"Oh how she dances in her pretty silks! How she moves through the crowd, enchanting everyone with just a flutter of her eyes. And yet . . . during a single flutter, a harsh judgement has been passed, with no chance to correct it. And if you were to know the thoughts in her head, would you still be enchanted?"
Profile |
|
|---|---|
| Nationality | Neithalese |
| Occupation | Dance Teacher |
| Age / Born | 32 years / 1161 RM |
| Thiram | Karthigai |
| Caste / Jaadhi | Thoothi |
| Class | Tapped Sorcerer |
KADHAI
Born in the year 1161 RM, Aadharshanaa opens her eyes underneath the Karthigai thiram and is raised by her parents Venkataram and Vaikyanavi alongside her twin, Leeneshwari and their elder brother, Maghumithren. Growing up, the twins stick to each other consistently, their schooling, their friends, and their lives intricately tied together. In 1180 RN, the twins decide to run away from their father, and move to Keya. They spend a few months there, Aadhi soon to apply for the dancing institution within the Aadatham Koyil. However, she and Shwari are captured due to identification forgery, and hold an audience with Raasa Murugeshwara. As the judgement befalls them, the Raasa is slain, assassinated by the twins father, and the whole city is set ablaze. They join other audience holders, and run out of the palace. However, on the last steps, Raani Vanathi hands the group her two infant children, and asks them to protect and deliver them to a family member, and enters the flames. The party runs towards the Palani Hills, and there the adventure starts.
"It has been revealed that behind those pretty silks and flirting eyes, something deep and dark lies within
. . . a creature that has not walked the Vaanam in centuries. The thoughts in her head have been unmasked, and it rears an ugly and demonic head."
From the moment the adventure is set, Aadhi is acutely aware that something strange lives within her. Holy waters scald her, her manthiram seems tainted, and everyone seems to distrust her. She asks priests and scours libraries for knowledge, and finally resolves the questions: a malevolent spirit named Bodhi lives within her soul, powering her manthiram and residing within her mind. She was placed within Aadhi by the demands of her father, to save Aadhi from dying in childbirth. However, Aadhi's future looks uncertain at best and obselete at worst.
"The luxurious silks are torn through, frayed erratically. . . stains muddying the once vibrant colors. The eyes flutter no more, tears spilling forth instead. She is losing control, the image she put together wrought asunder. And in its place, something new is forming, an unforgivable monster. Only time will tell if she can stop it."
As the knowledge of Bodhi tears through her sense of self, Aadhi attempts to hold Bodhi at bay by changing her actions. At Lagaab, she is shown a sense of kindness and the best manthirans can offer, whilst Malai Hill shows her what the worst of manithans can do, teaching Aadhi that she must wholly change her outlook on the Vaanam, and the ways that she treats the ones inhabiting the world. However, this seismic shift is not enough to temper Bodhi, for she is able fully incapacitate Aadhi, and takeover Aadhi's body. The future of losing full control terrifies Aadhi, and realizes that she needs a solution fast. As they journey through the Kaalu Kaatu, she learns of Bodhi's history with the Vaanam, and despises her more, hatred filling both of their souls. After Kaalu Kaatu, the party travels to Thaanjaagam, where she revisits a past lover, wanting a future with him, and knowing that she might not have one at all. She is also able to enact revenge upon her father and the soonyam mage that placed Bodhi within her, yet the malevolent spirit still lives.
"Time is moving too fast for her. She is attempting to wrangle the monster within her, trying to temper it down. But that monster is too strong, too angry, too monstrous. I fear that Aadharshanaa may not recover, for time will not stop, and she did not make good use of it either."
The party reaches their final destination: the Soodam Kingdom. There she learns that the only way to eradicate Bodhi is a high-intensive exorcism, which could kill Aadhi or Bhavannan, who must hold her down in place. The two agree to it, yet realize that their last days might be upon them. Aadhi helps the party with sieges and battles, whilst the looming death breathes down on her. The day finally arrives, and she is placed upon a rangoli, Bhavannan holding her shoulders down, and Haavani and Shwari delivering the holy light upon them. After excruciating burning and pain, she emerges from the rangoli cleansed, however Bhavannan is reduced to ashes. The results devastates Aadhi, as the loss of a friend was insurmountable, yet a sense of relief blossoms within her, having finally getting rid of this dark entity within. Her manthiram has fully vanished, and burn scars cover her body, yet she looks towards the future with hope.
