No Tamil book or novel has been as grandly celebrated and fondly remembered as Kalki's Ponniyin Selvan in Tamil literature. This is a story of Prince Arulmolivarman, alias Ponniyin Selvan, who later on ascended the Chola throne. A story of romance, wit and wisdom, suspense, thrill, sacrifice, twists and turns and plots within plots, it has been the most widely read historical fiction. Dr M. Rajaram's masterly English translation has made it possible for all non-Tamilian speakers to perceive and enjoy this perennial Tamil classic.