Nammai marandarai Nam marakka mattom

I remember and cherish! Despite one forgetting me.

This very sentence uttered in innocence was the point of misunderstanding and became the reason for the separation of the great lovers Madhavi and Kovalan. When Madhavi said these words, Kovalan misunderstood the intent of it and thought that Madhavi was thinking of somebody else with whom she was in love with in the past. This thought came to Kovalan only because Madhavi belonged to the community of dancing girls. The dance production captures this enigmatic woman's life. Her story……….

Scene 1

Songs -Sirrappil kundra, Malar misai

Madhavi, a descendant of Urvashi the celestial dancer is hailed for her beauty, prowess in music, dance and every aspect of dance in its entirety. Her debut performance ( Arangetram) happens in the presence of Karikal Chozan , the then Emperor.

Kovalan who happens to be amongst the audience is mesmerised by her beauty and artistry in dance and buys the garland of Pearls that was gifted to her by the King which was put up for sale for a fabulous 1008 gold coins. By this Kovalan gets the prerogative of becoming her first and permanent lover. They live together happily for 13 years and also beget a girl child named as Manimekalai

Scene 2

Songs -Nila Kouthuvam, Pedi adal

In the 13th year of they being together, Kovalan and Madhavi attend the Indra Festival where Madhavi performs. She offers her prayers to the moon god in the form of an invocatory item called "Nila Kouthuvam", besides 11 other types of dances. One of the highlights of this performance was the 'Pedi adal' (transgender dance) a unique number believed to have been performed by Manmadha himself in the 'Cho' city. People praise and appreciate Madhavi openly. This irritates Kovalan, kindling his insecurity and anger. He leaves the place at that moment.

Scene 3

Songs -Oppanai, Kanal vari

Knowing that Kovalan is upset, Madhavi bedecks herself gorgeously with resplendent jewels and takes Kovalan to the seashore. When she prepares herself to sing for him, Kovalan charged with anger sings first alleging her of being involved with other men. To this, Madhavi reacts by singing a repartative 'Kanal Vari'. Through this song, she speaks to the river, flowers, bees, Swans, Sea.., indirectly indicating to Kovalan that he is being unfair to her. In all earnestness, she also sings to convey the meaning "she would continue to remember and cherish memories of him even if he chooses to forget her". She least realised that this aggravated the misunderstanding of Kovalan who abandons her at the seashore itself.

Scene 4

Letter

Madhavi not able to bear the pangs of separation writes a love letter to Kovalan besieging him to return to her. This letter is acclaimed to be the first love letter in the Sangam literature.

Scene 5

Envarikolam, 2nd letter

Without even seeing the letter, Kovalan tears it apart and accuses Madhavi of deceitful behaviour. He tells her friend that all these years Madhavi has only been acting loyal and pretending to be loving and caring. Hearing this, Madhavi realises that Kovalan's anger is very serious and that he has left the city of Puhar deserting her and joined his wife Kannagi and moved to the city of Madurai. Her feelings of insecurity that Kovalan deserting her would make her stand alone with her child compels her to write another letter to Kovalan. This one, very humbly, requesting Kovalan to return back to her.

Scene 6

Meanwhile, Kovalan is accused of theft and is executed at Madurai by the King. When this news reaches Madhavi she becomes inconsolable and laments about her plight. She finds expression to her agony and sorrow by vigorous dancing and at the end realises the highest philosophy of life -

"attachment leads to distress and detachment brings happiness and peace.."
With this revelation, Madhavi, the most enduring and bewitching court dancer par excellence gives up everything, embraces Buddhism and becomes an ascetic.