Marthanda Varma: A Historical Romance Novel by C.V. Raman Pillai - Ebook Download
Marthanda Varma Novel Ebook Download
Marthanda Varma is a historical novel written by C.V. Raman Pillai in Malayalam. It was first published in 1891 and is considered to be one of the first novels in Malayalam literature. The novel is based on the life and reign of Marthanda Varma, the king of Travancore from 1729 to 1758. The novel depicts his struggles against his enemies, his reforms in administration and military, and his love for Ananthapadmanabhan's daughter.
Marthanda Varma Novel Ebook Download
If you are interested in reading this classic novel, you might want to download it as an ebook. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about Marthanda Varma novel ebook download. We will cover:
The plot of Marthanda Varma
The historical context of Marthanda Varma
The literary significance of Marthanda Varma
The challenges and controversies of Marthanda Varma
The adaptations and translations of Marthanda Varma
The benefits and drawbacks of reading Marthanda Varma as an ebook
How to download Marthanda Varma as an ebook from various sources
The Plot of Marthanda Varma
The novel is set in the 18th century in Travancore, a princely state in southern India. The main protagonist is Marthanda Varma, who is the nephew and heir apparent of Rama Varma, the king of Travancore. Marthanda Varma faces many threats to his life and throne from his rivals, such as Padmanabhan Thambi, the son of the queen's brother, and Ettuveettil Pillamar, a group of eight feudal lords. He also has to deal with the intrigues of the Dutch East India Company, which wants to control the trade and politics of Travancore.
Marthanda Varma is aided by his loyal friends and allies, such as Ramayyan Dalawa, his prime minister, Subhadra, his cousin and love interest, and Ananthapadmanabhan, a brave warrior and Subhadra's father. He also receives the blessings of Sree Padmanabhaswamy, the presiding deity of Travancore, whose temple is the center of the novel's plot. The novel follows Marthanda Varma's adventures and achievements, such as his escape from assassination attempts, his victory over the Dutch at the Battle of Colachel, his annexation of Kayamkulam and Kottarakara, and his marriage to Subhadra.
The Historical Context of Marthanda Varma
The novel is based on real historical events and characters that took place in Travancore in the 18th century. Travancore was a small kingdom that emerged from the disintegration of the Venad dynasty in the 16th century. It was ruled by a branch of the Kulasekhara dynasty, which claimed descent from the ancient Chera kings. The rulers of Travancore adopted the title of Padmanabha Dasa, meaning servant of Sree Padmanabha, and considered themselves as the representatives of the god on earth.
Travancore faced many challenges from its neighbors and foreign powers in the 18th century. It had to contend with the expansionist ambitions of Mysore under Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, who invaded Travancore several times. It also had to deal with the interference of the European colonial powers, especially the Dutch, who had established a strong presence in Malabar and Cochin. The Dutch wanted to monopolize the spice trade and influence the politics of Travancore. They supported the enemies of Marthanda Varma and tried to undermine his authority.
Marthanda Varma was one of the most remarkable rulers of Travancore. He ascended the throne in 1729 after his uncle Rama Varma died without an heir. He faced many rebellions and conspiracies from his relatives and nobles, who opposed his reforms and centralization of power. He suppressed them with an iron hand and established a strong and stable administration. He also reorganized and modernized his army with the help of European mercenaries and weapons. He expanded his territory by conquering several neighboring states and defeating the Dutch at Colachel in 1741. He was a patron of arts and culture and built many temples and palaces. He died in 1758 and was succeeded by his nephew Dharma Raja.
The Literary Significance of Marthanda Varma
Marthanda Varma is widely regarded as one of the first novels in Malayalam literature. It was written by C.V. Raman Pillai, who was a journalist, lawyer, and politician. He was inspired by the historical novels of Sir Walter Scott and Alexandre Dumas. He wrote Marthanda Varma in 1890-91 as a serial for a weekly magazine called Minerva. It was later published as a book in 1891.
The novel is a masterpiece of Malayalam literature for its genre, style, themes, and influence. It is one of the first historical novels in Malayalam that blends fiction and history in a realistic and captivating manner. It is also one of the first novels that uses Malayalam prose as a medium of expression for complex and sophisticated ideas. The novel employs a rich and varied vocabulary that draws from Sanskrit, Tamil, English, Portuguese, Dutch, Arabic, Persian, and Hindi languages. The novel also uses various literary devices such as dialogue, description, narration, flashback, foreshadowing, irony, symbolism, etc.
The novel explores various themes such as patriotism, loyalty, courage, love, faith, justice, etc. It also reflects the social and political conditions of Travancore in the 18th century. It portrays the culture and customs of different communities such as Nairs, Brahmins, Ezhavas, Christians, Muslims, Jews, etc. It also criticizes the evils and corruption of feudalism, casteism, colonialism, etc.
