People forget facts, but stories endure. They carry desire, hope, and longing across centuries. Magdalana Mariam reimagines Mary Magdalene as more than legend — a woman reshaped by scripture, folklore, and poetic vision. Branded sinner, hailed disciple, remembered apostle, she embodies the timeless human journey through suffering toward redemption.

Vallathol Narayana Menon with his poetic magic introduced the enigmatic figure of Mariam (Mary Magdalene) to regional literature through his Khanda Kavyam- Magdalana Mariam. Composed in chaste Malayalam, this lyrical poem touches the heart with its imagery and metaphors.

The simple narrative based on St Luke’s gospel begins with the arrival of the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, in the town of Galilee. In the same town lives Mariam, a beautiful woman who having risen from the depths of poverty, accumulates wealth by succumbing to ego and temptation. One night, she is jolted to the realisation that she has long led a life of spiritual hollowness. Her encounter with Christ and her transformation thorough redemption serve as a background for this exquisite poetic composition.

Music Composition: Dr. O.S ARUN

Lyrics: From MAHAKAVI VALLATHOL MENON’s Khanda Kavyam MAGDALANA MARIAM

Choreography and Performance: Anjana Anand

Review of Magdalana Mariam

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/on-stage-rise-of-the-fallen/articleshow/121854625.cms

https://narthaki.com/info/anitasays/asjul25.html

Credits:

Musicians on Recording:

Vocal: K.S Vishnudev and Keerthana Vaidyanathan

Special voice appearance: Dr. O.S.Arun

Percussive arrangement and Jathis : Sheejith Krishna

Mridangam: Sivaprasad

Sitar/ Sarod: Kishore Kumar

Tabla: Martin

Violin: Easwar Ramakrishnan

Flute: JB Sruti Sagar

Chorus voices: Sneha Sheejith and Harshini

Research and Translation: Sreelatha Rajan

Recorded At SAHRDAYA SOUND STUDIO

(Mastered by Rakesh Pazhedam)

Lighting Design : Sneha Sheejith & Vidhya Venkat

Production Management: Praveen Selvanayagam

Costume Design: Kirthana Ravikumar

Props : T. Amrutha Varshini

Acknowledgements: Sunanda Ragunathan & Anjana S