The story of The Anklet is in one of the best known dramatic tales written by Ilango Adigal, brother of king Shenguttuvan, some time between the second and third centuries AD. The writing contains a sensitive depiction of the socio-political context of the time. The resurgence of a Tamil identity and pride in a South Indian culture are to be viewed against the backdrop of the dominance of North Indian dynastic reigns. The assimilation of Jain philosophy into the local culture is significant, a reflection of the great enlightenment in that period.
The adult love triangle in the story is regarded by many as being ahead of its time. The epic qualities of the story, combining mythology with pre-destined tragedy, permit the play to be performed in a variety of styles. The play can be performed in a “classic” mould or a “contemporary” mould with equal effect. This adaptation has attempted to meet the requirements of compactness in a contemporary performance.
The narrator roles of the Sutradhar and Nati provide, as may be expected, the link between the past and the present, between the players and the audience, and between the imagined and real worlds. Ilango (“the younger”) Adigal was the brother of the Cheran king Senguttavan. In Ilango's writing the Chola kings are hailed as the exalted ones: their reign the most prosperous, the rulers the most virtuous and godlike. The playwright reveals that at that time the Pandyan kingdom was decaying, with corruption and anomie in society. In the play, however, the Pandyan king himself comes off as a just one, owning up his mistake and committing suicide to compensate for the lapse.
The play has been published by Vitasta Publishing as part of an anthology titled 'Four Classics', available on Flipkart and Amazon.