Kane Chronicles- The Throne Of Fire

The egyptian sun god Ra simplified with Maler_der_Grabkammer_der_Nefertari_001.jpg as reference (horiz mirrored) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The moon god Khonsu, depicted as a falcon with the moon-disk on his head. Khonsu could also be depicted as a mummiform child with a large pendent necklace and wearing the same moon disk. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Title: Kane Chronicles- The Throne of Fire

Author: Rick Riordan

Main Characters: Carter Kane, Sadie Kane, Bast, Bes, Zia Rashid, Walt, Jaz, Anubis, Isis, Horus, Ra, Amos, Menshikov, Desjardins, Nephthys, Khufu and Thoth.

Description of one of the main characters: Walt is a magician in the House of Life. He is one of the descendants of Akhenaton. So, the curse of Akhenaton runs in his family. He is sixteen years old and loves to play basketball. He helps Sadie Kane get the third book of Ra.

Whom I like and Why: I like Bes because he is kind to the Kanes. He is the god of the dwarves. He helps Sadie Kane and Cater Kane fight Apophis and also find the books of Ra. He sacrifices his own life to Khonsu, the Moon God to allow the Kanes to go back time. He is Bast's friend.

Whom I dislike and Why: I dislike Menshikov as he works for Apophis. He knows Set's secret name. He tries to make Set work for him.

The US logo for The Kane Chronicles (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Setting/Theme of the Story: Carter, Sadie, Walt and Jaz try to wake Ra, so that they can defeat Apophis, the evil God of chaos. For waking Ra, they need to find the three books of Ra. Jaz suddenly falls ill and the other three continue the journey. Bast goes off on her own to check whether Apophis is trying to break free. Bast sends Bes, to help Sadie and Carter in their quest. Carter saves Zia Rashid from the palace of Red sands where Iskander had hidden her. Zia and Walt go back to 21st nome in Brooklyn. Sadie and Carter travel into the Duat and they awaken Ra. To their surprise they find Vlad Menshikov trying to stop them. Desjardins suddenly comes to Kanes and sends Apophis inside the Earth, so that Apophis will take more time to come back. During the process, he dies and Amos becomes the cheif Lector. The Kanes get more time to defeat Apophis.

Kalki Selected Stories

Kalki Krishnamurthy (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Title: Kalki Selected Stories

Author: Kalki.R.Krishnamurthy

TRANSLATED BY: GOWRI RAMNARAYAN, GRAND DAUGHTER OF KALKI.

THE STORIES I LIKED:

v  THE TIGER KING

Prince Jung Jung Bahadur was born and the astrologers predicted that the child will grow to become a warrior. They also said that the 100th tiger will kill him. The crown Prince, Jung Jung Bahadur grew up and started killing all the tigers. He had killed all the tigers in his kingdom but he had to kill 30 more. He married a young princess of a state with large tiger population. He had killed all the tigers there. He had killed 99 tigers. If he killed 1 more, he could prove that the astrologers were wrong. One day his soldiers got him an old tiger. He aimed a shot at the tiger and the tiger fell to the ground. He went to celebrate. Later, the soldiers found it was not dead and killed it instead of saying it to the king. Soon Jung Jung Bhadur son's birthday arrived. The king presented his son a toy tiger. While playing with his son, the steel went inside the king's hand. Best surgeons from Madras were called but the surgery failed and the king died. The 100th tiger had killed the king.

 v  THE POISON CURE:

This story is about Narayana Iyer, who thinks that untouchables are not equal to his Bhramin caste. He has the skill to draw the poison from snakebites and scorpion stings. He believes that when he says the mantra to draw the poison from the person, the mantra will not work if an untouchable is near him. One day an Inspector sat near him while he drew poison away from a person. After completing his mantra and after the patient was recovered, he told the inspector that the manta wouldn't have worked if an untouchable was near him. The inspector started laughing and replied when he was asked why he was laughing that he himself was an untouchable and the mantra had worked. From then on Narayana Iyer did not mind an untouchable near him.

 v  THE RURAL FANTASY:

This story is about a woman named Sakunthala who made the young women of the Kanaiyazhi educated and asked them to be brave and daring. She made the Kanaiyazhi people clean their village and asked them to keep it clean. She taught them now to read and sing songs. But when Sakunthala returns to Kolkata, they all start littering again. But the women of Kanaiyazhi still follow Sakuthala's advice.

The other stories are:

The letter, Rebirth of Srikanthan, The Governor's visit, The Big swelling sea, S.S.Menaka, Ruined Fort, Veenai Bhavani and Madatevan's spring.

It was an interesting book with nice stories. I enjoyed reading it. It is a must read for people who want to read good books.

Eldest- Inheritance Book Two

Eldest (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Title: Eldest- Inheritance Book Two

Author: Christopher Paolini

Main Characters: Eragon, Saphira, Murtagh, Arya, Roran, Nasuda. Galbatorix, Ra'zacs, Horst, Solan, Katrina, Angela, Orik, Elva, Urgals, Gladr, Oromis, Trianna, Jeod, Islanzadi, Hrothgar and Thorn.

Description of One Of the main characters: Elva is the young girl who had been cursed by Eragon when she was young. She is very young but has an adult's voice. She saves Nasuda from assassins of Galbatorix.

Whom I like and Why: I like Roran. He is brave. He saves the people of Alagaesia from Galbatorix's men and also from the Urgals. He hides the whole village in Surda with the help of the Varden. He joins with Eragon to save Katrina his wife, whom the Ra’zac took away.

Setting/Theme of the Story: Eragon continues his journey to Ellesmera to get his training as a rider from the elves. Oromis and Gladr train Eragon and Saphira. He comes back to the Varden with Orik to fight Galbatorix. Meanwhile Roran takes the whole of Alagaesia and hides them in Surda. He gets help from Jeod, an old friend of Brom. He loses Katrina to the Ra'zacs. When Eragon fights a war with Galbatorix's men, a new rider emerges. Murtagh had started serving Galbatorix like his father and his dragon's name is Thorn. He tells Eragon a shocking news that they are brothers. Selena was Eragon's and Murtagh's mother. Morzan was their father! Murtagh is older than Eragon. Murtagh takes away Morzan's sword given to Eragon by Brom saying that the sword has to go to the eldest of Morzan's sons, not the youngest. This is the end of Eldest.

