The culture ministry is set to embark on a comprehensive initiative to preserve and promote the ‘Kamba Ramayana’, one of the most significant works in Tamil literature. It has planned a week-long immersive festival to be held at KambarMedu, the birthplace of Kambar in Theraazhundur. This festival will feature continuous recitals of the ‘Kamba Ramayana’, dance dramas, and scholarly discussions on the cultural and literary significance of the epic.
What Is Special About Kamba Ramayana
Why In News
- The culture ministry is set to embark on a comprehensive initiative to preserve and promote the ‘Kamba Ramayana’, one of the most significant works in Tamil literature.
- It has planned a week-long immersive festival to be held at KambarMedu, the birthplace of Kambar in Theraazhundur. This festival will feature continuous recitals of the ‘Kamba Ramayana’, dance dramas, and scholarly discussions on the cultural and literary significance of the epic.
Kamba Ramayana
- Kamba Ramayana, also known as Ramavataram, is a Tamil epic based on the Sanskrit Valmiki Ramayana. It is celebrated for its poetic excellence and spiritual interpretations unique to Tamil culture.
- Composed by Tamil poet Kambar in the 12th century CE.
- Patronized by Thiruvennai Nallur Sadayappa Vallal, whose name appears every 1,000 verses in gratitude.
- Year: Written during the 12th century CE. Strongly associated with Tamil Nadu, especially the poet’s birthplace, Kambar Medu in Theraazhundur.
- Structure: Divided into 6 Kandams (chapters), 113 Padalams (sections), and around 10,569 verses.
- Language: Written in classical Tamil, highlighting regional devotion and cultural values.
- Cultural Integration: Combines Tamil folk elements with deep philosophical and spiritual symbolism.
- Performance Tradition: Traditionally recited by Kamba Ramayana Mandali in temples; now being revived through state initiatives.
About Kambar
- Kambar, also known as Kavichakravarthy Kamban, was a renowned Tamil poet.
- He is celebrated for composing the Ramavataram (Kamba Ramayanam), the Tamil adaptation of the Ramayana.
- Born in Therazhundur, located in the present-day Mayiladuthurai district, Tamil Nadu. Kambar lived and flourished in the Chola Empire during the reign of Kulothunga III.
- He received royal recognition and was bestowed the title Kavi Chakravarthy (Emperor of Poets).
- His lifetime is generally dated between 1180 CE and 1250 CE. He lived after Vaishnavite philosopher Ramanuja, whom he references in his works.
Other works:
- Tirukkai Valakkam – Ethical and moral verses.
- Erelupatu and Silai Elupatu – Spiritual compositions.
- Kangai Puranam – Temple-based mythological narrative.
- Sadagopar Antati and Saraswati Antati – Devotional compositions.
