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Book Review
TAMIL
Social novel
P. SUNDARESAN
VIJAYAMARTHANDAM: A. Madhaviah’s novel with an in-depth analysis by S. Srinivasan. Kavya, 16, II Cross Street, Trustpuram, Kodambakkam, Chennai-600024. Rs. 100.
BUT FOR the commendable zeal of S. Srinivasan in bringing out this reprint, this compelling novel by the celebrated A. Madhaviah (1872-1925) published way back in 1903 and 1925 would have sunk into oblivion. The novel captures exactly the ethos of the maravar community in Tirunelveli District during colonial rule. The community is generally associated with bravery in battle. The eponymous hero grew up under the foster care of the then Singapatti (also called Pulimalai) Zamindar who died intestate. In the legal battle that followed, the verdict of the lower court declaring him as the rightful heir was overruled by the Privy Council in favour of the appellant Veerasangilithevar.
There was a striking contrast between Vijayamarthandam and Veerasangilithevar. The former was a young and handsome bachelor of 23 with a studious bent and good strength of character. The latter 45-year-old was quite the antithesis.
As Vijayamarthandam and Veerasangilithevar were at loggerheads over marrying the heroine Sivakami, love turned out to be a kind of warfare. It was a titanic struggle between good and evil. The novelist draws the different strands of the plot together towards the end.
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