Aditiya Karikalan and his Untold Story- Sangathara

Aditiya Karikalan was murdered and his death has been a mystery ever since. Sangathara by Kalachacaram Narasimha is one such novel which is talks about the political and personal conspiracy that existed back then.

Many books, theories, the conspiracy has been revolving around Aditiya Karikalan’s death.One such novel was ponniyen selvan.

Most of us at some point in time would have fallen in love with Ponniyen Selvan

Kalki had the magic of making the readers hooked. I remember having a nice chat with the ‘Vegetable Vendor’ in a bus talking about how she loved that book and the way she loved ‘Nandhini'(Yes! She said Nandhini) and ‘Kundhavai’ when she spotted me reading Ponniyen Selvan.

According to me, very few books have that effect of reaching to all sort of audience. Indeed Kalki is an amazing writer.

I came across a book named”Sangathara” by “Kalasakkaram Narashimha”

The book begins with Aditiya Karikalan’ speaking about his death. And how justice was not served to him.

This book brings a whole new look to the ”Chola Dynasty and Karikalan’s Murder’ and it also points out so many historical pieces of evidence which fall in its footnotes(which I absolutely loved it, kept me hooked to the book).

Am not comparing Kalki and Narasimha, but Ponniyen Selvan was yet fun and almost everyone turned out to be in white shades, but Narashima brings few grey shades of the character too.

The book has so many twists and turns and truth(the author claims so).

But in the end, I did have quite a disturbing feeling. I was not able to accept this ‘New Story’. This book is well framed. It is quite researched also. If you are looking for an investigative journal then this is the book for you. Yet the book is worth giving it a try.

Technically speaking the book was well framed and had an amazing plot.

I was not able to locate the book online got it from vanathi publication(Chennai). (Thanks to my Dad who introduced this book to me)

39 thoughts on “Aditiya Karikalan and his Untold Story- Sangathara

  1. Dear Mr. Narasimha, I just finished reading your novel “Ranga Raatinam”. Again an excellent novel. How you are able to think differently? Can you please share your mail id so that I can ask some of my doubts to you. I have read and acted in your mother’s novel “Kadhavu” when I was studying in Stella maris college in 1981. I can never forget the experience. Now I am reading her son’s novels. Kindly share your mail id. I am working in Tindivanam as a Principal of a CBSE school. Radha Murali

  2. First, I would like to congratulate Kalachakaram Narasimha for crafting such a wonderful work which possibly answers the mysteries that surrounds the chola period in the right note and convinces one and all with sufficient evidences.

    I was very curious, even disappointed after reading PS, about the assassination of Aditha Karikalan. I searched online with great expectation to find out the killers of Aditha Karikalan, my most favourite character in PS, err… Chola dynasty, and that lead me to ‘Sangadhara’.

    I immediately ordered a copy from an available vendor and finished reading it with in a day. It was such a wonderful piece of work, depicting the probable course of happenings at that time, with the available evidences. Of course, I am convinced that this could have been happened. With the available evidences, atleast we can arrive at this decision.

    If Aditha had not been killed, the history would have been different with him being the emperor of Chola kingdom. According to Sangadhara, he had at least tried to do some justice to Kannara Devan, Ravidasan, Nandhavilaku(really touching! க்ஷத்ரிய தர்மம்! trying his level best to do justice. This proves that he belongs to the clan of ‘Manu needhi cholan’) and others who were denied their right earlier.

    I would like to confirm with the author that this is the most possible assumption/decision that could be arrived at. I am not questioning the ruling of the author in suspicion but I just want to know the highest possibility.

  3. Dear Mr. Kalachakaram Narasimaa,
    It is good to follow you through this blog. First of all thanks for presenting Sangathara which Helped me to know more facts about the Cholas. I did some search to know about the characters but all the sites refer only to PS. I do agree 100% that if it had been Aditya Karikalan instead of Raja Raja the history would had been more interesting and the Cholas success would had been more. It is the mind that is been fixed after reading PS that makes tough for people to accept some real faces and facts about the Cholas History. I have shared my views to people those who are interested to know the fact. I am waiting to read other works of you. Thank you again.

    Ramkumar J

  4. Dear All,
    This is Kaalachakaram Narasimma. I have been following various comments about Shankathaara and let me explain the circumstances in which this novel was written and why I took this stand.

