Tamil historical novels

Tamil literature of South India has a long history spanning close to two millennia. Through most of its history, though, it was expressed in the form of poetry. The novel as a mode of Tamil literature is a relatively new phenomenon, appearing on the scene less than two centuries ago.

Prathapa Mudaliar Charithram ("The Life of Prathapa Mudaliar"), written in 1857 and published in 1879, was the first novel in the Tamil language. The novel does not involve historical characters or events but is set in royal times. Penned by Mayuram Vedanayakam Pillai, it was a landmark in Tamil literature, which had hitherto seen writings only in poetry. The book gave birth to a new literary genre and Tamil prose began to be recognized as an increasingly important part of the language.

Authors like Kalki Krishnamurthy , Akilan wrote historical novels during the Indian independence movement to instil patriotic pride in the people. Most historical novels were serialised in Tamil magazines before being published in book form. The advent of netzines has seen new web based historical writers entering the arena.

List of Novels, Authors & Publications

* Kalki R Krishnamurthy - Ponniyin Selvan(5 Parts) - available online for download
*Kalki Krishnamurthy - Sivakamiyin Sabhadam - available online for download
*Kalki Krishnamurthy - Paarthibhan Kanavu - available online for download
*Akilan - Vengaiyin Mainthan - Tamilputhakalayam [http://Dhagambook.tripod.com Tamilputhakalayam-Dhagam]
*Akilan - Kayalvizhi - Tamil Puthkalayam
*Akilan - Vetri thirunagar - Tamilputhakalayam
*Sandilyan - Kadal Pura (II parts)
*Sandilyan - Yavana Rani - Vanathi Pathippagam
*Sandilyan - Raja Perigai - Vanathi Pathippagam
*Sandilyan - Mannan Magal - Vanathi Pathippagam
*Sandilyan - Kannimadam
*Sandilyan - Rajamuthirai
*Vembu Vikiraman - Nandhipurathu Nayaki(III Parts) - Vanathi Pathippagam
*Jegasirpiyan - Aalavai Azhagan
*Na Parthasarathy - Manipallavam -Tamilputhakalayam
*Sri Venugopalan - Thiruvarangan Ula (II Parts)
*Sri Venugopalan - Mathura Vijayam (II Parts) - Continuation of Thiruvarangan Ula
*Mu Karunanidhi - Ponnar Sangar
*Mu Karunanidhi - Payum Puli Pandaraga Vanniyan
*V.Balakumaran - Udaiyar (IV Parts)
*V.Balakumaran - Kadigai
*V.Balakumaran - Nandha Vilakku
*V.Balakumaran - Peikarumbu
*Sujatha - Ratham Ore Niram
*Sujatha - Kaanthaloor Vasanthakumaran Kadhai (Incomplete story)
*Prapanjan - Maanudam Vellum
*Prapanjan - Vaanam Vasappadum
*Prapanjan - Inbakkeni
*Gauthama Neelambaran
*Aru Ramanathan
*Indra Soundarrajan
* Mu Metha - Chozha Nila
* Mu Metha - Makuda Nila
*Kovi Manisegaran - Maanbumigu Mudhalamaichar
*Ra.Ki.Rangarajan - Naan Krishnadevarayan
* S.Balasubramaniyam - Chandravadhana
*Kannadasan - Seramaan Kathali
* Venkatram Dhiwakar - Vamsathara
* Venkatram Dhiwakar - Thirumalai Thirudan
* Venkatram Dhiwakar - Vichitra Chittan
*Anusha Venkatesh - Kaaviri Mainthan
*Anusha Venkatesh - Thillayil Oru Kollaikkaran
* Gokul Seshadri - [http://www.varalaaru.com/Default.asp?articleid=294 Rajakesari] - available online for download
* Gokul Seshadri - [http://www.varalaaru.com/Default.asp?articleid=518 Paisaasam] - available online for download
* Gokul Seshadri - [http://www.varalaaru.com/Default.asp?articleid=697 Cherar Kottai (Rajakesari-II)] - available online for download
* Vishwaksenan

Historic Novels Available Online

* [http://www.chennailibrary.com/kalki/kalki.html All Works of Kalki-10 Novels and 75 Short stories:chennailibrary.com (Unicode)]
* [http://ta.wikisource.org/wiki/பொன்னியின்_செல்வன் Kalki's Ponniyin Selvan in Tamil Wikisource (Unicode)]
* [http://www.ponniyinselvan.in/novel-characters-f7/ Ponniyinselvan Facts and Fiction] - a series that analyzes the historic facts behind the fiction
* [http://www.chennailibrary.com/kalki/parthibankanavu/parthibankanavu.html Kalki's Paarthibhan Kanavu]
*Rajakesari, a new novel written by Gokul Seshadri, happens during the later part of Rajaraja Chola's life. It is a historic thriller that can be read in full from [http://www.varalaaru.com Varalaaru] monthly e-magazine's website. [http://www.varalaaru.com/Default.asp?articleid=294 To read the novel, Click here]
* [http://www.varalaaru.com/Default.asp?articleid=518 Paisaasam - a historic novel in www.varalaaru.com (Unicode)]
*Cherar Kottai (Part-II of Rajakesari), another novel also by Gokul Seshadri happens during the early part of Rajaraja Chola's life. It fully explains the circumstances under which Rajaraja makes his first and memorable victory over Kanthaloor Chalai - a chera martial arts academy. It is a historic fiction that can be read from [http://www.varalaaru.com Varalaaru] monthly e-magazine's website. [http://www.varalaaru.com/Default.asp?articleid=697 To read the novel, Click here]

Historic Short Stories Collection

* [http://www.varalaaru.com/Default.asp?articleid=620 Kalvettu Sonna Kadaigal Series] in Varalaaru.com Magazine

References

*citation | last=Asher | first=R.E. | contribution=The Tamil Renaissance and the beginnings of the Tamil novel | editor-last=Clark | editor-first=Thomas Welbourne | title=The Novel in India: Its Birth and Development | place=London | publisher=Allen & Unwin | pages=179-204

*Varalaru