Author: Kalki
Translator(s)/ Editors(s): C V Karthik Narayan/Mini Krishnan
Publisher: Macmillan
Year: 2005-2008/2011
Language: English
Pages: 314
ISBN/UPC (if available): 0333 93301 X
Description
A sequel to Part II titled The Cyclone, The Killer Sword is an English translation of Tamil Ponniyin Selvan authored by Kalki R Krishnamurthy. Parts four titled The Crown, and Part V titled The Pinnacle of Sacrifice will be published in the near future.
English translation of original Tamil works - Kalki's majestic historical romance, a masterfully woven epic of fact and conjecture set against the backdrop of 10th century peninsular India under the Chozha Kings.
It is now widely acknowledged, that Kalki was the first Tamil writer who used the ancient history of famous Tamil dynasties and the region as the background of attractive stories. Ponniyin Selvan which deals with the life of Rajajraja Chozhan is the last of the three great novels, the other two being Poarthiban Kanavu and Sivakamiyin Sabadam.
Ponniyin Selvan was first published in serial form in the Tamil Weekly magazine Kalki; it was begun in the issue dated 29th October 1950 and concluded in the issue for 16 May 1954. The continuing popularity of Ponniyin Selvan among Tamil readers is attested by the fact that the work is now being re-serialized for the fourth time in Kalki.
The setting is brought to life with unforgettable descriptions of the corruption of high office, its acceptance or rejection, the political ambitions and personal motives of the rulers, and their impact on the ruled.
Ponniyin Selvan - 500 chapters and 2400 pages - is aptly called 'Gone with the Wind of Tamil Nadu.
THE TRANSLATOR:
An engineer by profession, Karthik Narayanan was born in Calcutta and had his early education in Tuticorin. Steeped in South Indian history, its arts and culture, KN is an avid reader of all the novels Kalki wrote, and is an accomplished player of the percussion instrument the mridangam.