The Doctor’s Dilemma: A Tragedy

Photograph of scene designed by Jo Mielziner for George Bernard Shaw's "Doctor's Dilemma." Courtesy of the New York Public Library Digital Library. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Title: The Doctor’s Dilemma: A Tragedy

Author: George Bernard Shaw

Main Characters: Sir Patrick Cullen, Sir Ralph Bloomfield Bonnington, Sir Colenso Ridgeon, Cutler Walpole, Leo Schutzmacher, Dr.Blenkinsop, Louis Dubedat, Redpenny, The newspaper man, Mr.Danty, Jennifer Dubedat, Emmy and Minnie Tinwill.

Description of the main characters:

Sir Patrick Cullen:

Sir Patrick Cullen was a doctor. He advises Ridgeon and the other young doctors like Leo Schtzmacher, Dr.Blenkinsop, Sir Ralph Bloomfield  Bonnington. He likes to grunt for everything. He is jealous of Ridgeon's new discovery.

Sir Ralph Bloomfield Bonnington:

Sir Ralph Bloomfield Bonnington is a tall man . He is a kind doctor. He is Ridgeon's friend. He is a born healer. He is known to everyone as B.B.

Sir Colenso Ridgeon:

Sir Colenso Ridgeon is a man of fifty. He won his knighthood by finding how to cure consumption and tuberculosis. The medicine he invented cures people only if he uses the medicine. If other doctors use it the patients get killed.

Cutler Walpole:

Cutler Walpole is an energetic man of forty. He is never in doubt. He is not hesitant. He is a great surgeon. He thinks every disease is because of blood-poisoning.

Leo Schutzmacher:

Leo Schutzmacher is a not very rich man. He was Ridgeon's classmate in the university college school. He is known to Ridgeon as Loony. He earns money with two magical words: 'CURE GUARANTEED.'

Dr.Blenkinsop:

Dr.Blenkinsop is very different from the others. He is clearly not a prosperous man. He wears shabby clothes and there are lines from the face because of worrying. He is also Ridgeon's friend.

Setting/Theme of the story: Ridgeon becomes Sir Colenso Ridgeon as he finds out the cure for tuberculosis + consumption. His friends, Dr.Blenkinsop, B.B, Schutzmacher, Cutler Walpole and Sir Patrick Cullen, congratulate him. While all these doctors congratulate Ridgeon a lady waits outside to meet Ridgeon. Emmy, the serving woman, sends the lady inside to Ridgeon. She introduces herself as Jenifer Dubedat. She tells Ridgeon that her husband has tuberculosis and insists that he should save her husband. Ridgeon does not accept. He says that he already has 10 cases and cannot take any more. She pleads him and he accepts. Later Dr.Blenkinsop gets tuberculosis and Ridgeon takes upon the case. Hence he hands over Mr.Dubedat's case to B.B. As the medicine invented by Ridgeon for tuberculosis works only if Ridgeon uses it and kills if not used by him, Louis Dubedat dies and Blenkinsop survives. Since Ridgeon knows that the medicine would kill Louis if not used by him and yet hands over the case to B.B , the death of Louis becomes a tragedy.

Perry Mason Mystery: The Case Of The Grinning Gorilla

Judge Hershey (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Title: Perry Mason Mystery: The Case Of The Grinning Gorilla
Author: Erle Stanley Gardner
Main Characters: Perry Mason, Della Street, Paul Drake, Benjamin Addicks, Herman Barnwell, Helen Cadmus, James Etna, Josephine Kempton, Nathon Fallon, Hardwick and Hershey.
Description of one of the main characters: Perry Mason is a very intelligent lawyer. He is very shrewd. He sorts out all the problems of his clients easily and cleverly.
Whom I like and why: I like Paul Drake as he helps Mason solve problems for Mrs. Kempton by doing some detective work. He works for the Paul detective agencies.
Whom I dislike and why: I dislike Herman Barnwell as he murders people. He is searched by police everywhere. He hides in Australia. He is Benjamin Addicks's brother.
Setting/Theme of the story: Perry Mason buys the diaries of Helen Cadmus, a girl who commits suicide in a voyage. He unexpectedly becomes the lawyer of Josephine Kempton who was with Helen Cadmus during the voyage. Benjamin Addicks and his men, Nathan Fallon, Hardwick, Herman Barnwell and Hershey, try to get hold of the diaries. Benjamin Addicks tries to hypnotize gorillas in his house. Benjamin Addick dies and Josephine is accused of murdering him. Perry Mason finds out, with the help of Paul Drake and Della Street, that a gorilla has murdered Addicks.
Part I enjoyed the most: I enjoyed the part when Nathan Fallon claims that he is a distant uncle of Cadmus and wants her diaries.

Eragon- Inheritance Book One

Eragon (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Title: Eragon­­- Inheritance Book One

Author: Christopher Paolini

Main Characters: Eragon, Roran, Arya, Murtagh, Ajihad, Saphira, Galbatorix, Ra'zac, Brom, Durza, Horst, Solan, Uncle Garrow, Angela and Orik.

Description of One of The Main Characters: Eragon is a poor farm boy. He likes wandering in the spine, the huge range of mountains. He lives in Alagaesia. He gets hold of a dragon egg and become a rider. He names his dragon as Saphira. Later, he kills the shade, Durza. He is the most powerful rider apart from Galbatorix, the evil rider, who is still alive.

Whom I like and Why: I like Murtagh as he is a loyal friend of Eragon and helped him after Eragon's teacher, Brom died. He was Morzan, the Forsworn’s son. He once saves Eragon from the shade Durza in Gil'ead. He has a long scar in his back. He is brave and trust worthy.

Whom I dislike and Why: I dislike Galbatorix as he is an evil monster. He is a rider, but used his thought badly. He combined his power with his dragon and by making somebody die with pain. He controlled the Shade and Durza and also the Urgals, horned beasts.

