was so confused of what is happening and all. I literally spoke to almost everyone abt that movie wherever i go. I also have a habbit of exaggerating about the things i like. So I decided that i have to watch ps2 first day with the same frnd.

I waited for every update very eagerly. When the ps2 album dropped, it was like someone pouring exilir in my ears. The album was soo soo soo good and felt very divine.

Me, my frnd and another classmate of ours, we booked the tickets as soon as they were released. Ps2 was an eyefeast. Ah that feeling of watching your favorite film that you anticipated for a long time on the big screen gives such a satisfaction. I will never forget how i felt watching those 2 movies in theatre with my bestfriend.

Ik this is a bit silly but couldn't stop myslef from sharing this😅

In Memoriam

This is my first try at Vanmozhi Fanfiction. Inspired from the PS 2 movie scene. Planning to do a two part follow-up of this prologue. Let me know what you think!

Prologue

'Tis better to have loved and lost Than never to have loved at all.’ (In Memoriam A. H. H., 27.13-17) 

The sky of Thanjavur was strangely grey on a Vaikasi afternoon as the people waited for their beloved crown prince, Aditha Karikalan, to come home.

Only this time, there was no line of excited girls, wearing their best sarees,  chattering away with their aarti thali on the steps of majestic Thanjavur fort, waiting to catch a glimpse of their handsome  prince.

Instead, a grief-stricken royal family waited patiently. Chakrvarthi and the young prince, Ponniyin Selvan were waiting at the front, while the women of the royal family waited behind.

Slightly behind the royal family, Kodombalur Ilavarasi Vanathi was also waiting along with other royal women, looking over the sea of the people that gathered at the outer court of the fort. Since last night, as the news of the prince’s death spread, people kept coming from all corners of the Cholanadu. 

While Vanathi waited, she thought of everything and nothing.

Such a contrast, Vanathi reflected, looking at the grey sky briefly before her gaze settled on the royal family who were clad in pristine white, a decorum when someone in the family passes away.

As if even the sky was mourning along with this family.

Vanathi’s thoughts got interrupted as people’s clamour suddenly increased, making her focus at the entry gate of the fort.

Finally, Aditha Karikalan had arrived in Thanjavur.

In the city where he grew up. In the city where he belongs.

A long procession of regiment came by foot, closely followed by the prince's beloved horse regiment, waving the chola flag. 

From where she was standing, Vanathi could  see the chariot carrying the prince’s body from a distance, closely flanked by his trusted fighting companions, Manamalyan, Parthibendran and Vanthiyadevan; not leaving their beloved prince’s side, even in death.

As the chariot slowly moved across the crowd, Vanathi could hear muffled cries while some people started to shower flower petals at the chariot, a sign of their last respect to their Ilavarase. A section of the crowd even started to tussle with the guards to touch the chariot and pray.

It took a long time for the guards to clear the way for the chariot to cross the short distance of the entry gate to the steps of the fort. 

When the chariot carrying the prince's body finally stopped in front of the fort stairs, there was a momentary pause among the royal family members. 

As if they could not believe what they were seeing.

The ailing Chakravarty was the first to break down as he could not support his weight anymore. Ponniyin Selvan gripped his father tightly, making sure his father could come down the stairs to meet his beloved elder son.

Raṇi varataṭcaṇai Sembiyan Mahadevi, Rani Vanavan Mahadevi, Iliya Piratti slowly started to walk behind the Chakravarty to meet their nephew, son and brother, Aditha Karikalan, one last time. Vanathi followed them as well, her steps heavy with grief.

As everyone in the family huddled at the front of the chariot and tried to caress the beloved prince’s face, the cries of the Chakravarti and Rani were the most heart-breaking.  Vanathi, who was standing at the end of the chariot, could not take it anymore. She bowed her head, closed her eyes to drown out the sound of cries and desperately put her hands together in prayer.

Ishvara, may the Ilavarase join you in heaven. And…And give my beloved royal family and the people of Cholanadu the strength to overcome this difficult time.

Vanathi stayed still for a few minutes, hoping the cries had subdued. As she opened her eyes, she knew that her attempt at focusing on praying was futile. 

But she had to try. 

In desperation, her eyes searched for the only face that could give her strength at this moment. 

As her eyes landed on Ponniyin Selvan’s face, Vanathi realized, despite being such a pillar of strength to his father, the young prince could not hold himself together anymore.

His face contorted with unspeakable grief; tears were streaming down his eyes continuously.

Vanathi had endured loss in various forms from a very young age. Her mother’s death, even though she had never met her, had left a deep wound in her childhood. Then her father’s death at Ilankai war, leaving her as an orphan in this cruel world. Then bidding farewell to her only father like figure uncle Periya Velar before every war, not knowing whether he would return alive from them was always tantamount to loss for her….Yet, no pain of these losses compared to the pain of seeing her beloved Ponniyin Selvan grieving at this moment.

Until this point, Vanathi did not realize that she had been crying along with everyone else. But seeing her Ponniyin Selvan break down like this, fresh tears blocked her vision completely. Her heart felt so heavy that for a moment she felt like she could not breathe anymore.

Wiping her tears with pallu, Vanathi took a few deep breaths to calm herself.

As the guards started to move to take the chariot away for cremation, on a whim, Vanathi decided to come at the front of the chariot and touch Ilavarase Aditha Karikalan’s feet, seeking blessings.

An opportunity she never had before.

While she looked at the crown prince’s resting face one last time, Vanathi realized, in death, Aditha Karikalan had finally found his peace.

The peace that he had been searching for a long time.

Tagging my enablers who I have on my profile: @harinishivaa @nspwriteups @balladedutempsjadis @celestesinsight @thelekhikawrites @reeeereeeereeereee @whippersnappersbookworm @sambaridli

Feel free to tag others/reblog if you like :)

ménage

A series where i write about all the characters of the ps clan.....as family.

Aditha

Aditha is the kind of person, relatives value only because he's the eldest son. Otherwise he's just the bad influence. The parents keep their children at a distance from him, because who would want their children to take after the unruly beast of the family. He throws parties every now and then, pours his nephews or nieces a drink whenever he's having one and practices hunting as a hobby. He is the very definition of an Adventure Junkie. He seems as though he does not have a care in this world, and doesn't take even himself much seriously.

But in reality, Aditha is that uncle who'll give you realistic advice, which might for once, actually help you. When you're ranting, he will genuinely listen to every word you rant, be it about a college fight, academic pressure or (especially) a breakup. He'll throw you a bashful smile from across the room when you stand up for yourself against your relatives, and console you after you get yelled at by your parents for doing so. He will take you go carting after a horrible test, and make cold coffee for you, as you study at two in the morning for your next one. He will push you to work harder than you thought you ever could, and then pat you on your head, whether you succeed or fail. Yet, when something goes wrong, he's the first to be blamed.

So go tell him, that it was his day-out that gave you the break you very much needed before that test. Tell him about how much lighter you felt after spilling your bottled up emotions. Tell him that his assuring gaze is what fuelled you with confidence.

Because one day he'll be gone. Before you know it, before he knows it. And he'll go thinking that he did nothing but bring chaos into his families life. That his existence was worthless.

So go tell him, everything he needs to hear. Go tell him.

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@whippersnappersbookworm @thegleamingmoon @thelekhikawrites @vibishalakshman @yehsahihai @nspwriteups @celestesinsight @willkatfanfromasia @chiyaanvikram @harinishivaa