चम्पकवल्ली
 
Campakavallī – A Sanskrit Graphic Novel Translated by Śibukumāra K.
Original Story: B. Prasad | Illustrations: Manoj Mattassery
 
Kerala's rich yakṣī folklore finds another resounding voice in Campakavallī, a graphic novel translated into Sanskrit by Sri Śibukumāra K. as part of the pioneering Live Sanskrit project.
 
At the heart of the story is Campakavallī, a woman of unshakable resolve and virtue. Alongside her husband Anantakuṭṭippattar, she had sought refuge in the court of Vēṇāṭṭumaṉṉan, fleeing from Valliyūr. But fate intervenes—while on a trade journey, Anantakuṭṭippattar is slain by bandits. The ruling system’s failure to protect innocent lives drives Campakavallī to an act of ultimate protest—she performs sati right in front of the king, making a powerful moral statement against the injustice.
 
But her story does not end there. Reborn with divine purpose, Campakavallī returns to exact justice from those who betrayed her and her husband, becoming a symbol of vengeance transformed into righteousness.
 
This novel is part of a curated series of five Sanskrit graphic novels, based on Kerala’s southern ballad traditions (tekkan pāṭṭukaḷ), retelling the stories of extraordinary women—brave, devoted, and spiritually radiant. These are not mere tales of horror; they are layered narratives of women who stood against injustice, met untimely deaths, and returned as yakṣīs—divine feminine spirits, feared and revered.
 
Campakavallī, in its Sanskrit form, bridges ancient language with regional lore, inviting young minds and Sanskrit learners into the courageous inner world of Kerala’s legendary heroines. The visual narrative, enriched by Manoj Mattassery’s artwork, lends vibrancy and immediacy to the story.
 
With Sri Śibukumāra K.’s translation, this book stands as a rare contribution to Sanskrit literature—a graphic novel that champions social memory, female power, and moral resistance. It is a tale that transcends time, retold in a language that continues to echo the timeless truths of dharma