16-Year-Old Author Launches Debut Historical Novel “Aazhikondan” in Chennai
Book imagined as a continuation of Kalki’s Ponniyin Selvan, tracing Rajendra Chola’s overseas conquests
Chennai: The English historical fiction novel “Aazhikondan – The Conqueror of Oceans (Part 1)”, authored by 16-year-old writer Rounaak Shiv under the pen name Andhuvan, was formally launched at the Tamil Virtual Academy on the Anna University campus here on Saturday.
Published by Pustaka Digital Media Private Limited, the novel is conceived as a continuation of the late Kalki Krishnamurthy’s iconic Ponniyin Selvan. Developed as a work of factual fiction, Aazhikondan focuses on the victorious overseas expeditions of Rajendra Chola, drawing support from epigraphical (inscriptional) evidence.
Rounaak Shiv, an 11th-grade student from Bengaluru, was inspired by stories narrated by his grandmother and by Kalki’s literary works. With a strong interest in Chola history and Indian heritage, he dedicated the book to the late Kalki after extensive historical research. Apart from writing, Rounaak is also a cricketer and aims to present the legacy of the Chola Empire to younger readers through an engaging narrative.
At the launch event, the print edition of the book was released by Professor Dr. G. Deivanayagam and received by noted writer Kalachakram Narasimha. The e-book edition was launched by author Pattukottai Prabhakar, while the audiobook edition was released by Siva Anand, Director of Madras Talkies. Eminent historian Dr. K.V.S. Maruthu Mohan delivered a special address at the event.
The publisher, Pustaka Digital Media Private Limited, has been active in India’s digital publishing space since 2014. Over the past decade, it has published more than 11,900 e-books, 3,000+ print titles, and 400+ audiobooks, working with a network of over 950 authors. The company is known for its transparent publishing practices and its efforts to take Tamil literary works to a global audience. The release of Aazhikondan aligns with Pustaka’s continued focus on encouraging young and emerging writers.
