Karikalan: Nandhini Kissed Me!

Karikalan: Nandhini kissed me!

Arulmozhi: Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God!

Karikalan: It was unbelievable!

Arulmozhi: Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God!

Vanthiyathevan: Okay, we wanna hear everything. Arulmozhi, get the wine and unplug the phone. Karikalan, does this end well or do we need tissues?

Karikalan: Oh, it ended very well.

Arulmozhi: Do not start without me! Do not start without me!

Vanthiyathevan: Okay, alright, let’s hear about the kiss. Was it a soft brush against your lips or was it like a, you know, “I gotta have you now” kind of thing?

Karikalan: Well, at first it was really intense, you know? And then, oh God, and then we just sort of sunk into it.

Vanthiyathevan: Ohh... So, okay, were they holding you? Or were their hands on your back?

Karikalan: First they started out on my waist and then they slid up and then they were in my hair.

Arulmozhi and Vanthiyathevan: Ohhh.

*meanwhile*

Nandhini eating pizza in their house: And, uh, and then I kissed them.

Kundavai: Tongue?

Nandhini: Yeah.

Vanathi: Cool.

3- DEBT OF THE RED RICE

Parts 1, 2

Virudhukkalvetti

Ravidasan was relieved only when he saw some of his acquaintances among the new recruits. They too were surprised when they saw him. He didn't know whether it was their presence or the fact that they all are as clueless as him that soothed his anxiety. Their thalapathi, Menandros, really enjoyed their confusion and amazement.

"My boys, life is full of surprises. I was born in a place called Athenai. I no longer remember what the air smells like or sky looks like in my native. Similarly, we all go where this life takes us."

He peered into their eyes intently. "Now you are a group of 200 people. This is your last chance. If you just leave now, we will forget each other. But if you try to leave after joining us, you and your families will be annihilated. I will be back in an hour." Menandros himself opened the windows and doors of the hall they were seated in and left.

That one hour felt like one hundred years. If he leaves this place, he can easily get a job as a soldier, administrator or a priest in any part of this vast  bharatavarsham. What if this is his destiny? When a yavanan works so loyally for Veera Pandyan, is it right that a pandyan like himself is thinking like this? He looked around and saw that everyone is engaged in thoughts like him.

One hour must have been up as someone blew conchshells and closed the openings of the hall, except one. Menandros gave instructions to his attendants to go there or do this. They all rose up and bowed down as Veera Pandyan and Jatilavarman entered the hall. Veera Pandyan gestured them to sit down as he sat on a raised platform. Jatilan sat near Ravidasan.

The priests chanted prayers to Kotravai and some men danced with ecstasy. A woman placed a big banana leaf before him and served blood red rice on it. The king ate some of the rice and made a ball out of a handful of rice. Menandros gestured to Jatilan to go to his father. Tears were flowing from Veera Pandyan's eyes as he fed the rice ball to the young prince. Then one by one, he fed the rice to the old guards including Menandros. Ravidasan was the first one from the new batch to be fed. Though it was just one ball of rice, he felt energetic like he had a full feast.

°°°°°°°°°° Madurai

Ravidasan's heart beat rapidly as he approached his home. He didn't dare to imagine the reaction of his poor widowed mother. The mother and the motherland are both exalted than heaven. This is the right thing. He saw amma spreading chillies and dried turmeric on a mat. She too must have seen him as she was telling someone about his arrival. Looks like annan is home. Good.

"Ravi, it's been so long. You look so tired". Annan hugged him tightly. Anni complained to amma that she hasn't prepared anything special as she served the rice. He secretly mixed the mud he kept at hand in the rice.

"Everyone, please come here. I need to tell you something. You all should hear this with equanimity". He touched everyone's feet, placed his hands on his eyes and hardened his heart. He took out the pouch of gold coins and placed it at the feet of his mother.

"Here, I am submitting the money for your upkeep in my absence. I bear the debt of the red rice to our Emperor. Bless me and send me away".

"What have you done, Ravi?", Soman annan was babbling incoherently like a mad-man. Anni requested him not to shout but Amma just stared into the void with tearful eyes. Soman held Amma as if he feared that she is going to faint. He kept on ranting about Ravidasan's foolishness. What and who is he fighting for? Couldn't he have thought about their old mother? Amma wiped her tears and stood straight.

"Stop. Why did I give birth to sons if it isn't for our Emperor? Light an aarati, Kokile."

She placed her hands on Ravidasan's head and shivered like a possessed woman.

