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{{short description|2008 novel by Gokul Seshadri}} |
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{{Unreferenced|date=May 2022}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}} |
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{{Use Indian English|date=August 2020}} |
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{{infobox book | <!-- See [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Novels]] or [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Books]] --> |
{{infobox book | <!-- See [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Novels]] or [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Books]] --> |
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| name = இராஜகேசரி |
| name = இராஜகேசரி |
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| title_orig = Rajakesari |
| title_orig = Rajakesari |
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| translator = |
| translator = |
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| image = |
| image = |
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| |
| caption = |
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| author = |
| author = Gokul Seshadri |
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| illustrator = |
| illustrator = Gokul Seshadri |
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| cover_artist = |
| cover_artist = |
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| country = [[India]] |
| country = [[India]] |
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| language = [[Tamil language|Tamil]] |
| language = [[Tamil language|Tamil]] |
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| series = Rajakesari |
| series = Rajakesari trilogy |
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| subject = Historical fiction |
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| genre = [[Tamil historical novels]] |
| genre = [[Tamil historical novels]] |
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| publisher = Palaniappa Brothers |
| publisher = Palaniappa Brothers |
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| media_type = Book |
| media_type = Book |
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| pages = 360 |
| pages = 360 |
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| isbn = |
| isbn = 9788183795050 |
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| preceded_by = |
| preceded_by = [[Cherar Kottai]] |
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| followed_by = [[ |
| followed_by = [[Udhayabanu Karmegam]] |
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}} |
}} |
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'''''Rajakesari''''' (Tamil:இராஜகேசரி), meaning "'' |
'''''Rajakesari''''' (Tamil:இராஜகேசரி), meaning "''A lion among Kings''", is a [[Tamil language]] [[historical novel]] written by [[Gokul Seshadri]]. It is set in [[Tamil Nadu]] during the [[Chola dynasty]]. ''Rajakesari'' is the first part of a trilogy which also includes ''[[Cherar Kottai]]'' and ''[[Udhayabanu Karmegam]]''. |
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== |
==Premise== |
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The story is set around 1000 CE in the Chola capital city of [[Thanjavur]], where emperor [[Rajaraja Chola]]'s birthday is being celebrated. In the lands ruled by the [[Chera dynasty]], another of the [[Three Crowned Kings|three main powers of the region]], there are plots against the emperor, and agents have come to Thanjavur to attack him. |
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The year is 1003 AD. The capital is abuzz with birthday celebrations of the Chola emperor [[Rajaraja Chola]], whose natal star Satabhisak (Sadayam) falls in the month of Asvina (Aippasi)<ref>Several epigraphical references point to the fact that Rajaraja's birthday was celebrated during his times. The earliest such reference is provided by the Muttam Record of Rajaraja. South Indian Inscriptions-Vol 3.</ref>. People from all walks of life are gathering themselves to celebrate the event in all pomp and glory. |
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The Rajarajeswarm temple (present-day [[Brahadishwara Temple]]), which was commissioned by the king about a year earlier, is being built outside the city. The chief administrative officer of the project is called Adittan Suriyan. In addition to the engineers, sculptors, and other people involved in the construction and building, there is a group of 400 dancers (Thalippendugal) from other temples across the empire, who have been relocated to Thanjavur to work in the new temple. A dance drama troupe led by Vijayaraja Acharya, whose family belongs to a prestigious school of theatre artists, is rehearsing a new dance drama titled "Sri Rajaraja Vijayam" (the visit of Rajaraja). The theme of this drama is purportedly inspired by the life of the emperor himself. |
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In city’s suburbs, Rajarajeswarm (present day [[Brahadishwara Temple]]), a massive temple complex of epic proportions, personally commissioned by the king about a year ago, is taking shape<ref>From the available inscriptions, it is surmised that Rajaraja commissioned the Big temple project sometime at around 1002 AD.South Indian Inscriptions-Vol 2 and Sivapadhasekaranin Thanjai Kalvettukkal, Ed.R.Nagasamy.</ref>. Massive blocks of granite are getting unloaded from large elephant carts. Adittan Suriyan, the chief accounting officer of the project<ref>Thanjavur temple inscriptions talk of this officer and his donations, which included bronze statues of Saivite Nayanmars. South Indian Inscriptions-Vol 2</ref>, is busy overseeing various aspects of temple building activity. The campus is bustling with people from all walks of life like sculptors (Sthapathis), painters (Chaitrikas), engineers (Vasthu experts), religious pundits and Saivite gurus. A select band of 400 dancing girls (Thevaradiyar, which means Servants of God),<ref>A lengthy inscription from Thanjavur temple records the names of all these girls, the temples they came from and the door number of houses allocated to them. Thalicheri Kalvettu.R.Kalaikkovan</ref> chosen from numerous temples located across the empire, have been called upon to attend to the services of Lord Raajarajeswara. |
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A retired soldier from a village in the Chola countryside, witnesses a murder and travels to Thanjavur to seek justice. He becomes involved in the political machinations in the capital. |
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Intent to impress upon the emperor and the state, a seasoned dance drama troupe, headed by a veteran by name Vijayaraja Acharya, whose family belongs to a prestigious school of Artists - is busy doing the final rehearsals of their brand new dance drama titled “Rajaraja Vijayam” (the visit of Rajaraja)<ref>An inscription from Tiruppunturutti refers to this drama written by Suvarnan Naranan Battaradittan</ref>. The theme of this drama is purportedly inspired by the life of the emperor himself. |
