| Alt Name: | Rudraveenai |
| Genre: | Mystery-Suspense |
| Director: | Naga |
| Starring: | Chethan Santhoshi Kaveri Bala Singh Y. G. Mahendra |
| Country: | India |
| Language: | Tamil |
| Num Episodes: | 106 |
| Producer: | Radhika |
| Company: | Radaan Mediaworks Enterprises |
| Theme Music Composer: | Ramesh Krishna |
| Location: | Tamil Nadu |
| Camera: | Multi-camera |
| Runtime: | Approx. 20-22 minutes per episode |
| Channel: | Sun TV |
| Num Seasons: | 1 |
Rudraveena or Rudraveenai is a Tamil mystery-suspense television series directed by Rakesh Sinha. It is an adaptation of Indra Soundar Rajan's book of the same name. From 21 April 2002 to 22 February 2004, the series broadcast 106 episodes on Sun TV on Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. local time. Rudraveena replaced another mystery-suspense series in its time slot called Thandhira Bhoomi.[1] This series was remade in Malayalam bearing the same name, but with significant changes to the story. However, the past segment with Baba was dubbed from the Tamil version.
Rudra Veenai is a nail biting tele series, based on Indra Sounder Rajan's novel of the same name. Rudhra Veenai is about a Veena, which have something like a magical power. Hearing different types of tunes have many positive effects on the listener. In the year of 1701 AD, an old man from the Northern Regions of India, called Baba, goes on a trail by legs to the a small village, Thodipuram in the Southern State of Tamil Nadu. He carries the Rudhra Veena on his shoulders and is on the quest to return to Lord Shiva, on Navaratri, in the village of Thodipuram.
Simultaneously, the current happening in Thodipuram is also shown. 300 years later in 2002, the Thodipuram village have a separate pride. Veena sound could be heard now and then throughout the village. The main characters are people in the village. The Village President, Kalyana Sundaram, who holds a grudge against a woman named Dasi Sundrambal, who is a saint woman giving advices to the villagers. A 'Shakti Upsagar' Narashima Barathi. The Chief Priest of the Thodieswaran Temple, Pattar. The mute eldest Daughter of Pattar, Mythili and her elder brother Shankaran, who is the best friend of Kalayana Sundaram's son, Swaminathan. Banu, who is Sundarambal's only daughter who is in love with Shankaran without her knowing that Swaminathan is in love with her and finally, her Half-brother Ashokan.
Mysterious things happen in Rani Bungalow, where the Veena is being played. No one knows who plays it although they are believing it to be Baba's Spirit. It was told that Baba had stayed in the Bungalow 300 years ago and died there. Baba's tomb is residing there, in Rani Bungalows backyard. No one can near the Bungalow and if they attempt to do so, they get attacked by bees and serpents guarding the place. The only people who can near the Bungalow is the women of Dasi family yet, it is unknown if Banu could enter it. Other than the Dasi family women, their help Thilagam accompany them without any harm. People who forcefully enter it, gets hurt. A graveyard man who lives in the graveyard on the pathway to Rank Bungalow, prevents people from going that way.
Here comes the 'Upsagar', Narashima Barathi. Seeking ways to attain the Rudhra Veena for himself, he tries many tricks, much to his Guru's annoyance and avoidance. But, as per Baba's words, only the reincarnation of Lord Shiva, named Rudhran can get hold of the Veena. Many men, thinking themselves as Rudhran, tries to get hold of the Veena.
As more mysterious things happen around Rani Bungalow and around Thodipuram, people start doubting each other. A man called Neelakandan is going behind Narashima Barathi to prevent him from getting hold of the Rudhra Veenai. Here comes a man, called Rudhraeshwaran, who has evil intentions. He is the reincarnation of an evil man, Kaapaaligan from Baba's days, who had been after the Veenai last time. An ancestor's corpse, in Karnam's house with some information of the Veenai is found. More questions arise as the show progress.
Who the real Rudhran is? Where does the Veena go? Who plays the Veena every night? What is causing the heavy protection around the Rani Bungalow? Why are the Dasi women going to the Bungalow at night and doing some mysterious Poojai? All these are answered as the show progresses.