"Kalki" Krishnamurthy was an amazing story teller all his life. He began his career with Ananda Vikatan under S.S.Vasan of Gemini Studios. Subsequently Kalki and his friends Sadasivam along with his wife, M.S.Subbulakshmi brought in a fresh breath of life to the world of Tamil journalism through the establishment of the weekly " Kalki ". He wrote a number of novels and they were serialised in Kalki those days. The novels included "Amara Tara", "Parthiban Kanavu", "Ponniyin Selvan" , "Kalvanin Kadali" and the unforgettable "Sivakamiyin Sabadham". Members of a family who subscribed to Kalki used to rush in order to grab the magazine and read their favourite serials. In fact several industrialists including Suresh Krishna of the TVS Group and Dr.N.Mahalingam were readers of the works of the great writer.
The novel "Sivakamiyin Sabadham" was woken around the life and times of the Pallava emperors Mahendra Varma (600 - 630 AD) and his son Narasimha Varma (630 - 668 AD) and it includes a few fictional characters along side real ones who are part of our history. Dr. P.Subbarayan has rendered a "Foreword" for this novel and the eminent Prof K.V.Rangaswamy Iyengar has given an "Introduction" at the time of its publication. The story relates to the invasion of Kanchipuram by the Chalukyan ruler Pulekesin II during the reign of Mahendra Varma Pallava and the retaliatory invasion of the Chalukyan capital Vatapi by Narasimha Varma Pallava. It was a time when the Bhakti movement took over the spiritual life of Tamilnadu and music, dance and temple building added a lovely flavour to the wealth of the land. The golden age ushered in by the noble Pallava rulers (575 - 850 AD) extended itself into the times of the mighty Cholas (850 - 1279 AD) who along with the Pandyas and the rulers of Vijayanagar (1336 - 1736 AD includes the Naick period) and the Naick rulers (1529 - 1736 AD) who ruled different parts of Tamilnadu added enormous cultural and sculptural wealth to our country.
Kalki offers an excellent narrative and the four parts of the novel - Paranjothi Yathirai, Kanchi Muttrugai, Bikshuvin Kadal and Sidhaindha Kanavu give a wonderful insight into statecraft, interpersonal relationships, romance, warfare, culture, music and religion. Its a given that the literary value is top notch. The story begins with a young unlettered youngster Paranjothi going to Kanchi in pursuit of education and his chance meeting with a Buddhist monk Naganandi which runs into series of encounters that lead him to the great sculptor Aayanar who lives with his beautiful daughter Sivakami on the outskirts of Kanchipuram. The widowed sculptor happens to be closely associated with the art loving Mahendra who visits him often with his young and handsome son Narasimha. Thanks to the long and frequent visits of the ruler, the son gets an oppourtunity to spend enormous time with the lovely dancing beauty Sivakami. The young heir and Sivakami fall in love with each other in spite of the presence of the ever watchful eye of the emperor. The author waxes eloquent when he talks about the dancing skills of Sivakami and he takes pains to suggest that it is rivalled only by her beauty and nothing else in the Universe. He further adds to our interest by letting us know that Aayanar was a living legend during his times and it was under his guidance and knowledge that Tamilnadu witnessed a kind of a renaissance.
Mahendra was the son of Vaishnavaite Simhavishnu Avanisimha (575 - 600 AD) and he became a Shaivaite after having followed Jainism for a while! He was known as Chithiraikarapuli or tiger among painters and had written a number of plays like Mattavilasa (The Drunkards Revel) while also encouraging art and other finer aspects of life in his prosperous kingdom which extended from Tungabhadra to Cauvery. The Pallava ruler had Rudracharya for a mentor and he patronised the Shaivaite mutt lead by Saint Thirunavukkarasar, the epitome of the Bhakti movement in South India. Kanchipuram was a wonderful city which was known for its architectural beauty and commercial importance. The huge streets and majestic mansions protected by a fort surrounded by a moat full of crocodiles was a wonder of the times. On having heard of the beauty of Kanchi, Pulekesin wanted to make city, the Queen of his empire and therefore he invaded the Pallava kingdom with a huge army at the most unexpected moment. He sent in his twin brother and chief spy cum strategist Naganandi to snoop upon the Pallavas and let him know about the weaknesses and stengths of the armies in Kanchi. Though Mahendra was a brave warrior, he was not fully prepared to defend the kingdom and therefore he entered the fray as a Kalabra chieftain in order to misguide Pulikesin and his master spy for around a year which was spent in strengthening the defences of his kingdom.