"May the swords raised against them stop on you. May the fire approaching them consume you. May the poison meant for them kill you. May the arrows aimed at them pierce you. May you be the fortress, weapon and shield of our Emperor. Go forth, kill and die for him". She circulated the aarti plate around his head and gave the plate to her daughter in law who repeated her actions and took the plate inside. She stared at him with an intense expression. "Did you mix dirt in the rice you ate from here?"

"Yes."

"I would have broken your skull if you hadn't. You aren't my son or his brother anymore. You belong to the emperor and the empire. If I had known this, I would have washed these feet and welcomed you. I am so glad and proud".

Soman occasionally opened his mouth to ask some things but he couldn't attend vocalise anything. Ravidasan understood that he is trying to ask about their plans. Unfortunately that can't be shared with others, not even his mother's other son.

"Soman anne, Kokila akka, I can tell you only one thing. Take good care of this Amma".

"I gave birth to him, yet I am not crying. Why are you men crying as if I died? Kokila, ask your husband and brother-in-law to stop this drama".

Helpless Kolika didn't know whether to snap at her mother-in-law, scold the brother-in-law or console her husband. Ravidasan touched their feet again and left their home without any tarrying further.  The whole Pandya country is his home and mother. His brothers are the people who partook in the debt of the red rice with him. He is a walking sacrifice.

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4- THE FIRST STEP

Part 1, 2, 3

Pazhayarai

"Madurayum Eezamum Konda Ko-Parakesari Parantaka Chozhare vanangidunnen". Veera Pandyan bowed before the Chola king showing great pretension of reverence and humility. The old king smiled arrogantly but he too pretended to be very gracious as he hugged Veera Pandyan and enquired about the welfare of his family.

A scribe read out the royal charter detailing the terms of surrender and the tax to be submitted to the Chola treasury. They have reviewed and conducted several rounds of deliberations in the presence of Chera vassals. Though they have no plans to follow it strictly, Cholas and Cheras don't need to know that.

Menandros pointed out the Pallava chieftain to Ravidasan. Fate is indeed a strange thing. Aditha Cholan once stood with his spine bent in the court of Aparajita Varman. Then he took his head. Now the irumudi adorns his son's head and Aparajita Pallavan's and Rajasimha Pandyan's grandsons worship his feet.

But this compromise didn't come out of nowhere, did it? Everyone knew about Aditha Cholan's fight with his father-in-law Kannara Devan. Parantakan wouldn't have agreed to this arrangement if most of his forces weren't engaged at Thirumunaipadi. That was their hope too. Only Menandros and a few trusted lieutenants escaped with the royals last time. If these upstarts suffer a crushing setback in the hands of Rashtrakutas, it won't be impossible to declare independence.

Read about Chola - Rashtrakuta problem

They moved to the dining hall to feast and rejoice and Menandros quitely introduced some other vassals to him. Though much was left unsaid, Ravidasan understood the implications of his words.

Some were elevated by marriage alliances and other allowances, like Periya Pazhuvettaraiyan Kandan Amudhan. Some like Miladudaiyan Malayaman were allowed to keep their possessions, but they are not sufficiently rewarded with higher responsibilities. To be frank, he seemed happier than the highly decorated chieftains. After a round of alcohol, he and his companions started singing folk songs and dancing. Cholan's grandson too joined them. No wonder he is called Sundaran. He glowed as if he is made of pure gold.

Chinna Pazhuvettaraiyan Tappilidharman's two sons who looked like Hiranyakashipu and Hiranyakshan stared at them. Ravidasan and Menandros stared back with equal intensity.

°°°°°°°°°°

Madurai

"Who won?"

"We won, ilavarase. Those two pebble eyed demons had to concede defeat".

"Is it true that young Pazhavoor princes are seven feet tall and can bend a sword with plain hands?"

"No, they are almost as tall as me. Definitely not seven feet tall. What do you say, Ravidasa?"

Ravidasan was planning to take it up directly with Veera Pandyan. If those Pazhuvoor men are any indication, Chola Velakkara Padai is insanely strong. He had gathered that the elder brother used to lead them but now the younger brother has taken up that position and the older one is with his family's forces now.

"Definitely not seven feet tall. No sword bending either. But they can snap the neck of a grown man easily. Thalapathi, shouldn't we intensify the training program of our forces?"

"We are allowed only minimal autonomy. Haven't we divided the forces into smaller units and train them individually? We will have to wait till they are confirmed to be occupied elsewhere."

