Muses

Forming deep connections with fictional characters is something I have done from a very young age. Any one who reads a lot will tell you that this is unavoidable. A book delves deep into the psyche of the character in a way we rarely do in the connections we make in real life.

I have fallen in love with the men and admired and often tried to emulate the women. The earliest of these would probably be Georgina, Enid Blyton’s brave, outspoken tomboy. She was the reason for my tomboy era.

Then at 15, thanks to my equally book-loving mother, I entered the world of Ponniyin Selvan. Through English translations found in the dusty shelf of Murugan Lending Library in Gokul Arcade, I first glimpsed at the beautifully scripted characters who changed the way I read my history textbooks.

Besides falling for Vanthiyadevan’s charm, when I read the books then, it was Poonkuzhali I related to the most. Free-spirited, one with the sea, caught in unrequited love, Poonkuzhali is every teenager's representation of themselves. 

Come 2022, Mani Ratnam and ARR brought Ponniyin Selvan to everyone’s attention and by doing so, finally pushed me to revisit the books. Reading the books as a 30 y.o was a different experience altogether. 

I saw Poonkuzhali go from hero worship and impulsive decisions to understanding love for what it is. I saw Kundhavai walk the line between princess and lover as she skillfully manipulated Vandiyathevan to do her bidding, all while loving him. I saw Nandini’s exhaustion with herself as she plotted and grappled with truth and lies.

And thus, these women became my muses.

Presenting, Kundhavai, Poonkuzhali, and Nandini (Shyama’s version!)

Pragmatic Princess

Looking back..

Reflections