The first part Paranjothi Yathirai tells us about the travels and travails of the youngster who believes that he would return with the secrets behind the colours used at the Ajanta caves. Destiny overtakes him in the form of Vajrabahu, who is none other than Mahendra himself and realising the good intent of Paranjothi, the emperor gets him to join the garrison lead by his son Narasimha. Both the young men get into a life long association and this continues even after the former dons the mantle of sainthood as Siruthonda Nayanar. The author lets have a peep into the Bhakti movement by introducing a few other Nayanmaars like the Pandyan ruler Nedumaran, his would be Queen Mangaiyarkarsai and minister Kulachirai during the later parts of the novel. The skilful manner through which Mahendra uses his spies Shatrugnan, Gundodaran and the father of his charioteer Kannapiran in order to counter the Chalukyan spy Naganandi has been narrated in a stunning manner by the author. Finally the invasion of Pulekesin becomes fruitless and he is compelled to seek truce with Mahendra for that was the only way for him to visit Kanchipuram, the best city in the world of the day. The siege of Kanchi by the huge Chalukyan army which consisted of over 15000 elephants would leave anybody spell bound however the superior tactics of Mahendra won the day. The portrayal of the youthful turbulence and heroism in Narasimha by the author is commendable. The young heir simply wants to charge and destroy his enemies and while this is appreciated by the ruler, somehow he wants to end the war with his terms for he feels that's the responsibility endowed on him.
Meanwhile Mahendra gives an oppourtunity to young Narasimha to fight the Ganga ruler Durvinita and it was after this victory that Sivakami spends a day with him. The vivid description of the emotions and experiences of the young lovers for the brief time has been done marvellously. One can imagine the dashing Narasimha and the swan like but firm Sivakami enjoying a courtship that either wanted to continue for ever. Sivakami, in fact feels that the empire was coming in the way of their lives and she wanted her lover to leave it and come away with her. However, the watchful father Mahendra snoops on his son for he is interested in the future of his kingdom above the interest of his son itself! The emperor feels bad that his "Raja kula Dharmam" is making him do things that should not be done otherwise. A quirk of fate makes Sivakami a prisoner of the Chalukyas and when Narasimha seeks to redeem her in incognito she swears that she would return only if he invaded Vatapi, burnt it down after slaying Pulikesin.
A disappointed and angry Narasimha returns to Kanchi in order to prepare for an invasion that would take years. In the mean time Mahendra passes away while Narasimha is made to marry the majestic and chaste Pandyan Princess Vanamadevi as part of his royal life which had to be placed over and above his personal choice. The good Princess wins his heart and bears him too lovely kids - Mahendra and Kundavai.
Sivakami is unaware of the personal developments in the life of Narasimha while she stays a prisoner in Vatapi under the care of the Buddhist monk Naganandi who is eventually smitten by her. Kalki is perhaps at his best while talking about Naganandi, his plots and emotions which change over the years. One fine Vijayadasami, Narasimha begins his campaign against Pulikesin after offering his prayers at the Ekambareshwarar temple in Kanchi. The night preceding the invasion is described in the Chapter "Uranga Iravu" in a very dignified manner by Kalki. He goes on to state that the readers are being taken into the private chambers of Narasimha due to the need of the hour! The conduct of the author here is commendable for he tries to maintain the dignity of the narrative. The beautiful conversation in the private chambers between Narasimha and Vanamadevi makes him understand the noble character and affection of his Queen. Narasimha, fleetingly compares the patient Vanamadevi with the forceful Sivakami and this moment indicates that the ruler and ruled were truly blessed to have her as the Queen.
The fourth part "Sidhaindha Kanavu" talks about the great war which results in the death of Pulikesin, the destruction of Vatapi and how Paranjothi decides to become a monk devoted to Lord Shiva. It shares details about the spats between a number of characters in the story and how the victor looks blank after vanquishing his enemy ! Sivakami gets to learn about the family life of Narasimha only at the time of the victory procession and she falls into the lap of her childhood friend Kamali in order to cry her heart out. Later on a determined but mature Sivakami decides to marry Lord Ekambareshwarar of Kanchi and devote her time and dance to the Lord of the Universe. Originally, Sivakami had once sought the side long glances of Narasimha while performing in front of an august audience but now she cared for nothing else but the side long glances of Lord Ekambareshwarar, for she had become his bride. Her skilful dance displayed a holy communion and Narasimha, the emperor who visited the temple during her performance had to try hard to conceal his tears that flowed out of his eyes. The story kind of indicates that stability in life can be sought through a number of alternatives but nothing to beat "Surrender at the feet of the Lord".
The author gives us a literary treat while describing people, their features, attires and emotions. The manner in which he describes the royal barge "Raja Hamsam" and the city of Kanchipuram is simply fantastic. Its through the narrative that we get to learn that all the major religions of the land with their many schools of thought thrived happily in Kanchipuram. The vivid description of romance and the captivating nature of courtship there of finds a place of pride in the novel. Kalki displays his best in "Sivakamiyin Sabadham", an eternal Magnum Opus which will be loved by the readers for ever and ever.