Setting/Theme of the story: It all starts when Eragon finds a dragon egg, and mistakes it too be a valuable stone, in the spine. As he is a poor farm boy he thinks of earning some money by selling the valuable stone but nobody in Alagaesia wants anything that is from the Spine. So Eragon goes back to his room in Uncle Garrow's house. One night the stone breaks and a Sapphire blue dragon emerges from it. When Eragon touches the dragon, he gets a silver mark in the palm indicating him as a dragon rider. After a few weeks, two Ra'zacs attack uncle Garrow's house and kill him when Eragon and his cousin, Roran, are out. After uncle Garrow's death, Roran sets out to get a job. Eragon finds an old story teller named Brom and sets on quest with his advice to defeat the Ra'zacs. On their way Brom teaches Eragon how to fight with a sword and also how to use magic. One day the Ra'zacs attack and kill Brom. Eragon doesn't understand what to do and he wanders helplessly. He finds Murtagh and they both become friends. They go to the Varden and meet the Ajihad. They save the elf Arya from the Shade. They help the Varden fight the Urgals and save Tronjeim, the place where dwarves live. During the fight Eragon kills Durza, the shade and earns th title 'Eragon Shadeslayer' from Arya. He thanks Saphira for combining her power with his.

Ponniyin Selvan: The Crown

The first three parts of the story Ponniyin Selvan are  The First Floods, The Cyclone and The Killer Sword. Now to the 4th part The Crown.

Title: Ponniyin Selvan: The Crown

Author: Kalki R. Krishnamurthy

Main Characters: VallvarayanVandiyathevan, Poonkuzhali, Parthibendran, Adhitha Karikalar, ArulmozhiVarman(Ponniyin Selvan), ParanthakaSundaraChozhar, KundavaiDevi(IlayaPirati), MadhuranthakaDevar, Kandaradithar, Nandini(PazhuvoorRani), ChinnaPazhuvetaraiyar, PeriyaPazhuvetaraiyar, KudanthaiJosiyar, Malayaman, SendhanAmuthan, KandanMaran, Manimekhalai, AzhvarkadiyanNambi(Thirumalai), EasanaBhattar, Vanathi, Aniruddha Bhramarayar and Sambuvaraiyar

Setting/Theme of the story: As Aditha Karikalan does not turn back, Vandiyathevan goes to Sambuvaraiyar's palace to ensure that the prince is safe. The prince and Vandiyathevan enjoy themselves by going out for hunting and boating. Meanwhile, Adithan's best friend Parthibendran,  KandanMaran and Sambuvaraiyar plan to kill the Crown prince. Prince Arulmozhi Varmar is still in Anuradhapuram. This is the end of the fourth part. 

Stay tuned for the last part, Part 5.

A Wrinkle In Time

Cover of A Wrinkle in Time

Title: A Wrinkle In Time
Author: Madeleine L'Engle
Main Characters: Margret Murry, Charles Wallace, Mr. Murry, Mrs. Murry, Calvin O'Keefe, Sandy, Dennys, IT, Mrs. Who, Mrs. Which and Mrs. Whatsit.
Description of one of the main characters: Sandy and Dennys are the two Murry twins. They are very strong. They like adventures. They are very naughty.
Whom I like and why: I like Mrs. Who, Mrs. Which and Mrs. Whatsit as they are all very helpful to Meg, Charles and Calvin during their journey to space. Mrs. Ws tesser very well.
Whom I dislike and why: I dislike IT as it is the black and evil thing. IT tries to shadow the earth as it had done to Camazotz, another planet like the earth.
Setting/Theme of the story: Meg Murry, Charles Wallace and Calvin set off to a dangerous journey through the space with Mrs. Ws. They go on this journey to save father of Meg and Charles. They have exciting adventures when they tesser(time travel). At last Meg defeats the IT and saves her father.
Part I enjoyed the most: I enjoyed the part when Meg saves her brother when the IT starts to control him.

Pun in a Tamizh Poem

Work at tamizh (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There is a poem written in Tamizh by AndagakKavi Veeraraghavar which shows the richness of Tamizh.

The Tamizh Poem goes like this:

இம்பர்வான் எல்லை இராமனையே பாடி
என்கொணர்ந்தாய் பாணாநீ என்றாள் பாணி
வம்பதாம்க ளபமேன்றேன் பூசும் என்றாள்
மாதங்கம் என்றேன் யாம் வாழ்ந்தே மென்றாள்
பம்பு சீர் வேழமென்றேன் தின்னுமென்றாள்
பகடென்றேன் உழுமென்றாள் பழனந் தன்னை
கம்பமா என்றேன் நற்களியாம் என்றாள்
கைமா என்றேன் சும்மா கலங்கினாளே.-----அந்தகக்கவி வீரராகவர் 

A poet sings in the court of a king and comes back home with an elephant. His wife asks him what he had brought back. He replies that he had brought "kalabam" which means elephant. "kalabam" also means "Sandalwood". So his wife takes it as Sandalwood and asks him to apply it.

Next he says that he had got "Maadhangam" which means elephant. But his wife takes it as "gold" which is another meaning of Maadhangam and replies that they can live happily ever after.

Next he uses the word "Vezham" which also means elephant. His wife takes it as "sugarcane" the other meaning of Vezham. She tells him to eat it.

When he tells her that he had got back with "Pagadu" which means elephant, she takes it to be "Plough" the other meaning of it and asks him to plough the field.

When he tells her, he has got "Kambama" which means elephant, she thinks he has brought the flour "kambu maavu" which is denoted as "kamba ma" and tells him it would be enough for their supper.

Finally he uses the word "Kaima" which only means elephant, she stood speechless.

Do you see the richness of Tamizh and the proficiency of the Tamizh poet, his wife and their pun in the conversation?

Ponniyin Selvan: The Killer Sword

The first two parts of the story Ponniyin Selvan are The First Floods and The Cyclone. Now to the 3rd part The Killer Sword.


