Thenpandi Singam is a
Tamil
Tamil may refer to:
* Tamils, an ethnic group native to India and some other parts of Asia
** Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka also called ilankai tamils
**Tamil Malaysians, Tamil people native to Malaysia
* Tamil language, nati ...
historical novel written by Kalaignar
M. Karunanidhi
Muthuvel Karunanidhi (3 June 1924 – 7 August 2018) was an Indian writer and politician who served as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for almost two decades over five terms between 1969 and 2011. He was popularly referred to as Kalaignar (Art ...
, who based his novel on a legendary story of
Valukku Veli Ambalam, a Petty chief ruling
Paganeri Nadu, one of the
Kallar Nadus in the 18th century. Malayalam poet S Ramesan Nair translated Thenpandisingam to Malayalam.
Kalaignar was also awarded the "Raja Rajan Award" by Tamil University,
Thanjavur
Thanjavur (), also Tanjore, Pletcher 2010, p. 195 is a city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Thanjavur is the 11th biggest city in Tamil Nadu. Thanjavur is an important center of South Indian religion, art, and architecture. Most of the Gr ...
for this book.
Plot summary
Thenpandi Singam is a historical fiction, which has mostly real historical characters.
The story starts with a brief description by Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu (; , TN) is a States and union territories of India, state in southern India. It is the List of states and union territories of India by area, tenth largest Indian state by area and the List of states and union territories of India ...
.
The list of different Nadus mentioned are:
Mela Nadu, Sirugudi Nadu, Mallakkotai Nadu, Pattamangala Nadu, Paganeri Nadu, Kandar Manicham Nadu, Kunnankkottai Nadu, Thennilai Nadu, Iravuseri Nadu, Unjanai Nadu, Semponmari Nadu, Kappalur Nadu, Silamba Nadu, Irumba Nadu, Therpogi Nadu, Vadapogi Nadu, Gopala Nadu, Arrangarai Nadu, Ellu Kottai Nadu, Muthu Nadu, Etc..
Kallaingar's sources were stone inscriptions and Kallar Saritiram by Navalar N.M Venkatasamy Nattar.
The story revolves around a war between Valukku Veli, a very strong Ambalakkarar who ruled Paganeri Nadu in present-day Ramanathapuram District, who opposed British rule, and Vallathuarayan an
Ambalakkarar who ruled Pattamangala Nadu. Besides these, there are other main characters, such as:
* Karutta Adappan
* Vairamuttan
* Urangappuli Thevan
* Kalyani Nachiyar
* Sundarambal
* Vadivambal
* Vellai
Iyer
* Meganadan
Kalaignar also provided a lot of the information about the bravery of Tamil people, for instance,
Dheeran Chinnamalai,
Maruthu Pandiyar,
Veerapandiya Kattabomman and how they opposed the
British rule.
Thenpandi Singam (TV serial)
This TV serial was written by Kalaignar Karunanidhi, Music composed by Ilaiyaraaja
and was telecast in Doordarshan during 1996. Starring
Nassar
Nassar ( ar, نصار, lit=helper, protector, supporter, victory-maker), is a given name and surname, commonly found in the Arabic language. Alternative spellings of this name, possibly due to transliteration include Naser, Nasser, Nasir, Naseer ...
and Geetha in the lead roles.
References
{{reflist
Tamil-language literature