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Book Review
TAMIL
Historical fiction
PREMA NANDAKUMAR
RANGARATTINAM: Narasimma (T.A.Narasimhan); Vanathi Pathippagam, 23, Deenadayalu Street, T. Nagar, Chennai-600017. Rs. 120.
LEAPING ACROSS centuries in his fictional air-car, Narasimma has woven a “historical-detective novel” in Rangarattinam. The challenge is to decode the “five pits” located with “three openings” in the ancient temple of Srirangam. The prime worshipping place of the followers of Vishnu, the shrine has attracted the devotion of Hindu royalty (Hoysalas, Cholas, Cheras, Pandyas, Nayaks) who endowed it with immense wealth. History lies heavy on its walls and stone-paved corridors. Also, it glows with the names of great preceptors who were involved in its sacred and secular activities. Though the novelist expresses gratitude to Velukkudi Krishnan and ‘Srivaishnavasri’ Krishnamachariar for research inputs, the story-line is his own fabrication. We just suspend our disbelief all the time. The hill in Somalagiri splits to reveal gold reserves. This is cursed gold and its presence is disastrous. Puffed up with power, Sadayavarman Sundara Pandyan eagerly accepts Malankara’s suggestion to install his own golden statue in the Srirangam temple as the preceptors will not use tainted gold for the Lord’s purpose. So what happened to this golden statue? Buried in the Tanbir Meher Dung Khader Durgah in Samayapuram? Clever Makhara-nedun-kuzhai-kaathar to hoodwink even Ulugh Khan! When taking up “historical detection” spread vast in terms of space and time, one needs to master selective programming. Narasimma has been too much in a hurry and so even the few authentic references in Rangarattinam get blurred. He has enthusiasm, a fast-moving quill and an eye for the near and the far. Perhaps his next work will give us a more competent novel with fewer characters, structured as a well-wrought urn.
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