Title: Ponniyin Selvan: The Killer Sword


Author: Kalki R. Krishnamurthy


Main Characters: VallvarayanVandiyathevan, Poonkuzhali, Parthibendran, Adhitha Karikalar, ArulmozhiVarman(Ponniyin Selvan), ParanthakaSundaraChozhar, KundavaiDevi(IlayaPirati), MadhuranthakaDevar, Kandaradithar, Nandini(PazhuvoorRani), ChinnaPazhuvetaraiyar, PeriyaPazhuvetaraiyar, KudanthaiJosiyar, Malayaman, SendhanAmuthan, KandanMaran, Manimekhalai, AzhvarkadiyanNambi(Thirumalai), EasanaBhattar, Vanathi and Sambuvaraiyar


Setting/Theme of the story: Vandiyathevan leaves ArulmozhiVarmar with Poonkuzhali and her cousin SendhanAmuthan. SendhanAmuthan brings an information that the PazhayaraiPirati(KundavaiDevi) wants her brother to stay in the Buddhist viharam at Nagapattinam. Vandiyathevan goes back to IlayaPirati to tell her that the prince is safe. Meanwhile, Nandini, the PazhuvoorRani, invites Karikalan to Sambuvaraiyar's palace. So, when Vandiyathevan meets IlayaPirati, she asks him to stop AdithaKarikalan from going to Sambuvaraiyar's palace. Once AdithaKarikalan takes a step forward, he never turns back. When Vandiyathevan tries to stop Karikalan, he was in vain. By the time, KundavaiDevi brings ArulmozhiVarmar to Anuradhapuram. This is the end of Part 3. 


Stay tuned for Part 4.

Great Mordern Lives: Rudyard Kipling

Rudyard Kipling was born on 30 December, 1865. There were three things behind Kipling's success. First was, he was very good at story-telling. Second, he appeared in the English literary pause between the end of the great Victorian novel. Third, his way of writing was appealing to the public. Rudyard once wrote a novel called 'The Light That Failed' which was a failure. From then on Kipling never attempted to write a full length novel.

Rudyard Kipling received many awards and prizes. In 1907, he was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature. In 1926, he received the Gold Medal of the Royal Society of literature. The universities of Oxford, Cambridge, Durham, Edinburgh, McGill, Paris, Strasbough and Athens conferred degrees upon him.

He died on 18 January, 1936. His books are still read and being praised. Rudyard Kipling was a very good craftsman and a writer with his own style.

Ponniyin Selvan: The Cyclone

Image by mlanghans via Flickr

Title: Ponniyin Selvan: The Cyclone

Author: Kalki R. Krishnamurthy

Main Characters: VallvarayanVandiyathevan, Poonkuzhali, Parthibendran, Adhitha Karikalar, ArulmozhiVarman(Ponniyin Selvan), ParanthakaSundaraChozhar, KundavaiDevi(IlayaPirati), MadhuranthakaDevar, Kandaradithar, Nandini(PazhuvoorRani), ChinnaPazhuvetaraiyar, PeriyaPazhuvetaraiyar, KudanthaiJosiyar, Malayaman, SendhanAmuthan, KandanMaran, Manimekhalai, AzhvarkadiyanNambi(Thirumalai), EasanaBhattar and Sambuvaraiyar


Whom I like and why: I like Vallavarayan Vandiyathevan very much. He is a warrior from the royal but impoverished Vana clan. His ancestors had ruled TamilNadu for 300 years. Vandiyathevan serves the Chozha empire now. He is a friend and emissary of the crown prince Adhitha Karikalan. Vandiyathevan is famous for his valour. He brings back Arulmozhivarmar from Eezham to Nagapattinam as instructed by the IlayaPirati.


Whom I dislike and why: I dislike Nandini, the Pazhuvoor rani. As KundavaiDevi says Nandini is a venomous she-devil, an enchantress and a poisonous cobra. She wants to marry Adhitha Karikalan so that she can become the Empress of Chozha kingdom. She asks Adhithan to imprison his father SundaraChozhar and make her the Empress. She tries to separate Vandiyathevan from Adhithan.


Setting/Theme of the story: Vandiyathevan goes across the sea to Eezham with the help of a boat-girl named Poonkuzhali. She also helps him escape many dangers. She once saves him from getting caught in the Pazhuvettaraiyars' hands again. Vandiyathevan finds Prince Arulmozhivarmar in Eezham and hands over the scroll addressed to the prince from KundavaiDevi. At the same time, AzhvarKadiyanNambi delivers a scroll to the Prince from AniruddhaBhramayar of Anbil. After a few days, Parthibendra Pallavan also gives a scroll to Ponniyin Selvan from Adhitha Karikalan. The Prince becomes confused. Kundavai has asked Arulmozhivarman to come to Pazhayarai at once. The Prime Minister has asked Ponniyin Selvan to stay at Eezham for some more time. Prince's brother Karikalan has asked him to come to Kanchi at once. While the Prince is thinking whom he should listen to there is news that the Emperor wants Ponniyin Selvan arrested. Ponniyin Selvan thinks he has to follow his father's orders and goes in the ship of Parthibendran. Meanwhile Vandiyathevan gets caught in the ship of a few Arabs. He pushes the Arabs into the sea. While they are all travelling a cyclone hits and Vandiyathevan's ship catches fire. Ponniyin Selvan jumps into the sea from the other ship in order to save Vandiyathevan. Vandiyathevan is rescued from the burning ship but both the Prince and Vandiyathevan get caught in the cyclone. When Ponniyin Selvan and Vandiyathevan start to loose hope in surviving the cyclone, Poonkuzhali rows to them and saves them in her boat. She takes them back to safety. 


This is the end of part 2. Stay tuned.

Harry Potter Vs Percy Jackson

Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia

Even if Harry Potter and Percy Jackson are two different series of stories by two different authors, I could find some similarities in them.

In Percy Jackson, Percy is like Harry from Harry Potter. Annabeth is like Hermione and Grover is like Ronald Weasley. Dumbledore, the headmaster of the Hogwarts is like Chiron who trains Half-bloods to become heroes.

The villain in Harry Potter, Lord Voldemort, is just like the evil Lord of the Titans, Kronos. Voldemort initially takes the form of Quirrel's head while Kronos takes the form of Luke.

Harry is a wizard while Percy is a demi-god. Harry and other wizards go to "Hogwarts" while the Half-bloods like Percy go to "Camp Half-blood". While Wizards fight with wands, Demi-gods fight with swords. Hogwarts has a game on its own called "Quidditch" while Camp Half-blood has "Capture-the-flag".

I hope you see the many similarities between these two completely different series. Please feel free to share if you have some more.

