News Muncher - searching for book

A community of readers engage with books through meet-ups across Hyderabad

Booked on Sundays This June, Read a Kitaab celebrates a year of encouraging the act of reading in Hyderabad. “The online sessions covered books, tips on improving vocabulary and reading skills,” explains Avinash Denduluri, who facilitates the Hyderabad chapter. “I am the founder of Vedika but can’t take credit as many people have helped me in this journey,” says septuagenarian …

Books

Author Nandini Krishnan’s tryst with the Ponniyin Selvan series began at birth. With the first of her 10-part translation of author Kalki’s serialised magnum opus — First Flood — making its way into bookstores across India, Nandini says that she has enjoyed every moment of translating this piece of fiction. Nandini, who first read the books 10 years ago in …

Book

Book Review: ‘Rajaraja Chola: King of Kings’ by Kamini Dandapani

A comprehensive overview of the Chola dynasty written in a colourful and easy style. Rajaraja Chola: King of Kings By Kamini Dandapani Aleph Book Company, 2022 Pages: 392 Price: Rs.999 But how is this accessibility to be achieved without becoming simplistic or camouflaged propaganda? Kamini Dandapani’s book Rajaraja Chola:King of Kings provokes many such questions. The much-lauded 10th century ruler …

For ardent fans of Kalki’s Ponniyin Selvan, Mani Ratnam’s PS: 1 starts with a tinge of disappointment. The movie certainly has a grandeur to it unlike the book that came through as two stories; one of a spy in love with a gorgeous and intelligent Chola princess, and the other of a Chola prince’s vengeful and bloody romance with his …

Ponniyin Selvan 1 movie review: Mani Ratnam film is a visual spectacle that is a little less magical than the book

The eagerly awaited film Ponniyin Selvan 1, which released worldwide today, has been gaining favourable reviews. In an exclusive interview with News18, director Mani Ratnam said, “It all started when I bought ‘Ponniyin Selvan’ book at a library in Lloyds Road in Chennai. Ponniyin Selvan’s story is still relevant Based on the events that took place a thousand years ago, …

Mani Ratnam’s ‘Ponniyin Selvan: 1’ takes on the ‘book vs movie’ debate

In terms of antiquity, the chicken and egg conundrum might predate it, but the question of movies versus books is also in the same philosophical league. As we await Mani Ratnam’s interpretation of Kalki Krishnamurthy’s Ponniyin Selvan to play out on the silver screen, it is but natural that this age-old question is once again dragged, kicking and screaming, into …

Mani Ratnam doesn't take tags seriously. Mention the tag ‘pan Indian’, the latest in-phrase in cinema, in the context of his latest magnum opus Ponniyin Selvan, and the filmmaker shrugs. We’ve made a film as honestly as possible on the book it’s based on. We’ll accept whatever tags come along the way.” Described as India's first pan-Indian director by his …

Ponniyin Selvan I: Review, Show Time, Ticket Booking for Mani Ratnam's Film, Box Office & Trailer

From Book to Big Screen: What Is Ponniyin Selvan about And Who Were The Cholas?

As anticipation for the long-awaited film version of the historical fiction novel Ponniyin Selvan grows, there is enthusiasm among fans and critics alike. Analysts say the storyline of the book and motion picture are consistent with Tamil Nadu’s current initiatives to recapture the Chola empire’s lengthy and illustrious past, which frequently portrays the clan as the “height of south Indian …