The Challenges and Controversies of Marthanda Varma
The novel was not well received by some sections of the society when it was first published. It faced many challenges and controversies for its content and style. Some of the reasons are:
The novel was accused of being anti-Brahmin and anti-Hindu by some orthodox Brahmins, who objected to the portrayal of Padmanabhan Thambi as a villain and Marthanda Varma as a hero. They also disliked the depiction of the rituals and practices of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple, which they considered sacred and secret.
The novel was accused of being anti-Nair and anti-feudal by some Nair leaders, who opposed the depiction of Ettuveettil Pillamar as traitors and Marthanda Varma as a reformer. They also resented the portrayal of the Nair women as submissive and dependent on their husbands.
The novel was accused of being anti-Dutch and anti-European by some Dutch officials and missionaries, who condemned the depiction of the Dutch as greedy and cruel invaders and Marthanda Varma as a victorious defender. They also criticized the portrayal of the Christian converts as dupes and spies.
The novel was accused of being plagiarized and unoriginal by some critics, who claimed that the novel was copied from other sources such as Scott's Ivanhoe, Dumas' The Count of Monte Cristo, and Rajasekhara Charitam, a Malayalam biography of Marthanda Varma. They also argued that the novel was not a true representation of history, but a distorted and exaggerated version.
The novel faced many legal disputes and censorship issues as well. It was banned by the Travancore government in 1891 for its alleged seditious content. It was also sued by some descendants of Ettuveettil Pillamar for defamation. The novel was revised and edited several times by the author and his publishers to avoid further trouble. The original version of the novel is now lost and only the revised versions are available.
The Adaptations and Translations of Marthanda Varma
The novel has been adapted and translated into various media and languages over the years. Some of the notable adaptations and translations are:
The novel was adapted into a Malayalam film in 1933 by P.K. Kunju Sahib. It was the first sound film in Malayalam and featured M.K. Kamalam as Subhadra and Sundara Rajan as Marthanda Varma.
The novel was adapted into a Malayalam radio drama in 1950 by K.P. Kesava Menon. It was broadcasted by All India Radio and featured Premji as Marthanda Varma and Kozhikode Santha Devi as Subhadra.
The novel was adapted into a Malayalam television serial in 1997 by T.S. Suresh Babu. It was telecasted by Doordarshan and featured Suresh Gopi as Marthanda Varma and Geetha Vijayan as Subhadra.
The novel was translated into English in 1964 by Ayyappa Paniker. It was published by Sahitya Akademi and titled The Prince of Travancore: A Historical Romance.
The novel was translated into Hindi in 1974 by K.P. Narayana Pisharody. It was published by National Book Trust and titled Travancore Ka Rajkumar: Ek Aitihasik Upanyas.
The novel was translated into Tamil in 1981 by C.S. Lakshmi (Ambai). It was published by Kalachuvadu Publications and titled Travancorein Rajakumaran: Oru Varalaaru Kadhai.
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Reading Marthanda Varma as an Ebook
Reading Marthanda Varma as an ebook has its own benefits and drawbacks compared to reading it as a print book. Here are some of them:
Benefits of Reading Marthanda Varma as an Ebook
Reading Marthanda Varma as an ebook is more convenient than reading it as a print book. You can download it on your device and read it anytime, anywhere, without carrying a heavy book around.
Reading Marthanda Varma as an ebook is more accessible than reading it as a print book. You can find it on various online platforms and sources, such as Google Books, Amazon Kindle, Project Gutenberg, etc. You can also choose from different formats, such as PDF, EPUB, MOBI, etc.
Reading Marthanda Varma as an ebook is more affordable than reading it as a print book. You can get it for free or for a low price from some websites, or you can borrow it from online libraries and subscription services. You can also save money on printing and shipping costs.
Reading Marthanda Varma as an ebook is more interactive than reading it as a print book. You can use features such as search, highlight, bookmark, annotate, etc. to enhance your reading experience. You can also access additional information and resources, such as images, maps, videos, audio, etc. to enrich your understanding of the novel.
Drawbacks of Reading Marthanda Varma as an Ebook
Reading Marthanda Varma as an ebook is less quality than reading it as a print book. You might encounter errors and mistakes in the ebook version, such as typos, formatting issues, missing pages, etc. You might also lose some of the original features and elements of the print version, such as illustrations, fonts, colors, etc.
Reading Marthanda Varma as an ebook is less authentic than reading it as a print book. You might not get the same feel and touch of the print version, such as the paper texture, the smell, the weight, etc. You might also miss the sense of ownership and collection that comes with owning a physical copy of the book.
Reading Marthanda Varma as an ebook is less compatible than reading it as a print book. You might need a specific device and software to read the ebook version, such as a tablet, a smartphone, an e-reader, etc. You might also face compatibility issues with different formats and platforms, such as PDF, EPUB, MOBI, etc.
Reading Marthanda Varma as an ebook is less healthy than reading it as a print book. You might strain your eyes and posture by reading on a screen for a long time. You might also get distracted by notifications and messages from other apps and websites while reading on your device.