How Prince Arulmozhivarman Got The Name 'Ponniyin Selvan'

ParanthakaSundaraChozhar and his family used to cruise on the River Ponni in their Royal boat. One day, when they went on one of the boat rides, Arulmozhivarman fell into the Ponni river and disappeared. Everybody searched everywhere but could not find the young boy. Then suddenly, a young woman came from the middle of the river and held the child, Arulmozhivarman, aloft. Thus, from that time, the child was also called  Ponniyin Selvan, dear to the Ponni River.

Ponniyin Selvan: Part 1: The First Floods

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I am currently reading the English version of Kalki R. Krishnamurthy's Ponniyin Selvan translated by C. V. Karthik Narayanan and published by MACMILLAN India Ltd.

The original was first serialised in Tamizh 1950-54 in the magazine Kalki.

The First Floods is the first part of Ponniyin Selvan series.

Main Characters: VallvarayanVandiyathevan, Parthibendran, Adhitha Karikalar, ArulmozhiVarman(Ponniyin Selvan), ParanthakaSundaraChozhar, KundavaiDevi(IlayaPirati), MadhuranthakaDevar, Kandaradithar, Nandini(PazhuvoorRani), ChinnaPazhuvetaraiyar, PeriyaPazhuvetaraiyar, KudanthaiJosiyar, Malayaman, SendhanAmuthan, KandanMaran, Manimekhalai, AzhvarkadiyanNambi(Thirumalai), EasanaBhattar and Sambuvaraiyar

Story: VallavarayanVandiyathevan of the Vana clan who serves AdithaKarikalan, the crown prince goes to deliver two important scrolls from Adithan. One is addressed to ParanthakaSundaraChozhar who is the ruling emperor and the other is to KundavaiDevi, daughter of the emperor and also called as the IlayaPirati. On his way to SundaraChozhar's palace at Thanjavur, he settles the disputes between AzhvarkadiyanNambi and EasanaBhattar on whether Vishnu or Shiva is supreme. Then Vandhiyathevan gets trapped in PeriyaPazhuvetaraiyar's, the prince of Pazhuvoor, hands. He somehow gives the scroll to SundaraChozhar. The scroll invites SundaraChozhar, Adithan's father, who lives under the influence of the Pazhuvetraiyars' to come and live in the golden palace built by Adithan for his father. Then Vandiyathevan escapes from Thanjavur and goes to meet IlayaPirati in Pazhayarai. He delivers the message safely to KundavaiDevi. KundavaiDevi gives him another message to be taken to prince ArulmozhiVarman in Eezham(Lanka). This is the end of first part.

Parthibendran is a friend of AdithaKarikalan. MadhuranthakaThevar is the son of Kandaradithar. Kandaradithar and SundaraChozhar are brothers. Nandini is PeriyaPazhuvetaraiyar's wife and doesnt like KundavaiDevi, the IlayaPirati because she is SundaraChozhar's daughter and adored more. KundanthaiJosiyar predicts that ArulmozhiVarman will rule all the three worlds as per his horoscope. SendhanAmuthan helps VandiyaThevan during his journey to Pazhayarai. KandanMaran is a friend of VandiyaThevan. Manimekhalai is KandanMaran's sister. Sambuvaraiyar is father of KandanMaran and Manimekhalai.

I like the setting and theme of the story. I like the story and continuing reading other parts of Ponniyin Selvan. Stay tuned for the rest.

The Hobbit

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Title: The Hobbit
Author: J. R. R. Tolkein
Main Characters: Mr. Bilbo Baggins, Thorin, Balin, Dwalin, Ori, Nori, Dori, Oin, Gloin, Bifur, Bofor, Bombur, Fili, Kili, Gandalf, Bard, Beorn, Smaug, Elrond, Gollum and Bad Goblins.
Description of one of the main characters: Fili and Kili are the youngest dwarfs who went with Thorin. They are brave. They have sharp eyes. But unfortunately Fili and Kili die during the battle with the Bad Goblins.
Whom I like and Why: I like Thorin. He is the son of Thor, son of Tharain. He is really brave. He tries to get back the gold of his father, Thor from the great giant dragon, Smaug. At last, he too dies during the battle with the Goblins.
Whom I dislike and Why: I dislike Bilbo Baggins as he is such a coward. He is the reason for the war with the goblins and Thorin's death. But still he does not have the courage to accept his mistake.
Setting/Theme of the story: A cowardly Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, is called by the great wizard, Gandalf, to accompany Thorin and his company in an adventure. Twelve of them Thorin, Oin, Gloin, Kili, Fili, Bifur, Bofor, Bombur, Ori, Nori, Dori and Balin set on an adventure to capture the gold of Thor from the dragon Smaug. They have exciting thrills during their adventure and at last, they kill the dragon and get back the treasure. But Fili, Kili and Thorin die during the battle with the Bad Goblins. Bilbo Baggins is blamed for their death but Bilbo gets a fair share of the treasure for accompanying them in the adventure.
Part I enjoyed the most: I enjoyed the part when Bilbo Baggins answers all tricky riddles of Gollum and saves Thorin and company.

The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader

Image via Wikipedia

Title: The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader
Author: C.S. Lewis
Main Characters: Caspian, Edmund, Lucy, Eustace, Aslan, Drinian, Reepicheep, Ramandu and The invisible men.
Description of one of the main characters: Reepicheep is a very brave Narnian mouse. It can talk. It goes bravely to the end of the world and reaches Aslan's world. It is very loyal to Caspian. It is a very adventurous mouse.
Whom I like and why: I like Caspian. He is brave and generous. He is kind to people of his kingdom. He is a fair and just king. He is a good friend of Edmund, Lucy and Eustace. He is very patient. Caspian is Aslan's favourite king of Narnia.
Whom I dislike and why: I dislike Eustace Scrubb as he is very silly. He is very selfish. He is not very brave. Eustace does not adjust with anyone. He is the cousin of Edmund and Lucy.
Setting/Theme of the story: Lucy and Edmund are sent to their cousin's house to spend the holiday. In Lucy's room there is a picture of a ship sailing. Suddenly all three of them, Eustace, Edmund and Lucy, go into the land of Narnia through the picture. They find themselves in the ship of Caspian, the Dawn Treader. They all sail to the east where the world ends. They go to look at the end of the world. They have many adventures like meeting all the invisible men of an island. They go to Ramandu's island and leave Reepicheep to go further east. Drinian, the captain of the Dawn Treader brings the three children back to Lucy's room safely.
Part I enjoyed the most: I enjoyed the part when Caspian and the others in the ship escape from the governor of the lone-islands.
Different ending: Prince Caspian and the others find Aslan's world. It is near the sun. It is bright and beautiful. Aslan gives it to Eustace who rules it wisely.

