In early 11th century China, the Song Dynasty is being invaded by armies of the rival state Western Xia. Yang, the last of a long line of Song generals, is killed and his widowed wife Mu leads other widows into battle to save their dynasty.

A king seeks a sculptor for a temple and his son finds him Iniyan. Iniyan discovers Chamundi, a skilled dancer who becomes his muse, and falls in love with her unaware of her true identity.