Yānum: A Revolutionary Bharatanatyam Production Blends Ancient Tamil Epics with Contemporary Politics

From her early days in Chennai, where the Kannagi bus stop was a familiar landmark, Dr. Bhuvana Kannan's journey into the depths of ancient Tamil literature has been a transformative one.

Kannagi, a female figure from the 5th-century epic poem 'Silapathikaram,' crafted by a Jain monk and poet, captures the essence of devotion and resilience. This poem narrates the tale of Kannagi's unwavering love for her husband, Kovalan, and has survived centuries of obscurity to become a revered piece of literature, celebrating Kannagi as an icon of chastity and loyalty.

Dr. Kannan's exploration into the rich tapestry of Tamil literature, specifically the ‘Aiyemperumkappiyangal’ or the Five Great Epics, has been a journey of discovery and reinterpretation.

Driven by this passion, she decided to bring these stories to life in Aotearoa, using the expressive medium she cherished most: dance.

Her endeavour culminated the Yāṉum, a groundbreaking production by the Artham Dance Company, co-founded with Padma Akula.

She states, “I thrive on challenging myself and pushing boundaries, using dance as the language to express unique ideas yet unexplored in the medium. My socio-political inclinations find expression in bringing original concepts and social questions to life through innovative presentations and choreographed foot rhythms.”

Yāṉum performance serves as a form of "activism through dance," offering a daring narrative that challenges traditional depictions of women in ancient Tamil texts of Aiyemperumkappiyangal.

After a two-year development period, the eagerly anticipated production that started its journey in a humble garage made its debut at The Auckland Performing Arts Centre on March 15.

It brought a fresh perspective to the lives of key female characters from the Aiyemperumkappiyangal—Kannagi, Madhavi, Manimegalai, Kundalakeshi, and Valayapathi—interpreted through Bharatanatyam, the classical dance tradition of Tamil Nadu.

The Five Great Epics and the Five Strong Women

Swetha Gopi played the character of Kannagi. Photo: c/o David St George

Kannagi (from "Silapathikaram"): Kannagi is celebrated as the epitome of loyalty and righteousness. She is the wife of Kovalan, who, wronged by a mistaken accusation of theft by the king, loses his life. Kannagi proves her husband's innocence and, in her grief and anger, curses the city of Madurai, leading to its devastation. Her story symbolises the strength and purity of a devoted wife.

Ambaree Deepak Rege played the character of Madhavi. Photo: c/o David St George.

Madhavi (from "Silapathikaram"): Madhavi is a talented courtesan and the lover of Kovalan, Kannagi's husband, before he returns to Kannagi. Their relationship leads to Kovalan's financial ruin but also sets the stage for the profound events that follow. Madhavi is a complex character, often seen as both a foil and a catalyst in the narrative.

Athulya Mohan played the character of Manimegalai. Photo: c/o David St George.

Manimegalai (from "Manimegalai"): The protagonist of her own epic, Manimegalai, is the daughter of Kovalan and Madhavi. Unlike her parents' tales of love and revenge, her story is one of spiritual awakening and the pursuit of enlightenment. She becomes a Buddhist nun and goes on a journey in search of truth and nirvana, showcasing the epic's focus on compassion and non-attachment.

Niken Waloejo played the character of Kundalakeshi. Photo: c/o David St George.

Kundalakeshi (from "Kundalakesi"): Kundalakeshi's tale is one of transformation and redemption. Originally a passionate woman who falls in love and marries a bandit, her life takes a dramatic turn upon his death. She converts to Buddhism and becomes a nun, dedicating her life to spirituality. Her story explores themes of love, loss, and the path to enlightenment.

Dr. Bhuvana Kannan played the role of Ms. No Name from Valayapathi. Photo: c/o David St George.

Ms. No Name (from "Valayapathi"): Although the epic "Valayapathi" is largely lost to history, with only fragments remaining, it is known to be a narrative rich in moral and ethical lessons. The character Valayapathi is part of these fragmented tales, believed to be a court poet who navigates the complexities of court life and its associated challenges. 

Darshna Ponnampalam played Dharsi, the modern woman that embodies Dr. Kannan's vision. She acts as the dance narrator that tells the story of the five women in a transformative angle. Photo: c/o David St George

In addition to the epic's five heroines, Dr. Kannan introduces Dharsi, a modern 21st-century young woman who serves as the production's dance narrator. Dharsi personifies Dr. Kannan's vision by drawing a powerful connection between the mediaeval period and current societal challenges.

She revitalises the stories of these women, infusing them with new layers of complexity and empowerment, thereby challenging conventional views and encouraging the audience to perceive these age-old tales from a refreshing and transformative perspective.

The five female characters of Aiyemperumkappiyangal. Photo: c/o David St George.

To bring Yāṉum to life, Dr. Kannan also collaborated with Tamil author and lyricist Ramesh Vaidya, delving into the nuances of the ancient texts to capture their essence in both traditional and modern Tamil dialects.

Despite financial constraints, the project attracted passionate contributors like Uma Shankar, a renowned Koṉṉakkōl artist, and Karnan Saba, who provided sound design and music direction, all drawn by the compelling concept rather than monetary gain.

Yāṉum represents a pioneering effort to fuse modern storytelling with traditional Bharatanatyam and Koṉṉakkōl, offering a feminist reinterpretation of India's cultural heritage. Dr. Kannan and Akula's work is a testament to the enduring power of these ancient epics and their capacity to inspire and provoke thought across generations.

-Asia Media Centre