"A peaceful life lays upon her, one where she can rebuild her perceived self to the dharmic standards she holds. May she rest easy, for the war has been won, and all that is left is love and contentment"
The future Aadhi sets out for herself is tranquil and blissful. A loving husband, two children, and a dancing school to run keeps her busy and satisfied. She spends her time living with dharma, enriching the lives of herself and everyone around her.
▲ Back to TopArtifacts
In alphabetical order, the listed items below are objects that carry significance to either Aadharshanaa, the Vaanam, or the Kadavuls.
-
Bracer's of Defense
Golden bracelets that can shield the face from incoming danger. The bracers were found in Maarya and Gambidevi's farmhouse, and Aadhi has worn it ever since.
-
Ring of Mind Shielding
A magical ring that enforces mental protection. This was a gift by Thooli and Lasoo, to keep Bodhi's influence at bay.
-
Vine-adorned Dancing Sticks
A pair of dancing sticks that were gifted in Kamacolor, a celebration hosted in Lagaab.
▲ Back to Top
Interpersonal Links
Listed below are quotes that Mun Mugham has written about Aadharshanaa's affiliation with each character and a short description of their standings after the adventure ends.
Bhavannan Marathan
-
“Her words towards him are sugar-coated, but underneath the sweetness, there lies a rotten fruit . . . bitter and unpleasant.”
-
“Though her words used to be sweetened and artificial, feelings have shifted slightly. She has begun . . . to tolerate him? A dastardly thing to say, but her words towards him are now flavored with truths.”
-
“The tolerance has turned into a desperation. She is trying to make him understand, and he just will not. Obstinacy plagues him, and she will thrash it out of him if need be.”
-
“The thrashings did not yield results for Aadhi, and she has had to pivot. In their celebratory moments, she has danced and hugged him, hoping that he would give in to the niceties. However, he has not budged, and she fears that he never will.”
Bhavannan's sacrifice to save Aadhi's life and soul has changed her entire perspective on him, resulting in endless gratitude and sorrow. She has named his son after him and creates a dance performance that chronicles Bhavannan's life and heroism.
Haavani Aathithan
-
“A person filled with faith and dharma, an opposite life compared to the one Aadhi lives. Maybe it's time to look into a different lifestyle, and maybe the cleric can teach her.”
-
“A kind person indeed, yet unhelpful. Questions seem to be unanswered, as her domain is too specific. However, a calming presence exists within her, which is needed during these times.”
-
“As the adventure continues, a new friendship blossoms between the two. Aadhi appreciates the genuine honesty and kindness Haavani brings. There also seems to be some excitement about the feelings developing between Haavani and Shwari. Drama, indeed. ”
Their friendship grows stronger as they remain lifelong friends and eventual sisters-in-law.
Leeneshwari Venkataram
-
“Aadhi loves her, she needs her. She knows she would not be alive without her. But war is brewing between the two, and Aadhi is not sure if she should win.”
-
“War came, and their foundation lies destroyed in the rubble of it all. However, a hope still remains, to rebuild, and to rekindle the love that once was.”
-
“Amidst the rubble, small blocks are stacked together, trying to rebuild. Yet, a large shadow looms over the debris, the shadow of Dhara's demands, threatening to reduce the rubble to mere dust.”
-
“The two sisters have started rebuilding their relationship, and now stands a foundation, sturdier and mightier than the previous one. It seems more likely that this ground shall stand the test of time, yet the monster and the destroyer still have the power to dismantle it all.”
Their sisterhood remains lovely and trusted, as the work they both put in to rebuild their relationship is insurmountable. Leeneshwari becomes a lively aunt to Aadhi's children, and the family grows in love and bliss.
▲ Back to Top