    Every journalist has his instinct or the third eye. While the public see an event in portion–like the visually handicapped seeing the elephant , the journalist is required to see the event as a whole.

    First of all, I have been a great follower of Aadhi Cholas and the great Chola dynasty became extinct after the war between brothers (Ilankkilli and Killivalavan, the Pugaar Cholas and the Uraiyur Cholas) which I have mentioned in Shankadhara). Cholas never used to have Sanskrit names and their names were purely Tamil. With the invasion of Kalapras from Kalinga, Saivism and Vaishnavism took a back seat, and Kalapraas brought in Buddhism and Jainism. Jain Basadis were built.

    But Tamil Nadu is a State which is built on Bhakthi cult and the Azhwars and Nayanmars soon launched the Bhakthi movement. The Kalapraas were not able to suppress the Bhakthi renaissance and they were driven out by SimhaVishnu Pallava. It was then a sect of Kalapraas who wanted to continue in power, married a princess of Chola clan and they called themselves Cholas. And thus came Vijayadhitha Chola. Vijaya is a Kalapraa name and earlier Aadhi Cholas never used Sanskritised names.

    So this great Cholas of Tanjore were a section of Kalapras who married into Chola.
    It was an irony that Kannara Deva, Rajadhithya and other elder sons were denied throne for reasons unknown. These later Cholas life is filled with mysteries. (Jinxed they were)

    After King Kandaraadhithya went missing, (Yet another jinx) Arinjaya came to power. But he ruled only for six months and he died in a battle field even before the war started under mysterious circumstances.(Yet another jinx)

    Coming to Shankadhara, I just tried to answer ten questions after reading entire CHola history and ofcourse, PS, several times. It’s the simple logic. When somebody asks a child to put together, the pieces of Indian states, it might fumble but when there was a figure of an elephant behind the pieces, it could easily put the pieces of elephant together, thereby forming the India map. I applied the same theory. I just put unsolved mysteries together and Shankadhara was what I got.

    I am only concerned that people who are keen pick holes on Shankathara, have not bothered to to answer my questions in the preface, which I have raised through Adithya Karikalan.

    !) Arinjaya had married one of the daughters of Pazhuvettaraiyar, King of Pazhuvur. Sundara is born to Arinjaya. If Pazhuvettaraiyar is Sundar Chola’s grandpa, how could he plot against his own grandsons and granddaughters as PS has said. Some might say, he might have been born to another wife and not to Pazhuvettaraiyar’s daughter. Yet the logic requires that he backed the offsprings of his son-in.-law Arinjaya.

    2) Why was PS silent about the fourth son of Parantaka, Uthamaseelan, who was killed by VeeraPandia and his head was kicked out by him. Aditha Karikalan wreaked vengeance on him by cutting his head and kicking it with his left foot. Why were Tamil scholars silent about this..?

    3) Why did Vanthiya Thevan spend ten years in jail. Even Vikraman has mentioned this in his novel. Vanthiya Devan belonged to Vaanar Country which was invaded by Vijayadhita, enslaved and sold to Gangavaadi as servants. Vandhiya Devan belonged to an enemy country and how did the Chola Intelligence allow him to be a personal friend of Adithya Karikaalan.

    4) Why was not the Velaala Padai or the suicide squad not used to give protection to Adithya Karikaalan, when it was clealy known that he was in the hit list of Pandias

    5) Where is the Thalikulathar shrine now.? While all the temples sung by Nayanmars are intact, where did this temple go? Kandarathitha thevar sang nine verses on Thalikulathaar in Ninth thirumurai, songs are there but the lord is missing. Why should Raja Raja Chola demolish a well established temple and build a temple in his name on that place. (Sivachariars who protested were killed and they cursed that any king entering the new temple will die) Till today, the curse persisits, the local peple say. Mrs. Indira Gandhi was assassinated within a month after she entered the temple to place a diamond crown on Raja Raja chola in 1984 and MGR too fell ill only after that. The great rationalist MK himself refused to enter the temple through the main gate. Why was Thalikulathaar temple demolished. Atlest if Raja Raja wanted to expand the temple, he could have retained the old Sivalinga. WHy did he throw it away and have a mammooth linga installed.?