"I got an intelligence report that Kodumbaloor Irunkovelan and Sambuvarayan marched to Kanchi even before you left Pazhayarai". Jatilan sounded extremely proud about the confidential information he managed to secure.

"Ilavarase, I heard that the younger Pazhavoor prince was summoned by Kondandaraman (Rajadithan). If they are moving the Velakkara Padai, their situation is more precarious than we thought. That's the only thing that gives me some peace of mind."

"Paatta, how is appa's new recruit? Is this guy learning everything?"

"Absolutely. Also if everything happens as Ravi says, we can start mobilising our forces soon".

"Let me test him. Anna, tell me the names of the chieftains who were present there".

Ravidasan recounted the names- Pazhuvettaraiyan, Pallavan, Miladudaiyan, Sambuvarayan, Irunkovelan, Vanangamudi . . . Menandros started giggling like a teenager. "Jatila, your dream father-in-law wasn't invited".

Some chieftains like Mazhavarayar who lost their lands and titles are relegated to the background and don't get invited to events like this. He has a mad daughter - Uma Maheshwari. The girl spends the whole day dancing and praying before Natarajan. Ever since Jatilan met her, he hasn't stopped dreaming about her.

The prince didn't like Menandros' teasing. Uma Maheshwari and Jatilavarman. They are made for each other. Ravidasan and Menandros had to agree to that logic. Jatilan too might as well learn some dance from Malayaman. He walked away, blushing and complaining that no one has any regard for him.

Aha! Troubles of a teenage heart. Today was a pleasant day indeed.

Bonus: Uma Maheshwari's dance

Is there no place for this thumba flower(symbolising Parvati) in your sacred matted hair decorated by the crescent moon?

In this bountiful nature that produces the sound of om, this flower blooms with the nectarine offerings of love.

Won't Haran (Siva)'s eyes caress the petals of this humble flower?

Can you guess who is Mazhappadi Uma Maheshwari?

Who are Chinna Pazhuvettaraiyan Tappilidharman's two sons?

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Ponniyin Selvan Analysis

Nandhini, Aditha and the Moon.

I realiseddd someeetthhiinnggggsutstjstj!!!!!!!

At the beggining of the film, we have Aditha singing Chinnanjiru Nilave to Nandhini. Rightly so, because she is the calm to his chaos. As calm and peaceful as the moon.

Throughout the entire film, it is emphasized that Aditha will be killed on the coming Pournami (full moon) night. Rather Nandhini says so herself.

On the night however, when she indeed needs to kill him and she hesitates, Aditha proposes, that perhaps it might be easier for Nandhini to kill him if he blows out all the lamps in the room, so that she wouldn't have to see his face.

Yet, his face is illuminated by the moon, making the vignette even sadder, as she struggles to see just bits of his face which are lit by the moonlight slowly fading into the darkness.

It makes me feel as though the moonlight was intended to show that Nandhini's decision to kill the chozha's on the Pournami night was backfiring at her, although she was suceeding at it. Just like many other moments throughout her life. Although she had succeeded as a Pandya, she was in a miserable situation as a person.

Now, there's a female version of Chinnanjiru Nilave, signifying Nandhini singing to Aditha. Because now, Aditha is the peacefull one, having his wish fulfilled, dying with his lover by his side. But it is Nandhini who has lost everything, and is frantically trying to do anything she possibly can to have him back.

Eventually, Aditha collapses as Nandhini is dragged away from him. He's gone. Her Moon is gone. And so has the moonlight. There's only flames all around her.

Now the lyrics of the song perfectly and i mean PERFECTLY align with the situation, but this:

Atham Azhindhadhadi Anname

Rathamum Oyndhadhadi

The stars no longer shine for me

Blood no longer runs in my veins

Her stars no longer shine, and his blood has stopped flowing.

How, honestly how does one co ordinate SO MUCH in a film, huh?!

It feels like mani ratnam shot this scene while Ilango was there so he could pen the lyrics, and then Mani heard to the lyrics and had another idea for a scene, and then Ilango had another lyric inspiration from the new scene and there was just an endless cycle of this until Suhasini came in between to break them up, so we could have the film.

5- Strategies and Solicitude

Part 1, 2, 3, 4

Madurai

"Tanjai has fallen" Can a few words give so much happiness to anyone? This is rivalled only by the happiness he felt when Kanchi fell. Jatilan was dancing as he hugged the guards who were with him. Gladdened by the sudden display of the prince's happiness and affection, they too started dancing. Much to his embarassment, Ravidasan called him 'Natarajan' and the other guards clapped and cheered even more. But Menandros kept himself busy as usual.