Universe Of Sound : A Unique Music Festival

The annual offering, from MusicUniv, "The Universe of Sound" is being held at Sivagami Petachi Auditorium on 17th, 18th and 19th December 2011 from 9 AM - 12 Noon each day featuring some of the top artists in India. Entry is free.
The idea behind “The Universe of Sound” was to encourage a dialogue between artists and audiences. The three basic concepts of music – melody, rhythm and harmony serve as cornerstones for the discussion, guiding the performances and discussions on each day. Accordingly, we have Shubha Mudgal performing and explaining the concept of melody, Eastern Flowers, a German ensemble performing and demonstrating the concept of musical harmony and the iconic Dr Vyjayantimala Bali guiding us through the complexities of rhythm.
I participated in a group song today for the topic Harmony. It was by the students of PSBBKKN and LadyAndal Schools. We sang "Vande Meenakshi" by Muthuswami Dikshitar. 

My mother got confused when it was announced as "Shyamaley Meenakshi". I explained to my mom that both these songs had "Meenakshi" in them and both were composed by Muthuswami Dikshitar. 

Feel free to See, Listen and Comment on the video. Happy Hearing the Harmony.

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

Title: The chronicles of Narnia : Prince Caspian

Author: C.S. Lewis

Main Characters: Dryads, Prince Caspian, Edmund, Lucy, Peter, Susan, Aslan, Hamadryads, Trumpkin, Trufflehunter, Miraz and Dr. Cornelius

Description of One of the Main Characters: Dryads are trees which can dance and sing. They can also speak. They are the tallest trees in Narnia. They are very helpful during the war against Miraz. The old coward Miraz is afraid of tall trees. Hamadryads are brothers of Dryads. They are not so tall as the Dryads but as brave as them.

Whom I like and Why: I like Trumpkin as he is a wise dwarf. He is loyal to the High King Peter. He believes is Aslan, The Great Lion Of Narnia. He is brave and daring. Trumpkin is a old, true Narnian. His family has lived in Narnia for years unlike Prince Caspian.

Whom I dislike and Why: I dislike Trufflehunter as he is a traitor. He always speaks great about the White Witch. He says that Aslan doesn't give any respect to dwarfs. He neither believes in Aslan or the High Kings of Narnia.

Setting/Theme of the Story: Prince Caspian, the new nephew of King Miraz runs away from the castle as Miraz and his wife plan to kill him. He has a tutor named Dr. Cornelius who also lives in the castle. His tutor was a half-dwarf and an old Narnian. Prince Caspian faints half-way during his escape from the castle. When he opens his eyes he finds himself with fauns, centaurs and badgers. He meets Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy. He meets all the old Narnians who still live in Narnia. They all wage a war against Miraz and win. Prince Caspian becomes the new King of Narnia and further North. Aslan forms a door in the air and sends back Lucy, Peter, Edmund and Susan to their own land. They are really happy to visit Narnia once again.

Part I enjoyed the most: I enjoyed the part when Prince Caspian defeats his uncle and saves Old Narnia.

Different Ending: Uncle Miraz was sent to Archeland’s great dungeon by Caspian to get rid of all the evil thoughts and become a new good man who is loyal. Caspian and the others rule the land wisely.

Une Conversation en Français

Pauline: Salut Dennis! Comment ça va?
Dennis: Ça va bien, merci.
Pauline: J'aime la couleur rouge. Et toi?
Dennis: J'aime la couleur brune. Je deteste rouge.
Pauline: Des quelle couleur sont les maisons?
Dennis: Les maisons sont bleu.
Pauline: Où habites-tu?
Dennis: J'habite à Paris. Et toi?
Pauline: Moi aussi. J'habite à Paris.
De nnis: Tu aimes Harry Potter?
Pauline: Oui, j'aime Harry Potter.
Dennis: Quelle age à tu?
Pauline: J'ai onze ans. Et toi?
Dennis: J'ai douze ans. Je suis élève à l'école français. Et toi?
Pauline: Je suis élève à l'école anglais.
Dennis: Quelle heure est-il?
Pauline: I'll est huit heure cinq.
Dennis: Tu aimes la goyave?
Pauline: Non, je deteste la goyave.
Dennis: Tu aimes cricket?
Pauline: Oui, j'aime cricket.
Dennis: Au revoir, Pauline.
Pauline: Au revoir. À bien tôt.

The Phoenix And The Carpet

Title: The Phoenix And The Carpet
Author: E Nesbit
Main Characters: Cyril, Anthea, Robert, Jane, The High Priest, Mother and Phoenix
Description of one of the main Characters: The High Priest is the head of the Phoenix Fire Office. He sings songs in praise of the Phoenix such as:

"O Golden Phoenix, fairest bird
The whole great bird has often heard
Of all the splendid things we do
Great Phoenix just to honour you."

Whom I like and Why: I like the Phoenix because it always sings a poem or a verse about itself. This Phoenix can talk and it has magical powers. It tells the four children about the magical carpet which can take you to different places.
Whom I dislike and Why: I don't dislike anybody in the story as everybody play a good part in it.
Setting/Theme of the story: Anthea, Robert, Jane and Cyril find out that a Phoenix has hatched in their house. They also find out that the Phoenix can talk. It is much more surprising for the children when the Phoenix reveals that there is a magical carpet in their house and accompanies them in a series adventure they have with the carpet which can take anyone anywhere they want three times a day.
Part I enjoyed the most: I like the part where the children become invisible but see their baby brother and their mother using the help of the magical carpet.
Different Ending: The Phoenix burns itself and starts sleeping inside its new egg. The capet is being sold by the chidren's mother in the market as she feels that her children get stupid dreams. All are back to normal once again.

