A story that has lived in the hearts of Kannadigas for generations has now been revisited through a fresh lens. Renowned writer, agricultural scientist and professor KN Ganeshiah has reimagined the beloved folk narrative Dharani Mandala Madhyadolage as Punyakoti Shatakaaruni, a visual poem that brings together ecology, history and philosophy.
Directed by Balu Chandrashekhar, the animated visual poem was recently unveiled in the presence of Rajya Sabha member Sudha Murty and celebrated actor Ramesh Aravind. Produced by Loftyland and Dini Cine Creations, the work has been presented in both Kannada and English, with Ramesh Aravind lending his voice to the English version.
For decades, audiences have known the story of Punyakoti, the cow celebrated for her truth and sacrifice. However, Punyakoti Shatakaaruni turns the narrative around by exploring the sacrifice and perspective of the tiger, a character traditionally viewed as the antagonist. Through this reinterpretation, Ganeshiah raises questions about nature, survival and the unseen emotions of every living being.
Speaking at the launch, Sudha Murty appreciated the depth of this new interpretation, noting that while generations have grown up hearing about Punyakoti’s sacrifice, this work beautifully brings forward the sacrifice of Shatakaaruni, the tiger. She praised the emotional impact of the visual poem and wished that the work reaches audiences across the world.
Ramesh Aravind highlighted the unique combination of science, history and philosophy in Ganeshiah’s storytelling. He noted that Ganeshiah’s works over the past three decades have successfully connected scientific thought with human emotions and historical perspectives. He also expressed his interest in seeing cinematic adaptations of Ganeshiah’s acclaimed novels such as Kanaka Musuku and Karisiriyaana. Appreciating the animation, he praised Balu Chandrashekhar’s imaginative approach, especially the powerful visual concept of a tiger carrying a cow.
The inspiration behind Punyakoti Shatakaaruni has a personal connection for Ganeshiah. He shared that his daughter was named Punyakoti, and an incident from her childhood inspired his father to write a song where she represented Punyakoti and the family became symbolic villains. This memory led Ganeshiah to revisit the story from another viewpoint and explore whether the tiger, often seen as the villain, could also be understood as a noble character.
The narrative was further expanded with an environmental perspective following suggestions from a young girl named Aparna, adding a contemporary ecological dimension to the timeless tale.
The visual poem features music by Ajay Srinivasamurthy, with voices by Meghana Haliyala, Chintan Vikas and Aarav Joshi. Director Balu Chandrashekhar and Dini Cine Creations’ Dinesh have brought together a team of Kannada talents to create an animation work that aims for a global audience.
With Punyakoti Shatakaaruni, a familiar story receives a new meaning, encouraging viewers to look beyond traditional roles of hero and villain and discover the deeper connection between humans, animals and nature.