Su. Venkatesan (喈氞瘉. 喈掂瘑喈權瘝喈曕疅喁囙畾喈┼瘝), also known as S. Venkatesan, is a Tamil writer from Tamil Nadu, India and Tamil Nadu State Committee member of Communist Party of India (Marxist). His debutant novel Kaaval Kottam published in 2008 was awarded the Sahitya Academy Award for Tamil in 2011. The Tamil film 'Aravaan' is based on it. The Sahitya Academy-winning writer is also the president of the Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers Association. His second novel 'Veerayuga Nayagan Velpari' was serialised in Tamil popular magazine Ananda Vikatan. 'Veerayuga Nayagan Velpari' is the second Novel after Ponniyin Selvan to make a big craze between the readers at that time.
Re-read in 2022: No book has impacted me more than Vel Paari! This book still gives me the same chills, goosebumps and dilated pupils though it's a re-read. The difference between a want and need cannot be more clearly depicted! It is one book which fights for the rights of every living creature. That is something out of the world. It definitely changes a reader's view of life altogether. Vel paari is too special and too close to heart! Would love to dwell in Su.Ve's words in the land of Parambu over and over again鉂わ笍 One definite goal is to read all other Su.Ve books in 2023.
Velpari a novel that gave the impact of how people in TN would be when ponniyin selvan got released. Though it came in a weekly for almost 100 weeks we could keep track of the story for those 100 weeks such was the impact of the novel. In this fast world achieving such an impact requires an absorbing story line, interesting facts, different plot, good detailing and lots of research. The novel has all of them.
The things that made me awestruck in part 1 are the following : 1. Explaining the life of people living on ghats 2. Their fitness, food habits and living habits 3. Their knowledge on nature and love they show on each being 4. Knowledge of kings on astrology - stars - time 5. Reason behind importance being given for karthigai star 6. Explanation on how time was calculated during those period 7. Kings difficulty in trade, how and why they used and traded people 8. Festival celebration in ghats and how different it will be 9. Practices followed to educate younger generation to know about forest, hill and nature 10. Fighting techniques used and how even animals can be used in the way we want without their knowledge 11. Different kinds of plants, animals and birds that lives in forest 12. Messaging technique followed by people in forest 13. Artistic knowledge of people who give gifts and the pun on it 14. Cunning attitude of big dynasties to tame people and extend their border 15. Medicinal knowledge of people and how easily they use them without big fuss on the happening
All of these made this book a stand out. Almost 2 years have past and still I remember them (though not in detail) shows what metal the book is made of. Go for it, a must read. U will be taken to different world, enjoy the experience / ride.
The hero of this fictional story might be the mighty and valiant ancient tribal king of velir clan, Velpari who ruled over Parambunaadu who is known for his kindness and patronage as he was one among the last great seven patrons (kadaiyezu vallalgal) of sangam era, but the hero of this book was the Parambu itself ! I was flabbergasted with the overwhelming descriptive details of the flora and fauna of Parambu, which were thoroughly researched and put down in the form of words that lays a strong foundation for the world building of this story. If flora and fauna of Parambu alone is capable of blowing your minds, then the intriguing customs, rituals and lifestyle of Parambu tribe will fascinate you further to the extent that it will completely engulf your mind with its every minute detail and immerse yourself into the ancient lands of tamilnadu, among the ancient tamil tribe and taking you back to the sangam ages. Considering that this is a fictional take, the aforementioned details could've been subjected to amplification in the process of fictionalisation, to become more nuanced, it definitely serves its purpose and adds up to the reading experience as it enhances the imagination of the reader even if it was an average reader with limited imaginative capabilities like me. While the first 300 pages were fluctuating with its pace as it was compiled of multiple flashbacks and different narratives taking place at different times, to set up the world and background of the story which i spent two and half months reading on and off, the last 300 pages went swiftly as a racing horse, due to its suspense, emotional, adrenaline rushing actions and adventures that were focused on a single gripping and engrossing narrative which i was able to complete in a single week. Unlike Ponniyin Selvan which glorified great dynasties such as Cheras, Chozas and Pandyas, this book is a paradigm shift that offers a different perspective through the lens of tribal and small kingdoms of ancient tamilnadu putting such dynasties in a negative shade, it does succeeds in this perspective change as it gets the readers to empathise with it, even making it an emotionally provoking story. I'm immediately picking up the next part as this part ended in the peak of its events like a cliffhanger.