    6) What was the mystery that shrouded the killing of Uthama Chola’s son Mathuranthagan. He was charged with stealing temple jewels and on the order of Kunthavai, Raja Raja Chola executed him. Did Kunthavai feel he was a threat to Raja Raja Chola.

    7) Why did Sundara Chola and Vanavan Mathevi who retired to Kanchi and resided in Kancheepuram palace built by Adithya Karikalan refuse to return to Tanjore. Are there any meetings recorded after that between them and Kunthavai..?

    8) Do the rationalists of Tamil Nadu who deny the stories of Rama and Krishna believe that Mother Cauvery came in flesh and blood to return the child that fell into the river. If that’s only an imagination, the very titile, Ponniyin Selvan cannot fit Raja Raja Chola. If Mother Cauvery could come that way to save the child, why cannot she come now when Karnataka is blocking her.

    9) Why should a princess, stay back in her own country even after marriage, and meddle with politics and gang up with the younger brother against the elder brother.

    There are many more questions that ring in our mind. PS is nothing but Bahubali of the print literature. If people take that to be the real Chola history, I am sorry, Shankathara will not interest them. And sure,I did not write Shankadhara for PS fans.

    For instance, MK built Valluvar Kottam and Poompuhar. He was instrumental in Tamil being declared a Classic language. These will be recorded in history for sure, but 2G Spectrum will not be. If 200 years later, somebody finds about the scam and pens a story on that, there will be innumerable queries and his version will not be accepted. But that should be a dampner for future investigations.

    My bottomline message : PS is not Chola history, neither Shankadhara is. Just try to draw a middle line and please do not ignore Adithya Karikalan’s role in Chola history. Perhaps, had he not be eliminated, he would have risen to greater level than Raja Raja Chola. Perhaps, he would have constructed a new temple beside Thalikulathar temple and retained both.

    Thanks
    Kaalachakaram Narasimma

  5. Welcome Umaa. I would just add few more words here. When I used to hear stories from people who read PS I just ask them questions and questions they get frustrated and tell me to read the book. But, after reading Sangathara it all turned down 😉 When I started expressing the views of the Author I just saw shocked faces, surprised eyes and few debated as expected 😉 It was a very good experience after all. If I want to meet someone among the Chola’s I would keep my eyes open for Aditya…

  6. Thank you Ramkumar for such a well written comment. I too had the speculations and was not able to overcome the feel when I finished the book ! Totally could relate !!

  7. Hello Friend, first of all thanks for providing the insight in to ‘sangathara’ which helped me to get some clue about the Prince Aditya karikalan’s death. Before reading this book I had two experience with Ponniyen Selvan (PS). First one was the story I heard from the readers in my home then and there, second was from the stage show held last month @ music academy. After watching the stage show I got too much involved with the character of Prince Aditya II since the actor was too good for that role and the drama ended up confusing me about the killers. It was then I got serious interest into the death of the Prince which drove me to know the real cause and the killers. So I started my search which ended up with ‘sangathara’ and thanks to you again. I had never read any kind of story books before. But the start of this book with a narrative from the Prince was a catch which made me go wild and finish reading it within a weak. The Author has given answers to the questions that will come up after reading PS. The book is so interesting with so much twists, new thoughts, new facts and it ends very well. I was very much satisfied with the view taken by the Author on death of Prince Aditya II. To me this book is unique and gives totally a refreshed view about the Chola’s and the greed over the throne. I appreciate and welcome the view of the Author. Thank you umaa for the blog and I appreciate your time and effort.

  8. That’s cool ! I will read them first . As you said it does leaves a disturbed feeling we could accept the authors view too

  9. First I would like to thank umaa for sending picture of some page which are missing in ebook.

    I too have a same disturbed feeling in the end. I had great respect for few characters in ponniyin selvan, which is shattered now, because the author has plotted almost everything perfectly except few in places where he missed the logics( I have typed those point but I felt I dont want to post it as the users reading the blog would know the murderer(author claims) in a single point I don’t want to break the suspense ). Although I couldn’t accept this story completely, I can accept the view of author on few characters.

    Umaa I have mailed you those points which I couldn’t able to accept.

  10. Thank you so much ! It really make me to write more…
    Keep reading and supporting !

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  14. Hey can u do me a favor ?

    Actually i found ebook from scribd, but the problem is page 134, 135 is missing in that can u take a picture of those page and send me?

