Vandargal Vendrargal

Awesome content, horrible rendition

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I am a fan of Madhan. I read Vandargal Vendrargal when it was published in Ju.Vi. The content of this book surpasses all expectations I had. However, the rendition of the book is comically horrendous.

Charles's rendition is very odd.

- His "zha" is not quite there. In some cases, it's pretty good, in some cases, it's "la" and in most cases, it's in between.

- I understand that Tamil doesn't differentiate between ka / ga, cha / sa, pa / ba. This means for words like Koyya, since there is no real guideline, some of us say koyya and if you are from Chennai, you said Goyya. Fair enough.

But for words that are available in other languages, you use that as a guideline. When you read "opium" in Tamil, you enunciate it as "opium", not as "obium" - as Charles says it - like 500 times in the book. The first time is comical, the tenth time is irritating and by the 100th time, you are hitting your head on the wall.

I have no idea how Durga Das can be read as Turga Das; or bayam as payam; or beedhi as peedhi.

If there is a ka / ga, cha / sa, pa / ba, you can expect Charles to read it exactly the opposite way you expect the word to sound. Then he would drop a gem like "Chakravarthy Sandhini Chowk-il Choorayadinar" - your head will explode. If you are going to say everything with a "cha", why on earth would you just say Chandni alone as "Sandhini" ?

- Words that should be split become one. Maham Anga becomes Mahamanga. Words that are one become split.

- Charles misunderstands how to read a lively book. This is not a dramatization of the book. Good narrators apply accents to characters; they don't mimic. Mimicry isn't dramatization. Charles fails horribly when he tries to make the content lively; instead of dramatization, he resorts to mimicry and fails miserably at that.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Humayun. If Humayun had to listen to this Audible book, he would device a novel cruel punishment like making Charles listen to this audio book in a never ending loop till the end.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Charles K?

Madhan. I have heard Madhan speak; I can sense the humor and awe in the words, which Charles butchers mercilessly like Timur and Nadir Shah.

Do you think Vandargal Vendrargal needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

It has to be redone with Madhan reading it.

Any additional comments?

All Charles' renditions / narrations should be retired from Audible to save Tamil and the listeners.

2 people found this helpful

மதனின் அருமையான படைப்பு

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

கட்டாயமாக. இந்து இராச்சியமாக இருந்த இந்தியாவில் முஸ்லீம் மன்னர்களான முகலாயர்களின் ஆட்சி ஆச்சர்யமானது. சிலர் அன்பாகவும் சிலர் கொடூரமானவர்களாகவும் இருந்திருப்பது போன்ற விறு விறு தகவல்கள் நிறைந்திருக்கின்றது.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Vandargal Vendrargal?

கொடுங்கோலன் ஔரங்கசீப்பை அடித்து அடித்து துரத்திய வீர சிவாஜி.

What does Charles K bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

ஏற்கனவே சார்ல்சின் அருமை பெருமையை கி.மு கி.பி எனும் புத்தகத்தில் அறிந்துகொண்டேன். இந்தக் களத்திலும் அடித்து விளாசுகின்றார்.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

அதெல்லாம் தெரியாது பாஸ்.

Any additional comments?

கி.மு கி.பி புத்தகத்தில் நான் குறிப்பிட்டது போல ஆங்கில வார்த்தைகளைச் சரளமாக மதன் கலந்திருப்பது முகம் சுளிக்க வைக்கின்றது. தமிழ் புத்தகத்தில் பேச்சில் வழக்கில் இருந்தாலும் எழுதும் போது ஆங்கிலச் சொற்களைக் கலக்க வேண்டுமா?

எனக்கென்ன தெரியும் பிற்காலத்தில் நவீன இலக்கியங்களில் ஆங்கிலம் கலந்துதான் இருக்கும் என்று சொல்லுவார்களோ என்னவோ.

1 person found this helpful

excellent piece !!!

Hats off to Madhan for this wonderful effort !

Keep up your Good voice work, Charles !

1 person found this helpful

Senthil Vadivel

Excellent Narrative style !! Great Job from Madhan !! Charles got an amazing voice in narrating the story +
Perfectly blended music will certainly make you 'time travel' to the Moghul empire days.
Good Job NHM, Keep them coming ...

1 person found this helpful

Excellent recording

A good refresher and a peek into the gory history of India under the various Kings of Afghan and Turkish lineage.

review

Back round music is disturbing at times. could have been avoided.speaker sighs audibly could be avoided.

History made interesting

It was as fantastic book on indian Mughal history.
A lot of information on North india's heritage.
Charles narration was superb.
He made it to be an easy intersesting listening book.
All credit to Madhan for his narrative style.
Madhan, Please write more books narrating our south indian empires.

Excellent book

I have read it when I was in first year college
After a gap of fifteen years got a chance to hear the audiobook
The presentation and BGM were very good
Everyone should read it in text or hear as a audiobook
It’s a must read book

Fantastic writing that totally takes you back in time

Madhan has done a wonderful work. I narration brings scenes in front PF your eyes. The style and content keeps you on top till you complete. A must to know history of what happened to India as a country.

Good read about Indian history

Gives in depth information about the nature, likes, brutality, passion of the emperors of India.
From around 1000 AD to around 1857 AD.