I know we would have discussed about Balakumaran and his Udaiyar earlier extensively, Mudhal Yaathirai met him before the trip and our beloved SPS's friend. Stumbled upon his interview on youtube (vera vela illaiya :-)) where he mentioned about PS.
- at 02:30 mins He mentions that he read PS when he was 13.
at 03:23 he mentions that Udaiyar is his greatest achievement in novel with hard work, etc.,
Off topic, - Talks about how his Guru (Yogi Ram Surathkumar) showed the GOD to him and there are few more parts talks extensively about what is that experience and cinema, etc., Those who are interested knows how to locate those and watch.
Correct me if am wrong, I have felt that BK often copies Thi Ja. It has been a long time since I read either of them. Thi Ja's Moga mul is a classic with some great description of Chennai of the 50s and 60s.