The Ramayana, written by Maharishi Valmiki Jee, was translated into Tamil by the famous Tamil poet Kambar in the 12th century. Since Kambar wrote it, the work is known as ‘Kambaramayanam’. This work is divided into six Kandas: Balakanda, Ayodhyakanda, Aranyakanda, Kishkindhakanda, Sundarakanda, and Yuddhakanda.
The Kamba Ramayana differs from Valmiki’s in significant ways. Although cast in the heroic mold of a Purushotama or ‘the best among men’, Valmiki’s Rama is still a man. Kamban, on the other hand, never allows the reader to forget the deity of Rama. His Ravana too, though flawed, is a heroic figure.
Promoting Kamba Ramayana,
To preserve and promote the Kamba Ramayana, one of the most significant works in Tamil literature, the South Zone Cultural Centre (SZCC), under the Ministry of Culture is launching a comprehensive initiative aimed at reviving the oral tradition of ‘Kamba Ramayana’ recitals and its broader cultural impact.
The ceremony will be inaugurated by the Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on 18th March 2025. This will be followed by performances at several temples across Tamil Nadu.
The inaugural event of this ambitious program will take place at the historic Sreerangam Temple, Trichy, with participation from Kamba Ramayana Mandali (cultural troupes) from across Tamil Nadu. These local cultural troupes will perform traditional recitals of the epic, showcasing their unique chanting techniques.
This initiative will include a series of performances, workshops, symposia, and educational competitions to ensure that future generations can connect with and appreciate this epic text, which has long been integral to Tamil heritage. The program will be spread over two distinct phases, each contributing to the preservation and spread of Kamba Ramayana:
Phase I: Inaugural Ceremony (March 18, 2025): The festival will commence at the Sreerangam Temple, with recitals and performances by Kamba Ramayana Mandali (cultural troupes) from across Tamil Nadu. After the opening event, the performances will travel to key temples across the state, including Thirupullambuthangudi, Madurantakam, Thiruneermalai and Vaduvur.
Phase II: Kamba Ramayana Festival at Kambar Medu (March 30 – April 06, 2025): A week-long immersive festival will 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.
Esteemed scholars and artists will lead symposiums, while dance performances based on the Kamba Ramayana will bring the story to life in innovative theatrical styles. Key Programs: Isai (Music/Performance): Kamba Ramayana mandali will perform recitals at various locations, culminating in the 9-day festival at KambarMedu.
Iyal (Literature/Scholarly Engagement): A symposium of renowned scholars will explore the literary, cultural, and historical significance of Kamba Ramayana.
Natakam (Theatre/Dance Drama): Dance dramas based on the epic will be performed at the festival, interpreting the story through the medium of theatre.
Kambar Medu, located in Theraazhundur, Tamil Nadu, is the birthplace of Kambar, the poet who penned the Kamba Ramayana, one of the most significant literary works in Tamil literature.
This version of the Ramayana, composed in the 12th-13th century CE, stands as a unique and culturally rich adaptation of the Valmiki Ramayana. Though once integral to Tamil cultural life, the oral tradition of reciting the Kamba Ramayana through local mandali (cultural troupes) has significantly declined. Many younger generations in Tamil Nadu are now unfamiliar with Kambar’s epic, and the cultural practice is at risk of extinction.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the South Zone Cultural Centre (SZCC) aims to sustain and disseminate the Kamba Ramayana by reviving its performance, education, and engagement through the creation of an integrated festival and educational initiative. This proposal not only seeks to preserve Tamil cultural heritage but also ensures its transmission to future generations.
Objectives of the program:
- To sustain and promote the Kamba Ramayana oral tradition through recitals by cultural troupes (mandali).
- To attract the younger generation to engage with and learn about the Kamba Ramayana, ensuring the preservation of this important literary work.
- To establish a comprehensive, statewide program that incorporates performances, symposia, and educational competitions.
Long-Term Vision: This initiative aims to create a sustainable cultural legacy for the Kamba Ramayana:
Annual Festival: The Kamba Ramayana festival will become an annual celebration of Tamil literary heritage.
Museum at Kambar Medu: A museum dedicated to the life and works of Kambar and the Kamba Ramayana will be established at Kambar Medu, ensuring that the epic’s legacy is preserved for future generations.
South Zone Cultural Centre (SZCC): The South Zone Cultural Centre (SZCC), under the Ministry of Culture is dedicated to the promotion and preservation of regional cultural heritage across southern India. Through events like the Kamba Ramayana initiative, the SZCC seeks to engage diverse communities, foster cultural understanding, and inspire the younger generation to embrace traditional art forms.
The Ramavatharam, popularly referred to as Kamba Ramayanam, is a Tamil epic that was written by the Tamil poet. Based on Valmiki’s Ramayana (which is in Sanskrit), the story describes the legend of King Rama of Ayodhya. However, the Ramavatharam is different from the Sanskrit version in many aspects – both in spiritual concepts and in the specifics of the storyline. This historic work is considered by both Tamil scholars and the general public as one of the greatest literary works in Tamil literature. Kambar wrote this epic with the patronage of Thiruvennai Nallur Sadayappa Vallal, a chieftain of the Pannai lineage. In gratitude to his patron, Kambar references his name once in every 1,000 verses.
Even before Kambar wrote the Ramavataram in Tamil in the 12 century CE, there are many ancient references to the story of Ramayana, implying that the story was familiar in the Tamil lands even before the Common Era. References to the story can be found in the Sangam literature of Akanaṉūṟu,(dated 200 BCE–300 CE) and Purananuru (dated 200 BCE–300 CE), the twin epics of Silappatikaram (dated 6th century CE) and Manimekalai, and the Alvar literature of Kulasekhara Alvar, Thirumangai Alvar, Andal and Nammalvar (dated between 8th and 10th centuries CE).
The book is divided into six chapters, called Kandam in Tamil. The Kandams are further divided into 113 sections called Padalam in Tamil. These 113 sections contain approximately 10569 verses of the epic:
Bala Kandam (Chapter: Childhood)
Ayodhya Kandam (Chapter: Ayodhya)
Aranya Kandam (Chapter: Forest)
Kishkindha Kandam (Chapter: Kishkindha)
Sundara Kandam (Chapter: Beautiful)
Yuddha Kandam (Chapter: War)
As per its literary significance, Kambar’s use of Virutham (Sanskrit: vṛttam) and Santham (Sanskrit: chandas) in various verses is effective in bringing out the emotion and mood for storytelling. He achieves the Virutham and Santham by effective choice of words.
As per religious significance, this epic is read by many Hindus during prayers. In some households, the entire epic is read once during the Tamil calendar’s month of Aadi (mid-July to mid-August). It is also read in Hindu Temples and other religious associations. On many occasions, Kambar talks about surrendering to Rama, who is a manifestation of Vishnu himself.
The chapter Sundara Kandam is considered very auspicious and is the most popular. The chapter talks about the hardships faced by the main characters in the epic, their practice of restraint, and their hopes for a better tomorrow.
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