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While the Chola heartland is thus immersed in merriment and joy, several hundred miles away, deep within the jungles of Chera country (Kerala), a sinister plot has been hatched. The envoys of these forces are already in the city, awaiting opportunity to strike a deadly final blow. |
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Meanwhile, the life of an innocent countryside man from a remote Chola village is shaken by a murder that happens right in front of his eyes. This old man of 55 years, forcefully retired from the Chola army after a fatal injury, is pulled into the dangerous game of political treachery. Armed with a sense of getting justice, this physically challenged soldier undertakes an epic journey into the Chola capital that puts him in direct confrontation with the dark forces.Rajakesari is the story of this unlikely hero and his thee day adventure at the capital. |
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==Characters== |
==Characters== |
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* [[Rajaraja Chola]](Historical) |
* Emperor [[Rajaraja Chola]] (Historical) |
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* Rajaraja Marayar(Historical) |
* Chola Army Commander [Senapathi] Rajaraja Marayar (Historical) |
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| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
* Paraman Malapadiyar(Historical) |
* Chola Army General Paraman Malapadiyar (Historical) |
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* Administrative Officer Adittan Suryan Tennavan Moovenda Velar (Historical) |
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* Commanding officer of the Bodyguards [Tirumeikappu] Velan Atkonda Villiyar (Fictional) |
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* Doctor Kilayoor Vathiyar (Fictional) |
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* Theatre master Santhik Koothar Vijayaraja Acharya (Fictional) |
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* Dancer Talaikkoli Nakkan Maduravasaki (Historical) |
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==Publication history== |
==Publication history== |
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The story was originally serialized in |
The story was originally serialized in ''Varalaaru.com'', a monthly web magazine, starting in 2004. It was published as a book by Palaniappa Brothers in 2008. In 2017, the author revised its contents and published a second edition. |
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In 2020, an audiobook version of Rajakesari] was published by StoryTel India, narrated by Deepika Arun. |
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==Book Reviews== |
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[http://www.varalaaru.com/Default.asp?articleid=939 Rajakesari Book Review at Varalaaru.com] |
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==References== |
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[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKRhdSEB6gE Author's talk on Rajakesari and his other historic novels] |
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[http://udumalai.com/?prd=Rajakesari&page=products&id=8271 Purchase Rajakesari online] |
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[http://books.google.com/books/about/%E0%AE%87%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%9C%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%87%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%BF.html?id=DXsOpHXqrywC Rajakesari at Google Books] |
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==Notes== |
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[[Category:Novels set in the Chola Empire]] |
[[Category:Novels set in the Chola Empire]] |
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[[Category:Indian historical novels]] |
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[[Category:Indian historical novels in Tamil]] |
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[[ta:இராஜகேசரி (புதினம்)]] |
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Latest revision as of 23:52, 8 June 2024
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| Author | Gokul Seshadri |
|---|---|
| Original title | Rajakesari |
| Illustrator | Gokul Seshadri |
| Language | Tamil |
| Series | Rajakesari trilogy |
| Subject | Historical fiction |
| Genre | Tamil historical novels |
| Publisher | Palaniappa Brothers |
Publication date | Jan 2008 |
| Publication place | India |
Published in English | No |
| Media type | Book |
| Pages | 360 |
| ISBN | 9788183795050 |
| Preceded by | Cherar Kottai |
| Followed by | Udhayabanu Karmegam |
Rajakesari (Tamil:இராஜகேசரி), meaning "A lion among Kings", is a Tamil language historical novel written by Gokul Seshadri. It is set in Tamil Nadu during the Chola dynasty. Rajakesari is the first part of a trilogy which also includes Cherar Kottai and Udhayabanu Karmegam.
Premise
[edit]The story is set around 1000 CE in the Chola capital city of Thanjavur, where emperor Rajaraja Chola's birthday is being celebrated. In the lands ruled by the Chera dynasty, another of the three main powers of the region, there are plots against the emperor, and agents have come to Thanjavur to attack him.
The Rajarajeswarm temple (present-day Brahadishwara Temple), which was commissioned by the king about a year earlier, is being built outside the city. The chief administrative officer of the project is called Adittan Suriyan. In addition to the engineers, sculptors, and other people involved in the construction and building, there is a group of 400 dancers (Thalippendugal) from other temples across the empire, who have been relocated to Thanjavur to work in the new temple. A dance drama troupe led by Vijayaraja Acharya, whose family belongs to a prestigious school of theatre artists, is rehearsing a new dance drama titled "Sri Rajaraja Vijayam" (the visit of Rajaraja). The theme of this drama is purportedly inspired by the life of the emperor himself.
A retired soldier from a village in the Chola countryside, witnesses a murder and travels to Thanjavur to seek justice. He becomes involved in the political machinations in the capital.
Characters
[edit]- Emperor Rajaraja Chola (Historical)
- Chola Army Commander [Senapathi] Rajaraja Marayar (Historical)
- Chief Minister Amangudi Krishnan Raman (Historical)
- Chola Army General Paraman Malapadiyar (Historical)
- Administrative Officer Adittan Suryan Tennavan Moovenda Velar (Historical)
- Commanding officer of the Bodyguards [Tirumeikappu] Velan Atkonda Villiyar (Fictional)
- War Veteran Ambalavanar Kamban Arayan (Fictional)
- Doctor Kilayoor Vathiyar (Fictional)
- Theatre master Santhik Koothar Vijayaraja Acharya (Fictional)
- Theatre artist Arikanda Devan (Fictional)
- Dancer Talaikkoli Nakkan Maduravasaki (Historical)
Publication history
[edit]The story was originally serialized in Varalaaru.com, a monthly web magazine, starting in 2004. It was published as a book by Palaniappa Brothers in 2008. In 2017, the author revised its contents and published a second edition.
In 2020, an audiobook version of Rajakesari] was published by StoryTel India, narrated by Deepika Arun.