Rajakesari

Rajakesari (Tamil:இராஜகேசரி), meaning "a lion among Kings" is a Tamil language historical novel written by Gokul Seshadri. Though it is a work of fiction, it is based on extensive historic research and delves deep into various socio-cultural aspects of ancient Tamil Nadu during the period of
Cholas. Rajakesari is a part of a Chola historical trilogy which includes Cherar Kottai and Udhayabanu Karmegam by the same author.
Plot summary.
Period around 1000 CE. The Chola capital city of Thanjavur is abuzz with birthday celebrations of the emperor Rajaraja Chola, whose natal star Satabhisak (Sadayam) falls in the month of Asvina (Aippasi). People from all walks of life are gathering in the city to celebrate the event in all pomp and glory.
In city’s suburbs, Rajarajeswarm (present day Brahadishwara Temple), a massive temple complex of epic proportions, personally commissioned by the king about a year ago, is taking shape. Massive blocks of granite are getting unloaded from large elephant carts. Adittan Suriyan, the chief administrative officer of the project (Sri Kariyam), is busy overseeing various aspects of temple building activity. The campus is bustling with people from all walks of life like sculptors (Sthapathis), painters (Chaitrikas), engineers (Vasthu experts), religious pundits and Saivite gurus. A select band of 400 dancers (Thalippendugal), chosen from numerous temples located across the empire, have been relocated to Thanjavur to attend to the services of Lord Raajarajeswara.
Intent to impress upon the emperor and the state, a seasoned dance drama troupe, headed by a veteran named Vijayaraja Acharya, whose family belongs to a prestigious school of theatre artists - is busy doing the final rehearsals of their brand new dance drama titled "Sri Rajaraja Vijayam" (the visit of Rajaraja). The theme of this drama is purportedly inspired by the life of the emperor himself.
While the Chola heartland is thus immersed in merriment and joy, several hundred miles away, deep within the jungles of Chera country (Kerala), a sinister plot has been hatched against the Chola emperor. Envoys of these forces are already in the city, awaiting the right opportunity to strike a deadly final blow.
Meanwhile, the life of an innocent countryside man from a remote Chola village, Tuzhaikkudi, is transformed forever by a murder committed right in front of his eyes. This old man of 55 years, forcefully retired from the Chola army after a fatal injury, is pulled into the dangerous game of politics and treachery. Armed with a sense of getting justice, this physically challenged soldier undertakes an epic journey into the Chola capital that puts him in direct confrontation with the dark mercenaries of the Chera country. Rajakesari is the nail biting adventure of this unlikely hero and his historic sojourn to Thanjavur.
For a detailed review of the plot and characeters, please refer to this YouTube Review.
Publication history.
The story was originally serialized in Varalaaru.com a monthly web magazine from 2004 onwards. It was later published as a book by Palaniappa Brothers in 2008. In 2017, the author revised its contents and published a second edition which is currently in circulation.
Audiobook.
In 2020, an audiobook version of Rajakesari was published by StoryTel India with voice narration provided by Mrs. Deepika Arun. In this StoryTel interview with Deepika, author Gokul Seshadri details how he got the inspiration to write this book, how the plot and its characters were conceived etc.