The “Kuravanji” dance dramas traditionally tell the story of the love of a maiden for her deity and a longing to be united with him. Varunapuri Kuravanji is about 220 years old. The lyrics have been composed by Thillai Vidangan Makarsdwa Sri Manmathapillai. The music was tuned by Vidwan Madurai N. Krishnan. The dance composition was created by late Trichur P. Ramanathan. The story is centered on Lord Shiva who resides in as “Aadi Muneeshwara” in the city of Varunapuri, and the queen Surathamohini who falls in love with him and hopes for their reunion.
Scene 1
The scene opens with the sakhi announcing the entry of her queen. Surathamohini enters dancing behind the traditional tiraseelai, or screen. The sakhis describe her to be a beautiful maiden with fish-like eyes and a slender waist.
With joy pervading in their hearts, they then describe the onset of the spring season—the trees putting forth new shoots, the smell of sandalwood filling the air, the cuckoos singing merrily, and the beautiful moonlight pervading the entire city. To celebrate the spring season, Surathamohini and her sakhis happily play ball until, by accident, the ball rolls away out of their reach. Some of the sakhis leave to fetch the ball back. Surathamohini is involved in a conversation with another sakhi when they hear the faint sound of musical instruments. The sakhi goes and takes a look, and she rushes back to the queen to inform her that Aadi Muneeshwar is coming on a procession. As the procession nears, they perform a pooja and Surathamohini bows to the Lord. Her heart becomes overwhelmed with love, and she watches in a trance as the procession leaves.
Scene 2
Having seen Aadi Muneeshwar, Surathamohini is engrossed in thinking about him. One of the sakhis teases her and says, “Look at this majestic form with Ganges on his head. He has surely come on this procession for you.” Surathamohini sighs and reminisces about him. Then she starts to feels the pangs of separation and pines for their union. When the sakhis try to comfort her, she finds no solace. The cuckoo’s singing annoys her, and she is unable to eat or sleep. Seeing her plight, the sakhis try to divert her attention to the bees, suggesting that one of them may even act as a messenger to the Lord. Hearing this, Surathamohini is relieved and requests a bee to go to the Lord and bring him to her. Later, she reveals that the bee she sent as a messenger has betrayed her. Unable to bear the torment any longer, she requests her sakhi to go to the Lord directly. The sakhi tells the queen not to worry and that she will definitely bring the two of them together. Surathamohini hopes that her dream will come true.
Scene 3
The Kurathi enters the land of Surathamohini, dancing joyfully. She is astonished by the palace, the beautifully decorated streets, the atmosphere of sanctity, and the sounds of musical instruments. She sings in praise of the sight in front of her, as the palace is blessed Goddess Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Lord Aadi Muneeshwara. The sakhis of Surathamohini notice the Kurathi and request her to accompany them to the queen to read her palm. The Kurathi agrees and all leave for the palace.
Scene 4
The sakhis inform Surathamohini that a Kurathi who reads palms is visiting her town, and they have brought her with them to meet her. At Surathamohini’s request, the Kurathi describes in great detail the tribe and the land from which she comes. One of the sakhis asks her to read the queen’s palm. After invoking the Gods and performing the rituals and rites, the Kurathi reads the queen’s palm. She prophesizes the happy union of the lovers. She is given precious gifts by the queen at the auspicious and happy prophecy. On the joyous occasion, the queen, Kurathi, and the sakhis all dance together.