Multiple translations of the same book, by either enthusiasts or professionals, is quite rare. Kalki Krishnamurthy’s historical novels have achieved this incredible distinction. His Ponniyin Selvan and Sivakamiyin Sabatham have seen more than one translation into English. Ponniyin Selvan has even been translated into Sanskrit. Alai Osai, which was posthumously awarded by Sahitya Akademi, has seen a Russian translation. Parthiban Kanavu too has been translated into English and published decades ago. Nandini Vijayaraghavan’s translation of it is perhaps the second or the third.