How to chat faster

This is a post that I am publishing through blogger app from my dad's android. My dad uses a lot of acronyms when he is chatting. Some examples are :

TTYL -  talk to you later
OMG -  oh my god
TGIF -  thank god its Friday
BTW -  by the way
FYI.  -  for your information
LOL  -  laughs out loud
ROFL -  rolling on the floor laughing

This is how we can chat faster with friends!

Matilda

Cover of MATILDA

Title : Matilda

Author : Roald Dahl

Main Characters : Matilda, Michael, Ms. Honey, Mr.& Mrs. Wormwood, Ms. Trunchbull, Amanda Thripp and Lavender.

Description Of One Of The Main Characters : Ms. Trunchbull is the head-mistress of the school in which Matilda studies. She is very rough and dangerous. She doesn't like small girls. She is stupid. She always says that she has never been a small kid just because she doesn't like them.

Whom I like and Why : I like Lavender as she once put a newt inside the water jug of Ms. Trunchbull when she was teaching a lesson. She is really brave and intelligent. She is Matilda’s best friend.

Whom I dislike and Why : I dislike Mr. & Mrs. Wormwood, the parents of Matilda. They don't encourage her. They don't get Matilda any books to read as that is what Matilda loves to do. Mr. Wormwood is a stupid owner of a car shop. He sells stolen cars to people telling them it is a second-hand car got from a rich person. The Wormwoods always scold her for nothing. They are not very intelligent. Mrs. Wormwood loves to apply make-up and go to play bingo with her friends.

Setting/Theme Of The Story : Matilda is a genius but she has stupid parents who do not encourage her. They do not even know Matilda is intelligent. They keep scolding her always. Once when she answers a big arithmetic problem at once, Mr. Wormwood says she is a cheat and that she has seen the answers. But Matilda is fortunate to get a lovely class-teacher named Ms. Honey. Ms. Honey starts encouraging Matilda to learn more and more. Ms. Honey finds that Matilda can understand her feelings and starts saying it to the small girl. Matilda has a very unique power to lift, push, move anything using her eyes and high concentration. The problem of Ms. Honey is that her aunt Ms. Trunchbull has the house and money of Honey’s father which rightfully has to come to Ms. Honey. Of course, Matilda knows that Ms. Trunchbull is called Agatha and Ms. Honey’s father is called Magnus. Matilda also knows that everyone calls Ms. Honey as Jenny. So when Trunchbull comes to Matilda’s class to test their knowledge she slowly lifts the chalk using her eye-power and starts writing on the black board :

Agatha, this is Magnus.

It is Magnus.

You would better believe it.

Agatha, give my Jenny

back her house.

Then get out of here.

If you don't, I will come and get you.

Like you got me.

I am watching you, Agatha.

Well, Ms. Trunchbull is terrified and she faints. Matilda is smiling. Trunchbull runs out of the city afraid that Magnus would return. Now Ms. Honey has the house and the money. Mr. & Mrs. Wormwood suddenly want to shift to another country. Matilda does not want to go. She stays with Ms. Honey forever. However, her parents are happy that there is one less for them to take care of. But Matilda’s brother is really sad to leave his sister. They all are happy.

Part I Enjoyed The most : I enjoyed the part when Trunchbull throws  a girl because she wears pig-tails. She did it so to show her dislike of pig-tails.

If You Go To Hogwarts…

Come all the way,

To learn the witchy way!!!

Come to lovely Hogwarts,

To learn from Professor Lockharts!!!

Dark Arts and Divination,

Its a nice combination!!!

The good headmaster Dumbledore,

Has showed your way through the magical door!!!

Enjoy it, you will surely,

As it is magic purely!!!

You will like transfiguration,

But you need some concentration!!!

You will learn potions,

And learn to make magical lotions!!!

Enjoy yourself and all the best,

Good luck and do your best!!!

by Priyanka and Sandhya.

YOCee : My Post- Find your favourite book at Eloor

Welcome to YOCee – a kids’ community website, created by children, for children of Chennai!

In short, YOCee – Youth Of Chennai, energetic and enthusiastic – is the hub for the young people of Chennai

My first post as a student reporter with YOCee appeared here: http://yocee.in/author/sandhya/

Happy Reading!!!

Thank You, Jeeves

Image via Wikipedia

Title : Thank You, Jeeves
Author : P. G. Wodehouse
Main Characters : Jeeves, Bertie Wooster, Pauline Stroker, Mr. Stroker, Chuffy and Lady Chuffnell
Description Of One Of The Main Characters : Mr. Stroker is very strict and thinks Woosters are very unkind. He is really formidable. He is the father of Pauline Stroker.
Whom I like and Why : I like Jeeves as he is an intelligent and active valet. He is honest and sincere in his work. First, he works for Bertie but later he resigns as he doesnt like the Banjo.
Whom I dislike and Why : I dislike Lady Chuffnell as she always gives wrong opinion and keeps adding fuel to the fire. She is selfish and careless. She acts as if she can solve anything.
Setting/Theme Of The Story : Jeeves is a very intelligent and honest valet who works for Bertie. But as Bertie doesnt stop playing his Banjo, Jeeves resigns over him. Bertie is invited by his school friend, Chuffy, to stay with him. But when Bertie goes there he finds Pauline Stroker and her formidable father Mr. Stroker. Bertie also finds out that Chuffy has employed Jeeves. He stays in a hut given by Chuffy near the shore and The Chuffnell Hall. After a few days he finds out through Jeeves that his old friend Chuffy has fallen in love with Pauline. As Pauline talked with Bertie often regarding this, Mr. Stroker thinks that Pauline wants to marry Bertie. So Mr. Stroker decides to get Bertie married to Pauline. Meanwhile, Bertie’s newly employed valet Brinkley burns the hut by mistake and Bertie’s favourite instrument is gone. At that time, Mr. Stroker invites Bertie to stay with them. And as Bertie goes there, he finds out that he is going to be engaged to Pauline. He needs the help of Jeeves. Of course, Jeeves has a brilliant idea. Jeeves applies black soot on Bertie’s face and sends him on a boat back to the shore in disguise with a troop of musicians. Meanwhile, Pauline tells her father that she wants to marry Chuffy and not Bertie. Mr. Stroker seems to be really happy by the change in his daughter and they both get married. Jeeves does not want to work for Chuffy anymore and comes back to the employment of Bertie now that the Banjo is gone. That is when Bertie says, “Thank You, Jeeves”.
Part I Enjoyed The most : I like the part when Jeeves helps Bertie escape from Mr. Stroker.
A few Quotes for you to enjoy :

