A young woman, neglected by her husband, finds herself caught in a supernatural entanglement when she inadvertently consumes a love potion intended to bind her spouse to her. Appanna, a man indifferent to his wife Rani, leaves her locked in their home while he pursues an affair. Rani, lonely and desperate, seeks the help of a village elder who provides a root that leads to an unexpected encounter with a cobra who assumes the form of her husband. The narrative framework utilizes a play-within-a-play structure, incorporating oral storytelling traditions and the personification of inanimate objects to explore the boundaries between reality and myth. The protagonist must navigate the consequences of this deception as the cobra continues to visit her, creating a complex web of identity and domestic tension.

Readers and critics frequently highlight the play's innovative use of Indian folklore to critique contemporary social structures. Discussion often centers on the fluidity of identity and the moral ambiguity surrounding the cobra's actions. The pacing is noted for its rhythmic, theatrical quality that balances humor with darker, existential questions. Many observers appreciate how the play-within-a-play device forces the audience to question the reliability of the narrator. The work remains a foundational text in modern Indian drama due to its layered symbolism and linguistic dexterity.