The Story of Nīlī – A Sanskrit Graphic Novel Translated by Dr. Mahesh Babu S.N.
Original Text: B. Prasad | Illustrations: K.P. Muraleedharan
 
नीली
 
The Story of Nīlī is a pathbreaking Sanskrit graphic novel, translated by Dr. Mahesh Babu S.N. as part of the Live Sanskrit initiative. This innovative publication brings to light one of Kerala’s most poignant and widely known yakshi legends, in a format that blends traditional storytelling with modern visual art.
 
At the heart of the narrative is Lakṣmī, a devadāsi dancer at the Pazhayannur Ammaiyappan temple, who is brutally murdered after being betrayed by her lover, a Brahmin named Nambiyār. Reborn as the daughter of the Chola king Cembiyan, she returns to fulfill the karma of her past life and to exact justice. This is the story of Nīlī, a woman wronged, reborn, and ultimately transformed.
 
Moving beyond the usual fear-inducing portrayal of yakṣīs in folklore, this book belongs to a five-part series that reimagines them as heroic, self-empowered women who rose above personal tragedy. These women, once mistreated, were later revered – as divine protectors, who upheld dharma and inspired devotion.
 
The Sanskrit version of The Story of Nīlī is not just a literary translation but a rare and pioneering work in Sanskrit publishing, introducing young readers to the power and grace of classical language through the engaging medium of graphic storytelling. By presenting these hidden jewels from Kerala’s Thekkanpāṭṭu traditions, the book aims to cultivate awareness, respect, and admiration for the feminine spirit embedded within regional lore.