Well, if that was the attitude he was proposing to adopt, well,
I mean to say. My geniality waned. I drew myself up coldly, at the
same time raising a stiff eyebrow. And I was just about to work
off the old To-what-am-I-indebted-for-this-visit gag, when he
chipped in ahead of me.
`You ought to be certified!'
`I beg your pardon?'
`You're a public menace. For weeks, it appears, you have been
making life a hell for all your neighbours with some hideous
musical instrument. I see you have it with you now. How dare
you play that thing in a respectable block of flats? Infernal din!'
I remained cool and dignified.
`Did you say infernal din?'
`I did.'
`Oh? Well, let me tell you that the man that hath no music in
himself . . . ' I stepped to the door. `Jeeves,' I called down the
passage, `what was it Shakespeare said the man who hadn't
music in himself was fit for?'
`Treasons, stratagems, and spoils, sir.'
`Thank you, Jeeves. Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils,'
I said, returning.
He danced a step or two.
========================================================

`In that case, I fear I must give my notice.'
There was a tense silence. I stared at the man.
`Jeeves,' I said, and you wouldn't be far out in describing me as
stunned, `did I hear you correctly?'
`Yes, sir.'
`You actually contemplate leaving my entourage?'
`Only with the greatest reluctance, sir. But if it is your inten-
tion to play that instrument within the narrow confines of a
country cottage . . . '
I drew myself up.
`You say ªthat instrumentº, Jeeves. And you say it in an
unpleasant, soupy voice. Am I to understand that you dislike
this banjolele?'
`Yes, sir.'
`You've stood it all right up to now.'
`With grave difficulty, sir.'

The Chronicles of Narnia : The Horse And His Boy

Image via Wikipedia

Title : The Chronicles of Narnia : The Horse And His Boy

Author : C.S. Lewis

Main Characters : King Peter, Queen Susan, King Edmund, Queen Lucy, Shasta, Aravis, Bree, Hwin, Aslan, King Lune, Prince Corin and Rabadash.

Description Of One Of The Main Characters : King Lune is the king of Archeland, the neighbouring country of Narnia. He has two sons, Cor and Corin. He realises that his son Cor is actually Shasta and that is why he has been away from his son for many years. Cor and Corin are twins. They look alike.

Whom I like and Why : I like Shasta or Cor as he is brave. His horse’s name is Bree. Of course, it is a talking horse from Narnia. He doesn’t know that he is the son of the king of Archeland but he realises in the end. He once saves Aravis from a lion. He saves Archeland from Rabadash and also his two horses.

Whom I dislike and Why : I dislike Rabadash as he is very cruel. He is a Calormen. He doesn’t know anything about magic. He wages a war against the king of Archeland but fails to win because Shasta informs them. The two hundred horses of Rabadash and their men flee for their life as king Edmund and Peter fight all of them bravely. At last Rabadash is turned into a donkey because he didn’t want to apologize to the High King Peter.

Setting/Theme Of The Story : A boy called Shasta and talking horse Bree escape from their masters and make their way to Narnia and further north. In their way, they find a girl named Aravis and her talking horse Hwin going to Narnia too. So they decide to go to Narnia together from Taashbaan. They meet lions and cross the deserts. They are also given another work to inform King Lune about Rabadash and his two hundred horses coming to wage a war by the priest they meet on their way. At last Shasta goes and tells King Lune about Rabadash and King Lune wins the battle. Aslan, the great Lion, tells King Lune that Shasta is actually Cor and the twin brother of Corin. King Lune is very happy and makes Cor the King of Archeland.

Part I Enjoyed The most : I enjoyed the part when Rabadash becomes a donkey and could not speak anything even if he wanted to apologize then. He just could bray.

Different Ending : Aravis goes back to the desert and starts her own country Aravia. She rules wisely. Aslan gives her the parts further south. All are happy once again.

The Chronicles of Narnia : The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe

Image via Wikipedia

Title : The Chronicles of Narnia : The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe

Author : C. S. Lewis

Main Characters : Lucy, Peter, Susan, Edmund, Mr. Tumnus, Aslan, White Witch and Mr. & Mrs.  Beaver

Description Of One Of The Main Characters : Mr. Tumnus is a faun who works for the White Witch. But he is very kind unlike her. His work is to kidnap any girl in Narnia. When Lucy, the daughter of Eve, meets him, he warns her never to come to Narnia. He is turned into stone by the White Witch for not bringing Lucy to her.

Whom I like and Why : I like Aslan. He is the king of Narnia. He kills the White Witch of the North in the end. He makes the four children, Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy, as the kings and queens of Narnia. He is the son of the wind beyond the river.

Whom I dislike and Why : I dislike Edmund as he goes to the Witch’s castle and gets into trouble. He tells the Queen about the faun Tumnus. He leads everybody into trouble.

Setting/Theme Of The Story : Four Children named Lucy, Peter, Susan and Edmund, go into a wardrobe and find themselves in a totally different world called Narnia. They become friends with the faun Tumnus and also with the Beavers. Suddenly Edmund runs away to the White Witch and tells her all about Aslan, The Great Lion, returning to Narnia and about his brother and sisters. Aslan returns back to Narnia. He saves Edmund and brings him back to the three children. He is killed by the White Witch for saving Edmund. But there is darker magic than what the White Witch knows and Aslan comes back alive. He kills the White Witch and makes the four children kings and queens of Narnia. The children rule the land with the help of Aslan. It is all peaceful and happy.

Part I Enjoyed The most : I enjoyed the part when Aslan brings back all the fauns, centaurs and other creatures who have been turned into stone by the wicked Witch in her castle.

Different Ending : Aslan declares to go back to his land beyond the world. He also gives Peter, the High King of Narnia, the territories of Narnia and further north. They all live happily ever after.