Sivagamiyin Sabadham

Sivagamiyin sabatham (The vow of Sivagami) is one of the best written Tamil historical novel by Kalki in 1944. It is infact believed by some to be one of the first historical novels in Tamil. It was originally serialized in the weekly Kalki for about 12 years (Goodness.. 12years in a weekly magazine) which was later published as a novel. The story is set in 7th-century south India against the backdrop of various historical events and figures. Honour,love and friendship form important themes that run through the course of the novel. At the end of the book, I swear one would doubt if it was really an imaginative novel. It had been woven across so beautifully that you are forced to believe that it had actually happened.


First of all, I thank my friend who motivated me to read this book some few months back. After insisting so much I started to read this book, finally I read it in a full stretch of a week's time all the 4 parts. Kalki is such a classic writer that he forces you to emote along with the characters. I know people really don not find time to read such huge novels and appreciate its literary work. I am just a small time writer and cannot really review on such good books. But a small effort of appreciation on the master piece...!!

Some Pivotal Characters:
Mahendravarman
He is the father of the hero of our story. Kalki portrays him as a connoisseur of arts. He is also someone who was well versed in disguising. Kalki also portrays him as a compassionate king who was easily accessible and who sought and got advice from his courtiers. Though he gets converted from being follower of Jainism to Shaivism he remains tolerant of other religions and respects their practices. He dreams of a day when peace reigns and kings do not have to fight war with each other. But at the end just like any other villain father, he becomes the reason of the separation of his son’s love.

Narasimhavarman
Though he was outshone by Mahendravarman in the first half of the book, Narasimhavarman takes a life of his own later on. He is the prince who is head over heels in love with the dancer, Sivagami. His love for Sivagami even makes him promise her that he would even relinquish his throne if there was precondition for marrying her. After all that is LOVE. He is portrayed as an obedient son and more importantly someone who understands the practicality of a situation when he agrees to marry the Pandya princess to avoid any problems when he is planning is attack on the Chalukyas when he is forced to take over the kingdom.

Pulakesi
The Chalukya king, one of the villains in the novel, is portrayed as being ruthless and almost barbaric. Unlike his brother, Naganandhi, he does not have an inclination towards art and sees them as being a waste of time. He has deep respect towards his brother and mentor, Naganandhi. Kalki paints a clear contrast between Mahendravarman and Pulakesi. While the former's courtiers are shown as respecting the king for his wisdom and knowledge the latter's subjects fear his ruthlessness. While the Pallava king consults his ministers and acts on their advice the Chalukya king acts more on his instincts.

Naganandhi
The fictional twin brother of Pulakesi (Ya, if you browse a bit you would interestingly find there was no such character in history) would probably qualify as the main villain of the novel. He dons the role of a Buddhist monk and this provides him the license to move freely between the various kingdoms. He has an eye for the art and is also portrayed as a cunning statesman and spy. But his love for the beautiful Sivagami changes his life all together. But his love for Sivagami has more to do with her artistic abilities than her physical self. He uses the visual similarity that he has with Pulakesi to his advantage to save Ayanar and his lady love. Having spent his childhood and most of his youth in a Buddhist monastery under highly challenging circumstances he possesses a body that is immune to any poison. He dedicates his life to the well-being of the state and his brother. Though he is portrayed a negative character, we find a sympathy towards the end in his character because though he does everything for his love, he treats Sivagami alone with such dignity.

Sivagami
Our Heroine or rather the lady hero around whom the entire story revolves. The most bold beautiful and the mystical dancer who Mahendravarman claims can portray even those postures and nuances that the creator of Bharathanatyam had not thought of. Her dance is described to be of such beauty that the person who watches it sees the goddess itself in her. She is in love with Narasimhavarman. Being alone in the sculptor's settlement she only has a parrot and deer for her solace. Her fame had spread to distant lands. She is also portrayed as being selfless and generous. She is ready to undergo punishment for the sake of freeing the captured women from the Pallava Empire. And there starts her vow and the twist in the story. How she suffers in remembrance of the king and awaiting his arrival for freeing her??

Paranjothi
The able commander of the Pallava army, Paranjothi is portrayed as being a brave soldier. One of my favorite characters in the novel after Sivagami. Such a manly guy. His entry in the novel itself would be such heroic. After acquainting with the King, His Nobel service to the Kingdom becomes vital. He remains a history for valor, friendship, love and honor. The best part of him is when after the final brutal war how his mind changes and understands the importance of human life and finds solace as his new life. (To find out what his new life is, read the full book…!)

Ayanar
Sivagami's father and master sculptor is portrayed as someone who is fanatically in search of the secret behind the Ajanta dyes. He was so curious to know that secret that he was even ready to risk his life and escape from the Kanchi fort and wanted to talk with Pulakesi to get the information. His love for arts and sculptor are beautifully described.

Satrugnan, Gundodharan
The spies of the Pallava Empire. They are portrayed as being extremely capable and have a very good sense of humour. They add the spice of humor in right propositions.

Vanama Devi:
The princess of the Pandya kingdom and later becomes the wife of the great king Narasimhavarman. She is portrayed so beautifully but you just cannot avoid her innocence and her true love for the king in spite of knowing his history.

Kamali:
The best friend of Sivagami and Wife of Kannabiraan. Portrays beautifully the meaning of friendship, the pain when sivagami is in danger. One of the stand out characters in the book.

Therotti kannabiraan:
His respect and obiedence for the royal family. His valour when it comes to war and how he sacrifices his life for the country. He is known for his humour and fun filled nature.
Apart from these there are few other characters but these are only the highlights of it.


Plot:
It would be tough to point out who the real hero of the novel is. Mahendravarman I, the Pallava emperor plays an important role in the first half of the story while his son Narasimhavarman comes into his own as the novel progresses. But according to me the real hero will our Sivagami and vow. The plot revolves around the vow which she takes and how and when that was completed. The story itself is divided into four parts

Part 1: Paranjothi's Journey
Part 2: The Siege of Kanchi
Part 3: The Monk's Love
Part 4: The Shattered Dream

The plot is simple but it is weaved around extraordinarily. You cry with them, laugh out, flirt with the love, and express the angers, the revenge and all other emotions. Probably I feel that is the success of the book. I enjoyed it hope everyone who reads it will love the language and the novel.