As an avid reader of Tamil historical novels, I always had Ponniyin Selvan as the benchmark. Velpari, according to me is on par with Ponniyin Selvan if not a notch above it.
The novel begins with Kabilars travel to Parambu malai to meet Paari and his people. One of my favorite characters Neelan joins Kabilar and leads him to Paari. Neelan questioning Kabilar like a kid and his ignorance about poets and words is hysterical. Paari meeting Kabilar for the first time and deciding to carry Kabilar on his shoulders is one of many goosebump moments in the novel.
I have heard people address lean kids as Dhevangu. Not even in my dreams did I imagine this animal would have so much history that can bring a war.
The novel travels thru the world of various plants, flowers and animals. The author scores by explaining the significance of each plant and animals to this novel. Arubadham Kozhi, Sunda Poonai, Thogai Naai, Verti Elai, Naakaruthan Pul are few instances. My beloved characters apart from Paari and Kabilar are Neelan, Myila (Neelans lover), Uthiran, Angavai, Alavan, Keethani , Thekan, Mudiyan, Ravadhan, Kaalamban, Porchuvai, Thesai Vezhar, Karungai Vaanan and Ilamarudhan鈥檚 horse Aala.
Few of goosebump moments are Neelan asking Kabilar if the Ocean is bigger than Paari鈥檚 kindness, Suulivel fetching Verti Elai to win Thuudhuvai鈥檚 love, Kaalamban鈥檚 reaction after knowing he was fighting with Paari, Neelan jumping onto horse Aala, Porchuvai鈥檚 visit to Kabilar, Thekan carrying Ravadhan in his hands.
This novel rich in Tamil history, ends in a war between Paari and Moovendhar. The war is basically between people who believe in equality and Virtue and people who want to destroy it.
Almost 500 pages of war sequence gives us precise and in-depth detail of planning and execution. Special kudos to Su Venkatesan for writing such a culturally rich novel. Equal appreciation to Manian Selvam as well for all those pictures.
Never a dull moment in this 1400 pages novel. Amazing narration!!!!
Amazing book by Mr S. Venkatesan. Yesterday I completed the book. Unable to recover from the story. This is an epic story. So much of knowledge about our ancient Tamil legends. Knowledge about Natures, Love, Peace, Medical, Animals, Plants, Time, Stars, Mountains, War is amazing. I couldn't able to understand the effort spent by Mr Venkatesan in creating this story. Thanks again for creating this beautiful Velpari.
After a long time, Su. Venkatesan's Velpaari kindled my interest in reading a Tamil Historical Fiction. The Tamil Historical Fiction section is filled with stories of the Three Dynasties - Chera, Chola & Pandya but the author's take on a small chieftain whose name is well known for a short story on his charity but nothing more. The author builds the world of the Parambu Tribe in the first part and it shows the extensive research on his part. I am yet to ascertain the facts / fiction part of the details mentioned in the book but he gives fascinating account of the lifestyle of the people, animal / plant's nature etc. The author has brilliantly linked the story of Lord Murugan within this and I really liked his take on him. Apart from this, the second part deals with the author's effort to make the King Paari even more larger than life picture which he was already in Tamil's people mind. Some of the war tactics, war heroism were overboard but it's historical fiction -why should we put a break to author's imagination. Anyways, its a fantastic read and I have enjoyed his previous book as well - Kaaval Kottam. Good to see a new book on this genre and thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
For generations we have been taught in schools that The moovendhargal are the greatest, generous and they are the example of how a kingdom should be but never criticised their war crimes, number of small tribes they have plundered and killed, the number of genocides they have made. This book gives them. I appreciate the author for bringing up the reality.
Will update my full review after reading the 2nd part.
Out and out racy fiction. The landscapes, war practices, food habits, language, culture and traditions of Tamils, especially the 'Parambu Naadu' as mentioned by u. Venkatesan has been portrayed elaborately. There was never a dull phase considering how long the book is. Read it slowly for a longer period while I was writing my thesis and it was one of my best experiences.
The line by Neelan in the end of the 1st chapter got me hooked. What can I say about the people who prioritize nature over human? The kindness, humble, hospitality can be seen nowhere as much as here. Paari...this man god!!!