    Plz do this favor am in middle now.

  15. Well written book. The suspense was maintained till the end. Difficult to accept Kalki or Narasimha in toto. Both are works of fiction, interlaced with historical facts and characters. Kalki however laid the blazed path and that is why Ponniyin Selvan, Sivakaamiyin Sabhatham and Paarthibhan Kanavu serve us in understanding Chola, Chalukya and Pallava Histories better than history books themselves. Sanghadhara by Narasimha is a bold, new, shocking trend of a book. It demolishes many of our intrinsic love and feelings about Ponniyin Selvan characters. Hence it is difficult to accept its conclusions, yet you will read it someday soon again along with Ponniyin Selvan. You will feel that most political murders including Aditya Karikala’s one will remain unsilved mysteries for ever.

  16. My opinion I believe this book will be interesting when a person know well about the story of PONNIAN SELVAN. I too had the same experience

  17. Thank you Buva for that comment you are welcomed to share your thought but not to be Judgemental on me or this blog… but for your kind information it was not a sponsored post or targeted marketing… You should READ the blog carefully. I have mentioned MY VIEWS . Some people liked and some don’t … P.S I have not deleted any comment before also this blog contains only those which I feel worth sharing and those I have enjoyed.

  18. After 2 years of search, I had this book shipped to the place where I live which is in North Americas. But I am not impressed with the book (or the investigation report mentioned by the author). I feel I wasted my time in a book penned by such an amateur. I strongly feel that the book shows lack of perfectionism, logic, urgency and large part of the episodes to vagueness.
    Treat this as a fiction novel, but still shows the work of an ameteur ! DONT DELETE this comment as all the time i just read positive reviews and no NEGATIVE reviews. Now it maskes all the more sense that there was targetted for marketing.

  19. Can i get the Electronic copy of this book, even i have tried in my home town(mayiladuthurai), right now i’m staying in bangalore. Even i have checked in all sapna book shop in bangalore. Pls provide if anyone have this e-copy. Eagerly waiting to read this book.
    thanks in advance!

  20. Dear Sir, an excellent book. unexpected turnings. hats of to you sir. very intelligent work. sir, to what extent there is proof in this story. If you let me know, i will feel very happy. I am very much interested in chola history and very crazy about cholas. I would like to know the proof. Udaiyarkudi inscription says that Ravidasan and his brothers only killed Aditya karikala. Can you please provide the truth apart from the novel? Thank u for giving us a wonderful book. I always thought that ponniyin selvan is unbeatable. but yours is also marvellous. I could not keep the book down till i finished the book.

    With regards,

    radhamurali

  21. Tried even in Vanathi Pathipagam chennai but could not get it 🙁 they say next edition is delayed 🙁

  22. Dear friends,

    It may be available in Vanathi Pathipakam. You can ask them for new one.

    Uma’s Dad

  23. I think renting my copy would not be possible. I got the book as a gift from my Dad and all he could remember was buying the book in Egmore,Chennai at some Illakiyapannai.

  24. Hi i tried to ge this book but in all stores and even in Vanathi pathipakam they said its out of stock could you please rent your copy to me or atleast give me the address where you purchased.
    Thanks in advance!!!

  25. Hi… where can i get that book? will u give any link or else any availability store names?

  26. if you can send me a e-zine of the book to my mail id:
    The book is not available on the stores.

    Regards

  27. I am very happy to know that you have come across the blog and to hear directly from ‘THE AUTHOR’ of the ‘Sangathara’ itself.
    I have just penned down my mindset and as you rightly stated the sentiment factor!

    The research and the caution you took while penning down the book is quite evident and fascinating.
    Hats of to you Sir!

  28. Hi…I am kalachakram Narasimma and I thank you for the good words you have said about the plot with strings attached. Sure….You are free to voice your sentiments, Madam,. But I am not sure if you had removed the 3D glasses provided by Kalki to read the 3 dimension version of his novel Ponniyin Selvan, before venturing into my novel. Mine is 3D version. Sangathara is only an investigation report like that of the CBI focussing only on the reality and what transpired within the family. NO motives, no glorification, no beatification….written with neutrality and being the Deputy Editor of the Hindu I took utmost precaution in writing this. Thanks once again. Kalachakram Naraismma

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