Jayashree Jayapaul

Born into a large family in Madurai in 1955, self taught artist Jayashree Jayapaul started painting at a very young age and has been exhibiting in galleries since 1978. She has been part of group exhibitions in Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai, Venkatappa Art Gallery and Chitrakala Parishad, Bangalore, Lalitkala Academy, Chennai and Chitrakala academy in Coimbatore. She has completed an art project of the entire bible, starting from the creation in Genesis to the vision of heaven in Revelations. Her art provides her with the best opportunities to explore untraveled avenues in biblical themes that have influenced her in her personal life. Her other works focus on life and rural scenes in and around Tamil Nadu. The canvases are a blend of a fine flow of muted colours balanced by strong and vibrant hues. She says that her choice of colour is dictated by what appeals to her aesthetic sense at a given moment more than her emotional state of mind.

Kannagi

An unsung historic monument (August 2004) A legendary Tamil woman and central character of a famous Tamil Epic.

Epic:
Silapathikaram

Poet:
Poet Prince Ilango Adigal, son of Chera King

Era:
The story of Silapathikaram is set during the first few centuries AD and narrates the events in the three Tamil Kingdoms Chera, Chola and Pandya.

The Legend:
The story of Silapathikaram is set during the first few centuries AD and narrates the events in the three Tamil Kingdoms Chera, Chola and Pandya.

Kannagi and her husband Kovalan lived happily until Kovalan meets the dancer Madhavi and falls in love with her. In his infatuation he forgets Kannagi and gradually spends all his wealth on Madhavi. At last penniless and realising his mistake he returns to Kannagi. Their only asset is a pair of anklets (silambu hence the name of the epic) which is filled with gems. Kannagi gives the silambu to Kovalan. Willingly to sell it and use the money to make ends meet, they travel to Madurai the capital city of Pandya Kingdom to recoup their lost fortunes by trade.

Madurai is ruled by the Pandya King Neduncheliyan. Kovalan sells the anklets. Unfortunately at the same time when he sells the anklets the Pandya queen's anklet is stolen. The queen's anklet is similar to Kannagi's, the only difference being the queen's anklets have pearls encased in them, while Kannagi's anklets have rubies. But this is not a visible fact.

When Kovalan tries to sell the anklets, he is accused of having stolen the queen's anklets and trying to sell them. He is taken to court where the king gives the verdict that he should be beheaded. Upon hearing the news of her husband's death Kannagi is grief stricken and furious and sets out to prove her husband's innocence. Kannagi confronts the Pandya King and queen in court where she breaks her anklets and the spilling rubies prove Kovalan's innocence. The king and queen die of shame realising their terrible mistake.

Legend has it that the city of Madurai was consumed by the fire of Kannagi's rage at the injustice done.Kannagi is eulogized as the epitome of chastity and is still worshipped as a goddess in parts of Tamilnadu & Kerala.

The painting depicts the royal court scene in Madurai, where Kannagi demands justice.

Madhavi

A beautiful dancer and an important character of a famous Tamil Epic.

The Legend: Madhavi is a very beautiful and talented dancer. Kovalan the son of a wealthy merchant and the husband of Kannagi meets Madhavi at a performance in the Chola king Karikalan's court. Unlike the dancers of her time Madhavi is a chaste woman, and enamoured by her beauty & character Kovalan falls in love with her.

They live together for a few years. During the period Madhavi's mother a conniving woman gains access to Kovalan's wealth by using his ring (or Kannaiyali) without his knowledge. Madhavi is unaware of it.

Three years later a difference of opinion arises between Madhavi and Kovalan regarding identification of a fault in the Kaveri kanal vari (song) during Indhra festival.

Kovalan's anger with Madhavi leads to their breaking up. He returns to Kannagi.

Later Madhavi comes to know of her mother criminal activities. She immediately returns all Kovalan's wealth to his father. She becomes a Buddhist monk, renouncing her life as a dancer.

Manimegalai is the daughter of Madhavi & Kovalan and has an epic is named after her.

The painting depicts the lovers Kovalan and Madhavi during the brief stay in Poompuhar.