How to Download Marthanda Varma as an Ebook
If you want to read Marthanda Varma as an ebook, you need to download it from a reliable source. There are many websites that offer the novel as an ebook for free or for a fee. Here are some of the most popular ones:
How to Download Marthanda Varma from Google Books
Google Books is one of the largest online libraries that provides access to millions of books in various languages and genres. You can download Marthanda Varma from Google Books by following these steps:
Go to https://books.google.com/ and type "Marthanda Varma" in the search box.
Select the edition of the novel that you want to download from the search results.
Click on the "EBOOK - FREE" button if the novel is available for free or on the "BUY EBOOK" button if the novel is available for a price.
Sign in with your Google account or create one if you don't have one.
Choose your preferred payment method and complete the transaction if you are buying the ebook.
Click on the "READ NOW" button to read the ebook online or on the "DOWNLOAD" button to download the ebook on your device.
Select your preferred format (PDF or EPUB) and save the file on your device.
How to Download Marthanda Varma from Amazon Kindle
Amazon Kindle is one of the most popular online platforms that provides access to millions of ebooks in various languages and genres. You can download Marthanda Varma from Amazon Kindle by following these steps:
Go to https://www.amazon.com/ and type "Marthanda Varma" in the search box.
Select the edition of the novel that you want to download from the search results.
Click on the "Kindle Edition" button if the novel is available for Kindle or on the "Paperback" button if the novel is available for print.
Sign in with your Amazon account or create one if you don't have one.
Choose your preferred payment method and complete the transaction if you are buying the ebook.
"Download to your computer" button to download the ebook on your device.
Select your preferred format (MOBI or AZW) and save the file on your device.
How to Download Marthanda Varma from Project Gutenberg
Project Gutenberg is one of the oldest and largest online libraries that provides access to thousands of free ebooks in various languages and genres. You can download Marthanda Varma from Project Gutenberg by following these steps:
Go to https://www.gutenberg.org/ and type "Marthanda Varma" in the search box.
Select the edition of the novel that you want to download from the search results.
Click on the "Download" button and choose your preferred format (EPUB, MOBI, PDF, HTML, etc.) and save the file on your device.
How to Download Marthanda Varma from Other Websites
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You can visit these websites and follow their instructions to download the novel as an ebook.
Conclusion
Marthanda Varma is a classic novel that tells the story of one of the greatest rulers of Travancore. It is a historical romance that blends fiction and history in a captivating manner. It is also a literary masterpiece that showcases the richness and diversity of Malayalam language and culture. Reading Marthanda Varma as an ebook can be a convenient, accessible, affordable, and interactive way to enjoy this novel. However, it can also have some drawbacks such as quality, authenticity, compatibility, and health issues. You can download Marthanda Varma as an ebook from various sources such as Google Books, Amazon Kindle, Project Gutenberg, etc. by following some simple steps. We hope this article has helped you learn more about Marthanda Varma novel ebook download and inspired you to read this novel as an ebook.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers about Marthanda Varma novel ebook download:
Q: Who is the author of Marthanda Varma novel?A: The author of Marthanda Varma novel is C.V. Raman Pillai, who was a journalist, lawyer, and politician. He was born in 1858 and died in 1922.
Q: When was Marthanda Varma novel published?A: Marthanda Varma novel was first published in 1891 as a serial for a weekly magazine called Minerva. It was later published as a book in 1891.
Q: What is the genre of Marthanda Varma novel?A: Marthanda Varma novel is a historical novel that belongs to the genre of historical romance. It is based on the life and reign of Marthanda Varma, the king of Travancore from 1729 to 1758.
Q: What are some of the main characters of Marthanda Varma novel?A: Some of the main characters of Marthanda Varma novel are:Marthanda Varma: The protagonist and the king of Travancore.
Ramayyan Dalawa: The prime minister and the friend of Marthanda Varma.
Subhadra: The cousin and the love interest of Marthanda Varma.
Ananthapadmanabhan: The father of Subhadra and a brave warrior.
Padmanabhan Thambi: The antagonist and the son of the queen's brother.
Ettuveettil Pillamar: A group of eight feudal lords who oppose Marthanda Varma.
Q: What are some of the main themes of Marthanda Varma novel?A: Some of the main themes of Marthanda Varma novel are:Patriotism: The novel shows the love and devotion of Marthanda Varma and his followers for their country and their god.
Loyalty: The novel shows the loyalty and friendship of Marthanda Varma and his allies for each other and their cause.
Courage: The novel shows the courage and bravery of Marthanda Varma and his soldiers in facing their enemies and overcoming their challenges.
Love: The novel shows the love and romance of Marthanda Varma and Subhadra, who overcome many obstacles to be together.
Faith: The novel shows the faith and trust of Marthanda Varma and his people in Sree Padmanabha, who guides and protects them.
Justice: The novel shows the justice and fairness of Marthanda Varma, who reforms and rules his kingdom with wisdom and compassion.
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