Sivakamiyin Sabadham Book 1: Paranjyothi's Journey

Circa 7th century CE, Thamizh Nadu. A young man trudges from a tiny Chozha village to Kanchi, great city of arts and learning, hoping to learn his destiny. A Buddhist bhikshu wanders around the Pallava Empire, befriending lonely souls. Spies lurk in the shadows; even statues of Lord Buddha conceal secrets. Emperor Mahendra Pallavar, connoisseur beyond compare, rules with compassion and justice – while his son, Kumara Chakravarthy Narasimhar, falls desperately in love with the greatest dancer of the Empire: Sivakami. Somewhere in the distance can be heard the drums of war. The fearsome Chalukyas are planning an invasion: their war-elephants, horses and infantry sweep towards the Pallava Empire; Emperor Pulikesi eyes Kanchi as the crowning glory to his martial achievements. Prepare to travel in time, to the Pallava Empire; into an era of war, betrayal, secret passages, guarded forts, beautiful sculptures, port-cities such as Maamallapuram and a Pallava Emperor who would do anything to save his country--all in the best tradition of historical fiction, from a master story-teller who raised Thamizh history to an enviable height, almost single-handedly: Kalki R Krishnamurthy.