"Why don't you too join them and have some fun, Thalapathi?"

"Later. Now we have work to do, come."

Veera Pandyan pondered over the situation over a glass of toddy. He traced his fingers across a map which outlined the current holdings of different chieftains. Subjugation of Pallavas and the over-reliance on Pazhuvettaraiyars ultimately backfired on Cholas as there weren't enough troops or strong leadership to counter the unexpected attack on Kanchi and Tanjai. Some spies reported that Pallava forces didn't even bother to fight much. When you make peace with being a vassal, it doesn't matter if a new overlord replaces the former one.

However Tanjaiyum Kanchiyum konda (Conquerer of Tanjore and Kanchipuram) Kannara Devan gaining too much foothold in the region will hamper their rise. The king's secret council suggested that they should arrange for at least one Pazhavoor prince to return and capture Tanjai. Pazhuvettaraiyars fighting on multiple fronts will eventually weaken Cholas too. If they have to strike, they need to heat the iron themselves.

°°°°°°

Mazhappadi

Prince Amarabhujanga Jatilavarman tried his best to convince Mazhavarayar Madhavan that they aren't testing his loyalty. According to the secret council, the disgraced former chieftain of Mazhappadi is indeed the best candidate to plant an idea or two among Cholas. They will think that the man is just trying to reclaim the lost prestige of his clan. But the he dramatically beat his chest like a monkey and declared that he is a faithful servant of the meenkodi. If he wanted to betray them, he could have done it before this.

Manimaran, the one of ministers who escorted Jatilan and led the discussions, looked like he is itching to remind Madhavan of the times he tried to get into the good graces of Kodandaraman. But he managed to accomplish their task without any undesirable diatribe. Manimaran's adept management of the situation remained Ravidasan that he has much to learn about the practical ways of handling conflict in different scenarios.

Nevertheless can't this "help" genuinely endear him to the tigers? No one can blame him if he uses this opportunity as a ladder since the clan has suffered a lot for siding with the losing side. Ravidasan couldn't offer any better suggestions either. So he stayed quiet and concentrated on the prince's bodyguard duty, which was an even more tedious task than he expected. The boy is quite restless.

"I don't want you to follow me everywhere".

"We are the humble servants of your father, ilavarase."

"I order you to stand down and relax. If you don't want to relax, these people are planning to host a villupattu tonight. Help them with the arrangements."

"Our orders come from the Emperor himself".

"Ravi anna, you all please stay here and give us some privacy."

Us? Oh, that. Technically, they are supposed to taste the prince's food, accompany him everywhere and talk to everyone before they meet the prince. As the daughter of a respectable family, Uma Maheshwari might refuse to be treated like a commoner girl. Finally, they reached a compromise.

How could he forget the young prince's infatuation? Isn't that why Jatilan volunteered to come here in the first place? Though Madhavan offered to send a few of his men with them, they turned down the courtesy saying that the prince needs some relaxation after the tiresome deliberations. Ravidasan resisted the urge to playfully scoff with a roll of his eyes and tease him as they walked to the temple.

They were expecting to hear songs and the jingling of dancing bells but a doomed silence permeated the atmosphere. He observed them from a distance as Jatilan slowly approached a beautiful forlorn girl. Finally - the famous Uma Maheshwari! A pair of dance bells were placed on a platform near her seat and the crimson hue on the girl's cheeks indicated that she was aware of their, no, the prince's presence.

Ravidasan was even more surprised to hear the girl complaining about her "Parameshwaran" not visiting her earlier and prolonging their marriage. The girl is as fascinated about him as he is about her. So it isn't a mere one-sided crush as everyone thought! He didn't even dare to think what these crazy children are doing as he concentrated on the patterns on the Nandi statue. Their marriage was a topic discussed in the secret council but most people were against it as it will only result in Paranthakan keeping Mazhavarayar at an arm's length. May the Lord of Mazhappadi help his devotees to fulfill their desires!

Ponnar meniyane pulitholai araikisaithu, Minnar senchadaimel milirkondrai anindavane, Manne maamaniye mazhapadiyul manikkame, Anne unnai allal ini yarai ninaikene . . . (O Siva with the golden body! O Siva wearing the tiger skin on your waist and bright kondrai flowers on the lightning like matted locks! O king! O the great gem! O the ruby in Mazhapadi town! O mother! Who else except you will I think about!)

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