Manimekhalai: The Dancer with the Magic Bowl
Shattan, Merchant-Prince / Daniélou, Alain / Kopalayyar, Ti Ve
Never before translated into English, the Manimekhalai is one of the great classics of Indian culture. It is the story of a beautiful young dancer who decides to forego her looming career as a courtesan in order to dedicate her life (with the aid of gods, demigods, and a magic bowl called the Cow of Abundance) to charity and to attaining the 'bright light of knowledge.