The women of Ponniyinselvan

 Ponniyinselvan is a rare gem of a chronicle in which the mantel of power lies in the hands of strong and resilient women. It is a series in which women are not mere love interests or playing second fiddle to the men. Instead, these women were the mastermind of the Rajathanthiram (Royal politics).

Kalki has crafted each of these characters so intricately that one stands in awe of them. It would be righteous to say that Ponniyinselvan is a celebration of womanhood. In this post, I will be analyzing the most impactful and headstrong female characters.

Kundavai Devi: The second among the Chozha siblings and the only daughter of Sundara Chozha and Vanamadevi, Kundavai Devi is a pragmatic and foresighted statesman. Being an intuitive strategist, she has her eyes and ears in every nook and corner of the Chozha country. When Sundara Chozha became old and weak, the reins of the kingdom were handed over to her. She advises her brothers accordingly and is aware of the brewing Pandya conspiracy. Kundavai is also revered and regarded for her important role in the Chozha history. While the kingdom is in a state of turmoil, she holds the fort and protects it at all costs. It is said that she greatly influenced both Rajaraja Chozhan(Arulmozhiverman) and his son Rajendra Chozhan in governing the Chozha Empire.

 

Sembiyanmadevi: Sembiyanmadevi is the Queen of the Chozha kingdom and the mother of the infamous Madurantakan. To the eyes of the common man, it seems as if the Queen has renounced the royal life for spiritual pursuits. In reality, Sembiyanmadevi is abreast of all the events taking place in the kingdom through an intricate network of spies. She had brought up Kundavai to be the backbone of the Chozha kingdom.

 

The Royal Family of Ponniyinselvan character chart 

Mandakini Devi: Mandakini Devi is the aunt of Poonkuzhali and the twin sister of Vaani Ammal (Snedhan Amudhan’s mother). She is mute and deaf and lives incognito. Her beauty was so exquisite that it attracted the members of the royal family. It is only at the climax that one understands the greater significance of Mandakini Devi. I won’t reveal much about it but I would like to mention that, without the elaborate scheme cooked up by both Mandakini Devi and Sembiyanmadevi, Ponniyinselvan would not exist. These women create a situation similar to a ticking bomb that explodes years after. No amount of gasps or goosebumps can justify the state of shock that one undergoes after reading it!

 

Vanathi: The daughter of Vikramakesari (the Chief of the Chozha forces at Eezham/Sri Lanka), Vanathi is Kundavai Devi’s best friend. Initially, she comes across as a shy girl who faints at the very sight of Arulmozhiverman. But she grows into a strong and brave woman capable of taking the Chozha kingdom into its days of glory as the Maharani.

 

Manimekhalai: The daughter of Sambuvariyar and the sister of Kandan Maran, Manimekhalai is infatuated with Vandiathevan. She has the most drastic transformation from an impressionable young girl to a woman who surrenders herself to the Ultimate. The series ends with Manimekhalai and her story will leave a lasting impact in your heart.

 

Civilians of Ponniyinselvan character chart 

Poonkuzhali: Amidst the roaring and fierce waves of the ocean, under the stormy sky comes a majestic and feisty woman who has no fear in her eyes.  A radical feminist, Poonkuzhali is not bound by the rules of the world. A little away from Thanjavur, in the coastal town of Kodikarai, Poonkuzhali the boatwoman, tames the ocean and becomes the undisputed Samudrakumari (Queen of the sea).

Although not a royal, she knows how to navigate the waters and is well-versed with the coastal towns of both Eezham and the Chozha kingdom. Her shrewdness and quick thinking helps Vandiathevan and Arulmozhiverman at several circumstances.

 

Nandini: The stunning beauty who manipulates her way through the series is Nandini. She is initially introduced as the ethereal teenager who captured the 55-year-old Periya Pazhuvetariar’s heart and married him. Right at the citadel of the Chozha empire, she creates tremors that take the entire kingdom by storm. Her husband never doubts her true intentions until it is too late! She is a charming, criminal-minded enchantress with a very disturbing past, unknown to all but Aditya Karikalan.

She uses her mesmerising beauty to ensnare the minds of the men who come her way, from the royals to the spies and draws out every bit of information from them. If Mandakini Devi and Sembiyanmadevi are responsible for the birth of this large conspiracy, it is Nandini who ensures it boils over and creates utter chaos. She does all of this while being inconspicuous!

Although Nandini might have had her devious ways, it is truly refreshing to see the portrayal of an unapologetic, vengeful, bitter woman who played by the societal rules to create her own. In my opinion, she is one of the best characters written by Kalki.

Nila comics cover

Ponniyinselvan - the last of Ramaswamy Krishnamurthy, alias Kalki’s work was published in a serialized format in the magazine named Kalki. The serial went on for over five years from 29^th October 1950 to 16^th May 1954. Selling over 71,366 copies, thousands of families used to eagerly wait for the latest issue of the weekly magazine. From then on, the love for this saga has grown exponentially!

    If you are curious to read this series, you can purchase either the original Tamizh work or the English translation. Both of them are available in the form of physical books and ebooks. You can also read the comic or watch the animated series on youtube by Nila comics (Not sponsored). The feature film based on Ponniyinselvan by Mani Ratnam will be out by the end of this year. If the names of the characters are too big and confusing, you can follow the map that I have made. You can also ask your Tamizh friends to help you with the pronunciation.

You can read or re-read Part I of the blog series as well!