A reading of Ponniyin Selvan from Nandini's perspective. Nandini is the narrator of this story and the events are presented as she (could have) comprehended them.
I don't own any of the characters or situations.
"Aiyyo, aiyyo, Enperumane, my daughter has become a lunatic and my son started to worship Chudalamadan! It's his luck that my esteemed husband joined your lotus feet before he had to witness any of this. I should have joined him in his pyre."
Amma has been crying since morning. Nandini and Thirumalai tried to console her but she wasn't having any of it. Nandini declaring that she is married to Kannan, like Andal, was the first shock. Some of her neighbours murmured that the girl is mad. Some said that they always knew that Nandini had divinity within her. Akka quietly left last week, knowing that trying to force Nandini will be a futile attempt.
When annan said that he is going on a pilgrimage and invited her to join him, she was ecstatic. They planned to send amma to akka's home. Akka, athimber, periyappa and periyamma will be happy, a change of place will be good for Amma and Nandini won't have to deal with the prying glance of neighbours. Though Amma was apprehensive about sending her unmarried grown up girl to wander around, she too thought that it is a good arrangement as she knew that Nandini could be stubborn when she wanted. But all plans fell apart when Annan declared that they are going to witness Meenakshi Kalyanam at Madurai.
"Amma, is it wrong to attend the marriage festivities of Alagar's sister?"
"Shut up! Why do you want to go when Alagar wasn't welcomed? By this rate, you two will be covered in chambal when you come back".
"I am already married to Kannan. So Madurai Meenakshi is my sister-in-law. Isn't it, anna?"
"Yes, yes. We all are family".
Frankly, Nandini too was astonished by Annan's initiative to attend the Saivite festival. She was reminded of a princess who would have been her sister-in-law in another life. A fierce princess with long eyes like Madurai Meenakshi. She felt uneasy. "Amma, I am going to check in on Gnanam akka's sister. She is down with fever", she didn't wait to hear their reply.
When she returned, Nandini overheard Amma scolding Annan for taking Nandini to a marriage festival. But annan reassured her that he always knew that Nandini is the next Andal and all this has been a divine coincidence. Also what if this visit turns out to be auspicious and she decides to get married?
"Do you men have any sense, idiot?", she her hands on her ears and closed her eyes. "Thirumalai, take me to your sister's home. I don't want to see or hear any of this. My poor child!".
•---------------•
The streets of Madurai reminded her of Pazhayarai. She saw people selling flowers, sandalwood, incense sticks, coconuts, betel leaves, camphor, bananas, ghee, etc. They first went to Pazhayarai on a Margazhi tiruvizha. Why are her eyes welling up? It is this heat and dust. She got used to the serenity of their village.
Annan waved at Pasupati Bhattar, their distant cousin. Nandini has never heard of this cousin. But then, they went to the Chola country when she was pretty small. Bhattar's wife Sivagami and two little sons instantly took a liking to Nandini. The boys reminded her of Ponniyin Selvan and kuttisithappa. Stop. Won't she get a respite from these thoughts, ever? Watch the festival.
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